The Girl He Left Behind: Now a Billionaire’s Wife Chapter 05

The Girl He Left Behind: Now a Billionaire’s Wife Chapter 05

Caleb didn’t take me to a hotel. He took me to a sprawling penthouse apartment overlooking Central Park that he apparently kept for his visits to the city. 

“Make yourself at home,” he said, setting me down gently on a plush sofa. “My home is your 

home.” 

With Caleb’s unwavering support, I started to put myself back together. He didn’t push or pry. He just made me laugh, brought me my favorite foods, and listened when I needed to talk. He handled everything. He had my things moved from the New Jersey house and put into storage. He hired a lawyer to formally break the engagement and handle any legal fallout. 

We fell into an easy rhythm. We talked for hours, catching up on the decade we‘ d spent apart. He told me about building his business, about the countries he’d seen. I told him about teaching, about my simple, quiet life. 

“I always knew he wasn’t good enough for you,” he said one night, as we looked out at the city lights. “Even in high school. You were the sun, Gabby. And he was just… some guy.” 

Two weeks after he arrived, he took me to 

Tiffany’s. 

“Pick one,” he said, gesturing to the entire display of engagement rings. 

I laughed, thinking he was joking. “Caleb, that’s crazy. We just…” 

“I’m not joking,” he said, his eyes serious. “I’ve waited over ten years for this, Gabby. I’m not waiting another day.” 

It was impulsive. It was insane. But looking at him, at his completely devoted face, it felt more real than anything I had ever had with Andrew. 

I picked a simple, elegant ring. He slid it on my finger, and it was a perfect fit. 

The news of our engagement sent shockwaves through our families. My mother called, hysterical. “You can’t marry him! He was a delinquent! What happened to Andrew?” 

Andrew, meanwhile, began to spiral. Once he realized I was truly gone, he started calling, texting, leaving long, rambling voicemails. 

“Gabby, please. It was a mistake. I love you. We can work this out. I’ll get rid of Maria. I’ll do 

anything.” 

His attempts were pathetic. Caleb would just take my phone, block the number, and say, 

“Problem solved.” 

Andrew was trapped. I heard through the grapevine that Maria had become even more demanding, her feigned fragility replaced by a constant stream of emotional needs. He was a father now, tethered to a woman he didn’t love and a life he never really wanted. He had made his choice at the hospital. Now he had to live 

with it.