The Second-Chance Fiancé Chapter 2

His brow furrowed. "A stranger, Jodi? What is that supposed to mean?"

"It means," I said, my voice even, "that I can buy my own clothes. And whatever my job is, I find it perfectly respectable. I'm not giving up on anything. You should keep your money for someone who actually needs it."

He stood there, clutching the check, his lips pressed into a thin, angry line.

Isabella glided to his side, her eyes flicking from the check to my face. A storm of anger brewed behind her carefully composed expression, but her voice was as gentle as ever.

"Jodi, if you won't accept our help, perhaps we can offer something more... practical." She smiled, a benefactor to a charity case. "I just opened a new nail salon on Grand Avenue. I could set you up as an apprentice. The pay isn't amazing, maybe six thousand a month to start, but you'd learn a real skill. That way, if you ever hit rock bottom, you'd at least have a trade to fall back on."

"What do you think?" she pressed. "It has to be more respectable than whatever you're doing now."

I calmly continued eating, refusing to be baited. "Thank you for the offer, but I'm quite happy with my current job. I have no plans to change careers."

An old classmate shouted from across the room, "Jodi, don't be an idiot! Jeremy and Isabella are being generous! They're offering you money, a job! Just take it!"

"Yeah, seriously," another chimed in. "You're clearly struggling, swallow your pride! Why else would you even show up to a reunion looking like that if you weren't looking for a handout? Stop putting on an act!"

Isabella jumped in, playing the peacemaker. "Everyone, please! Don't say that! Maybe Jodi genuinely loves her job." She turned back to me, her eyes gleaming with false sympathy. "Jodi, this is a real opportunity. We're only offering because of our history. Don't let your pride get in the way."

I truly couldn't comprehend this bizarre need to force charity on me.

"Really, I don't need it. Thank you."

Isabella's smile remained, but her eyes were cold with disdain.

Jeremy finally crumpled the check in his fist. "You can't help someone who won't help themselves," he sneered. "A lost cause. Fine, stay poor for the rest of your life for all I care!"

As if his words were a signal, a group of the guys, emboldened by alcohol, swarmed my table.

"Jodi, you look like you could use a break," one of them slurred, shoving a drink toward me. "Drink this, and I'll send you a thousand bucks."

"If you're really that desperate..." another one added, his eyes roaming over me in a way that made my skin crawl, "...I could add a little more to the pot."

The rest of the group hooted with laughter. No one stepped in.

My patience snapped. This was a far cry from the friendly reunion I'd expected. If I wasn't waiting for someone, I would have already walked out.

I was about to call for security when Jeremy, who had been watching from the side, suddenly stubbed out his cigarette and grabbed the man's arm.

His voice was ice. "Back off."

The man yelped in pain as Jeremy's grip tightened.

Isabella rushed over, tugging on Jeremy's sleeve. "Jeremy, what are you doing?!"

His face was a cold mask. "Being a decent human being. This is a class reunion, not a frat party." He shoved the man away. The guy didn't dare challenge Jeremy, but he shot me a venomous glare before retreating.

I couldn't help but stare at Jeremy, surprised that he would defend me.

Isabella looked like she wanted to chew nails, but she forced a bright smile. "Anyway! I heard the CEO and the young heir of the Apex Group are having a meeting upstairs. If we're lucky, we might get to see the city's richest man in person!"

The mood in the room shifted instantly. The Apex Group. Its CEO was a legend—handsome, powerful, and still in his thirties, with a five-year-old son. But the identity of his wife was the city's best-kept secret.

"Does that mean we might see his wife tonight? I've gotta post this on TikTok!"

"This is front-page news!"

Moments later, a team of bodyguards entered the ballroom, escorting a small boy. The crowd buzzed with excitement.

"Look at that entourage! That must be him, the Apex heir! He's so handsome!"

The man who had harassed me, now nursing his wrist, sidled up to me again. "See, Jodi? If it weren't for Isabella, a working-class nobody like you would never even be in the same room as the Apex prince. If I were you, I'd get on my knees and thank her. Maybe she'd help you land a decent job, or even a guy like me who makes a whole six thousand a month."

Pathetic.

I ignored him, my gaze fixed on the boy.

Everyone swarmed forward, phones out, taking pictures and videos. Even the ever-composed Isabella put on her most charming smile and approached the child, practically oozing with manufactured warmth.

"Hello there, little one," she cooed, reaching out to pinch his cheek. "Is there anything you'd like to eat? Auntie can buy it for you."

But the boy, who had looked so serious and aloof surrounded by his guards, completely ignored her. His eyes scanned the room, landed on me, and lit up.

He broke away from his security detail and ran straight towards me, a brilliant smile on his face.

"Mommy!" he cried, throwing himself into my arms. "You're finally here!"

The little prince who had been so cool and distant a moment ago was now looking up at me with big, teary eyes. "You didn't come home last night! I missed you so, so much!"

I hugged my son tight, stroking his hair. "I was working, sweetie," I murmured. "I told you before I left, remember? But guess what? Mommy's off tomorrow. We can go play anywhere you want. How does that sound?"

My precious Leo nodded eagerly. "Yes! Mommy is the best!"

The entire room was silent. Every single person was staring at us, their faces a mixture of shock and utter disbelief.

Just as someone was about to speak, a devastatingly handsome man in a tailored suit rushed down from the upstairs conference room.

"Honey," he said, his voice warm with relief. "The hotel manager told me you were at a reunion down here. Why didn't you call me when you got off your shift? I would have picked you up."

The hotel manager stood beside him, beaming. "Ladies and gentlemen," he announced to the stunned crowd, "Allow me to introduce the President of the Apex Group, Mr. Travis Wade, and his wife, Dr. Jodi Summers. Please, enjoy your evening. If our esteemed guests require anything at all, we are at your service."

The atmosphere crackled. The people who had just been mocking me were now staring with wide, excited eyes. Those who had been cruelest looked pale and sick.

A few of my closer friends from school finally found their voices.

"Jodi... your husband is Travis Wade? The richest man in the city?"

"Are you kidding? Didn't you hear the manager? The little heir just called her 'Mommy'! She is the secret wife!"

"Oh my god... now that is true royalty..."

I could only offer a small, polite smile as the whispers turned into a roar.

Travis looked me over, his expression softening with concern as he pulled me into a gentle embrace. "Just got out of the hospital again? Let's get you home to rest as soon as you're ready."

I nodded. "Okay."

Then, my cool and powerful husband completely ignored Isabella, who was trying to catch his eye, and looked directly at Jeremy. His voice was laced with a cool, cutting disdain.