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44. ALWAYS
Last Updated:
2025-02-11 16:06:23
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From Ashes To The Billionaire's Arms 45. THE SHOCK OF A LIFETIME
VICTOR My phone rang just as I was reviewing the latest reports in my office. I sighed, rubbing my temples. It had been a long day, and I wasn’t in the mood for interruptions. But when I saw my mother’s name flashing on the screen, I straightened. She rarely called me during business hours. I picked up. “Mom?” Her voice came through the line, breathless and urgent. “Victor, you need to come home. Now.” My stomach tightened. “What’s wrong?” “It’s an emergency. Just come home.” Her voice held a note of panic that I had never heard before. Without wasting a second, I grabbed my keys and strode out of my office, ignoring my secretary’s attempt to stop me. Whatever it was, it had to be serious. I drove home as fast as I could, my mind racing with possibilities. Had she fallen sick? Had something terrible happened at home? But when I arrived and stepped into the house, my mother stood in the living room, clutching a stack of papers in her hands. “What’s going on?” I ask
Last Updated : 2025-02-11From Ashes To The Billionaire's Arms 46. FORGIVE ME
CALEB I hadn’t expected Sophia to say those words. When Victor had demanded to speak with her alone, I was willing to respect her choice...even if every part of me screamed to stay by her side. But then… She reached for my hand. And in that moment, everything else faded away. Sophia had just chosen me in front of Victor. Without hesitation. My heart leapt in my chest, but I kept my face unreadable. Victor’s expression darkened slightly, but he quickly masked it. He turned back to Sophia. “I know you have so much anger towards me,” he said carefully. “But I swear, I have no intention of harming you.” Sophia let out a soft scoff, shaking her head. “I haven’t even said a word, and yet you already know what’s in my mind?” Her tone was laced with disbelief. She tightened her grip on my hand before looking directly at him. “You’re right about one thing. Caleb has to stay...for my safety.” I felt my fingers twitch around hers. “He’s not leaving,” she added firmly. “S
Last Updated : 2025-02-11From Ashes To The Billionaire's Arms 47. UNWANTED TIES
SOPHIA I kept my head down, my arms wrapped tightly around Caleb as I sat in the car, feeling completely drained. My chest still ached from all the emotions I had bottled up during that disastrous meeting. I just wanted to leave everything behind...Victor, his mother, the past. But Victor wouldn’t let go. Tap. Tap. Tap. The sound of knuckles rapping against the car window made me stiffen. I didn’t need to look to know who it was. Victor stood by the door, knocking insistently. “Sophia, come out. Let’s talk.” I pulled away from Caleb but turned my head away, refusing to acknowledge Victor. Caleb remained silent, his hands gripping the steering wheel, his jaw clenched. The knocking continued. “Sophia, please. Just talk to me. I....” Caleb sighed and finally turned to me. “Do you want me to drive off?” he asked quietly. I nodded. Without hesitation, he started the engine. Victor called my name again, knocking harder. But Caleb pressed on the gas and drove off
Last Updated : 2025-02-11From Ashes To The Billionaire's Arms 48. AN UNEXPECTED CONFESSION
SOPHIA The wind was soft against my skin as I stood beside Caleb, my mind still tangled in the whirlwind of emotions from earlier. Victor’s pleading, his desperation...it had been suffocating. But this… this was different. Caleb’s presence felt reassuring. He studied me for a long moment, his gaze intense yet unreadable. Then, in a quiet voice, he asked, “Is there something you want me to do? Anything. Just tell me.” I swallowed, shaking my head. “Caleb, you’re already doing so much for me.” His eyes remained on mine, searching. “No matter what,” I continued, “I’m going to proceed with the divorce.” Caleb exhaled, as if releasing a breath he’d been holding. “I’m relieved,” he admitted. That caught me off guard. “Why?” He hesitated for a second before looking me in the eye. “When Victor knelt before you… I saw the surprise on your face. I saw how your expression softened, how your eyes filled with tears.” I stiffened, remembering the moment. “A part of me…” He exhal
