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Chapter 13: What's the catch?
Last Updated:
2025-02-26 17:28:06
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My Ex, the Widowed Billionaire Chapter 14: Unacceptable
Callum's lips twitched slightly, but the humor didn’t quite reach his eyes. “The catch is just do what I say and just do the job well without being stubborn.”I narrowed my eyes, crossing my arms as I studied him. “That’s it?”“Yes,” he said simply. “Take the time off, be with Ryan, and when you come back, you do your job without pushing back on every damn thing I tell you to do.”I huffed, turning my attention back to Ryan, who was finally resting peacefully. The anger that had flared earlier still simmered inside me, but exhaustion dulled its edges. Maybe Callum was right. Maybe I did need this time off. But I hated that he had taken control of the situation without my input.Ryan stirred slightly, his fingers twitching against my hand. His face was still pale, but the tension in his expression had eased. I exhaled slowly, brushing his hair back before looking at Callum again. “Fine.”A flicker of relief crossed his face, but it was gone in an instant. “Good.”The room fell into a t
Last Updated : 2025-02-26My Ex, the Widowed Billionaire Chapter 15: Food delivery
I walked out of the hospital room, my breath catching as the weight of my mother’s words pressed on me. Ryan is more important than your pride, Athena.I knew that. I’d always known. But knowing didn’t make accepting it easier.The cold air outside stung my skin, a sharp contrast to the warmth I left behind in Ryan’s room. I wrapped my arms around myself, vision blurring as tears spilled over. I hated this. Hated how Callum still had the power to shake me, to make me question everything I had rebuilt.“Athena?”I startled, quickly wiping my tears as Lia approached. Her brows knitted in concern, hands tucked into her coat pockets.“Hey,” she said softly. “You okay?”I forced a smile. “Yeah. Just... fresh air.”Lia gave me a look that said she didn’t buy it. “Athena, you’re a terrible liar.”I let out a shaky breath, shoulders slumping. “It’s just... a lot.”She nodded, tilting her head toward the small café across the street. “Come on. Let’s get coffee. You look like you could use it.”
Last Updated : 2025-02-26My Ex, the Widowed Billionaire Chapter 16: Don't expect
I placed the bags on the small hospital table, my hands unsteady as I unpacked the contents. The smell of freshly cooked food filled the room—warm soup, soft bread, and a variety of dishes carefully packaged. It wasn’t just any meal. It was thoughtful. Comforting. Exactly the kind of food someone would send if they knew we hadn’t eaten properly all day.I hated how that realization made my chest tighten.My mother sat beside Ryan’s bed, watching me carefully. She didn’t say anything, but I could feel the unspoken words hanging in the air.I sighed, forcing myself to focus on the task at hand. “Do you want some?”She hesitated before nodding. “You should eat too, Athena.”I wasn’t sure I had much of an appetite, but I pulled out a container of soup. As I lifted a spoonful to my lips, the warmth spread through me, comforting in a way I hadn’t expected.We ate in silence, the only sounds the occasional beeping of the monitors and the hum of the hospital outside. Ryan remained asleep, his
Last Updated : 2025-02-26My Ex, the Widowed Billionaire Chapter 17: Callum's POV
CALLUM’S POVI never expected Athena to forgive me.Not after what I did.I once imagined a future with her—warmth, love, unshakable promises. I gave her a ring, a vow, a dream of something lasting. But I destroyed it.One day, I was hers. The next, I walked away.For Emilia.For a woman with weeks left to live.For a promise rooted in duty, not love.I exhaled sharply, forcing myself to stay present, but the past had its claws deep in me. Ryan’s steady breathing filled the silence, yet all I heard was my own regrets. The way I tore Athena’s world apart for something I thought was bigger than us.Emilia was dying. Fragile. Terrified of facing the end alone. She pleaded with me, begged me to stay. And then there was Richard Rhodes—her father, a man who shaped futures. Marrying into the Rhodes family meant securing a position of power few could dream of.I told myself it was right. That Emilia deserved to spend her last days without fear, that I couldn’t abandon her.But that was a lie.
