Share

A Little Longer

Author: Mkay
last update Last Updated: 2024-11-21 05:07:45

Vanessa stirred the pot of pasta sauce, the aroma of tomatoes and garlic filling the small kitchen. She glanced at the table where the kids’ plates were already set, each one decorated with colorful napkins to keep things cheerful. She’d decided to make something simple but comforting, a meal everyone could enjoy together.

Behind her, Emma and Ethan were busy with their coloring books, occasionally arguing over which colors to use. Riccardo sat on the couch, watching them with a relaxed expression, his tie loosened slightly.

Vanessa stepped out of the kitchen and called out, “Riccardo, could you keep an eye on the kids? I need to make a quick call.”

He nodded. “Of course.”

Vanessa smiled gratefully and slipped into the bedroom to grab her phone. She scrolled through her contacts and tapped on Emily’s name first. Riccardo had repaired her phone for her earlier and given it back to her.

The phone rang twice before Emily picked up. “Ms. Rodriguez?”

“Emily, how are you? Are you nearby?”

Locked Chapter
Continue to read this book on the APP

Related chapters

  • Billionaire's Regret: Chasing His Ex Wife Back    Uncertainty

    Vanessa guided Ethan and Emma towards their room. The twins were tired but reluctant to call it a day, dragging their feet with playful resistance.“Mommy, just a few more minutes?” Ethan pleaded, clutching his well-loved stuffed lion tightly against his chest.Vanessa crouched to his level, brushing a strand of his messy hair out of his eyes. “You’ve had such a busy day, Ethan. Your body needs sleep so you can grow big and strong.”Emma, holding her blanket like a cape, sighed dramatically as she climbed onto the bed. “But Uncle Riccardo’s still here,” she mumbled, pouting.From the doorway, Riccardo’s warm chuckle filled the room. He leaned casually against the frame, his dark eyes soft as he watched them. “Even I have to go home and sleep, Emma. But I’ll see you both tomorrow, okay?”Ethan squinted at him, his voice sleepy but hopeful. “Promise?”“I promise,” Riccardo replied with a small nod.Vanessa pulled the covers up over her children, tucking them in snugly. She kissed Ethan’

  • Billionaire's Regret: Chasing His Ex Wife Back    Take Care

    Vanessa rubbed her temples as she walked down the hallway towards her bedroom. The week's exhaustion weighed heavily on her shoulders. It wasn’t just work or the endless tasks waiting for her, it felt like the universe was piling one problem on top of another, daring her to collapse. But she refused to let it win. Not tonight. She would push through, like she has always done.Once inside her room, she kicked off her shoes and sank onto the edge of her bed, the mattress dipping under her weight. The soft glow of the bedside lamp cast a warm light on the familiar space. She grabbed her phone from the nightstand and hesitated for a moment, her thumb hovering over Riccardo’s name in her messages. They’d already discussed the case earlier, but something gnawed at her. She needed to be sure he was on it.Taking a deep breath, she typed out a short message.'Just checking in on the case. Have there been any updates?' She typed.Her finger tapped send before she could second-guess herself. Th

  • Billionaire's Regret: Chasing His Ex Wife Back    Possibilities

    Vanessa walked down the hallway, her hand lightly brushing against the wall as she made her way to Ethan and Emma’s room. The house was calm, with only the faint hum of the air conditioner breaking the silence.Stopping at their door, she pushed it open carefully, making sure not to make much noise. The soft morning sunlight streamed through the curtains, lighting up the room in a warm glow. Ethan was already sitting up in bed, his hair messy, while Emma was still asleep, clutching her stuffed bunny close.“Morning, Mommy,” Ethan mumbled, rubbing his eyes and yawning.“Good morning, sweetheart,” Vanessa whispered as she stepped inside. She reached over to smooth his hair down, her fingers running gently through the tangles. “Did you sleep okay?”He nodded with another yawn. “Yeah. Is it time for breakfast?”“Almost,” Vanessa said with a smile. She glanced over at Emma, who stirred a little under the covers but stayed asleep. “Why don’t you get dressed first? I made something special.”