Last Updated : 2025-02-11From Ashes To The Billionaire's Arms 49. LOSING CONTROL
VICTOR I stood there, frozen, as Caleb’s car disappeared from sight. Sophia had left. With him. The weight of it crushed me. I turned to my mother, searching her face for some kind of explanation...anything that would make sense of what had just happened. She sighed, as if expecting my reaction. “Victor, calm down,” she said patiently. “After everything that’s happened, did you really expect her to jump into your arms?” I clenched my jaw, my fists tightening at my sides. “I went on my knees, Mom,” I snapped. “I fucking begged her. And she slapped me!” She shook her head. “And you’re surprised?” I was. Sophia had chased me, crying, begging, doing everything in her power to keep me in her life. Now… she was acting like I was nothing to her. That wasn’t possible. That wasn’t Sophia. “Let’s go back inside,” my mother said, gesturing towards the lawyer’s office. “Your lawyer is still there, speaking with hers. You need to calm down and handle this properly.” I
Last Updated : 2025-02-11From Ashes To The Billionaire's Arms 50. EXPOSED SECRETS
SOPHIABack home, talking with Victor over the phone ruined my mood and Caleb noticed it. He didn’t say anything at first, but I could feel him watching me, studying me as if trying to figure out how to pull me out of my thoughts. Then, he started trying to make me smile. At first, I resisted, but when I saw the way he kept throwing playful comments my way, his eyes warm with amusement, I found myself smiling just to please him. Satisfied, he gave me a small smirk and then said, “Now, eat.” I shook my head. “I’m not hungry.” His expression darkened slightly. “You need to eat.” “I don’t have an appetite, Caleb.” “Then I’ll feed you.” Before I could protest, he had already picked up the spoon. I sighed, but eventually gave in, letting him feed me. It was oddly intimate. And that’s when I noticed something. The maids were watching from the corner, whispering and giggling amongst themselves. I froze. Heat crept up my cheeks as I glanced at Caleb, who seemed com
Last Updated : 2025-02-11From Ashes To The Billionaire's Arms 51. TORN BETWEEN LOVE AND GUILT
SOPHIA The air felt heavy. Caleb’s mother cried, shaking her head as she looked at me with so much hurt in her eyes. “You played with my emotions,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “You let me believe you were my son’s future. You made me care about you.” I swallowed hard, guilt crushing me. She turned to Caleb, her hands trembling. “And you,” she said, her voice shaking. “Why? Why did you lie to me, Caleb? Why did you let this happen?” Caleb’s face remained calm. Unshaken. “It doesn’t matter,” he said simply. His mother’s eyes widened. “It doesn’t matter?” Before she could say anything else, Caleb’s expression hardened. He turned toward Victor and his mother, his voice cold as ice. “Leave my house.” Victor scoffed. “And if I don’t?” Caleb stepped forward. “Then I’ll call the police and have you arrested for trespassing.” Victor’s face twisted in anger, but he must have realized that Caleb wasn’t bluffing. With one last glare, he turned and left, his mothe
Last Updated : 2025-02-11From Ashes To The Billionaire's Arms 52. A LOVE WORTH FIGHTING FOR
SOPHIA Caleb helped me onto the couch, his arms lingering around me as if he wasn’t ready to let go. His warmth was comforting, but my mind was elsewhere...stuck on the fact that his mother hated the idea of me being here. “I need to talk to my mom,” he said softly, his voice filled with quiet frustration. “I’ll be back soon, okay?” I nodded slowly, watching as he walked toward the door. But the moment he stepped out, I quietly followed. Something inside me told me I needed to hear this conversation. I stopped near the hallway, staying out of sight. Then, I heard her voice. “I’m very upset with you, Caleb,” his mother’s voice was sharp, filled with disappointment. “Why did you lie to me? You knew how badly I wanted a grandchild. How badly I wanted you to find someone else. But instead, you went and took another man’s wife?” Her words stung. Caleb sighed, his voice calm. “Mom, just listen to me...” “No, I don’t want to listen.” She cut him off. “As long as Sophia
