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CHAPTER 7
Last Updated:
2025-02-28 21:16:06
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RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 8
The moment Jeff left, something unexpected stirred inside me.Curiosity.I hated it. Hated that even after everything, I still cared enough to wonder. But Jeff had mentioned his father, and despite everything that had happened, Adam Ortega had never been the enemy. If anything, he had been the only light in my past with the Ortegas.I turned to Sabrina. "Find out which room Adam Ortega is in. Now."Sabrina hesitated for only a moment before nodding and stepping away. Within minutes, she returned with the information. "He's in room 312. He was rushed in earlier—almost had a mild stroke."My stomach twisted. A stroke? Adam had always been a strong, stubborn man, but he wasn’t invincible. I couldn’t ignore this. Not when he had once treated me like his own daughter.Without another word, I made my way to his room.The beeping machines and sterile hospital air greeted me as I entered. Adam looked weaker than I had ever seen him, lying against the pillows with an IV in his arm. But his eye
Last Updated : 2025-02-28RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 9
I knew that if I truly wanted to move forward, I had to cut all ties with the Ortegas once and for all. Adam’s words had shaken me, but Brent was right—holding onto the past, even the good parts, would only keep me stuck in a life I no longer wanted.The decision didn’t come easily. For a long time, I had convinced myself that leaving their house, their name, and their influence was enough. But staying in the same city, breathing the same air as them, still tied me to them in ways I hadn’t even realized. Everywhere I went, there was a reminder—an old restaurant Jeff and I used to dine at, a familiar road I had driven down countless times, even a passing glance at someone wearing the same cologne he used to wear. I was shackled to memories, and I was done with them controlling my life.So I made the call.“I’m leaving,” I told Brent and Sabrina later that evening, standing in the dimly lit office of my apartment. My voice was firm, even as a part of me ached at the finality of it.Bren
Last Updated : 2025-02-28RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 10
The moment I stepped into the mansion, I knew there was no turning back. The air was crisp, different from the suffocating familiarity of my past life. Arizona was my clean slate. No Ortegas. No painful memories lurking in every corner. Just the vast, open desert and the promise of something new.Brent and Sabrina had already settled in, but for me, everything still felt surreal. The house was too big, too quiet—almost like it was waiting for me to decide whether I truly belonged here.I walked through the hallway, my footsteps echoing against the marble floor. Sunlight poured through the high windows, casting long golden streaks along the walls. The place felt more like a sanctuary than a home, but maybe that was what I needed."This room's yours," Brent called out from behind me.I turned to see him leaning against the doorway, arms crossed. Sabrina stood beside him, a soft smile on her lips."Thanks," I murmured, stepping inside.The bedroom was spacious, decorated in neutral tones
Last Updated : 2025-02-28RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 11
The dry Arizona heat was something I was slowly getting used to, but the weight of my decision to leave everything behind still clung to me. Every morning, I woke up expecting something—an old memory clawing its way into my mind, a call from someone I no longer wanted to hear from—but nothing came. And that silence, that absolute quiet from my past, was both terrifying and liberating.Brent had made it clear from the moment we arrived that this wasn’t going to be a vacation. If I wanted a fresh start, I needed to build something for myself, not just run away from what I left behind. I thought I had done enough rebuilding after escaping the Ortegas, but Brent had other ideas.“This is your chance, Demi,” Brent said one evening over dinner at the mansion. “To build a life where you don’t have to look over your shoulder. Where you call the shots. No Jeff. No Adam. Just you.”I poked at my food, knowing exactly where this was going. “And you think throwing me into a corporate empire is th
Last Updated : 2025-02-28RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 12
The Arizona heat had started to settle into my bones, making it feel less like an enemy and more like an old acquaintance I was learning to tolerate. But after last night’s encounter with Nolan Sanchez, my mind was restless.I wasn’t entirely sure why I let the incident occupy space in my thoughts. Maybe it was the way he looked at me—drunk, sure, but there was something else in his eyes that I couldn’t quite place. A sadness? A frustration? Either way, I had moved on. I had more important things to focus on, and I refused to let one foolish night of some stranger causing a scene throw me off balance.Or at least, that’s what I told myself.Until I saw him again.I had just finished a meeting with Angela, discussing some expansion plans for the Hermosa Group’s luxury suites, when I decided to step outside the hotel for a much-needed breather. The sun was still relentless, but I welcomed the warmth against my skin.And then, there he was.Nolan Sanchez.This time, he wasn’t stumbling a
Last Updated : 2025-02-28RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 13
The morning after the chaotic incident at the hotel, I was determined to move on. I buried myself in work, sitting in my office at the Hermosa Group’s headquarters, reviewing reports, and making decisions that solidified my place in the company. Last night’s events weren’t something I wanted to dwell on. But as I walked out of the building later that day, I found myself face-to-face with the last person I expected to see again—Nolan Sanchez.He was leaning casually against a black sports car parked near the entrance, his expression unreadable. Dressed sharply in a fitted button-down and dark slacks, he looked entirely different from the drunk, unruly man who had caused a scene at the hotel the night before.I debated turning around and pretending I hadn’t seen him, but he noticed me before I could make an escape.“Demi,” he called out, pushing off the car and walking toward me.I sighed, adjusting my purse strap over my shoulder. “you again? Mr. Sanchez, whatever it is you're up to, I
