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CHAPTER 4
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2024-11-13 21:46:46BACK HOME
IVY'S POV The flight from Europe to Los Angeles took forever, almost a whole day. I didn't plan on staying long, so I only packed a few things for me and Noah. I didn't want to spend more time here than I had to. When we finally got off the plane, everything looked so different from how I remembered it seven years ago. Nicer, somehow. We grabbed our bags and Noah couldn't stop bouncing with excitement. He's always wanted to be a pilot, says they get to travel the world and see so many places. I never argue with him about it. I just want him to be happy. I got us a cab to the hotel I booked. I wasn't about to stay at my dad's house, not when I knew I wasn't welcome there. Plus, I figured some of my aunts and uncles would be around. I didn't need them looking down their noses at me. It took me two days to work up the nerve to see my mom. She kept calling, asking if I was coming, but I couldn't bring myself to pick up. When I finally got to the house, I rang the doorbell and waited. You're not supposed to just walk in here if no one answers. It means you're not wanted. I nearly fell over when my brother opened the door. He didn't have that look he always used to give me, the one that made me feel about an inch tall. Maybe he didn't recognize me. Or maybe he forgot he hated me. I couldn't stop wondering about it until he spoke. "You can come in," he said. Just like that. My brother, inviting me inside. I half expected the sky to fall. The second I stepped through the door, my mom threw herself at me, sobbing like the world was ending. I couldn't believe it. She never wanted anything to do with me, and now this? I saw my aunts and uncles out of the corner of my eye, but I didn't really know them. They never wanted to know me either. The whole thing left me feeling like I'd walked into the Twilight Zone. I was so caught off guard, I almost forgot Noah was with me. I didn't plan on explaining him to anyone. As long as he behaved himself, which I knew he would, I figured we'd be okay. He wants to meet my family, but he knows it has to be on my terms. "Mom, is that my grandma?" Noah whispered from behind me. That's when my mom finally noticed him. "Did he just call you mom?" one of my aunts asked. Auntie Rose, I think. I've heard stories about her, but I didn't care to share. I ignored her and turned to my son. "Yes, Noah, but she wished I was dead." I said it loud enough for everyone to hear. I didn't care. "That's an awful thing to say to a child, Ivy. Whatever happened between you and your mother shouldn't involve him," my aunt scolded. I pretended she wasn't there. My mom looked like she might faint, all pale and weak, like she wanted me to feel sorry for her. But how could I, when she never once treated me like a daughter? Not even when I needed her most, when I was pregnant with Noah and had nowhere to go? "Ivy, I'm so sorry for everything. But please, don't keep me from my grandchild," she begged, tears in her eyes. Since when did I matter so much to her? If Noah was really her grandson, why did she throw me out when I was carrying him? "Your father and I, we know we treated you badly. But please, try to forgive us." She took a step closer, but I couldn't move. "I didn't come for your apologies. I came because I was told to, because he's dead. He wouldn't want me here if he was alive. I didn't even want to come." I stood my ground, my voice hard. "And Noah is nobody's business but mine. I don't owe anyone an explanation." But my mom wouldn't let up. "I understand you need time, Ivy. But I'm the only grandparent Noah has. Please, let me be part of his life." I knew she was trying to get to me, to find the girl I used to be. But I'm not that person anymore. I won't let myself be used like that again. "If there's nothing else, I'm leaving. I'll see you at the funeral." I turned to go, heading for the door even as they called after me. I didn't care anymore. I yanked the door open, ready to make my escape, and froze. Standing there, staring back at me, was the last person I ever wanted to see. "Ivy?" he said, his eyes wide with shock. But then his gaze landed on Noah, peeking out from behind me, and I saw the question in his eyes. My heart dropped straight into my stomach. No. Not him. Not now. I thought I'd never have to see him again, that I'd left Rowan Douglas and all the pain he caused me far behind. But there he was, looking just as stunned as I felt. "Rowan," I managed to choke out, my voice barely above a whisper. "What are you doing here?" He blinked, shaking his head like he couldn't quite believe it either. "I... I came for your father's funeral. But Ivy, is that...?" I pushed Noah further behind me, shielding him from Rowan's searching gaze. "Don't. Don't you dare ask me about him." Rowan held up his hands, taking a step back. