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Chapter 22
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Ex-Wife Returns a Billionaire Chapter 23
The Cost of FailurePhilip sat outside of Aunt Elina's estate in his car, staring up at the large, front doors. The immaculate gardens and imposing stone walls had once been his house of comfort. On second thought, it wasn't a place he felt belonged to anymore. His parents were long gone, and Elina had been the closest thing to a parent he had left.Yet, subsequent to the recent collapse of his company, she had distanced herself even from him, while Philip knew in his heart that she was partly responsible for pushing him toward the very decisions which brought him down.Sighing, Philip got out of the car and straightened his jacket as he walked up the now-familiar stone steps. The door opened and Charles, the butler - an old family staff faced him in all his glory. His face was as inscrutable as ever."Mr. Brooks," he pronounced, moving aside. "Your aunt is in the drawing room."Philip nodded and stepped inside. There was the smell of lavender and polished wood wafting through the a
Ex-Wife Returns a Billionaire Chapter 24
A Glimpse of Light"Philip, we need to talk," Bianca's voice came through the phone, sharp and to the point.Philip straightened, his back against the railing of the balcony outside, the edge clutched in his hands so hard his knuckles had turned white. He'd known this call was coming. He just hadn't expected it to hit this hard. The city lights twinkled below him, yet it seemed as though the world was closing in.He exhaled a sigh, his throat working around the lump forming in his throat. "Bianca, can this wait? I'm dealing with -""No, it can't wait," she cut in. Her voice was as cold as the night breeze cutting across his skin. "Months, I have waited. You have been out gambling, fighting with investors, drowning yourself in whiskey, and God only knows what else. And where have I been? Just waiting."Her words were like a deep cut into his chest, and he knew she wasn't wrong. He had been so caught up in the company's demise that he had managed to push everything else aside, includi
Ex-Wife Returns a Billionaire Chapter 25
The ConfrontationKendra stood at the entrance of the gala and took a deep breath as she absorbed the scene before her. KEDIS Cosmetics was the talk of the night, and it should have been a moment of pride for her.But as she made her way through the crowd of people, her mind drifted back to Brian. It had been weeks since she'd spent an entire day with him, and the guilt was starting to gnaw at her."Kendra, you're looking radiant as always," Mr. Lane, one of the more seasoned investors said to her with a warm smile as she joined the group."Thank you, Mr. Lane. Good to see you, sir," she said, extending her hand and offering her trademark smile, now polished to perfection.The conversation turned to the future and the prospects that lay in store for KEDIS. Kendra played along, nodding at the right moments and fielding questions with a skill born of experience. Something nagged-at her, though.She would have excused herself in another minute when a known voice cut through the din."We
Ex-Wife Returns a Billionaire Chapter 26
A Blissful NightThough the screeching of Philip still buzzed in Kendra's head, the issue at hand was James. The look in his eyes before he'd disappeared from the ballroom - that hesitation that just wouldn't sit right in her stomach.They stepped inside; quietness of the house magnified everything they weren't saying. Kendra hung up her coat, and James stood near the door, ill at ease, seemingly unsure whether to stay or leave."You don't have to stay if you don't want to," Kendra said, softer than she had meant to. She wanted him to stay, yet not let him think the action was necessary to her, needing anyone taboo for her.James turned to her then, his eyes raking over her face. A moment, he looked doubtful. Then, "I'll stay," he said, though his voice was threaded with fatigue she'd never heard before. "I think we both need some rest.Kendra nodded, though inside she wasn't so sure about rest. How was she to sleep with everything that had gone down? Philip's anger, the staring of t
Ex-Wife Returns a Billionaire Chapter 27
Unspoken EmotionsOf course he was. What had she expected?Memories of the night before returned in a slow, vivid wave: James standing in her doorway, his voice cracking when he'd said, "I can't sleep." The way her body had reacted without thinking, letting him into her room, into her bed. Something-something she hadn't allowed herself to feel in too long a time-had passed between them. Yet here she was, alone again.Kendra sat up, wrapping the sheets closer around her, as if they might protect her from the mess of confusion churning in her chest. Angry, hurt, or just acceptance that maybe she'd expected too much-after all, James was just James; he'd tumbled into her life like some storm, and maybe storms just weren't built to stay.Kendra shook her head and forced herself out of bed. She had work to do, a company to run. There wasn't time to dwell on a man who so obviously didn't think she was worth the effort of sticking around. She glanced over at the clock. It was still early,
Ex-Wife Returns a Billionaire Chapter 28
The Breaking PointPhilip stood in front of the door, his hand above the handle, feeling discomfort inside of him. All day he fought with investors, arguing for the board that Brooks Enterprises has what it takes to turn things around and now he was coming home to something he has been expecting for weeks. The two of them had been pretty much at each other’s throat for so long that the animosity between them was out of this world. And tonight, he was absolutely positive that it was going to blow up.He opened the door and walked in and for the first time he felt something was amiss. It was very silent within the mansion; the familiar embrace that the house always offered him was missing. He scowled, placing his keys on the table and walked down the hall searching for any hint of Bianca.His heart was in despair when he found her sitting in the living room. When he entered Bianca was seated on the sofa, her face set, her suitcase ready and placed at her feet.“This is what it’s come
Ex-Wife Returns a Billionaire Chapter 29