  • Billionaire's Regret: Chasing His Ex Wife Back    One Last Clue

    Vanessa decided to step out of her hotel room after ensuring her tasks for the day were completed. She took a deep breath, smoothing down the hem of her blouse as she walked toward the door. It was quiet in the hallway, the faint hum of the hotel’s central air conditioning the only sound. Vanessa twisted the doorknob and opened the door, only to find Diego standing there, his tall figure a calm but imposing presence.“Diego,” she said softly, her voice steady. She wasn’t surprised to see him; his unwavering dedication to her safety had become a comforting constant.“Ma’am,” Diego acknowledged, giving her a small nod. His sharp eyes scanned the hallway even as he stood still, his stance radiating readiness.“Thank you,” Vanessa said, her words carrying more weight than she let on. She knew Diego wouldn’t take any chances after everything that had happened. His vigilance meant more to her than she could express.Diego’s lips twitched into the barest hint of a smile. “Just doing my job.”

  • Billionaire's Regret: Chasing His Ex Wife Back    Beyond The Chaos

    Thirty minutes later, Leila sat on the couch in the living room, flipping through channels on the TV. A light comedy show played in the background, but she wasn’t really paying attention. Her mind kept wandering to Lucas and how his day might have gone. She glanced at the clock on the wall, wondering when he’d get home.Just then, the sound of a car pulling into the driveway caught her attention. Her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly stood up, smoothing down her top and brushing invisible dust off her pants. She wanted to look put together when he walked in, even though she knew Lucas didn’t care much about appearances.As the familiar sound of the car door shutting reached her ears, Leila moved to the front door. She opened it just as Lucas approached, his steps steady and his suit jacket draped over one arm.“Good evening,” she greeted him warmly, her smile lighting up her face.“Evening, Leila,” Lucas replied with a soft smile of his own, leaning in to press a gentle kiss to he

  • Billionaire's Regret: Chasing His Ex Wife Back    Idle

    Dressed in a blue floral gown, Juliet stood on the balcony, letting the morning breeze brush against her face. The scent of blooming flowers mixed with the faint aroma of fresh coffee from the kitchen below. She leaned on the railing, her fingers tracing its cold, smooth surface as she gazed at the quiet street below. The world seemed peaceful, yet her thoughts were far from calm.A soft noise behind her made her turn slightly, but before she could react, a light tap on her shoulder made her jump. She spun around, her hand flying to her chest. Romeo was dressed in a cooperate outfit, obviously getting ready for the day's job."Oh my gosh, Romeo! Stop sneaking up on me like that!" she exclaimed, her voice breathy from the scare.Romeo smirked, his brown eyes twinkling with amusement. "You should have gotten used to it by now," he said, crossing his arms casually.Juliet rolled her eyes and let out an annoyed groan. "Whatever," she muttered, brushing her hair out of her face. She straig

  • Billionaire's Regret: Chasing His Ex Wife Back    Sending Her Kids Away

    TWO WEEKS LATER Vanessa sat quietly in the back of the sleek black van, her twins, Ethan and Emma, nestled on either side of her. The hum of the engine filled the air as Diego focused on the road ahead, his hands steady on the wheel. Lily sat in the passenger seat, flipping through her phone, occasionally glancing at the GPS. The van glided down the highway, and the gentle rhythm of the tires on the pavement seemed to mirror the steady thud of Vanessa’s heart.Emma leaned against her mother, her little fingers dancing across the screen of her tablet. "Mommy," she asked without looking up, "are you just dropping us off at the airport?"Vanessa reached out, smoothing Emma’s soft curls. "No, baby," she said gently. "We’re going to Grandma’s house first. I’ll take you and Ethan all the way there. I want to make sure you’re safe with her."Ethan, sitting on her other side, looked up from the book he was pretending to read. His lips pressed into a small pout. "Does that mean we won’t see y

  • Billionaire's Regret: Chasing His Ex Wife Back    Back in Spain

    The flight felt never ending, but Vanessa let out a sigh of relief as the plane finally touched down in Spain. She adjusted her grip on her children, Emma and Ethan, as they descended the stairs. The warm Spanish sun kissed her skin, a welcome change from the chill of America. Lily had already disappeared to fetch their bags, and Diego excused himself to retrieve the car they would be using.Vanessa’s feet felt heavy against the tarmac, exhaustion creeping into her every move. Her twins clung to her sides, their little hands gripping hers tightly. “We’re finally here,” she murmured, offering them a small smile. The kids, though weary, perked up at her words, their excitement bubbling beneath the surface.A few moments later, Lily returned, with their luggage, her cheeks were flushed from the effort, but her grin didn’t waver. Not long after, the smooth hum of an approaching engine drew their attention. A sleek black Lamborghini Urus rolled up to the curb, its glossy exterior catchin

