Living a fairytale: Permitted to cheat on my billionaire husband?

Third person's POV

Moira sank into a chair, her eyes blinking as if that would wake her up from the terrible dream.

"This is a dream, right?" She mumbled and sank into a nearby sofa.

"What just happened? What went wrong?" The words he had spoken kept echoing in her mind: *permitted to cheat, perfect wife outside*.

"This can't be real, this can't be happening." She whispered into the empty room as if someone was listening to her.

"He loves me... Wait, does he?" She wondered aloud and with that, her mind drifted back to Drake's return party five months ago.

FLASHBACK

The Sinclair's penthouse had been filled with laughter and champagne, a stark contrast to the cold emptiness she felt now.

"I can't believe Drake hasn't changed his feelings for Moira. Five years abroad, surely he must have met many beautiful women." Mrs. Astor had said, beaming at Mrs. Sinclair.

"Oh, Elizabeth..." Mrs. Sinclair had laughed warmly, patting Mrs. Astor's hand.

"Our Drake would never abandon his childhood sweetheart for a stranger. You should see how he talks about Moira in his calls home. Always asking about her." Drake's mother added, grinning from ear to ear.

"The agreement we made ten years ago was the best decision. And both kids agreed to it without any pressure from us. It is as if they have been waiting for us to just say it." Mr. Sinclair had chimed in, raising his glass.

"Indeed, sometimes the best matches are arranged by those who know their children best." Mr. Astor had maintained.

Mrs. Sinclair had looked at where Moira was, just few steps away, chatting excitedly with Drake.

"Our Moira is such a good girl. Such a gorgeous, successful lady, and she waited all this time for Drake to return. Not many young women would show such dedication these days." Mrs. Sinclair declared, looking so pleased.

Later that evening, Drake had pulled Moira aside to the balcony, his eyes bright with excitement.

"I can't believe how beautiful you have become... If I have known this is what I was coming home to meet, I would have come earlier." He had said, holding her hands in his. His touch had been warm then, genuine.

"And abandon your studies?" Moira had laughed.

"Of course, you are worth that." Drake maintained seriously and Moira smiled at him lovingly.

"Well, you have changed too. Five years is a long time. Your voice sounds more masculine and beautiful, better than on phone..." Moira had replied sweetly.

In response, Drake gave her a sweet smile, it had been so genuine then, reaching his eyes.

"I have missed you every day, Moira. I can't wait for us to get married. We should start preparing." He said.

"Really? You haven't found someone else more interesting abroad?" Moira had asked teasingly.

"There could never be anyone else. You are the only one for me, always have been." He had replied and she could have sworn that she saw sincerity in his eyes.

END OF FLASHBACK

Now, sitting alone in her new home, Moira pressed her hands tightly together.

"That wasn't a pretense... I would have detected it, wouldn't I? I mean, I deal with lying spouses all the time in the court!" She threw the question at the empty room, quietly.

"Of course! I am a smart woman and I know it. Who possibly can fool a highfly divorce attorney like me so smoothly like that?" She demanded, shaking her head.

"There is something he isn't telling me... Maybe I have done something to offend him or he is pranking..." Moira was wondering to herself when her phone rang, startling her. Her mother's name flashed on the screen.

She heaved a sigh and cleared her throat before accepting the call.

"Darling! How was your first night?" Mrs. Astor's voice was bubbling with excitement.

"Hey, Mom..." Moira's voice cracked but her mother was too excited to notice that.

"Oh, I'm sure it was wonderful! Drake is such a gentleman. Always has been. Don't forget about the business dinner at our penthouse tonight. You and Drake must come. First public appearance as husband and wife!" Mrs. Astor told her.

"Mom, I..."

"Got to run, darling. The caterers are here. See you tonight!" Her mother had said not waiting for her to respond before ending the call.

"Not surprised! So like my mom..." Moira grunted, gritting her teeth.

Before she could process the conversation, her phone rang again. This time, it was her husband, Drake.

"Hello to my beautiful wife!" Drake's voice rang out immediately she accepted the call.