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to... I was just surprised." "Yeah, well, I'm full of surprises," I snapped, the bitterness welling up like bile in my throat. How dare he show up here, today of all days? How dare he look at Noah like he had any right to know about him, about the piece of my heart that I'd protected from him all these years? I felt my mom's hand on my shoulder, trying to pull me back into the house. "Ivy, please. Let's just talk about this." But I shrugged her off, my eyes never leaving Rowan's face. "There's nothing to talk about. I came to bury my father, not dig up the past. And I sure as hell didn't come to see you." I pushed past him, dragging Noah with me down the steps. I heard Rowan call my name, heard my mother pleading with me to wait, but I didn't stop. I couldn't. If I did, I knew I'd fall apart right there on the sidewalk. Noah stumbled along beside me, confused and scared by the tears streaming down my face. "Mommy? Mommy, what's wrong? Who was that man?" "Nobody, baby. He's nobody." But even as I said it, I knew it wasn't true. Rowan Douglas would never be nobody, no matter how hard I tried to pretend otherwise. He was the man who'd shattered my heart into a million pieces, the man who'd given me the most precious gift in my life and then tossed us both aside like we were nothing. And now, after seven long years, he'd come crashing back into my world like a wrecking ball. I didn't know if I was strong enough to survive the rubble this time. All I knew was that I had to get away, had to get Noah away, before the truth came spilling out and destroyed the careful life I'd built for us. So I ran, my son's hand clutched tight in mine, Rowan's stricken face haunting every step. I ran from my past, from my pain, from the love that had almost ruined me. And I prayed that somehow, someday, I'd find the strength to stop running and finally face it all head-on. But not today. Today, I just needed to breathe. For Noah's sake, if not for my own. We'd come back to bury the past, but it looked like the past wasn't quite done with us yet. I just hoped I could make it through the next few days without losing myself completely again.
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MEETING ROWAN'S POV The sun glaring through the windows when I wake up, Bella curled up next to me with her hand on my chest. She reminds me so much of Ivy sometimes. It's been seven years since Ivy left, seven years since I got Bella back, but I still feel this emptiness inside. Like Ivy's still here, haunting me. I know I messed up, treating her the way I did. But part of me just can't let it go, can't believe she didn't love me for my money. "You love her," a little voice in my head whispers. "Shut up," I growl back. "I could never love her." But even as I say it, I know it's a lie. Ivy got under my skin in a way no one else ever has. After I divorced her, I thought she'd come crawling back in a year, tops, begging me to take her back. But she didn't. Last I heard, she was in Europe, chasing that fashion designer dream of hers. I hate it, hate the thought of her out there, building a life without me. Even if she's not mine anymore, I don't want anyone else to have her. Sh
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-11-13THE RETURN OF THE BILLIONAIRE'S EX WIFE CHAPTER 6
A FAMILIAR FACE Ivy’s POV The effect that Rowan’s presence had on me lingered long after I left the funeral. His voice, his eyes—everything about him ripped open wounds I thought had long since healed. I pressed my fingers to my temples as I walked, trying to push away the memories clawing at me. I shouldn’t have come. I should have stayed home, and kept my head down like I have done for the past seven years. Now, I was falling apart, and I hated it. The cemetery was mostly empty now, the last of the mourners leaving in small groups. My heels crunched against the gravel path as I made my way toward the exit, my heart still hammering from seeing Rowan again. But just as I reached the iron gates, a quick movement caught my eye. A black sedan stood a few yards away. The tinted windows made it impossible to see inside, but something about it made my stomach tighten with dread. I picked up my pace. Then, a sharp crack split the air. Gunfire. Instinct took over. I dropped to
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-04THE RETURN OF THE BILLIONAIRE'S EX WIFE CHAPTER 7