Latest chapter

  • Billionaire's Regret: Chasing His Ex Wife Back    Knowing The Truth

    Vanessa’s OfficeVanessa sat at her sleek glass desk, her fingers tapping softly against the keyboard of her laptop. The hum of the air conditioning filled the room, blending with the faint rustle of papers on her desk. The muted city sounds filtered through the large floor-to-ceiling windows behind her, casting long shadows across her pristine office. Despite the calm around her, Vanessa’s mind was anything but at ease.A sharp knock broke through the quiet. She paused, lifting her head as her dark eyes flickered toward the door.“Come in,” she called, her voice steady.The door creaked open, and Lily stepped inside, her beige blazer slightly wrinkled as if she had rushed up the stairs. Her usually bright demeanor was replaced by something more subdued, her expression careful.“What is it? Any news?” Vanessa asked, her voice clipped and to the point. She leaned back in her chair, folding her arms across her chest as she studied her assistant’s face.“Yes,” Lily said, hesitating for a

  • Billionaire's Regret: Chasing His Ex Wife Back    Caring For Her

    LUCAS’S MANSION: LIVING ROOMLeila sat in the middle of the plush leather couch, her eyes fixed on the large flat-screen TV mounted on the wall. The headlines flashed in bold letters: ROYALS ARRESTED FOR MULTIPLE CRIMES. The images accompanying the news showed Monica and Robert Royal being led out of their mansion in handcuffs. Their faces, once filled with arrogance and power, were now masks of shock and humiliation.Leila’s face was unreadable, her expression cold and distant. Her hands rested on her lap, fingers loosely intertwined, but her knuckles were slightly white from the pressure she didn’t realize she was applying. The faint hum of the air conditioning filled the silent room, but her mind was elsewhere, consumed by the events unfolding before her.She had expected this moment for a long time, and now that it was here, it brought her no joy. The Royals were getting what they deserved, but she knew this was just the beginning. The evidence leaked online was only a fraction of

  • Billionaire's Regret: Chasing His Ex Wife Back    Arrested For Crimes

    ROYALS MANSIONMonica adjusted her blazer in front of the full-length mirror, her polished heels clicking against the marble floor as she paced the room. The quiet hum of the central air conditioning was the only sound as the grand clock on the wall ticked steadily. Her handbag rested on the arm of the plush leather couch, ready for the day ahead.She took a final look around the living room, the modern decor gleaming under the soft glow of the crystal chandelier. Everything about the Royals Mansion screamed wealth and status, from the white marble floors to the floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a breathtaking view of the city skyline.With a deep breath, she grabbed her bag and turned toward her husband, Robert, who sat leisurely on the couch. A steaming cup of coffee rested on the glass table in front of him, untouched, as he scrolled through his tablet with a calm demeanor."I'm heading out now," she said, her voice carrying a hint of nervous energy. “Wish me luck for today.”R

  • Billionaire's Regret: Chasing His Ex Wife Back    You're Unstoppable

    VANESSA'S OFFICE : NINE A.MVanessa paced the length of her office, her heels clicking against the polished marble floor as she held her phone to her ear. Her reflection in the large window showed her furrowed brow and the way her fingers tugged at the hem of her blazer.“Lily, make sure everything is set up. I don’t want any surprises at this press conference,” Vanessa said sharply, the tension in her voice was unmistakable.“Understood, Ms. Rodriguez,” Lily replied on the other end of the line. “The venue is ready, and the media has been briefed. You just need to arrive.”Vanessa let out a breath, nodding to herself. “Good. Thank you.” She ended the call and set the phone down on her desk.Emily, who had been sitting on the couch, looked up from her phone. “You okay?”Vanessa paused, her hands resting on the back of her chair. “Not really. This press conference could make or break the company. If I don’t handle this right, we’re done for.”Emily stood and walked over, her confidence

  • Billionaire's Regret: Chasing His Ex Wife Back    Secrets Revealed

    NEXT MORNINGThe shrill ringing of Vanessa’s phone jolted her awake. She groaned softly, rubbing her eyes as she tried to push herself up from the warm cocoon of her bed. Squinting at the screen, she noticed three missed calls from Lily.A quick glance at the clock on her nightstand confirmed it was just six a.m.“Why is Lily calling me so early?” she muttered, her voice heavy with sleep.She sat on the edge of her bed, her bare feet brushing against the cool tiled floor, and dialed Lily back. The phone barely rang twice before Lily picked up.“Good morning, Ms. Rodriguez,” Lily greeted, though her voice lacked its usual cheerfulness.“Morning, Lily. What’s wrong?” Vanessa asked, a knot of worry tightening in her stomach.“Ms. Rodriguez, you need to check the trending news,” Lily said, her tone sounding more serious than usual.Vanessa frowned. “What news?” She asked calmly, trying to braze herself for whatever Lily had to say.“It’s all over the internet. I think it’s better you see