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CALLUM’S POV 2I arrived at Rhodes Enterprises exactly one hour later, my suit pressed, expression neutral. The weight of Richard’s expectations sat heavy on my shoulders, but I refused to show any cracks.As I stepped into the boardroom, a dozen pairs of eyes flicked toward me—some wary, some calculating, all waiting for me to falter. Richard sat at the head of the table, his gaze impassive.“Callum,” he said smoothly, motioning for me to take my seat. “Let’s begin.”I forced a nod, suppressing the lingering headache from last night’s whiskey. This was my battlefield now. To survive, I had to play the game.The meeting was brutal. The board questioned everything—my competence, leadership, and ability to carry the Rhodes name forward. Richard stayed silent, letting them tear into me like vultures. I answered each challenge with precision, refusing to be rattled.By the time the meeting ended, I’d made one thing clear: I wasn’t just Emilia’s grieving husband. I was the man who would le
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ATHENA'S POVDays passed, and Callum remained the same—dominant, assertive, always in control. I did everything to fulfill my role as his secretary, ensuring his schedule ran smoothly. Yet, despite my efforts to keep things professional, he continued his daily lunch invitations, making it impossible to refuse.Today was no different. As soon as the clock struck noon, his deep voice called out from his office."Let's go."It wasn’t a request—it never was.I swallowed hard, grabbed my bag, and followed. The moment I stepped into his sleek black car, silence filled the space, thick with an unspoken tension I couldn’t define.Our lunches weren’t romantic. They were businesslike—discussions about reports, future projects, and his impossible expectations. But no matter how much I tried to convince myself otherwise, I couldn’t ignore the way his gaze lingered sometimes, the way his fingers brushed against mine when he handed me the menu.It was dangerous.Back at the office, the stares were
Last Updated : 2025-02-27My Ex, the Widowed Billionaire Chapter 20: New Friend
I clutched the soft handkerchief in my hands, my breath still uneven as I stared at the man before me. He wasn’t demanding, wasn’t overpowering—just there, offering a quiet sense of comfort I didn’t realize I needed.He leaned slightly against my desk, his hands tucked into the pockets of his tailored slacks. “I’m Daniel, by the way,” he said with an easy smile. “Daniel West. New Chief Technology Officer.”My eyes widened slightly. CTO? He was an executive?I quickly straightened myself, wiping the last traces of tears from my face. “Oh. Um—welcome to Rhodes Company.” My voice was still shaky, but at least I could manage words now.“Thanks.” He chuckled, tilting his head slightly. “Not exactly the best first impression, huh? Finding you crying in your office?”I swallowed, looking away. “I—I don’t usually do this.”“I believe you.” His tone was gentle but certain. “Rough day?”I scoffed, shaking my head. “Something like that.”Daniel nodded as if he understood without needing any expl
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I let out a nervous laugh, shaking my head. "He’s just—" I paused, searching for the right word. "Weird. Controlling. Crazy."Daniel hummed thoughtfully. "Or maybe," he said slowly, "he actually likes you."I turned to him, my mouth opening to protest, but then—"Oh."That single word from Daniel sent a strange chill down my spine."What?" I asked hesitantly.Daniel glanced at me, then smirked. "So… the CEO is my rival, huh?"I blinked. "What are you talking about?"His smirk deepened, but his gaze held sincerity. "I like you too."My heart stuttered."What?" I whispered.Daniel nodded, his grip on the steering wheel tightening slightly. "I was planning to take my time… get to know you before saying anything." He let out a breathless chuckle."But seeing how he looks at you, how he reacts when you’re with someone else—I don’t think I have time."I was speechless.He liked me?My brain was already struggling to deal with Callum’s overwhelming presence, and now Daniel was confessing his
Last Updated : 2025-02-27
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My Ex, the Widowed Billionaire Chapter 36: Callum's Call