The Unanswered Question Rowan’s POV I couldn’t get the image out of my head. Ivy, standing outside gripping that little boy’s hand like her life depended on it. The funeral had already been a disaster from the moment I laid eyes on her. Seeing her again after all these years had been enough of a punch to the gut, but the kid? That was something else. Something else I didn't expect. Could it be…? Because if my math was right—if the timeline made any damn sense at all— No. I couldn’t go there. Not yet. I slammed the car door shut and sat behind the wheel, gripping it tighter than necessary. My mind kept circling back, trying to fill in the blanks. Ivy had disappeared after our breakup, cutting all ties. I’d searched for her, reached out more times than I cared to admit, but she’d vanished like smoke. No trace. And now she was back. With a kid who looked— No. Focus. I needed answers, and I needed them now. If it's possible that, that kid is mine, there's a lot I ne
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-04THE RETURN OF THE BILLIONAIRE'S EX WIFE CHAPTER 8
The Unexpected News Ivy's POV As I unlocked the door to my apartment, I wondered what I was going to tell Noah. Since he was born, I have never brought a man to my house, choosing not to deal with anything called relationship after my last fall out. But now, Gabe was in the house and I had not really come up with an explanation for Noah's little mind. Though there was a possibility that he won't be around. I was just coming back from the sitter’s house where I kept him before heading off to the cemetery where everything had gone nuts. Taking a deep breath, I took Noah's hand and pushed the door open. To my satisfaction, Gabe was still there. He was sitting on the coach where he spent the night, holding a cup of smoking liquid. Upon our entrance, he turned on the spot, his eyes sharp until he saw us and the frown on his face straightened out replaced by a smile. “Hope you don't mind? I needed a cup of coffee. Can't do much in the morning without it.” He said holding up
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-04THE RETURN OF THE BILLIONAIRE'S EX WIFE CHAPTER 9
Father's Keepsake Ivy's POV It was just yesterday that Gabe told me I had a better chance of surviving here in Los Angeles than traveling back to Europe and it had since destabilized me. I didn't want it to be real. I tried my hardest to call the shots I knew I had to so that I can keep the business still going, but it only made the whole situation more real. If anyone had told me that I will be spending more time than necessary in this state, I’d have laughed that person to scorn, yet here I am. All because of some crazy attack that I couldn't just pinpoint who gave the order. After a long night thinking of the next step, wondering whether to just condemn everything to hell and make the drastic choice of secretly leaving L.A, but then Gab’s words echoed in my head. Taking a deep breath, I sighed. I would never forgive myself if anything was to happen to Noah. I decided instead to make the necessary calls. Thank goodness Sarah chose to keep her apartment if not thi
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-04THE RETURN OF THE BILLIONAIRE'S EX WIFE CHAPTER 10
Secrets in Plain Sight Ivy’s POV I wanted to walk away the moment I saw her. When my mother opened the door, I couldn't help but feel suffocated straight to my bones as memories from the past threatened to pull me under making me watery eye. It was hard to forgive when the people you put so much faith and trust in decide to abandon at your lowest moment. But I had to do this. For my father. Though we had no good relationship seeing as he is the instigator of all the harsh treatment the rest of the family meted on me. I clutched the small wooden box in my hands, my fingers pressing against the engraved initials. A keepsake. One of the few things he had left behind that mattered at least when he still treated me like a daughter. "Ivy." Her voice wavered, eyes widening as she took me in. I guess she was surprised to see me right now. I too was surprised by myself. Especially after the attack at the cemetery, I didn't even know who to trust anymore. I wonder what would'v
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-04THE RETURN OF THE BILLIONAIRE'S EX WIFE CHAPTER 11
An Updated List Rowan's POV It had been a long day and all I wanted was to rush home and rest. But I had a feeling I was going to end up meeting a certain someone I was trying my possible best to dodge. Bella. So, instead of heading home, I opted for something else. A drive around town. It was kind of relaxing for me. A way to wind down and forget about my stress. As I was driving, lost in my thoughts, my gaze fell on a figure I didn't expect to see. Ivy. Without thinking twice, I drove straight towards her. Blowing my horn to get her attention, she turned in an instant. I was shocked to see the look of misery on her face. She looked like she was about to cry. When she recognized me, she quickly masked her expression and walked faster. Not turned off by her behavior, I followed her. “Hi Ivy,” “What do you want Rowan?” “Nothing really. I saw you walking and I thought you should get a ride instead. So here I am.” I stated driving alongside her. “I'm not interested.”
