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Chapter 53: Bad News
Last Updated:
2025-03-04 17:11:22
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It All Started with a Divorce It All Started with a Divorce
"ONCE YOU sign that paper, it's all over for us, Ellie."My soon-to-be ex-husband, Valerian Blackwood, sat across from me, legs crossed, a scotch in his hand. He didn't seem to care about our separation at all.Two years of marriage, and all I was fed up with were the endless scandals about him and his mega-ton amount of women chasing his round and soft ass. Who was I to question it when my husband was Valerian Blackwood? A drop-dead gorgeous billionaire. He was smart, sophisticated, and just perfect in every way. What else could I even ask for?But the life I was looking for was far away from what he'd given me. After all, we were nothing but a couple for a cause."Isn't that the purpose of divorce, Val?" I retorted, unsure whether I should let the ink stain the paper or take my time.On his side sat Attorney Eglin, tapping his thumb on his knee, his fat ass plopped on the chair. His eyes were bored, and he didn't seem to be in a hurry to witness a couple breaking up.Behind Valerian
Last Updated : 2024-08-05It All Started with a Divorce Chapter 1: The Ex Factor
THREE YEARS LATER..."I thought you said you were managing the resort well? Then what the hell is this?" Bree, my older sister, asked as soon as I stepped into the villa lobby.Exhausted, both physically and emotionally, I let my heels hit the carpeted floor and sighed heavily. I'd just come back from a board meeting my dad had set up in D.C., and I was greeted by Bree's less-than-welcoming words."Lose more guests, and you'll find your business sailing out to sea and away from you," she added.Bree's my sister, but she's also my advisor. I take her ideas, opinions, the spits coming out of her mouth, and even her snarky comments seriously. But sometimes, I just want to shove a mouthful of sand down her throat.I stood by the grand piano, placed my baguette on top of it, and took the glass of orange juice offered by the staff."Bree, summer season is just approaching, okay? We've already received a lot of reservations. Give it time, we'll have the resort full. Just relax," I told her,
Last Updated : 2024-08-05It All Started with a Divorce Chapter 2: Coming with Him
MY HEART was pounding so loud it drowned out the chatter around me. I was hyperventilating, needing a breather. I was about to turn back to the elevator, but I thought, wouldn't that make me look like a coward? Lifting my chin, I met his gaze and even offered a small smile as I approached the table. I saw the way he studied me from head to toe. Then, a spiral of emotions began to take over my body. Suddenly, all the memories of his touch came flooding back. "Ellie," he called my name, and I thought my knees were going to give out. He stood up from his chair, and boy, oh boy, the jerk hadn't changed a bit. He was still yummy as fuck. "Pleasure to have you here," he said as he pulled out a chair for me and held out his hand. I think I had been holding my breath for too long. "It is a pleasure to have 'you' here, Mr. Blackwood. I didn't know you were willing to discuss this proposal with me." His hand was still outstretched, and I was awkwardly standing by the chair. "Shake my ha
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I knew I had told myself that I would never follow wherever he went after the dinner we shared, but looking back, I'm grateful for accepting his invitation to visit his resort. The place felt like stepping into the Garden of Eden.As we entered the lobby, a few staff members were present. His secretary offered his services, but this jerk immediately dismissed him, raising my eyebrows.He led me to the beachfront, which didn't seem much different from mine, except for the surfboard decors and the name of his resort, 'BB Beach Haven'. Whatever that stood for."It's very... natural," I commented, my eyes taking in the surroundings with a glimmer.There was no doubt that business would thrive under Valerian Blackwood's leadership. He excelled at decision-making, managing his company with precision and equality.The design of the place was a stark contrast to my own resort. Everything exuded a natural vibe, from the wood-dominated interiors to the dark varnish reflecting his surname."Like
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That kiss had my knees trembling. He still has that effect on me, and I curse it to hell!I have no idea if my stomach had butterflies or if my central nervous system was frying because I've been shaking since I woke up this morning.Memories flooded my head. Those quirky, adventurous nights—damn! He taught me things I never thought I'd learn about intimacy. He washed away my innocence, and now I'm dirty-minded as fuck.Cuffs, chains, and blindfolds. They were just ordinary things until I realized how to use those unholy tools to satisfy his fetishes.I almost forgot everything about some of the dirtier kinks I developed back then, but the man who woke up the woman in me came back and decided to knock down the wall I built."If he thinks I'm going to welcome him with my legs wide open—I mean, with my arms wide open—he's wrong. Absolutely wrong!" I exclaimed, slamming the car door behind me.Still in the depths of frustration, my morning couldn't be fixed by a cup of hot coffee.Last n
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The air crackled with a vibrant energy that only New York City at night could offer, a complete opposite of the coast, and for the first time in years, I found myself missing the city's noise.Three years ago, I'd traded the honking horns and the smell of exhaust fumes for the calming scent of salt air and the endless expanse of the beach. I'd buried myself in the sand, trying to escape the noise and the pressure of my life. Now, I was back, standing in the heart of the concrete jungle, feeling a strange sense of homecoming."Still a mystery to me why you suddenly decided to grace us with your presence," my father uttered in confusion, his voice a low rumble as he poured himself a golden drink in the back of his limo. "Last I heard, you swore off these 'boring' events." He air-quoted the word 'boring,' a mischievous glint in his eye.It had been three days since I'd fled the coast like a runaway bride, ever since Valerian...My sister informed me that the contract was still pending, V