I stared at the phone, its vibrations buzzing relentlessly in my hand. For a moment, I debated not answering, but deep down I knew it wouldn’t matter. Callum never let me ignore him. No matter how hard I tried, he always seemed to have a way of pushing through my defenses.Reluctantly, I swiped the screen. His voice came through immediately, sharp and insistent, unmistakably demanding.“Where are you? Can I talk to Ryan? How is he?”I rolled my eyes, irritation bubbling up from the pit of my stomach. Why did he have to do this? Why was he so relentless?“I’m not in the hospital where Ryan is, sir,” I said, my voice clipped. “Why do you care so much, anyway?”“I just need to talk to him,” he replied, his tone tight. “I want to hear it from him. I want to know how he’s doing. Not from you.”His words twisted in a strange way inside me. Wasn't it strange that he wanted to talk to Ryan now, when she treated me so cold inside the company lately?The whole time I’m working under him, he nev
My Ex, the Widowed Billionaire Chapter 35: Hate over love
My blood boiled at Callum’s audacity. I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms as I fought to keep my composure. The nerve of this man—walking into my office unannounced, knocking over my food, and then acting as if he’d done me a favor?I straightened my shoulders, refusing to let him see how much he was getting under my skin.“Right. Because eating lunch at my desk while still working is such a distraction,” I shot back, my tone laced with sarcasm.Callum tilted his head, his cold gaze never wavering. “You’re here to work, not to entertain personal guests or indulge in distractions.”I let out a humorless laugh. “So, I suppose basic human needs like eating are now considered distractions?”He didn’t even blink. “If they interfere with productivity, yes.”Unbelievable.I exhaled sharply and shook my head. “You know what? Forget it. I don’t have the time or energy to argue with you.” I turned on my heel, ready to walk away before I said something I’d regret.But Callum wasn
My Ex, the Widowed Billionaire Chapter 34: His Rules
As the meeting concluded, I gathered my things, preparing to return to my desk. Just as I stepped into the hallway, hushed voices caught my attention. A group of colleagues huddled near the break room, their whispers unmistakably about me."Did you see how Daniel West keeps showing up during work hours?" one of them murmured."Yeah, it's so unprofessional," another snickered. "Flirting right in the office? Doesn’t she know there are limits?"A third voice joined in. "I bet she gets special treatment because of him. Must be nice to have someone wrapped around your finger."My blood boiled. My fists clenched at my sides as their words echoed in my head. Without hesitation, I stepped forward, making my presence known."Is there a problem?" My voice was cold, my arms crossing as I met their startled gazes.They stiffened, eyes widening. A tense silence stretched between us before one of them scoffed."We were just talking," she said, feigning innocence.I let out a sharp laugh, shaking my
My Ex, the Widowed Billionaire Chapter 33: Good night
“I think so,” I admitted.Daniel studied me for a second before nodding, as if satisfied with my answer. Then, without warning, he lay down on the grass, stretching his arms behind his head.I raised a brow. “What are you doing?”“Looking at the stars.” He patted the empty space beside him. “You should try it.”I hesitated for a moment before finally giving in, lowering myself onto the grass. The ground was cool beneath me, and as I stared up, I realized he was right—the stars were breathtaking from here.Daniel turned his head slightly toward me. “You know, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this relaxed.”I smiled, closing my eyes briefly. “It’s been a while since I let myself be.”“Well, I’m glad you did tonight.”I turned to face him, and for a moment, neither of us spoke. There was something unspoken lingering be
My Ex, the Widowed Billionaire Chapter 32: Date with Daniel
The moment I left the office, I pulled my phone from my bag and dialed my mother’s number. My heels clicked against the pavement as I hurried toward my car, the weight of the day pressing on my shoulders.She picked up after the third ring. “Sweetheart, are you on your way?”I hesitated before unlocking my car door. “Mom, I—” I exhaled, gripping the handle. “I can’t make it to the hospital tonight. Something came up at work.”There was a brief pause before she responded, her voice gentle but tinged with disappointment. “I see. Ryan won’t be happy about that.”I shut my eyes for a second, guilt settling deep in my chest. My younger brother had been looking forward to my visit every night. He never said it outright, but I knew he counted on my presence to make things feel normal.“I know, and I hate to let him down,” I admitted, sliding into the driver’s seat.“But I need you to explain it to him, Mom. Just tell him it’s important, okay?”“He’s your brother. He understands, even if he d