Last Updated : 2025-03-02RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 14
The moment Brent stepped into my office, I knew he was up to something.He didn’t waste time with pleasantries, he just folded his arms and stared at me like I had personally offended him. “So,” he started, voice deceptively calm, “you had coffee with Nolan Sanchez.”I didn’t even bother looking up from my laptop. “It was just coffee, Brent.”“Nothing with that man is just coffee.”I sighed, closing my laptop before finally giving him my full attention. “Look, I know who Nolan is. I know his reputation. But he was apologizing for what happened at the hotel, and I saw no harm in hearing him out.”Brent scoffed. “Of course he was apologizing. Because that’s what guys like him do. They mess up, smooth-talk their way out of it, and then before you know it, you’re in over your head.”I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms. “You do realize I’m not some naive idiot, right?”“I also realize that you’re drawn to trouble even when you claim you aren’t.”I rolled my eyes. “Brent, I spent ye
Last Updated : 2025-03-04RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 15
The following days were a whirlwind of board meetings, contract reviews, and site visits. If Chelsea was supposed to be an asset, she certainly wasn’t making it easy. She challenged my every decision, countered my every argument, and tested my patience at every opportunity. But I refused to back down. If she wanted a battle of wits, I’d give her one.It was during one of our site inspections that Nolan Sanchez reappeared.I was reviewing architectural models when I felt someone watching me. I turned, expecting to see Chelsea’s scrutinizing gaze, but instead, I was met with Nolan’s dark, amused eyes.“Fancy seeing you here,” he said, hands in his pockets, his stance relaxed but unreadable.I sighed, already exhausted. “What do you want, Nolan?”Chelsea, who had been speaking with one of the architects, glanced between us with mild curiosity but didn’t interfere.Nolan smirked. “I heard about your little project. Thought I’d drop by and see what all the fuss was about.”I folded my arms
Last Updated : 2025-03-06
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RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 58
I should have walked away.Should have turned my back on Victor and whatever game he was playing.But I didn’t.Because his words were still echoing in my head."He wasn’t hiding it from you. He was hiding you from it."And I needed to know what the hell that meant.I forced myself to meet Victor’s gaze. “Then tell me. If Nolan and Lorenzo aren’t running this, who is?”Victor smirked, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “That’s the right question. But you already know the answer, don’t you?”A slow chill crept up my spine.No. No, that wasn’t possible.I shook my head. “If I knew, I wouldn’t be standing here asking you.”Victor’s smirk faded. He studied me for a beat, like he was weighing something in his mind. Then he took the folder, flipped it open again, and pulled out a single page.I felt my stomach drop the second I saw the name printed at the top.My father.My hands curled into fists at my sides. “What does he have to do with this?”Victor let out a quiet chuckle, shaking his head.
RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 57
My heartbeat pounded in my ears, a frantic rhythm of anger, fear, and something I refused to name.Lorenzo's words settled over me like a vice, tightening with every second of silence."This has always been about you."I forced my breathing to stay even, controlled.Nolan didn’t move.Didn’t speak.Just stood there, watching me with that impenetrable gaze, like he was waiting.Like he was gauging my reaction.I hated that.I hated that he still had power over me, even now.I took a slow step back, distancing myself from them both. “What the hell does that mean?”Lorenzo smiled, slow and knowing. “Exactly what it sounds like.”I turned to Nolan.He owed me this.After everything, after all the lies, I deserved the truth.But Nolan—Nolan just sighed, rubbing his temple like this conversation exhausted him.Like I exhausted him.“Demi—”“No.” I cut him off. “No more stalling. No more vague bullshit. Tell me the truth.”A flicker of something passed through his expression.Something like
RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 56
I didn’t have to wait long.Jeff replied almost immediately.Jeff: That was fast. Have a change of heart, sweetheart?My fingers tightened around my phone.Demi: Where are you?Jeff: Somewhere fun. Want to join?I didn’t have time for his games.Demi: I’m serious, Jeff. Where?A pause. Then:Jeff: My place. Half an hour. Come alone.I had no intention of obeying that last part.But I was going.Because if I wanted to destroy Nolan, I needed a new ally.Even if that ally was a snake.Jeff’s apartment was exactly what I expected—expensive, sleek, and deliberately impersonal.The kind of place a man like him never really called home.He was waiting for me, sprawled lazily on his couch, a whiskey glass in one hand and a smirk already in place.“Demi,” he drawled. “That was quicker than I thought. What changed?”I didn’t sit.Instead, I pulled out my phone, opened the screenshot I’d taken of Nolan’s text conversation with Lorenzo, and tossed it onto the table in front of him.Jeff picked i
RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 55