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"Stop," I panted, shoving him away after our make-out session. My heart was hammering like a woodpecker on a tin roof."What's the matter, baby?" he murmured, his voice still husky from our kiss. His eyes, still hazy with desire, held me captive.I shook my head, pulling away from his touch. "This is wrong," I whispered, my voice barely a squeak. "I... I have to go." My feet felt like they were glued to the floor, like I was stuck in quicksand.He gently guided my head back towards him, his lips brushing against my neck. I bit my lip as he buried his face in my hair, inhaling my scent. "Wrong?" he chuckled, his breath tickling my skin. "There's nothing wrong if we both want this.""W--why would I want this? I'm over you."Valerian pulled back, his emerald eyes burning into mine. "Oh, really?" His lips curled into a smirk.I know that tone. He's challenging me. And that smirk he has tells me that he's excited to prove me wrong."Then why are you here with me?" His hand, which had been
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"Leaving?" Dad's voice was a mix of confusion and disbelief. "But you just got here." My ass landed precariously on the edge of his visitor's chair, my butt barely touching the seat. "Yeah, well, I had to see a doctor this morning. Turns out, last night's… mishap might have done some damage." I winced, remembering the throbbing pain in my hip and my butthole. "Mishap?" Dad raised an eyebrow, his expression skeptical. "Just a little… accident," I mumbled, trying to avoid eye contact. "You know, I'm not a fan of my daughters lying to me, Elodie," he said, his voice low and serious. "I know, I know," I sighed, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks. "But Bree called last night. Emergency at the resort, you know how it is." "And here I thought you were going to stay for a week, like you promised," he said, his voice laced with disappointment. "Oh, right," I groaned, slapping my forehead. "I completely forgot I told you th
Last Updated : 2024-09-01
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It All Started with a Divorce Chapter 53: Bad News
Rubbing the bottom of my nose, I can smell the approaching change of the season—just like the shift in my mood. "Dad organized the event, and a lot of people are coming tonight. I believe he told me it’s a celebration of the 37th year since the company opened," Bree explained while I pouted, my eyes scanning the names of the invited guests. Ever since Dad landed here on the coast, I haven’t seen him, but Bree said he brought his work with him. I’m neither happy nor upset about it. Technically, it’s not exactly work—just related—but it still makes my bones jitter, whether from annoyance or something else I can’t quite name. "He’s bringing a date with him," she added. "Does going there require bringing a date?" I raised an eyebrow, squinting at a particular name on the list. Valerian Blackwood. It was written in beautiful golden calligraphy, perfectly matching how elegant and powerful he is. But in my eyes, he’s still a bastard. "It’s a must. A ridiculous rule Dad made for tonig
It All Started with a Divorce Chapter 52: Eternal Sunshine
I hadn't considered any day special—until yesterday. I feel like the heavy thing that had been making my heart feel like it was about to explode is suddenly gone, and now there's just peace.But no matter how magical the scene was, I like to take things slow.And when I say slow..."What are you doing here?" I spat as soon as I opened my door and found Valerian holding a bouquet of sunflowers and a jar of... pickles?"Just came here to visit my pregnant Elodie," he said comfortably, lifting what he had in his hands.Arching my eyebrows, I gave him a deadpan glare.Just because we settled one thing doesn’t mean we’re already fine. I still want to play hard to get, and nothing goes fast—aside from his... No, no, no. I’m not going back to that kind of mindset anymore.I've refreshed my mind, and I am no longer a sinner. Or so I assume."This is private property, Mr. Blackwood. I suggest you back off before I call the police," I warned him, but as expected, it didn’t faze him—not even the
It All Started with a Divorce Chapter 51: Deja Vu
Still enduring the hard pounding of my heart, I entered the restaurant with my chin up like nothing had happened."Keep it together," I grumbled to myself.I had a business to deal with. My personal life should be set aside. I would cry about it later.My heels hit the carpeted floor. The smell of expensive edibles lingered in the air, along with the chatter polluting the area bathed in golden lighting."Ms. Beaumont?"A man clad in a stylized black suit stood up from a chair, offering me his hand and a formal smile."Atticus Lark, Larkvish Corporation. My good old friend, Mr. Kaufman, asked me to personally bring you his apology and also to inform you that he won't be able to join us for this meeting." He handed me a bouquet of flowers.His neatly brushed back salt-and-pepper hair seemed like it was smothered in butter leaving just a group of strand dangling before his forehead like Superman.He had a scarf around his neck that matched the color of his hair, a swaying cross earring o
It All Started with a Divorce Chapter 50: Baby
