LOGINShare
Chapter 8: Ghosts of the Past
Last Updated:
2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Ex-Wife Returns a Billionaire Chapter 9: Desperate Times, Desperate Measures
Philip’s POV I was at my desk, head resting on my hands, staring at the piles of financial statements that lay before me, wondering how things had got this out of hand. I remember we were on the top and enjoying our success and now... bankruptcy? It didn't seem possible. A knock on the door brought me out of my spin cycle of anxiety. “Come in,” I said as calmly as I could despite the stress building up in me. Lillian, my secretary, leaned in through the door. ”Hello, Mr. Brooks, the conference room is free and available for the meeting. Right. The meeting. I'd almost forgotten. “Thanks, Lil I will be there shortly.” I sighed, adjusted my tie, and left for the conference. When I entered the conference room, it was quite evident that the heads of departments were stressed up. Everyone was looking at me with the expectation to deliver answers I was not certain I had. “Okay, everyone,” I said, attempting to sound much more certain than I actually was. '‘There will be no ne
Ex-Wife Returns a Billionaire Chapter 10:
Ghosts and GamblesAs Philip drove into the casino parking lot, his thoughts were a blur of whiskey and what-ifs. He got out of the car and left the door open with the aimlessness in his eyes that comes with worry and the sense of seeing a familiar figure. This silhouette could only belong to a woman he regretted ever leaving.Kendra. His ex-wife. The woman whom he had treated so despicably. “Kendra?” he tried to call her name but it died off in his throat. As he moved closer to her, his phone rang loudly in his pocket with a disturbing tone. When he reached in to pull it out, the ghost was no longer there. "Yeah?" he answered gruffly. Phil! Where the hell are you, man?” Jacobs’ voice came through the speaker. “The game’s about to begin!” Philip touched his temples and scolded himself for daydreaming. “Yes, I’m on my way.” It was a sea of lights, the blinks from the slot machines, and the sound of low voices and dreams being lost and dreams being made. Philip tried to move and
Ex-Wife Returns a Billionaire Chapter 11
Philip’s POVTo my surprise, I literally could not believe what I was seeing. And there she was, Kendra – my ex-wife – pictured on every television and in every magazine. The woman I’d so callously tossed aside was now a global icon, a self-made billionaire. I felt a lump in my throat as I came to the terrifying reality of what I did wrong. “How the hell did you get these?” I whispered to Adrian. Adrian looked at me and raised his shoulders. “It’s all over the media, man, she is all over the media!” I sat down at the table, the burden of the past deeds weighing down on me heavily Jacobs my friend and a business partner frowned at me in silence. ”That’s her, isn’t it?” Jacobs finally spoke. "Your ex-wife?" I looked down ashamed and just nodded. Jacobs huffed deeply, irritated. ‘’You’re one complete and utter fool, Philip. Why did you do that?’’ “I was…” I said, rubbing the back of my head. “I was young, silly, and had no idea what I was doing. I was pursuing something I beli
Ex-Wife Returns a Billionaire Chapter 12: Unexpected Encounters
Kendra’s POVThis was unbelievable. My past had come back to haunt me like an express train and I was knocked sideways by it. Philip. Of all the people in this large city, it had to be him who almost ran over my son with his car. Isn’t it quite amusing how the universe can be quite cruel at times? I felt overwhelmed with a lot of things going round and round in my head, as I walked around my office. How did he end up here? Why now, when all that was left in my life seemed to be working so well? Sometimes I got to the point where I was ready to burst if I didn’t talk to someone. Pulling out my phone, I dialed the digits to reach Grace. I could hardly control my fingers when the phone rang and I waited for her to answer the call. “Hello Kendy!” Grace said in a very friendly tone. “Grace, I... I need to talk. Can you come over?” I said in a weak tone that clearly showed my feelings. I think she heard something in my voice because the next thing I knew, Grace’s voice switch to worri
Ex-Wife Returns a Billionaire Chapter 13: Desperate Measures
Philip’s POVOne name I couldn’t seem to get off my mind – Kendra. Even after all these years, she was there, looking more beautiful and successful than I knew her. And our son... I had a son, oh God! The burden of my sins bore down on me as if a ton of bricks were placed on my head. I walked back and forth in my hotel room and raked my fingers through my hair one more time. I had to talk to her, to ask for forgiveness, to compensate in some way, for what happened between us. But how? She had probably told me she did not wish to have anything to do with me. “Get a grip, Philip,” I said to myself out loud. “It’s gonna be okay.“ I took my phone surfing the internet for the contact line KEDIS Cosmetics. My finger was resting on the pad that was going to initiate the call. Was this too much? Too soon? But the image of my son – our son went through my mind and before I could change my mind, I hit the call button. “Hello, this is KEDIS Cosmetics, how may I help you?” a friendly voice r
Ex-Wife Returns a Billionaire Chapter 14
Kendra's POV I was at my desk, staring at the reports on my table, and the contents of those reports did not register in my mind. The numbers swam before my eyes on the paper, while my mind whorled round in circles with Philip. No matter what I did, I found myself thinking about him. I should have been working on how the company was going to look like once the product was launched, this was a big deal at KEDIS Cosmetics and everyone knew it. But I spent my days dreaming of a life which I thought I'd left in my past. Why was he back? Why now? This jerk had abandoned me at the time of my greatest need, and now he is back as if nothing happened. It was tiring pretending as though it did not affect me in the slightest. However, the reality was that each time I shut my eyes, I found myself looking at him—the indifferent look he gave me when he said he wanted a divorce, and the brief glance of remorse, which I thought I saw in his eyes the last time we met.I let out a deep breath and
Ex-Wife Returns a Billionaire Chapter 15
Kendra's POV I was still sitting in the café, my foot was tapping nervously beneath the table. There was the aroma of coffee in the room, but I did not really pay attention to it. My head was spinning with all the feelings I had inside of me. I could not understand why I had accepted an invitation to meet Grace here. One side of me wanted to not even mention Philip again but the other side of me realized that I couldn’t keep on hiding from it. The only issue was, I didn’t know how to approach it.“Earth to Kendra.” Grace’s voice interrupted me. She moved her hand in front of my face and said something that made her chuckle. “Oh my, you look like you've seen a ghost.”I blinked and forced a laugh. “Might as well have. You know what has been happening.”Grace crossed her arms and leaned back in the chair. “Philip again?”I nodded. “I keep seeing him. Or at least hearing about him. He’s not leaving me alone, Grace. I don’t know what to do.”She then took a sip of her coffee, her eyes
Ex-Wife Returns a Billionaire Chapter 16
Philip's POVI was at my desk looking at the pile of papers that was on the table. There were financial reports, unpaid invoices, and emails from the board that looked like they were having a panic attack. But honestly, I didn’t know where to start. I was running a company that was heading down the drain and there was no doubt about it. The stock prices had gone down, people were running away from the business, and what was left of my cash? Well, I’d gambled most of that away.Damn it, Jacobs. Why did I ever listen to him?I rubbed my head, before sighing and letting the information sink in. My family had been pressuring me for weeks to settle things. My mother was even more relentless than my father in her pursuit for installing me as the CEO of this company . He detested that the name Brooks was being tarnished in the middle of the public. As if she wasn’t part of the reason I’m in this mess. She and Aunt Elina always expected me to be more than I could be, always encouraging me
Latest chapter
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