Bianca's GoodbyeThe drive to her sister’s house seemed to take a lot longer than usual even though it was only twenty minutes from the house she had shared with Philip. Bianca sat looking out of the window with her reflection on the glass, but what she saw was a stranger. The woman in the reflection appeared to be exhausted – a woman who has lost all hope and has had to throw the towel in on something she should have let go of ages ago.She let out a deep breath and leaned her head against the seat. They started walking down the streets and the environment went past rather quickly but her thoughts were pretty coherent even if her emotions were not. It was clear to her long ago that she would leave Philip, even if she didn’t actually go through with it for years. She knew this was the right thing to do, but that did not make it an easy thing to do.How had it all gone so wrong? She recalled Philip, before Brooks Enterprises, before Kendra – before all the things that had led to the
Ex-Wife Returns a Billionaire Chapter 30
A Dream That Never WasHis hand trailed down Kendra's skin, her soft warmth against his. Her lips, parted a fraction, breathed his name, drawing him closer, deeper into the moment. They were wrapped into the sheets with each other, their breathing fast, hearts pounding together. The touch of her had been electric, and when their eyes met, there was only longing - a desperate need to be together."Kendra," he growled huskily, the low note of his voice dripping with longing. She smiled - that too-familiar, inviting smile pulled him in for another kiss, succumbing to each other's passions.It was so realistic. Everything about her was so real; the feel of her fingers tracing across his jaw, the reaction of her body to his, the way they moved together in a rhythm like they were doing this for the thousandth time.But just as they parted from the romantic moment, the room shifted and Kendra was gone.Philip sat up in bed. Sheets tangled around him, his breathing hard as he blinked into th
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Ex-Wife Returns a Billionaire Chapter 100: A Life Together
It was a quiet, perfect morning, with Brian playing nearby, his cheerful laughter filling the room as he built an elaborate castle out of blocks. There was a serenity that lingered in the air, a peacefulness that spoke of dreams realized and hopes fulfilled.Kendra leaned her head against Philip's shoulder, letting out a contented sigh. "If you'd told me a few years ago that we'd be sitting here like this, I wouldn't have believed it," she murmured, a smile playing at her lips. "Sometimes it still feels like a dream.Philip wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close as he looked down at her. "Well, if this is a dream, I never want to wake up," he replied softly. "We've been through so much, Kendra. And to come out on the other side like this… with you, with Brian… it's everything I could have ever wanted."They sat in comfortable silence, watching Brian place another block in his castle, the furrows deepening across his little brow. Philip chuckled low in his throat at the determ
Ex-Wife Returns a Billionaire Chapter 99: The Wedding
Philip fidgeted, his hands clenching and unclenching as he felt the weight of Douglas’s intense gaze. The murmur of the crowd grew louder as all eyes in the room turned to Douglas, Philip, and Kendra, awaiting a confrontation. Philip drew a breath, willing himself to stay calm, to stand his ground.Just as Kendra began to step forward, moving protectively in front of Philip, Douglas raised his hand and offered Philip a warm, unexpected smile.Philip froze, surprised, while the crowd held its breath, awaiting the worst.But then, much to the surprise of all present, Douglas reached out his hand to Philip, the smile on his face not feigned. "Congratulations, Philip," he said in that steady voice of his, his gaze clear. "You have shown bravery and true love toward Kendra. And now, you have in your life the most hardworking, creative, and beautiful woman on this earth."There was a collective expiration of breath from the crowd; a few gasps ran through the room amongst the guests. Phi
Ex-Wife Returns a Billionaire Chapter 98: Family Celebrations
Philip's heart almost stopped as he waited, eyes fixed on Kendra's face for a reaction.Time froze, the world collapsing to just these two in that one hot instant.Then, as if time started up again in one glorious ebullient burst, Kendra's lips split into a bright, beaming smile, her eyes welling up in tears."Yes," she said in a soft tone yet full of conviction. "Yes, Philip, I'll marry you."A collective "Whoo." went up from the guests, and the balcony erupted into applause. Philip's heart soared as he slipped the ring onto her finger; the mixture of relief and overjoyed feelings mingled in a warm embrace as Kendra pulled him close. It was a sea of laughter and congratulatory shouts that filled the air, as family and friends closed in, each one swooping in to be part of the celebration.Philip leaned in close and whispered, "You've made me the happiest man alive."Kendra laughed, her eyes shining bright. "I'm the one who's lucky, Philip. I never thought this kind of happiness woul
Ex-Wife Returns a Billionaire Chapter 97: A New Chapter in Business
Applause filled the room, and Kendra and Philip smiled in pride over shared success. It was after months of planning, negotiation, and sleepless nights that their companies were merged into one, something that to them meant much more than business. This was a pledge for a new future-to be together, in every word's sense.Philip inclined toward Kendra, speaking in a low tone, but the undertones of pride were unmistakable. "We did it," he whispered, the sparks in his eyes telling volumes about the excitement inside him." "I always knew we could, but standing here with everyone, seeing it actually happen, it's even better than I'd imagined."Kendra's smile spread wide, and her heart swelled big with pride and affection. "It isn't just business anymore," she whispered back."This is our life now. I never thought I'd feel this way again, hopeful, excited… like we're creating something that's ours in every way."They stood in the center of the boardroom, surrounded by team members and cl
Ex-Wife Returns a Billionaire Chapter 96: Who Could that Be?