  • Billionaire's Regret: Chasing His Ex Wife Back    Mini Dinner

    FEW MINUTES LATERVanessa grabbed her bag and cast one last glance at Riccardo. His face was unreadable, his dark eyes steady as he stood by the doorway."I'm leaving," she said, adjusting her bag on her shoulder."I’ll come back to pick Emily later," she added firmly."Sure," Riccardo replied, his voice calm and steady. "Stay safe."Vanessa gave a small nod, muttered, “I will,” and headed out the door.Outside, the cool evening air greeted her. Diego stood near the car, his posture straight as ever. The moment he saw her, he moved quickly to open the car door."Thank you," she said, stepping inside. The faint scent of leather filled the air as she settled into her seat.Diego climbed into the driver’s seat and glanced at her in the rearview mirror. "Where’s Emily?" he asked."She’s staying at Riccardo’s for now. I’ll pick her up later," Vanessa replied, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear as she looked out the window.Diego nodded silently. After a moment, he asked, “Where to?”

  • Billionaire's Regret: Chasing His Ex Wife Back    Talking Things Out

    Vanessa pushed open the door to the guest room. The bright overhead bulb illuminated the space, making the white walls appear even more pristine. She expected to see Emily fast asleep, curled up under the neatly folded comforter. Instead, Emily sat cross-legged on the bed, her phone in her hands, scrolling leisurely.Vanessa paused in the doorway, tilting her head. “Why did you say you needed a nap if you’re not even sleeping?”Emily looked up, a playful smile on her lips. “I realized you both needed to talk. So, I gave you privacy.”Vanessa blinked, taken aback by the bluntness of her response. She stepped further into the room, closing the door gently behind her. “Wow,” she said after a moment. “That’s... unexpected.”Emily shrugged, setting her phone aside. “It wasn’t a big deal. You both looked like you had things to say.”Vanessa sat down at the edge of the bed, her movements slow as she processed Emily’s words. “Well, thank you. That was thoughtful of you.”“No problem.” Emily’s

  • Billionaire's Regret: Chasing His Ex Wife Back    Romantic Tension

    Vanessa glanced around the house as Riccardo led Emily toward the living room. She had only been here once before, and that was under far different circumstances, desperate and frantic, begging him to help find her missing kids and Emily. The house still felt foreign, despite its warm lighting and elegant decor. The scent of polished wood and faint cologne lingered in the air, a reminder of Riccardo’s presence everywhere.She followed them into the spacious living room. The walls were lined with tall bookshelves, the shelves neatly filled, and a large painting hung above the stone fireplace. Vanessa took a hesitant seat on the soft gray couch, her posture stiff. Emily, on the other hand, settled in comfortably, running her fingers over the plush throw pillows.“Ms. Rodriguez, this house is so beautiful,” Emily said, turning her head to glance at Vanessa with wide, admiring eyes.“Yes, it is,” Vanessa replied simply, her gaze briefly flickering to Riccardo, who was pouring tea from a s

  • Billionaire's Regret: Chasing His Ex Wife Back    Visiting Him

    Two hours later, Vanessa leaned back in her chair, rubbing her temples as she glanced at the time on her laptop screen. It had been a long day, and the weight of it was beginning to settle in. She was just about to shut her laptop when a soft knock came at her door."Ms. Rodriguez, are you done for today?" Emily’s voice came through as she peeked in.Vanessa glanced up with a small smile. "Yes, dear. I’m just about to wrap up."Before she could finish, the door opened wider, and Lily walked in with Emily now standing beside her, both carrying the faint energy of people eager to leave for the day. Vanessa clicked her laptop shut and rose from her swivel chair, picking up her jacket from the back of it. She took a moment to stretch, rolling her shoulders as she approached them.But as she moved, her mind drifted back to Riccardo. She’d been curt with him earlier, perhaps too curt. A twinge of guilt poked at her chest.Was I too harsh? she wondered. He had helped her find her children, a

DMCA.com Protection Status