Secretly A Billionaire: His Ex Wife Regret

Three

The shock in Bruno's face gave way to near fascination as Silvia stepped toward him. That confident stride, the sharp features, and those piercing blue eyes had him entranced. He puffed out his chest and ran his palms against his pant legs in a weak attempt at composed behavior.

"Well, well," he began smoothly. "I don't know who you are, but you've got quite the .fiery personality.".

Silvia was about as subtle as it gets. "Flattery isn't going to fix that mangled excuse of a car you're driving." She gave him a disapproving once-over. "And no amount of money could fix that face."

Bruno's smirk was gone. "Watch your mouth, lady!" he snapped. Earlier admiration gone, his face had turned red with anger. "Do you have any idea who you're talking to?

Silvia tilted her head, feigning thought. “Hmm… A lowlife who thinks flaunting a car loan makes him important?”

Milena jumped to Bruno’s defense, stepping between him and Silvia. “Don’t talk to Bruno like that! He’s worth more than you’ll ever be!”

Silvia let out a sharp, humorless laugh. “Worth more? Oh, darling, that’s rich coming from someone who traded a diamond for a pebble.”

Milena's face went beet red. "What's your problem? Who are you, anyway?"

Not even remotely fazed by Milena's explosion, Silvia turned to Cassio. "Shall I?" she said mock politely.

Cassio sighed, rubbing his temples. "Silvia, I think they've had enough—"

But Silvia had only just gotten started. She turned back to Milena, her hawk-sharp gaze locking onto her. "Had enough? Oh no, she hasn't even begun to understand what she threw away.

The bravado fled from Milena as Silvia took a menacing step forward, the heels of her shoes clicking threateningly against concrete. "You," Silvia began-the cold bite of her voice-"had it all: a husband who loved you, respected you, was ready to give you the world. You threw it all away for this." She gestured in Bruno's direction with a scoff.

"Excuse me?" Milena shot back, trying to sound defiant.

Filthy ingrate," Silvia spat, the edge slicing through every word. "You are not even fit to speak his name, let alone share his shadow."

Milena opened her mouth to retaliate, but before she could utter a word, Silvia's hand flew out in the air with a ringing slap.

"You dare!" Milena shrieked, clapping her cheek in disbelief.

Bruno sprang forward, but the icy glint in Silvia's eyes froze him in place. "One more step," she said, "and I'll crush more than your car."

Milena retreated, shaking, but Silvia pursued her, voice low and venomous now. "You disgust me," she spat. "You had no idea who you married, no appreciation for the sacrifices he made for you. And you think you can waltz away without consequence?

Silvia's hands clamped onto Milena's neck, tight enough to hold but not hurt. Milena gasped, her hands flailing against Silvia's hold.

"Silvia!" Cassio growled, tugging on her arm. "That's enough."

And with that, Silvia let go abruptly, releasing Milena onto her knees, coughing. Cassio stepped between them, grave.

"Keep yourself in check," he warned Silvia.

Silvia ironed her jacket, still hard of breath, the anger not dissipated. She turned back to Milena softer perhaps, but still razor-edged. "Fine. Words will do."

She clapped her hands and out of the back of the SUV came two men in uniform, both carrying ornate boxes. They set them down, opened them, and exposed a selection of designer handbags, perfumes, and sparkling jewels.

“These,” Silvia said, gesturing to the items, “were gifts prepared for you. Limited edition, custom-made, and worth more than that wreck of a car you’ve been parading around in.”

Milena’s eyes widened, her hand reaching out instinctively. “I—”

Before she could touch anything, Silvia threw a lit match into one of the boxes. Flames erupted, consuming the treasures.

“No!” Milena shrieked, lunging toward the fire, but Silvia blocked her path.

"Too late," Silvia sneered. "But that does not matter-you were not worthy of them anyway."

Bruno stood aghast, staring at the burning items, his jaw slack. "Are you insane? Do you know how much that stuff costs?"

Silvia turned to him, her eyes gleaming. "Far more than your life insurance could cover."

Then, she nodded towards the Mercedes-Benz SUV. "This car? Once a prototype for over €10 million. Unique in its genre. And him whom you ridiculed? He has six of these."

Milena stepped back, shaking her head. "It can't be that way. Cassio isn't—"

"Isn't what?" Silvia interrupted dryly. "Wealthy? Powerful? Respected?" Cold. Mocking. She laughed.

Hitherto silent since the display began, Cassio spoke. Light, but there was weight that could not be mistaken.

"Milena," he spoke deadpan, "I hope the best for you in the path you've undertaken. Adiós."

Then he pivoted and walked toward the SUV. Silvia gave Milena a last scathing look before she too turned to follow Cassio.

