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Under One Roof
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2024-10-29 19:42:56
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CHASING THE BILLIONAIRE'S SUBSTITUTE EX-WIFE Cold Look
EZEKIELI felt my stomach drop when I saw Caroline step forward. She smiled sweetly at me. “Ezekiel,” she said warmly.I blinked, trying to process the situation. Why was she here? This was not the time, not the place. My parents must have invited her—probably to stir up trouble. It wasn’t a coincidence that she was here, not with everything going on. You know what’s a coincidence? My parents had brought Caroline just like Vivienne’s parents had brought Jeremy. Nice!This was starting to feel like the universe was conspiring against us. “Caroline,” I said stiffly, forcing a polite smile. “I didn’t expect to see you.”She gave a small laugh, completely oblivious to the anxiety I was feeling. “I’m here with your parents. They thought it would be nice for us to catch up. We didn’t get to see each other yesterday so I thought of coming back today.”This was going to be a nightmare. Having both families in the same room, Caroline thrown into the mix—I could only imagine how much worse
CHASING THE BILLIONAIRE'S SUBSTITUTE EX-WIFE Bring Up
VIVIENNESeeing Caroline’s hand on Ezekiel’s arm sent a sharp pang through my chest, and no matter how much I tried to act indifferent, I knew I couldn’t hide the coldness in my eyes. It shouldn’t have bothered me—I told myself over and over again that we were just co-parenting and flings, nothing more. But seeing her there, so familiar with him, reminded me of the distance that had grown between us. I had moved on from that pain... or at least I thought I had.I tried to focus on my breathing, willing myself not to react. But my heart didn’t listen. It felt too much, and my face betrayed me. I hated that. I hated how even after all this time, something as small as Caroline clinging to Ezekiel could stir up old wounds.Then again, maybe this was the same feeling Ezekiel had when my parents brought Jeremy with them earlier. I could imagine what was going through his mind when he saw Jeremy—a man who had always been a little too interested in me—show up in his house unannounced. I cou
CHASING THE BILLIONAIRE'S SUBSTITUTE EX-WIFE Everyone’s Invited
VIVIENNE“What are you suggesting, Leonardo? That someone here was involved?”When I heard that question from my father, even I felt nervous. I preferred not to bring up what happened yesterday. It would only remind Vince of the moment his grandpa shouted at him, and I knew how much that had hurt him. The last thing I wanted was to reopen that wound, especially in front of everyone. Vince had already been through enough, and dragging him into this conversation again would make things worse.Besides, my parents didn’t know about Leonardo and Emily accusing Vince, or how angry Leonardo had gotten. If they found out, it would create a much bigger problem. My father wouldn’t stay quiet—he’d demand answers, and it would likely turn into an ugly argument. I didn’t want that kind of confrontation, not with the kids watching. It was better to let this go, for now at least.Leonardo chuckled softly, his eyes never leaving Vince. “Oh, I’m not suggesting anything concrete, Ronaldo. Just that i
CHASING THE BILLIONAIRE'S SUBSTITUTE EX-WIFE Jeremy’s Audacity
EZEKIEL“Anyway,” My mother began again as she noticed the presence of Jeremy beside Vivienne, “who exactly is this guy? And what is he doing here, in your house, Ezekiel?”We all turned in Jeremy’s direction because of that. Up until now, seeing him makes my blood boil. To be honest, I don’t want him in my house either. If only I could be disrespectful in front of Vivienne’s parents and our kids, I would have ordered this guy to leave already. Jeremy, looking somewhat out of place, cleared his throat awkwardly. “Sorry for the late introduction of myself, Ma’am. I’m Jeremy, by the way,” Jeremy answered. I was planning to visit Vivienne and the kids but when I didn’t see them at their house. Then I met Vivienne’s parents and they brought me with them.”Before I could say anything, my dad leaned forward, “And what exactly is your relationship with Vivienne?” Dad asked with curiosity evident in his voice. “He’s a very good friend of mine.” Vivienne tried to save Jeremy’s ass. “That’
CHASING THE BILLIONAIRE'S SUBSTITUTE EX-WIFE Still Into Him