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-05THE RETURN OF THE BILLIONAIRE'S EX WIFE CHAPTER 12
Ivy’s Independence Rowan’s POV I had spent years convincing myself that she had been a chapter in my life that had closed. But then I saw her again. And I saw him. Noah. The name she called him. I barely slept that night, my mind racing with questions I had no answers to. The resemblance had been undeniable, but I needed proof. I needed the truth. And Ivy sure as hell wasn’t going to hand it to me willingly. So, I did what I did best. I dug. By morning, my assistant, Daniel, had compiled a full report on Ivy’s life since we’d been apart. As I scrolled through the files on my tablet, an uneasy feeling settled in my chest. She had done well for herself. Really well. Ivy Sharp wasn’t just surviving—she was thriving. Her fashion brand, Ivy's Atelier, had taken the industry by storm, dressing celebrities, socialites, and even royalty. She had built an empire from the ground up, and she’d done it all without me. The realization hit harder than I expected. I had spent
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-05
Bab terbaru
THE RETURN OF THE BILLIONAIRE'S EX WIFE CHAPTER 45
PEACE OFFERING Rowan's POV Noah stared at the ball for a moment before his eyes shifted back to me. He didn’t reach for it, but I saw the hint of curiosity in his gaze. It wasn’t much, but it was something. “You really think I’ll just forgive you because you bring me a stupid ball?” he asked, his voice tinged with frustration. I shook my head, a small smile tugging at the corner of my lips. “No, I don’t. But I think it might be a step in the right direction.” Noah’s lips twitched, like he might have wanted to smile, but he held it back. “I’m not sure it’s that simple.” “I don’t expect it to be,” I said, my voice steady. “But I’m willing to try.” Noah finally stood up, crossing the room to take the ball from my hands. “Fine. We’ll start with this. But don’t expect me to suddenly act like everything’s okay.” “I don’t expect you to,” I said. “I just want a chance.” He looked at me for a long moment, as if deciding whether or not to trust me. Then, with a reluctant nod, he walke
THE RETURN OF THE BILLIONAIRE'S EX WIFE CHAPTER 44
ROWAN'S RESOLVE (Rowan’s POV) I had heard everything. I had been sitting outside Ivy’s apartment, just a few feet away, my back pressed against the cold brick of the wall, listening to every word that passed between her and Noah. I hadn’t meant to eavesdrop. But the door was open just enough, and the sound of Noah’s voice, trembling with confusion and hurt, drew me in like a magnet. The words struck me harder than anything I had ever felt before. Ivy had been keeping the truth from him. The truth about me. About who I was—or rather, who I wasn’t. A father. I hadn’t meant to be this way. I didn’t want to be the kind of man who walked away, but life had a way of throwing curveballs that knocked you sideways. I didn’t know how to love Ivy, and I had convinced myself that kicking Ivy out was the best option. For Ivy and for me. But hearing it from Noah, hearing the pain in his voice, broke something inside me. He wasn’t a little boy anymore. He was growing up, becoming someone wh
THE RETURN OF THE BILLIONAIRE'S EX WIFE CHAPTER 43
THE TRUTH ABOUT NOAH Ivy’s POV The sound of Noah’s laughter echoed through the house, a sound that usually brought me comfort, but today it just felt like an intrusion. I needed quiet. I needed time to think, to prepare myself for the conversation I knew was coming. The conversation I had been avoiding for months. Noah was playing video games in the living room, as he always did when he needed to relax. I couldn’t blame him. I wanted to relax too. But today, escaping wasn’t an option. I had promised him that I would tell him the truth, and now, I had to keep that promise. I took a deep breath and walked toward the living room, my footsteps heavier than usual. Noah didn’t notice me at first. He was too absorbed in the screen, his fingers flying over the controller. But when I stood in the doorway, he looked up, his face lighting up with a smile. “Hey, Mom. You want to play?” His voice was full of excitement, but I saw the underlying weariness in his eyes. I smiled back, though
THE RETURN OF THE BILLIONAIRE'S EX WIFE CHAPTER 42
THE LINES WE DRAW Ivy’s POV The room was dark, lit only by the faint silver of moonlight peeking through the blinds. The sheets tangled around my bare legs, still warm from the heat we’d created. My breathing was finally steady, but my heart… my heart was a mess of contradictions. Gabe lay beside me, his arm draped across my waist. He traced slow circles against my skin, the silence between us soft and heavy. “I missed this,” he whispered, lips brushing the curve of my shoulder. “You. Us.” I closed my eyes. Trying to embrace this moment. To forget every other thing. I wanted to say it back. I wanted to mean it. But every time I tried, Rowan’s face pushed through my thoughts and messed everything up. “Tell me something real, Ivy,” Gabe murmured, lifting himself to lean over me, his fingers brushing a strand of hair from my face. “Now that all this mess with Ethan and Bella is over… what happens next?” I turned to look at him. His eyes were still that same soulful brown—earnes