Philip’s fingers tightened around the note, his eyes scanning the familiar handwriting once more, as if a second read would change the words scrawled across the paper. That casual, cryptic message struck a cold knot in his stomach, and he knew Kendra felt it too.Kendra's gaze darted between the note and Philip's face, her expression a mixture of concern and irritation. "Do you… do you know who this is from?" she asked, though the tenor of her tone was suggestive that indeed she did have her suspicions. She just needed him to confirm it.Philip exhaled loudly, folding the note as he met her gaze, the name catching in his throat like a bad taste. "It's… Bianca," he admitted quietly, tension lacing his voice. "It's her handwriting. I'd recognize it anywhere."Bianca's name had Kendra tense up, a mixture of anger and hurt crossing her face.What does she want now?" she asked, her voice shaking with the weight of Bianca's return weighing on her mind. "Why can't she just leave us alone?
Ex-Wife Returns a Billionaire Chapter 95: The Farewell
Kendra took a deep breath across from Douglas as she felt the heaviness of their shared history settle between them. This meeting had been a long time coming; an opportunity to say goodbye to a past that once had promised comfort but had never fitted her. She looked at him now, a pang of sadness in her heart and deep resolve to shut this chapter finally.The silence was broken first by Douglas, his voice firm yet soft. "I suppose this is it, then?" he softly asked, as if he also had finally reconciled himself with what was about to happen.Kendra nodded, her lips tugging into a sad sweet smile. "Yes, I think it is," she replied, keeping her voice warm, though a part of her did feel a little bit sad. "We've come a long way, Douglas. But… it's time for both of us to move on. We deserve that."Douglas leaned back, running a hand through his hair, and gave her a faint smile. "You know, when I think back, I will always be thankful for the time we had. You helped me grow, even if it did
Ex-Wife Returns a Billionaire Chapter 94: Douglas’s Last Attempt
“Kendra, we need to talk,” Douglas said, his voice firm but almost pleading, as he caught up with her outside her office building. She'd just got to work, barely recovered from the shock of Bianca's sudden coming back into her life, and here was Douglas, pushing all that urgency she had just tried to leave behind.She clutched at her bag a bit more tightly and watched him steadily on his face while she waited for him to continue."Kendra," he started all over again this time with so much softer a tone, "I simply cannot stand by and watch you go back to Philip. You know his history as well as I do; he's proved time and time again that he can't be trusted."She frowned, clearly not in the mood to hear yet another lecture. "And I have already told you, Douglas, I know about his past. But things are different now. He has changed and we're rebuilding our life together not only for us but for Brian."Douglas exhaled and ran a hand through his hair, frustration fairly evident. "But that's j
Ex-Wife Returns a Billionaire Chapter 93: Her Name is Bianca
The sun was beginning to dip lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the beach as Kendra and Philip moved from stand to stand, asking every person they passed if they had seen a little boy fitting Brian's description. The fear clutching Kendra's heart deepened with each shake of a head and sympathetic "No, I'm sorry."Her voice broke each time she had to repeat Brian's description to yet another family. "He's seven, dark curly hair, he was wearing a blue T-shirt, small white anchor on the front," she managed to get out, her throat tight each time the boy's name came from her lips.The mother of the group cast Kendra a sympathetic glance at her clutches of children clinging to her sides. "I'm so sorry," she said, the softness in her voice sincere. "I haven't seen him, but I can keep an eye out. I can't even imagine how scared you must be.".Philip laid a steadying hand on Kendra's shoulder, gave it a brief, encouraging squeeze as they passed on to the next group.His own fear
Ex-Wife Returns a Billionaire Chapter 92: Missing
Kendra's voice cracked as she yelled out Brian's name, her eyes scanning the crowds with growing desperation. She and Philip had searched most of the campgrounds already, going stand to stand and calling out, but there was no sign of their son. With each corner that turned up empty, that knot of fear in her chest pulled tighter, her breaths coming in shallow gasps."Brian!" she cried again, her voice cracking, as if the very weight of her fear might somehow will him back.Philip leaned into her and laid a soothing squeeze on her shoulder. "Stay calm, Kendra. He's around here somewhere; I know it."But she could see the concern etched across his face, his eyes darting to and fro on the beach just about as frantically as hers were.Kendra bit back the welling tears, holding it in, but the panic bubbling inside her was getting too big not to let loose.A group of families nearby glanced over at them, taking note of their worried looks. One parent was a kind-faced woman with two childr
