Too Late for Sorry, Mr. Billionaire (Chasing my Wife Back) novel Chapter 79

BOTH Marcus and Julian turned sharply the moment Charles breathed out the name.

“Shantel,” he had said.

Marcus’ brows shot up. Julian’s mouth slowly curved into a knowing grin.

Charles turned slightly away from them, lowering his voice.

“What do you want?”

On the other end, a soft chuckle floated through the speaker. That smooth, familiar and dangerous one she was good at giving.

“Yo! Is that how you answer your woman?” Shantel teased. “After all this time?”

“I am not your—” He cut himself off, teeth clenching. “What is the meaning of this nonsense? How dare you call my number again after I warned you?”

“My love…” she cooed, stretching the words lazily.

Charles stiffened and glanced at the boys. Julian leaned closer, shamelessly trying to overhear.

“Stop calling me that,” Charles hissed under his breath.

“Why?” Shantel’s voice dropped into something softer. “You used to like it.”

“That was before,” he snapped quietly. “Before you decided to become a problem.”

“Oh please,” she laughed lightly. “Can you stop this wall you are building around yourself? It is exhausting.”

“There is no wall. There is distance. Learn the difference.”

Marcus mouthed silently, ‘What is she saying?’

Charles waved him off.

“Why are you calling?” he demanded again.

“I missed you,” she said simply.

He scoffed. “Miss someone else.”

“Charles…”

The way she said his name made his jaw tighten.

“I have been thinking,” she continued. “We need to talk. Please.”

“There is nothing to talk about.”

“There is everything to talk about,” she countered smoothly. “Closure. Or maybe… continuation.”

He shut his eyes briefly.

“Shantel, listen carefully,” he said in a low warning tone. “Whatever fantasy you are cooking in that head of yours, kill it. I have moved on.”

“Moved on?” she echoed. “To her?”

He didn’t respond.

She laughed again, but this time there was a slight edge beneath it.

“Come on, love. You don’t sound happy.”

“That is none of your business.”

“Meet me,” she said suddenly.

He froze.

“Excuse me?”

“Let’s meet. Just once. Public place if you insist. No drama. Let’s talk like adults.”

“Are you insane?” he whispered harshly. “Meet you for what?”

“Can you calm down?” she said, amused. “You are shouting like someone caught stealing.”

He pulled the phone slightly away from his ear, breathing out sharply.

“There is nothing to discuss. Don’t call this number again.”

“Charles—”

He ended the call.

The room went quiet except for the faint noise of the muted television.

Marcus leaned forward immediately.

“What is she saying?” he asked, even though his expression suggested he had caught most of it.

Charles ran a frustrated hand through his hair.

“That we should meet. Can you imagine? This girl just wants to shatter my plans, shatter everything I have been building. She should better steer clear.”

Julian snickered.

“Bro, meet her.”

Both Marcus and Charles turned to him.

“What?!” they said almost in unison.

Julian shrugged casually.

“Hear me out.”

Marcus stared at him.

“Have you lost your mind?”

“No,” Julian said calmly. “I’m thinking.”

Charles folded his arms.

“Thinking rubbish.”

“You need money,” Julian continued. “She wants you back. Both of you are desperate—”

“I am not desperate,” Charles snapped.

Julian raised a brow.

“Your account is red.”

Silence.

Julian leaned back slightly.

“You can do this to your advantage.”

Before Charles could respond, his phone buzzed again.

Shantel calling.

He stared at the screen for two seconds before declining it immediately. Then he switched his phone to silent and tossed it onto the table like it had burned him.

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