THE BILLIONAIRE'S DESIRE

CHAPTER 24

Daniella simply clenched her teeth at the man's actions. Marcus was clearly enjoying her misery! "How did you get here? You've convinced them that we've reconciled!" When they were alone upstairs, she reprimanded him.

"Is it really that difficult, Dani?" Marcus addressed her directly with the question he had been meaning to ask her since the garden picture session.

She tightened her teeth as she considered her alternatives before yelling loudly and clearly enough for everyone in the house to hear. "Exit!" She shouted again, and Paloma dashed to her side.

"Ella, what is the matter? Why can't you simply forgive him? It was the fault of his captain!" Paloma dashed to his rescue. She could understand Ella's rage, but it was entirely her husband's fault! If anybody should accept blame, it should be the commander who sent them the wrong person's ashes.

"Please, Ma, leave us alone. "I'd want to speak with him alone," she stated, dismissing her stepmother for intervening to protect the guy who stood in front of her callously and without remorse.

"All well, but I'm hoping you'll be sensible and give him another opportunity this time. I understand it's difficult, dear, but he's still alive," she didn't understand why Daniella struggled to let it go. She should feel relieved Marcus was returned in one piece!

"Reasonable? How am I to remain reasonable after catching him cheating on me?" Another fabrication was necessary to conceal another, and she couldn't care less if she went to Hell.

Marcus made a sneering remark about the woman's inventiveness. He believed he had trapped her, but she escaped unscathed! When he met Paloma's gaze, the celebrant threw daggers at him, and how could he ever win against two cruel women? He pressed his lips together and listened to Paloma's speech, while Daniella grinned in the corner. "I'm sorry," he said, and it was the worst mistake he had ever made, and he chastised himself for apologizing.

Daniella announced, "I want an annulment," which surprised Paloma more than Marcus.

"Ella! Are you delusory? How did you come to be so critical of AJ's father? Perhaps he was enticed by another warm body while you were unavailable. "Common Ella, don't hurry this annulment thing," Paloma pleaded with Daniella to reconsider annulling her marriage.

"I want to be alone," she murmured, and Paloma abruptly ceased speaking. "And you, Mr. Madrigal, I require your immediate departure!"

"Please, Dani," he pleaded.

"If you want me and AJ, Marcus, there is no way around it. "Take it or leave it," she stated emphatically. Although the man has become the father of her daughter, they were not in a relationship prior to this. If Marcus was prepared to accept the courtship challenge, he may earn another chance to show himself.

"I comprehend," he stated. He could see why the woman was passionate about taking him back, and she was correct that he desired to take the shortest route to her heart. "Inform me as to what I should do initially," he enquired.

"If you have no idea, it is pointless. So, when are you departing?" The man might just be overwhelmed by the fact that he is the father of her kid, which is why he announced his desire to re- enter her life...once again. No, she was not going to allow that!

"At a later time," he said. Ortega would be shocked to learn that their vacations had been shortened, but he has no option.

"All right," she responded, dismissing him. Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

Daniella was unhappy to learn that Marcus and Ortega had really abandoned their property. She believed he would not depart, but she was mistaken! The strain may have been too much for him to bear, and he chose to simply...vanish from her sight!

She waited days for him to return, but Marcus never did. Even his shadow was nowhere to be seen, and she reasoned that it was for the best that they would never see each other again.

"Hey, why are you taking this so seriously?" Lilian followed her sister beside the swimming pool, who was daydreaming. Daniella has been acting strangely since she discovered AJ's father was missing. To be honest, she was relieved that Ortega had also gone before he could dig out information regarding her daughter, Vanessa's, identity.

"He's gone...and maybe permanently." Lilian's query elicited a response from Daniella.

Lilian squinted her eyes, perplexed. "I assumed you desired his removal," she stated.

"Yes, but I anticipated his remaining." She was accustomed to candor, but with Marcus, she gradually devolved into a stupid ass.

"You advised him to go yet expected him to remain? That is quite perplexing, Ella." Lilian made the statement.

"I am aware, but I am unable to tell him the truth, Lil. How are you going to expect me to be candid about my emotions for him? I wished, though, that he would insist on remaining by my side." Daniella, too, was perplexed by her actions.

"Ella, Marcus is not a fortune teller." Lilian brought up her stepsister's recollection.

"And how about Ortega?" Was he a soothsayer?" She responded Lilian's query.

"My position is unique in comparison to yours, Ella. Ortega is not as interested in me as Marcus was," she responded.

If she was stupid, Lilian was even more so. How could she have missed the way Ortega regarded her? "Is that correct? However, the way he stared at you, never mind." Daniella brushed off the subject and rose.

"What are your plans?" Lilian inquired.

Daniella said, "I have to see AJ," and walked away, leaving Lilian speechless. She was at a loss on how to handle Marcus, but regretted she hadn't told him to go. It was unjust to pine for him when the man made no indication that he was drawn to her and all he said was about their daughter. She inhaled deeply as she ascended the stairs to her bedroom.

Rather of returning to her bedroom, where AJ was sleeping with Patty, Daniella entered the guestroom Marcus and Ortega had occupied during the celebration. She examined the room, her eyes widening as she noticed Marcus's t-shirt from their previous altercation. She snatched up the garment and clutched it close to her chest, sniffing the aroma that lingered in the cloth. It reeked of Marcus! Daniella tucked the t-shirt inside the inside of her blouse before venturing outside.