My Ex, the Widowed Billionaire Chapter 31: Chance
The moment I stepped out of Callum’s office, I felt the weight of my decision settle heavily on my chest. My legs moved on their own, carrying me down the hallway, past the rows of employees who were too engrossed in their work to notice the turmoil raging inside me. My pulse pounded in my ears, drowning out everything else.I shouldn’t have come to his office.I shouldn’t have let myself believe—just for a second—that he would be different this time. That his words, the ones he whispered so fervently when he pulled me back into his life, actually meant something.I had been a fool.With every step away from that office, I reinforced the walls around my heart, brick by unforgiving brick. He wanted distance? Fine. I would give him exactly what he asked for. I wouldn't beg, and I wouldn't fall apart.But damn it, it hurt.I reached my office and shut the door behind me, exhaling shakily as I leaned against it. My fingers curled into fists at my sides, nails biting into my palm. Callum S
My Ex, the Widowed Billionaire Chapter 30: Why?
ATHENA'S POVThe ride home felt endless. My mind kept replaying the scene—Callum’s tense posture, the urgency in his voice, the way he shut me out. None of my concern. The words echoed painfully, stabbing at my heart with every repetition.When I arrived at the hospital, I saw my mother laughing with Ryan while he lay in the hospital bed. Their smiles were bright, their conversation lighthearted, and for a moment, it felt like the weight on my chest lessened. I forced a smile and greeted them, pushing aside my own turmoil.“What are you two talking about?” I asked, trying to keep my tone cheerful.Ryan grinned. “Callum promised to buy me a car when I recover.”My eyebrows shot up in surprise. Callum? I hadn't expected that. He rarely made such promises. But instead of questioning it, I played along, nodding encouragingly. “That sounds amazing, Ryan. You better recover quickly, then.”My mother chuckled, brushing Ryan’s hair back. “He’s been talking about it all afternoon. It’s really
My Ex, the Widowed Billionaire Chapter 29: Callum's POV 3
CALLUM'S POVI drove like a madman through the city streets, my hands gripping the steering wheel so tightly that my knuckles turned white. The sound of my own heartbeat thundered in my ears, drowning out everything else. Richard was in the hospital.My father-in-law. A man who, despite our differences, I still respected.The moment I pulled into the hospital parking lot, I barely took the time to turn off the engine before pushing the door open and rushing inside. The harsh, sterile scent of disinfectant filled my nostrils as I strode to the reception desk."Richard Rhodes. What room is he in?" My voice was sharper than I intended, but I didn’t care.The nurse behind the desk glanced up at me, her expression calm but wary. "Are you family?""I'm his son-in-law," I snapped, my patience wearing thin. "Callum Winter Stone. Now tell me where he is."She nodded, flipping through her records before answering, "Room 298. He’s unconscious."I turned on my heel and made my way down the hall.
My Ex, the Widowed Billionaire Chapter 28: Closure
I stared at the box of food and Callum remained standing there, arms crossed, his expression unreadable.“You didn’t have to do this,” I said, my voice quieter than I intended.He tilted his head slightly, his dark eyes never leaving mine. “I did. Because if I didn’t, you would have worked yourself to exhaustion.”A mix of emotions swirled inside me—frustration, confusion, and something. A part of me wanted to reject his offering, to push him away, but another part of me… a part I didn’t want to acknowledge, was touched by the gesture.“Eat,” he said firmly, his voice brooking no argument.I hesitated, then sighed, lifting the box’s lid. Steam wafted into the air, revealing a meal that was clearly from my favorite restaurant. My chest tightened.“You remembered?” I murmured, more to myself than him.His jaw tensed. “I never forgot.”
