The Daring Billionaire’s Wife

Aileen

The door on the other side of the partition swings open and in walks a corrections officer, escorting a man into the room. My heart instantly skips a beat as our eyes meet, even through the thick glass that separates us.

The man being led to his seat is a far cry from the person I expected. I've only seen pictures of him from the documents and articles, which were all taken twenty years ago and there's such a stark contrast between those images and the current reality.

His freshly shaved face has deep lines and scars, his eyes only filled with an intimidating hardness. The short sleeves of his prison-issued shirt show off all the tattoos on his muscular arms, some of them being skulls and snakes. It then comes back to me that he's regarded as one of the most dangerous criminals here.

After he sits down, he leans forward, his eyes slightly narrowed with curiosity as he takes in the view of me. Then, he reaches for his telephone but doesn't speak, eyeing me in silence.

This intimidation is more than I can take as it sends shivers down my spine. Bringing my telephone to my ear, I swallow hard, trying to find my voice.

"Hello?" My voice is barely above a whisper.

"This is fucking crazy." His voice rumbles through the phone as his eyes widen a little. "I might be way over here with this glass in the way, but how do you look so young, gorgeous and out of prison? Is it really you, Arlissa?"

"I'm guessing that's my mother's name. I'm Aileen."

He suddenly rises to his feet with wide eyes and a chuckle, slamming the glass with the palm of his hand. It almost feels like he can break it.

The corrections officer steps in, instructing him to sit down and as he does, he bursts into laughter and I can't tell if it's excitement or just pure shock.

"Aileen! I didn't think I'd see you again!"

His enthusiasm gives me a little hope and I can't help but smile as I point out something. "I kind of look like you."

He scoffs. "Wait until you see your mother. You're all grown up. You look so beautiful. Isn't this my lucky day? No one has come to visit me in ten years here at Cyphers Maximum Security Prison. What a way to kick things off. How did you even arrange for this when it's usually impossible?"

"I pulled a few strings with the receptionist."

listens to anyone,

told her my

from his hand and he quickly picks it up. "Richards? Which

shit like that. So, you're a billionaire. Did

Composing myself, I quickly change the subject. "I've been looking for you and mom for some time now and

you'd be a convincing one because you

it or not when it's

"Then go with it."

to hear

you shit. Get that DNA test done first. I'll give you what you need from me."

who nods in agreement with bringing the sample to me. "I see you have everyone here working

really won't talk to me unless we get this test done?" My voice cracks

"Am I not talking to you

"You

to say anyway. I have to admit that it feels strange having someone like

yourself, I look like

"So what?" He shrugs.

I need to go to Black Widow Maximum Security Prison." "Off to see your mother? You were always

"How could you remember when we

he says it makes my heart sink, making my eyes a little watery as I can't seem to figure out what he's

you really my

getting

a smile, I close my eyes with a sigh of defeat.

voice

wondering what he's about to say to

leave just