VIVIENNE DECIDED TO follow Jeremy not because she had feelings for him—far from it. The truth was, she felt bad. Emily's words had been harsh, and though Vivienne wasn’t entirely happy with Jeremy showing up unannounced, she knew he didn’t deserve to be humiliated like that. But there was another reason. Deep down, Vivienne knew she had to talk to Jeremy, not just to smooth things over but to finally set things straight. He needed to know where they stood. It wasn’t fair to keep him hoping for something that wasn’t going to happen.As she walked, Vivienne’s thoughts drifted to Ezekiel. She hated admitting it, but seeing Caroline close to him made her stomach twist with jealousy. She could deny it to everyone else, but not to herself. She was still into Ezekiel, and the feelings she had buried for so long were starting to rise to the surface. Jeremy deserved to know the truth, even if it was hard for both of them.Catching sight of Jeremy walking ahead, Vivienne quickened her pace. “J
CHASING THE BILLIONAIRE'S SUBSTITUTE EX-WIFE Meeting Ezekiel’s Old Friends
VIVIENNEThe party was just starting, and everything looked beautiful. Ezekiel’s backyard was transformed for the evening. String lights were hanging from the trees, creating a soft, golden glow, and tables were set up with elegant white cloths and fresh flowers. A light breeze carried the scent of roses through the air. I stood near the entrance, quietly observing as guests started arriving, one by one.The evening was busy, but I had a moment to talk to Piper. I pulled my phone out of my purse and dialed her number. It rang a few times before she picked up. "Hey, Vienne," Piper's familiar voice came through."Hey," I said, smiling a little even though she couldn’t see me. "The party’s starting. It’s... well, it’s nice, I guess."There was a pause, and then Piper sighed. "I’m really sorry I couldn’t make it. I just couldn’t deal with Emily and Leonardo’s attitude today. You know how they are.""I get it," I said, nodding even though she couldn’t see. To put it mildly, Emily and Leo
CHASING THE BILLIONAIRE'S SUBSTITUTE EX-WIFE Protecting What Matters
EZEKIELThe party that my mother and father planned for my kids was about to start, and I could feel the energy buzzing all around. Guests were already arriving, and I knew in a few minutes, all eyes would be on us, especially on Vince and Vera. They both stood beside me, looking perfect—like they’d just stepped out of a fairy tale. Vera was wearing her flowing light blue dress which made her look like a little princess. That was also the case with her twin brother. Vince looked every bit like a prince in his tailored suit."Alright, you two," I said, crouching down to their level as I tried to calm them before things really kicked off. "It’s going to be a big night, okay? Lots of people are going to be watching you, so just remember to smile and be polite."Vera gave me a wide grin. "I can do that! Easy!" she said, her eyes sparkling as she twirled in her dress. Vince, on the other hand, looked a little less sure. "Do we really have to talk to everyone, Dad?" he asked, pulling at
CHASING THE BILLIONAIRE'S SUBSTITUTE EX-WIFE Harrington’s Heirloom
“GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE.” Emily took the microphone to get everyone’s attention. Beside her was Leonardo as they stood at the center of the stage. This was the party she was most looking forward to. She and her husband had everything prepared just for this night. “Thank you all for coming to celebrate this special day with us. As many of you know, our family has been through a lot over the years,” Emily continued. “Ezekiel and Vivienne’s marriage didn’t turn out the way we had hoped back then. But after everything, we are happy and grateful for the greatest gifts that came from that marriage—our grandchildren, Vince and Vera.”There was a round of polite applause when Vince and Vera walked to the stage. They stood beside Emily and Leonardo. Emily gave a brief smile before continuing. “We also want to say that these two wonderful children will be the future of our family. They will be the ones to carry on Ezekiel’s legacy, and we couldn’t be more proud of them.”Leonardo stepped for
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CHASING THE BILLIONAIRE'S SUBSTITUTE EX-WIFE Special Chapter IV