"Dad..." I picked up his call while driving myself to the building.I know my father is a great man. He has his flaws, and he let those flaws ruin us. But just like Bree, he's straining his best to fix our relationship as a family.Was it my fault that I found it hard to trust anyone? I forgave, but it's hard to forget. It was marked in my head."Missed you here at the resort," he said, his voice carrying a hint of his age. "Lois mentioned that you're heading to a meeting. I just wanted you to know I'd like to spend time with you while I'm here."Parking the car, I let out a soft exhale. "Sure," I replied."I know you still feel a sense of resentment towards me, daughter. I only wanted what I thought would make you happy.""I don't—" I plopped the back of my head against the headrest, closing my eyes as I turned the engine off. "I don't hate you, Dad. Remember, I already forgave you.""Doesn't feel like I'm forgiven, Elodie.""Look, Dad, we'll just talk later, okay?" I cut him off, no
It All Started with a Divorce Chapter 49: Missing Him
Clinging closer to my cardigan, I felt the gushing wind brush against my skin, blowing my long hair.I watched as the waves lapped by the shore.The resort was doing well; it was bustling behind me—the staff rushing, the guests laughing, and glasses clinking. But I felt like I was on the other side of the world, just watching this scenery from behind a glass.It had been almost two months. Fifty-three days without him, to be exact.No calls, no messages.What kept me updated about him were the papers—the things written in the news. His business, his relationship with his shareholders, his status in life.He was open to the media, aside from what was really personal.Valerian was true to his word when he said he would keep his promise—from the moment he let me go until now.Letting out a soft sigh, I placed my hand on my small but noticeable bump. My baby was growing. Our baby.My life was moving forward every second, but I think my heart was unwell. It was paralyzed in time, right at
It All Started with a Divorce Chapter 48: Exhaustion
My breath hitched as he placed the last piece of the puzzle. He had aided the jumbled pieces, but still… I'm incomplete.Bree, my own flesh and blood—she betrayed me. Now I understand why she kept pushing me to him. And Dad? Valerian said it all. He was part of this too.Valerian planned this. All of it.My second chance. My engagement. My life with him. I thought this was a fresh start. I didn’t know it would come with a new, more painful trouble.It’s like my whole system shut down, and the only thing I could feel was my heart pounding against my ribs, fueled by my sharpened fury and… heartbreak.“They knew all along, and they let you?” I said. My voice was barely above a whisper, but it cracked like thunder, exposing the storm building up inside me. My eyes clouded.“Don’t blame them, Ellie. If you’re going to be mad at someone, it should only be me,” he said bravely, accepting where he was wrong, denying nothing. “I asked them myself. I made them promises. They only wanted you to
It All Started with a Divorce Chapter 47: His Schemes
"Earth to E, hello?" Bree waved her hand in front of my face. "Where is your head?"Blinking twice, I adjusted my dark glasses—the ones protecting me from being recognized or, worse, attracting someone who’d want to ruin my day.There were eyes everywhere. The city was the most chaotic place to be at the moment, especially now that what happened at the event had started circulating on the internet.Athena was playing the victim, but unfortunately, a lot of people weren’t falling for her kind of drama even after the press conference she held.But I pushed her aside in my mind. I had a bigger problem to deal with. Yes, bigger than her."I'm doing my best to suggest a lot of things, and you're not listening?" Bree groaned, pointing at the notes on her phone. "I thought you called me for some girl talk, to brainstorm and this and that, but I think I'm the only one talking. And thinking."I clutched my head. "Sorry, it's just that... my mind is blown.""You gave Valerian a 'blow'... job?"
It All Started with a Divorce Chapter 46: Good Boys
When we got to the hospital, Liam was doing better than when we first saw him. He could move more easily, was vomiting less, and was regaining pieces of his memory faster than expected.Even Valerian bragged that he helped him recover quickly.His bruises had faded, but he still needed supervision and a lot of rest since his bones hadn’t completely healed.I remembered the doctor saying it would take at least a month before he could be discharged."That was... fast?" Liam said uncertainly. "How long have you guys been together?" He tilted his head to the side, frowning. His eyes were locked on my hand, where the engagement ring sat. If I had to guess, he looked a bit bewildered.I met Valerian’s gaze. His eyes were droopy, still high from what I did in the car. He leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, his head tilted back while his stare stayed fixed right on me.Moving my tongue in my mouth after taking a mint, I could still taste the sweetness and saltiness of his juices—wh
It All Started with a Divorce Chapter 45: Drive You Crazy
Her hair was in a messy ponytail, her face painted in deep colors, matching her black get-up, making her seem like she came from the dark world.She’d been gone for a while and came back with a dark motive. But that friendly smile she’s giving doesn’t exactly help me accept her lightly.I gave Valerian a glance. He’s composed, as always. Am I the only one getting antsy in this situation?Now I hope Bree didn’t leave."Don't look at me like that," Rachel snorted, snatching Valerian's drink and taking a gulp.The sommelier Bree was flirting with earlier approached us, but Valerian showed his palm."I'm not here to ruin anything, if that's what you think this is." She rolled her eyes and pulled out her recorder. "I'm just here to make a story. I promise to be a nice girl."She meant no harm? Then why do I feel like she does?The way she flicked her hand, the way she beamed at me—it gives me trauma. And should I even mention her recklessness that almost cost Liam his life?I can't help bu