I gripped the flash drive so tightly that the edges dug into my palm. The weight of it felt heavier than it should, as if the truth it carried had already begun pressing down on me before I even plugged it in.I didn't go straight home. I couldn't.Instead, I drove around aimlessly, my fingers tapping against the steering wheel, my mind spinning with possibilities.Jeff was a liar. A manipulator. But so was Nolan.I didn't trust either of them, but I needed to know what I was up against.Eventually, I pulled into the underground parking lot of my apartment building, shutting off the engine. My stomach churned as I stared at the device in my hand.I had a choice.I could throw it away and pretend this meeting never happened. Pretend Jeff never reached out. Pretend that I was still in control.Or I could plug it in and open Pandora’s box.I inhaled sharply, grabbed my bag, and stepped out of the car.By the time I reached my apartment, my hands were trembling. I locked the door behind m
RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 54
Nolan leaned back in his chair, his smirk lingering as he watched me.“Go on,” he said, steepling his fingers together. “What’s on your mind, sweetheart?”I ignored the endearment, keeping my expression neutral.“We need to set some boundaries,” I said. “Rules.”His brows lifted slightly, amusement flickering in his dark eyes. “Rules?”“Yes.”I took a steadying breath, forcing myself to remain calm. I had spent the whole night thinking about this—about what I could control in a situation where I had already lost so much.If I had to play this game, I needed to be clear about my terms.“No unnecessary public displays of affection,” I said firmly. “Nothing more than what’s required to sell the engagement.”Nolan hummed, tapping his fingers against the desk. “You do realize we’ll need to be convincing, right?”I met his gaze without flinching. “Convincing doesn’t mean excessive.”His lips twitched like he wanted to argue, but instead, he just nodded. “Fine. What else?”“No unannounced vi
RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 53
The gala was a blur of expensive suits, designer gowns, and the clinking of champagne glasses. Laughter echoed around the grand ballroom, but it was all a carefully constructed illusion—just like everything else in my life.I smiled when I was supposed to. Laughed at all the right moments. Nodded along as people talked about stocks, mergers, and the latest scandals.But inside, It felt like I was drowning.Chelsea hovered nearby, keeping an eye on me like she always did. I appreciated her concern, but there was nothing she could do to fix this.Nolan was here somewhere.I had yet to see him, but I could feel his presence.And then—A hand brushed against my lower back.I stiffened, my breath catching in my throat.“You look stunning,” a deep voice murmured.I turned my head, my heart pounding.Nolan.He was dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit, his tie crisp, his posture effortless.And his eyes—they held that same dark amusement, like he knew something I didn’t.I swallowed hard
RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 52
We left the warehouse in a convoy of black SUVs, Nolan’s men securing every angle as if Lorenzo might try something last-minute. My father was weak but stable, his head resting against the seat as he exhaled heavily. I held his hand, my fingers gripping his like a lifeline.The drive back was silent.I kept replaying the night in my head—Lorenzo’s threats, Nolan’s calculated control, the way the power shifted so quickly. My mind was spinning, trying to process what it all meant.But one thought stood out among the chaos.This isn’t over.Not by a long shot.We pulled up to a private estate—one of Nolan’s, no doubt. The moment we entered, medical staff was waiting for my father. They whisked him away into a large, well-equipped room that looked more like a high-end hospital suite than a bedroom.Chelsea was already there.She rushed forward the second she saw me. “Oh my god, Demi—”I barely had time to react before she pulled me into a tight hug.“You’re okay,” she whispered, her voice
RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 51
I spent the entire drive to Nolan’s penthouse gripping the steering wheel so tightly that my knuckles ached.I had rehearsed what I was going to say. Over and over again.But none of it would matter if Nolan was playing me.Because if he was—if he had been working with Lorenzo this whole time—then I wasn’t just walking into a confrontation.I was walking into a war.By the time I reached his building, my anger had settled into something colder. Sharper.I didn’t bother waiting for permission. I stormed through the lobby, ignoring the concierge’s startled look, and stepped into the private elevator that led to Nolan’s penthouse.He had given me access weeks ago.He probably thought it was a gesture of trust.I pressed the button and watched the numbers climb.Liar.Manipulator.Traitor.The doors slid open, revealing Nolan standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows, a whiskey glass in hand. He turned at the sound, his sharp gaze flicking over me.A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.
RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 50
I stared at the unfamiliar ceiling, my mind racing with the weight of what I had done.I had moved in with Nolan.Not because I wanted to.But because I had no choice.His penthouse was sleek, modern, and everything I had expected—cold, controlled, and completely impersonal. It was the kind of place that didn’t feel lived in. The kind of place that had no warmth, no real comfort.I sat up, brushing my fingers through my hair, exhaling slowly.It had only been a few hours since I arrived, and already, I felt trapped.The door to my room opened without a knock.I turned, narrowing my eyes as Nolan stepped inside."Ever heard of knocking?"He ignored the jab, crossing the room like he owned it—like he owned me. "We need to go over a few things."I sighed, rubbing my temples. "Can it wait? I barely got settled.""You can settle in after we go over the rules."My lips parted, heat flashing up my spine. "Rules?"He nodded, completely unfazed. "If you’re going to live here, there need to be
