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Chapter 81: Old Wounds Reopened
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2024-11-03 14:12:11Related chapters
Ex-Wife Returns a Billionaire Chapter 82: Philip’s Frustration
Philip sat at his desk, the morning sun sifting in through the blinders as his mind replayed the events of the last few days. He couldn't shake this feeling that Douglas's return wasn't as innocent as it seemed. The "gift" he had sent to Kendra, a book which meant something to them both, felt like more than a simple reminder of their past.Philip's jaw clenched with the note inside: "Thought you might like a reminder of simpler times."The thought ate at him, and by mid-morning he found himself dialing his lawyer, Daniel. Daniel had been a steady voice of reason and what Philip needed more than anything right now."Philip," Daniel answered on the first ring, in a warm tone. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"Daniel, I need some advice. It's… personal," Philip admitted, easing back in his chair. "You remember Kendra's ex, Douglas?""Ah, the man who just popped back into her life?" Daniel replied, his tone wary already. "What's going on?""I think he's trying to weasel his way back in.
Ex-Wife Returns a Billionaire Chapter 83: A Test of Trust
He had tried shaking off the feeling, but it clung to him. The past few days had unsettled him.Philip knew she was committed to their life together, but he couldn't shake the feeling that Douglas was creating tiny fissures in what they'd build.And so he sat across from her over dinner and finally broke the silence."Kendra," he began, quiet but direct. "I know I've been on edge lately, and it isn't that I doubt us; it's just... Douglas seems to be trying to drive a wedge between us."Kendra met his gaze in surprise. "Philip, I love you, and you know that," she assured him, reaching across the table. "Douglas was a part of my past, and nothing more. That's made clear as crystal."Philip's jaw unclenched a little, but he couldn't turn a blind eye to the flicker of unease in her eyes; something he'd never seen before. "I trust you, Kendra. It's him I don't trust," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "It's like he wants you to doubt what we have."Kendra gave his hand a gentle squ
Ex-Wife Returns a Billionaire Chapter 84: A Proposal from the Past
Kendra sat in her office, her head buzzing as she worked over plans regarding her latest business project. She hadn't told Philip, but with each new message from Douglas came a strange comfort; a reminder of simpler times, a life before complications.Just then, another message from Douglas just popped up:I do: Why don't we go work on something together-new? We're the only two that would be involved with it, so it's a clean slate."Kendra had wide eyes and quickly set her phone down to catch her breath.She knew she should toss it, but the "new start" thing pulled at her, reminding her of all the dreams she'd once had, before life took so many twists and turns.She was still nowhere near digesting that one when her phone buzzed again.This time, Douglas's words were more to the point:"Think about it, Kendra-no strings, just the opportunity to build something without any baggage."---Later that night, Kendra sat beside Philip on the couch as she flipped through designs for their ho
Ex-Wife Returns a Billionaire Chapter 85: A Heartfelt Apology
He hadn't slept well since he'd talked to Kendra.He had trusted her, but every word about Douglas had tugged at a silent fear, one he was just now acknowledging: the fear that maybe, just maybe Douglas was offering Kendra something he wasn't.The following morning, Philip sat at his desk, his hand drifting to his phone with the urge to send a message declaring that he did trust her.But he knew how insecure it sounded and, hence, didn't bring himself to do it.Later that afternoon, he called one who would understand him.Daniel had been his confidant through innumerable storms, personal and professional, and he knew Daniel would give it to him straight."Daniel," Philip started as his friend picked up. "I don't know what to do. Kendra met up with Douglas again, this time over some possible business project. I wanna believe it's just work, but… I feel like I'm losing her."Daniel's voice was not raised, yet firm. "Philip, if Kendra says it is just business, then that is what it is. Be
Ex-Wife Returns a Billionaire Chapter 86: Douglas’s Confession
Kendra's head spun as she entered the café, quiet at this time of day, where Douglas had asked they meet.She couldn't imagine, looking back, why she'd said yes to a second meeting when he was stirring up tension in a life already fraught with uncertainty courtesy of Philip. But his persistence and the romance of the project he'd outlined had piqued her interest.She told herself it was strictly business-a meeting like any other.Yet, as she finally spotted him near the back, waiting for her with that familiar smile, she knew she couldn't eliminate the mixed feelings that tugged at her."Kendra," he greeted, warmly opening her chair as she sat. "Thanks for coming. I wasn't sure you'd want to hear me out.""Douglas," she said matter-of-factly, her tone friendly but guarded. "I'm here to discuss this project you spoke about. Just business, shall we?"He nodded again, but his eyes gentled. "Okay, I understand that. And I'll get to it, but… there's something I need to say. It's been on m
Ex-Wife Returns a Billionaire Chapter 87: An Unexpected Offer
Kendra wasn't quite sure what she was expecting when she walked into her office that morning, but the envelope waiting for her on her desk definitely wasn't it. She froze, recognition hitting her like a tidal wave at Douglas's handwriting across the front. He'd already sent enough cryptic messages to keep her guessing, but this one felt different - urgent somehow.She took a deep breath, opening the envelope and pulling out a single sheet of paper.The note was innocuous: "Meet me tonight. There's a new opportunity I think you'd want to hear about; one that could change everything."Kendra's pulse quickened. Where Douglas was concerned, there was always a measure of excitement and unpredictability he could bring into her life, and no matter how she wanted to dismiss him, he piqued her curiosity. After all, she thought, it was just one meeting.She'd promised herself she wasn't going to let him stir things up any further, and yet here she was, getting pulled into the intrigue and
Ex-Wife Returns a Billionaire Chapter 88: A Family United
She hadn't felt alive for so long. Working with Douglas on the new project had uncovered something deep inside her that she thought was buried under years of family responsibilities. The sense of purpose and ambition had started welling its way to the surface again. Yet, as she went along in her day, she checked herself, reflected on the life she'd built with Philip and Brian.That evening, she decided to share her progress with him, hoping he would understand how much this project meant to her. She found him in the living room, reading through some business reports. "Hey," she greeted, taking a seat beside him. "How's everything going?"Philip looked up with a warm smile, setting his work aside. "Good, just going over some numbers. How's the project going? You seem… different. Happier, maybe?"Kendra smiled, touched by his observation. "It's going well. I feel like I'm finally doing something that aligns with who I am. And honestly, I think I needed that."Philip nodded, his gaz
Ex-Wife Returns a Billionaire Chapter 89: Vacation Interrupted
“Are we there yet?” Brian asked for what felt like the hundredth time, wriggling in his seat as he peered out the window. They were en route to the Bahamas for a much-needed family vacation, and after hours in the air, his excitement had curdled into impatience.Kendra chuckled, looked over at him with a grin. "Almost, kiddo. But remember, once we land, you get to pick our first activity. So, better have a plan."Brian's face lit up, and his eyes gleamed with anticipation. "Alright," he said, puffing up with mock seriousness, "first, we go to the biggest waterslide, no matter what. And then double-scoop ice cream!"Philip raised an eyebrow, chuckling as he gave Brian a playful nudge. "Double scoop, huh? That might be a risky move. You really think you can handle all that without getting a stomachache?"Brian shrugged, unconcerned, his grin saying he was invincible. "You and Mom just have to keep up with me!" he joked, looking from his dad to his mom."Kendra laughed as her eyes spark
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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