Last Updated : 2025-02-11
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From Ashes To The Billionaire's Arms EPILOGUE
MONTHS LATER The early morning sun filtered through the cream-colored curtains of Sophia and Caleb’s bedroom, casting a soft golden glow over the room. It was quiet, peaceful—too peaceful for what was about to happen. Sophia stirred in bed, her brows furrowed slightly as a sharp wave of discomfort ran through her lower back. She shifted, thinking it was just the usual pregnancy ache she’d been dealing with for weeks now. But then, a second wave came... stronger, more distinct, and she gasped, her hand flying to her belly. “Caleb…” she whispered, a mixture of nervousness and urgency in her voice. He stirred beside her, his eyes opening in slow confusion. “Soph? You okay?” “I think…” she breathed, pausing as another contraction hit, this one more intense than the last. “I think the baby’s coming.” That was all Caleb needed to hear. He jumped out of bed in a flash, suddenly wide awake, his mind scrambling to recall everything they had planned. He rushed to grab the hospital
From Ashes To The Billionaire's Arms 20. VOWS, LOVE, AND NEW BEGINNINGS
The day finally came for Ezekiel and Irene's wedding.. The venue was a grand, open-air estate draped in soft white fabrics and adorned with cascading flowers in shades of blush, ivory, and gold. A warm breeze carried the scent of fresh roses through the air, while violins played gently in the background. The crowd was large, filled with dignitaries, friends, family, and loved ones who had gathered to celebrate the long-awaited union. Irene looked breathtaking in a flowing, pearl-white gown that hugged her frame perfectly, her veil trailing behind her like a waterfall of lace. Ezekiel stood at the altar, his face a mixture of nervousness and joy, dressed in an impeccably tailored tuxedo. Alina sat in the second row beside Zander, her fingers laced through his as they both watched the ceremony unfold. She wore a pale pink dress that shimmered softly in the light, her hair pinned in soft curls. A few people from Zander’s family had shown up too....his mother, glowing with pride, and
From Ashes To The Billionaire's Arms 19. FINALLY ACCEPTED
After Zander and Alina left Ezekiel, Irene went back home with him, and for the first time in days, she felt true relief. Finally, the storm had calmed. Ezekiel had taken the first step, and even though it wasn’t a full embrace, it was a beginning. That was all she had ever wanted. Later that day, after they returned home, Alina and Zander were greeted by a surprise—Zander’s grandfather was waiting for them in the grand living room. He sat on his usual armchair, a newspaper resting on the table beside him and a cup of untouched tea growing cold. What surprised Alina most was the soft expression on the old man’s face. “Alina,” he called gently, waving her over. “Come sit.” She glanced at Zander, who gave her a reassuring nod. Alina walked over, heart steady but expectant. Zander’s grandfather had barely spoken a kind word to her since she’d entered the mansion. But ever since the incident with Anna—the exposed plot, the video, the fall down the stairs—his demeanor had changed. Hi
From Ashes To The Billionaire's Arms 18. SHATTERED BONDS
Zander’s grandfather was seething when he was away from Alina and Zander. His cane trembled in his grip as his voice echoed through the room. “How dare she?” he thundered. “How could Anna try to harm Zander’s mother like that? In our home!” The anger in his voice silenced the whispers around him. Everyone, still stunned from the video Alina had shown, stood quietly as the weight of Anna’s betrayal settled over them. Zander’s mother turned toward Alina, her eyes glossy with emotion. She reached out and pulled her into a hug, her voice soft but full of gratitude. “You saved me,” she whispered. “I don’t even want to think about what could have happened if Anna had succeeded. Thank you, Alina.” Before Alina could respond, Zander stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her from behind, drawing her into his chest. “You saved my mom,” he murmured, pressing a light kiss to the top of her head.After a while, Zander's grandfather called for Alina and Zander's mother to see him.