EZEKIEL NEVER THOUGHT he’d feel so nervous, yet here he was. He couldn’t help but pace back and forth in the hospital room while Vivienne lay on the bed, breathing deeply as another contraction hit. His palms were sweaty and his heart was racing so damn fast. He couldn’t even sit down for a second. This was nothing like the business meetings, nothing like the deals he’d spent his life preparing for. This was something else. He’d missed the birth of the twins, and he knew he couldn’t miss a second of this moment with Vivienne.He’d missed the birth of the twins, and he knew he couldn’t miss a second of this moment with Vivienne. Back then, he hadn’t been there to hold her hand, to see the twins take their first breaths. This time, he’d promised himself he’d be present, no matter how terrifying it felt. Vivienne noticed his restless pacing and reached out to catch his hand, tugging gently. “Zeke, calm down,” she said, chuckling despite her pain.He stopped, looking down at her, his
CHASING THE BILLIONAIRE'S SUBSTITUTE EX-WIFE Special Chapter III
VINCE WAS SITTING alone in the school canteen while he was lost in his own thoughts. Unlike his twin sister, he wasn’t worried at all about having a new sibling. In fact, he was excited. He couldn’t wait to have someone younger around to teach things to, especially about computers and coding. He’d already planned it out in his head that he’d show their new sibling all the basics, and someday, they’d be able to talk about complex stuff too. Just the thought of it made him smile.As he stared into space while planning all the lessons he’d someday teach, someone placed a small box in front of him. Vince blinked when his train of thought was interrupted. He looked down at the box, noticing it was wrapped neatly with a bow on top. Then he looked up and saw Maesei, the little girl he, Vera, and Genesis had helped when she was being bullied a while back.Maesei was standing there, looking shy and nervous. Her cheeks were red and she avoided his gaze, looking down at the table instead.Vin
CHASING THE BILLIONAIRE'S SUBSTITUTE EX-WIFE Special Chapter II
GENESIS SPOTTED VERA sitting alone on the bleachers, looking lost in thought as she watched Vince at his soccer practice. She was unusually quiet, her small frame slumped forward, and her chin rested on her hands. Genesis found this strange. Usually, Vera was energetic and loud, always cheering for her brother or chatting away.With a grin, Genesis walked over and sat down beside her. “Hey,” he said, nudging her gently. “Why do you look so sad? Thinking too hard?”To his surprise, Vera’s lip started to tremble, and before he knew it, tears spilled down her cheeks. She let out a small, choked sob, and then it came—all the tears she had held back, spilling out in big, messy drops.Genesis's eyes widened and he instantly panicked. “Whoa, hey, hey—what’s wrong, Vera?” He fumbled, trying to figure out what to do. He’d never seen her cry like this before. “Did something happen?”Vera shook her head but kept crying, covering her face with her hands. Feeling helpless, Genesis reached over
CHASING THE BILLIONAIRE'S SUBSTITUTE EX-WIFE Special Chapter I
THE AFTER-PARTY was winding down and Piper was more than a little tipsy. She leaned heavily on Jeremy, her bubbly personality even more vibrant after a few too many glasses of champagne. Jeremy sighed, his arm steady around her as he led her through the crowded room.“Come on, Piper,” he said while rying to sound patient. “Let’s get you home.”Piper let out a laugh as she rolled her eyes. “Oh, Jeremy, you’re so lame! Why didn’t you drink anything tonight? There were bottles of wine that cost more than you’d make in a month! You could’ve at least had one!”Jeremy shook his head, guiding her carefully through the doorway. “I don’t drink much. Besides, someone had to be responsible for you,” he said in a calm voice. She threw him a mock offended look, then smirked. “Oh, please. Responsible? You’re missing out! Once-in-a-blue-moon kind of party, and you’re just standing there, drinking water. So boring.”He just nodded, too tired to argue. He knew she was half-joking, half-serious, but
CHASING THE BILLIONAIRE'S SUBSTITUTE EX-WIFE EPILOGUE IV
EZEKIELForgiving isn’t easy. It’s one of the hardest things you can do, especially when the person who hurt you is someone you once trusted, someone you loved deeply. I’d always respected people who could forgive the ones who wronged them, who could find it in their hearts to let go of pain and bitterness. And tonight, watching Vivienne, I felt my admiration for her grow even more.I thought I’d reached the limit of how much I could love her, but seeing her forgive my mother—that changed things. Vivienne had already forgiven me before, a forgiveness I never thought I deserved but clung to, knowing how lucky I was to have it. And now, she was doing the same for my mother. I looked at Vivienne, her calm expression, her steady gaze, and I couldn’t help but feel grateful. She was truly incredible, a woman who could forgive despite the hurt, and in that moment, I knew I was the luckiest man alive.After my mother’s apology, we found a quieter spot away from everyone else. I turned to V