As the SUV roared away, leaving Bruno’s crumpled BMW and Milena’s shattered pride behind, Milena collapsed onto the ground, tears streaming down her face.

Bruno glared after the retreating car, muttering curses under his breath.

Meanwhile, inside the SUV, Silvia glanced at Cassio. “You okay?”

Cassio leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes. “I’m fine,” he said quietly. “Let’s just move on.”

Silvia nodded and, out of respect, said nothing more as they drove away, leaving the past behind their backs.

As the SUV inched to a stop at a scenic overview on their way out of town, Silvia turned to Cassio, her hands clenching onto the steering wheel. She couldn't just let this indignation go without comment. "Cassio," she started, an edge to her voice, "are you sure you don't want to say anything to her? She deserves to know the full extent of her stupidity."

Cassio sighed, looking out to the horizon. "What would be the use, Silvia? She has made her choice."

Silvia threw her hands up in a 'here we go' gesture. "Perhaps it is not for her benefit, but for mine. I need her to understand just how monumental her mistake was." And with that said, she reached for the door handle of the SUV and stepped out onto the sidewalk, straightening her blazer as she stormed backward toward the two shocked faces of Milena and Bruno.

Milena looked up at Silvia, her eyes cloudy with the remnants of fear and disorientation. "What now?" she stammered, almost in a whisper, shaking in her voice.

Silvia crossed her arms before her chest. Her eyes were as sharp as razors. "Oh, I am not done enlightening you. There is one last little detail I think you should know-about that golden card Cassio gave you."

For a moment, Milena frowned, taken away for a second too long from her shame. "What card?

The Reuss Bank gold card," Silvia said with an edge of sarcasm in her voice. "The one you chucked in like trash when you thought it was worthless."

Milena blinked, trying to speed into her head. "That. that card?" she stuttered.

"Yes, that card," Silvia growled, taking another step closer. "Do you even know what a Reuss Bank gold card is? It's not some credit card that you pick up down at the local bank. It is a custom-issued infinite credit account reserved for persons whose net worth exceeds billions."

Milena's face paled white, her lips parting in denial. "No… that's just not possible. I thought-

"You thought wrong," Silvia said, ice cold. "Cassio gave you the keys to unlimited wealth, and you threw it away because, in your egotistical blindness, you didn't even have the consideration to ask questions."

Bruno, who had kept silent up until now, gave a nervous guffaw. "You are bluffing. Nobody hands over a card like that."

She wheeled her glare around on him. "Bluffing? Reuss Bank doesn't even issue those cards to anyone who asks. It's invitation only, reserved for the world's elite. Cassio is one of their top-tier clients. You wouldn't qualify to shine the shoes of someone who holds that card."

Milena took a step forward, quivering. "Cassio… is this true?" she asked in a voice barely above her breath.

It was then that Cassio finally got out from the SUV and went to stand calmly, but vaguely away from her. "Does it now, Milena? You made it pretty clear what you wanted-or rather, what you didn't want."

Milena's legs buckled, folding her onto the earth. "I didn't know… I didn't realize…

Silvia squatted down to Milena's height, sarcasm and pity dripping in her voice. "And that, Milena, is why you've made the most foolish decision of your life. You had a man who would have moved mountains for you. A man who literally led nations. And you threw him away for this." She nodded toward Bruno, looking like he could disappear if he wanted to.

Milena’s tears spilled freely now. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, her voice cracking. “I didn’t mean to…”

“Save your apologies,” Silvia said icily, rising to her feet. “Cassio doesn’t need them. He’s already moved on to bigger and better things.”

Cassio leaned in closer, his voice unraised but taking no prisoners. "Milena, I really do hope you find the life you're looking for. But it won't be with me." Glancing sideways at Bruno, who refused to meet his eye, he added, "Take care of her-if you can."

With that, he turned and walked back in the direction of the SUV. Silvia followed, turning briefly to look over her shoulder. "Goodbye, Milena," she said-without a speck of sympathy in her voice. "Enjoy the life you've chosen. You deserve it."

As the SUV roared to life and pealed out of the parking lot, Milena collapsed into sobs, Bruno in a bit of an awkward pat on her back. It was then that the reality of her choices hit her like a freight train, leaving her to pick up the pieces of her greed and blindness.

Inside the SUV, Silvia turned to Cassio; her voice was soft: "Are you really okay?

Cassio leaned back in his chair, looking out to the oncoming road. "I am," he whispered softly. "This was my closure.

Silvia nodded in respect to the silent resilience of this man. "Well, wherever you go next, you'll have the world at your feet again. And this time, no one will take it for granted.

Cassio smiled weakly, and the car drove toward a new beginning, leaving the past-and Milena-very far behind.