Richard's POV
Typing furiously on my phone, I send the message and slump into my swivel chair.
Staring at the message, it reads:
“Hi, Eve. I know I have been really unfair to you since my accident. I am sorry. I doubted you and didn't believe you when you told me Arabel was the bad one. Now I believe you. I got the certificate from the registry where we got married, and I believe you now. Let's meet. Please.”
Hoping this will do the trick, I whirl around to face the window, thinking of how to go about this.
An annulment is what I want. After that, others can follow. For us to get an annulment, I need to see Eve and come to a decision with her.
I ordered Leo to find her in 24 hours, but I can't rely solely on him doing that. If he finds her, fine, and if he doesn't, this message might probably work out.
I am too desperate to get this done to wait another day married to that bitch. She has some explaining to do, and I would do whatever it takes to have her do my bidding.
I didn't get married to her.
If I hadn't recovered my memory, I would have thought it was part of my lost memory. But I know everything now, and nothing like a marriage with her is in my head.
I would never marry her. I will only do that over my dead body.
Suddenly, a message dings, and I open it quickly to see that it is a message from Arabel.
“I will spend the night at the penthouse. See you tomorrow.”
Shit!
I couldn't say anything to her when she asked because I wasn't sure how it happened. She waved it away and left.
I know she went to Ashley's place, and from her expression, she was definitely mad.
I haven't told my mother because I don't know how she would react to this either. I might have to keep it away from her until it is annulled.
The more I think about this, the more my anger increases, shimmering in my heart.
A call comes through, and I snap my eyes to the phone, thinking it is Eve.
It isn't.
It is Leo.
“Any news?”
“Boss, I found her,” he replies with relief visible in his tone. “She just arrived in New York. She is currently at the airport with a man.”
“Airport? Who is the man?”
“I can't see his face properly, and I can't make it through the crowd. I will take a picture and get back home quickly to find a similar image of who it might be.”
“Perhaps one of her boyfriends,” I voice out with strong distaste as I remember Jake. She told me she wasn't with him anymore. Perhaps it is Jake, and she is just deceiving the poor man while running to me every second.
“Ok, boss.”
The call disconnects, and I stand up in relief, pacing to and fro, thinking of what exactly to say to Arabel when we next see her.
I don't have enough evidence to go visit her at the penthouse tonight. I guess I will give her the space she needs, and by tomorrow, I will be confident enough to defend myself with the right evidence.
Going back to the desk, I grab the certificate and stare at it carefully. It looks authentic.
When my mind shifts back to the marriage certificate between Arabel and I, an idea hits me. Without hesitation, I rush to my desk to grab the file where I kept our marriage certificate and the divorce papers.
I drag the drawer out and open the file, tossing the other documents aside until I see the marriage certificate between Arabel and me.
Holding it in my right hand, I take hold of the other certificate in the other hand before comparing the two.
Everything is the same.
Except…
What?!
The date. We were married on October 10th.
That was the day and month Arabel and I got married, and I wasn't even in New York on that day.
Relief begins to wash through me at the silly mistake Eve made. Apparently, this is a fake, and if the certificate is indeed genuine, then something is wrong somewhere.
I grab my phone to call the clerk's office at the registry to check the authenticity, even though it looks 99% genuine.
Before I can dial the number, my phone dings with a new message. Eve's name pops up in the notification, and I tap on it quickly.
“Hi, babe. I'm so relieved you believe me now. I have been so sick and heartbroken since you asked me out of your mansion. I can't wait to see you. Let's meet tonight. 8 p.m. at the usual joint in LaRosa's club. I love you.”
A smile touches my lips.
She thinks she is playing me. She is nothing but a fool.
Before I can send her a message to tell her I will be there and she can send me the location's direction so she doesn't suspect I have my memories back, another call comes in.
Leo.
“Boss, we have an identity. Check your mail,” he tells me, making me rush back to the chair. Sitting in, I click on my mail to see a message from Leo.
The image starts to load as I tap my foot on the floor, expecting to see Jake's face staring back at me.
The face of a traitor.
It clicks open, and I see the image of another man. He has broad shoulders and a thin jawline, and his eyes are cold, staring deep into me.
Not Jake. And not a stranger like I thought, who would be one of Eve's numerous boyfriends.
Before me is the image of Alex. He looks really different from how I remember him, but I can't forget how he looks. His face does not register any emotion.
Rage suddenly flares up inside of me as a frown of confusion darkens my face.
What has Alex got to do with Eve? Is this some mistake on Leo's part? If Alex is back in New York, does that mean Arabel and Daisy are in danger again?
Without giving it further thought, I call Leo, and he picks up at the first ring.
“What is the meaning of this?!” I thunder angrily as my gaze sweeps through Alex's face again. “This is Alex.”
“Yes, boss,” he agrees slowly. “He was with Eve at the airport.”
“What?!” I shoot to my feet at the announcement.
“It is indeed Alex, boss,” he repeats grimly. “It seems Alex is the one impersonating you. There was no record of the real Richard Giodano at the registry on the 10th of October, but Alex was there with Eve. Alex is the one impersonating you. He is the one claiming to be Richard Giodano, and he is married to Eve in your name.”
“What?!” I exclaim again in total disbelief.