CHASING THE BILLIONAIRE'S SUBSTITUTE EX-WIFE EPILOGUE III
VIVIENNEIt was never too late to rise up again after you’ve hit rock bottom. I’d learned that lesson over and over, but standing here now, it finally felt real. So many times, I thought that scandal with Aton would destroy everything I’d worked for. I worried people would only ever see me as the woman caught up in a messy scheme, but here I was, with a new chapter in front of me. This was my second chance—not just to clear my name, but to make it stronger than ever. Viatrix. That name still had power, still had life.I looked around the room, taking in all the smiles and congratulatory handshakes. Ezekiel and I had just launched our fashion line that we had been working on, and the event couldn’t have gone any better. Everywhere I turned, there were people celebrating with us, praising the collection, the designs, the way we had merged our ideas and brought something beautiful to life. For the first time in a long time, I felt truly proud of myself and what I had accomplished ag
CHASING THE BILLIONAIRE'S SUBSTITUTE EX-WIFE EPILOGUE II
EZEKIELIt was never too late to change. I knew that now. I wouldn’t deny to myself or to anyone else that I had made mistakes before. Too many to count, honestly. I’d been an ass. I didn’t know what I really wanted back then. I wasn’t sure of what the right thing was or how to treat Vivienne the way she deserved. I’d lost sight of things, caught up in my own mess, letting my insecurities and past hold me back. But now, standing here in Switzerland, away from the noise and all the misunderstandings, I felt something I’d never felt before—a clear sense of certainty. I loved her. I loved Vivienne in a way that was different, in a way that wasn’t clouded by doubt or fear. She was the woman I wanted to spend my life with, and I’d failed to see that in the past. But I had the chance to make it right, and I wasn’t going to let it slip by.The soft breeze carried the scent of lilies as I stood at the end of the aisle, waiting for Vivienne. My heart pounded, and I could feel the tears gather
CHASING THE BILLIONAIRE'S SUBSTITUTE EX-WIFE EPILOGUE I
VIVIENNEBefore, I was just dreaming of a good husband. A husband who would love me, who would prioritize me, who would stand by my side no matter what. It felt like a faraway wish, something I’d only imagine late at night. When I first married Ezekiel, it wasn’t like that at all. He only married me because he felt he had to; it was a shotgun marriage after all, coming right after the surprise of my pregnancy.Back then, Ezekiel couldn’t even get over his ex, Alex. I knew it. Everyone knew it. I always felt like a stand-in, a shadow, never really the one he wanted. I was just a substitute. But now, looking at him today—seeing him boldly defend me, even against his own parents—I can’t ignore how deeply he’s changed. Before, Ezekiel always followed his parents’ words without question, like he was bound by some invisible chain. They had such a hold over him, and I’d come to accept that their influence would always come first. So now, seeing him stand up to them—for my sake, no less—fe
CHASING THE BILLIONAIRE'S SUBSTITUTE EX-WIFE Finally Free
EZEKIELMy fists balled as I scanned through each line of conversation on Vince’s laptop. Each word felt like a punch. And I gritted my teeth, trying to contain the anger boiling within me. Genesis had been right. It was real that the contents from Aton’s phone had transferred over. Everything was here—messages, plans, and schemes that Aton and my own fucking father had discussed. Each message was worse than the last, detailing how they intended to bring down Vivienne and tarnish everything she’d worked for. I could feel Alice and Ronaldo leaning in, reading over my shoulder. Alice gasped, covering her mouth as her face turned pale. She shook her head. “I can’t believe they could plan something so evil,” she whispered, horrified.Ronaldo’s expression darkened, his eyes sharp and filled with rage. “This won’t slide,” he said firmly, his voice low and steady. “I won’t let them get away with this.”His words fueled my resolve. I nodded, swallowing hard, though my mind was racing. Ju