From Ashes To The Billionaire's Arms 17. THE FALL OF A SCHEME
The scent of disinfectant filled the private hospital room where Anna lay on the bed, her head bandaged, her arm in a sling. Seated beside her was Daniel’s mother, her lips twisted in frustration as she leaned closer to Anna. "This is not how it was supposed to go," she hissed under her breath. “Your foolish stunt only made things worse. And that stupid son of mine—Daniel let Zander record his confession. Now, not only does Zander have the upper hand, but we’re both walking on thin ice.” Anna groaned and sat up slightly, wincing at the pain in her ribs. “Stop blaming me. Grandfather would never turn on me. I’m the one he loves most. I’m the only one who’s always been by his side.” “Love or not,” Daniel’s mother said with narrowed eyes, “you’re lying here, and that woman....Alina...is still walking around like a queen.” Anna’s expression twisted with pain and jealousy. “What hurts the most is that Zander hasn’t even visited me. Not once. I did everything for him. All I wanted w
From Ashes To The Billionaire's Arms 16. A HOUSE DIVIDED
When Zander and Alina returned home, Zander didn’t let her walk. He cradled her gently in his arms and was carrying her toward their bedroom when a sharp voice interrupted their peaceful moment. “Zander, put her down and explain yourself right now!” Standing in the hallway was Daniel’s mother, her face twisted with fury. Beside her stood their grandfather, stone-faced and silent, while Daniel trailed behind them, his face swollen and wrapped in white gauze from the bruises Zander had given him the night before. Zander stopped, but he didn’t set Alina down. He kept his arms firmly around her as his gaze met Daniel’s mother’s accusing eyes. “This is unacceptable!” she spat. “How dare you beat up my son for your characterless wife? What sort of example are you trying to set in this family?” Their grandfather stepped forward, his cane tapping the tiled floor. “We demand an explanation, Zander,” he said in a deep, gruff voice. “You’ve become reckless...beating family, creating sc
From Ashes To The Billionaire's Arms 15. TERMS OF PEACE
Despite her doubts and the warning that her brother would never approve, Alina gave a quiet nod and agreed. There was a strange sense of calm in her decision now. “Honestly,” she said softly, “being married to you feels a lot better than going back and letting my brother choose someone else for me again.” Zander didn’t say anything immediately, but the softness in his eyes said everything. A few seconds later, Alina added, “Still, I want to see him. Ezekiel knows the truth about Matt now, and I think I owe it to both of us to try one more time to talk to him.” Zander reached out and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. “That’s not a problem,” he said, his tone gentle. “I’ll take you to see him. I just hope he keeps his hands to himself this time. If he ever lays a finger on you again…” Alina smiled faintly and touched his chest. “He won’t. Not now.” Zander nodded, then leaned back slightly and glanced at her. “Can I make a suggestion?” “Sure.” “I was thinking,” he
From Ashes To The Billionaire's Arms 14. THE GIFT OF LETTING GO
The sound of running water had faded, and a hush fell over the room as Zander stepped out of the bathroom. Steam followed him, curling like mist around the sharp angles of his body. He wore nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist, his dark hair damp and clinging to his forehead. The tension that had gripped him earlier had dissolved beneath the warm shower, leaving him quieter, calmer—but no less conflicted. Alina, seated on the edge of the bed, looked up as he entered. Her gaze locked on him, her lips parting slightly in surprise at the sight of him. There was a long pause, a silence that crackled between them, filled with all the things neither had said. Zander reached for the towel around his neck, rubbing it through his hair, and then paused. His eyes met hers, and he spoke in a voice that was low but steady. “I never doubted you,” he said. Alina blinked, unsure of what he meant. “Earlier, when I asked if what that idiot said was true,” he continued, his tone soften
From Ashes To The Billionaire's Arms 13. WHO DO YOU BELIEVE?
Once they entered their bedroom, Alina didn’t waste a second. She pushed Zander gently onto the bed and climbed onto his lap, cupping his face as she captured his lips in a deep, lingering kiss. Her actions were bold, deliberate, and had one very specific goal. Just as their kiss deepened and Zander’s arms found their way around her waist, the door creaked open behind them. Anna stood in the doorway, frozen, eyes wide with horror. A second later, her face crumpled, and she turned and ran away, sobbing. Alina pulled back slowly and rolled off Zander, a sly smile curving her lips as she lay beside him. Zander looked at her, slightly breathless. “What was that smile for?” Alina sat up and brushed her fingers through her hair, still smirking. “Well, she came to my face and warned me earlier tonight. I just thought I’d return the favor... in a way she won’t forget.” Zander blinked at her. “So this was for Anna?” “Partly,” she replied calmly. “Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed it. B