"Your mom called about the dinner. Baby, you should dress so gorgeous as always for our first appearance. I can't wait to see you, baby. I'm missing you already." He said without preamble, his voice sweet and alluring, nothing like that morning.

Moira was taken aback for a moment at the sudden shift in his behavior.

"Drake, what is this about? Do you not remember what happened this morning? The conversation we had? Everything you said? See, we need to talk about..." Moira was saying but Drake cut in smoothly.

"Baby, forget about what happened this morning or last night. Let's just focus on this dinner we have to attend. I will see you soon, okay?" He replied gently.

"Drake, you can't just tell me to forget about..." Moira was saying again but got cut short.

"Baby, every minute I spend here not seeing your face has been hell... Gosh, I am a finished man. I love you, baby." Drake said and the line went dead.

"Honey--- Drake, you can't just shift from... F---k!!!" Moira cussed as she realized he had ended the call.

She flung her phone across the room and stood up angrily.

"Damn you, Drake Sinclair! Damn you and your confusing behavior!" She yelled, panting heavily and clenching her fists.

"Let's calm down... Yeah, right." She told herself, inhaling and exhaling deeply.

"Maybe I just need to dress so gorgeous as he wants... Maybe I can render him breathless then and he would remember how much he loves me and everything will come back to normal. Right?" Moira thought and let out a sharp breath.

"That sounds silly but I don't care. I just want to be with whom my heart chooses..." She added.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Later that evening, Moira walked out of the mansion, her dress carefully chosen for the mission at her hand.

She stopped short at the sight before her. Drake was standing beside his car, holding a bouquet of roses, looking impossibly handsome in his tailored suit.

"You look breathtaking!" He said, walking up to her with his most charming smile. He handed her the flowers and took her hand tenderly.

"Honey, are we back to normal?" Moira tried to ask, but Drake squeezed her hand softly as if to keep her shut.

"Let me help you into the car, my love." He whispered softly into her ear. His voice was warm, loving – everything it hadn't been that morning.

"No, this can't be pretense..." Moira quickly thought and allowed him to lead her into the car.

Once they were seated, Drake turned to her with a perfect smile.

"How was your day? I'm sorry I spent it away from you instead of staying home with our newlywed bliss." He told her.

Hearing that, the driver smiled at them in the rearview mirror.

Moira swallowed hard, not knowing what to think of his behavior.

"Well, you can drop the act now, Drake. There is no one here but the driver." She said lowly even though it broke her heart to say that, her brain wasn't going to put up with it.

However, in response, Drake simply smiled warmly at her.

"I was thinking we could take a vacation next month. Perhaps Paris? You have always wanted to see the Eiffel Tower." Drake suggested, smoothly ignoring what she had said.

That irked Moira greatly and she gritted out:

"Stop it, Drake! You are quite the actor, aren't you? Should I applaud now or wait until we reach our audience?"

The driver shifted in his seat and Moira felt embarrassed. She gulped and exhaled.

"Baby, the weather should be perfect in spring. We could stay at that hotel you mentioned last month." Drake continued like nothing just happened.

Moira glared at him then looked away, trying so hard to ignore the way his warm touch on her thigh was making her feel.

"Thompson, it seems I have done something to upset my wife. I better get on my best behavior to atone for my sin." Drake said to the driver and let out a soft chuckle.

"Sir, love forgives and forgets!" Thompson said simply and Drake smiled, nodding in understanding. Moira gritted her teeth.

Like that, the ride to their destination was in silence.

~~~~~~~~~~

When they finally arrived at the Astor's penthouse, Drake rushed to open her door. Moira, still fuming, missed her step in her emotional state.

Drake caught her around the waist, pulling her close against him. The familiar scent of his cologne made her heart ache.

At that moment, camera flashes suddenly erupted around them.

"What are you doing?" Moira hissed through gritted teeth, trying to pull away.

Drake's smile widened as more photographers gathered around them. His grip on her waist tightened almost imperceptibly.

"I have a surprise for you, dear wife. Are you ready?" He asked her and Moira felt her knees weakening.