THE RETURN OF THE BILLIONAIRE'S EX WIFE CHAPTER 41
A SPARK REKINDLED Rowan’s POV The gavel hit the bench with a sharp finality. “Case dismissed. Charges against Ms. Ivy Sharp and her company are hereby dropped, with prejudice. Furthermore, an investigation into Ms. Bella Kelly and Mr. Ethan Sharp will proceed under federal review.” Just like that—it was over. I didn’t even hear the murmurs in the courtroom. Everything around me blurred, tunneled, and narrowed in on the woman sitting two rows ahead of me. Ivy. She sat completely still, like she was afraid if she moved, it would all be a dream. I could see the rigid line of her shoulders, her fingers clenched around her purse so tight, her knuckles were white. Then, slowly, she turned her head. Our eyes met. I didn’t smile. I didn’t have to. She blinked once, like her brain needed a second to register the truth, and then, finally, her shoulders sagged. She exhaled. A long, trembling breath. And I saw it the a crack in her armor she used to protect herself. Finally. I rose
THE RETURN OF THE BILLIONAIRE'S EX WIFE CHAPTER 40
NOAH'S GROWING CURIOSITY Noah had been watching. I should have noticed sooner. The way his eyes tracked Rowan whenever he walked into the room. The way his little brows furrowed whenever I spoke to him in hushed tones. My son was sharp, too sharp for his age. But tonight, I couldn't avoid his questions. It was late, past his bedtime, but Noah wasn’t asleep. I found him curled up on the living room couch, a book resting open on his lap, though his eyes weren’t moving across the pages. Instead, they were locked on me. I tried to pretend like I didn't notice him staring but it was hard. I didn't want to indulge him. I wanted to order him to his. But I didn't have the heart to do that. I sighed and sat down next to him, brushing a hand over his unruly curls. "You should be in bed." He didn’t argue. I guess he too understood but obviously he was on to something. Instead, he closed the book and looked up at me. "Is Rowan going to be around forever?" The question was so direct, so c
THE RETURN OF THE BILLIONAIRE'S EX WIFE CHAPTER 39
A FAMILY'S FIGHT The boardroom was suffocating. I hadn't felt this way in a long time. Eleven investors sat in their high-backed chairs, their polished shoes tapping against the floor, their eyes filled with barely concealed doubt. The air smelled of coffee and tension. I sat at the head of the table, back straight, shoulders squared, refusing to let them see even a flicker of hesitation. Rowan sat to my left, Sarah to my right. Both of them were quiet, but their presence was my anchor. I don't know why I let Rowan into my life again. But in this moment, in this time, I was grateful. I took a slow breath, then spoke. “We’re moving forward with legal action against Ethan and Bella.” Murmurs erupted. Gregory Whitmore, the oldest and loudest investor, leaned forward. “Ivy, let’s be reasonable. A lawsuit will draw attention—bad attention. We have enough problems without dragging your personal matters into the public eye.” I clenched my jaw. “My personal matters? Ethan and Bell
THE RETURN OF THE BILLIONAIRE'S EX WIFE CHAPTER 38
CONFESSION Rowan's POV I found Ivy sitting in her office, her hands gripping the edge of the desk like it was the only thing holding her together. Her back was stiff, her shoulders taut with tension. She hadn't looked at me since I walked in. The air between us was thick, heavy with everything left unsaid. And there was so much to be said. After the kidnap of her son and her finding out that her brother was working against her, I figured this will be a lot to take for her. But she needed to hear this. I didn't know how she would react to my presence today. Yesterday, she almost hurt me with her ceramic cup. It's good thing she hasn't started hurling things at me. At least she was in control of her rage this time. I cleared my throat. “Ivy, I need to talk to you.” “Not now, Rowan.” Her voice was flat. Tired. She didn't even bother to look up at me. I ignored her dismissal and stepped closer. “It’s about Ethan.” That got her attention. Her head snapped up, eyes locking onto
THE RETURN OF THE BILLIONAIRE'S EX WIFE CHAPTER 37
THE PAIN OF TRUTH Ivy's POV As I stood in my office, staring at my phone, my pulse hammered in my ears. The article was right there, the words blurring together as I reread them for what felt like the hundredth time. What's going on? This can't be true. He will never do such a thing. Could it be Bella is trying to pull another one of her tricks? "A source confirms that the recent attacks on Ivy Sharp’s business were orchestrated by an insider—her own brother, Ethan Sharp." My stomach twisted. This had to be a mistake. Ethan wouldn’t—couldn’t—do something like this. I knew he never really wanted me around him, but going the extra mile to sabotage my business was unthinkable. Could he be working with Bella? That's not possible. He wouldn't stoop so low. But as I scrolled further, the article listed transaction records, emails, and phone logs. Evidence. Proof. I covered my mouth with my hand, trying to stop the sudden wave of nausea. This wasn't just a bad joke. It was real.
