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CHAPTER 1
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2024-11-13 20:22:50DIVORCE ON SURPRISE
IVY'S POV "I want a divorce." Rowan’s voice echoes through the sitting room as he throws what look like divorce papers onto the desk in front of me. Tonight is supposed to be our third anniversary, and I’ve prepared all his favorite dishes—only for him to come home and shatter my world with these documents. "I don’t understand. If this is a prank or some kind of test, you got me. Please, tell me this is just a joke," I plead, approaching him cautiously. Even in my distress, I can’t help but notice his intoxicating scent. His face is contorted with anger, and I’m at a complete loss. Rowan’s eyes bore into mine, cold and unforgiving. "Do I look like I’m joking?" Tears prick at the corners of my eyes as I reach for him. "Rowan, please don’t do this. I’m begging you." He steps back, his expression hardening further. "Name your price, sign the damn papers, and leave." I can hardly believe what I’m hearing. Does he really think I married him for his money? I’ve spent the past three years trying to prove my love and devotion, but it seems Rowan is blind to it all. "Isn’t that what you want?" he demands, closing the distance between us. "Isn’t it about the money? That’s why you agreed to marry me, right? Name your price and get out of my house. Now." The tears I’ve been holding back finally spill down my cheeks. How can he be so cruel? I’ve dedicated the last three years of my life to showing Rowan how much I love him, how I chose him above all else, but he still sees me as nothing more than a gold digger. Our marriage may not have been a fairytale romance, but I never imagined it would come to this. We never even dated. In college, I was just a distant admirer, watching from afar as he only had eyes for Bella. His love for her blinded him to her true nature. Three years ago, when Rowan was involved in that horrific car accident, I was there. As his secretary, I stayed by his side, caring for him while he lay comatose and unresponsive. Bella, his supposed true love, fled to Europe without so much as a backward glance. It was Rowan’s grandfather who proposed the idea of marriage. With Rowan unconscious, he thought it would be best if I wed his grandson, given my consistent dedication. Foolishly, I believed it was my chance to finally catch Rowan’s attention. Little did I know, I was walking straight into hell. When Rowan finally awoke, he treated me with nothing but disgust and disdain. The only time he acknowledged my existence was when he wanted sex. I thought perhaps intimacy could spark some affection in him, but I was sorely mistaken. He made it clear he wanted a divorce the moment he regained his faculties, but his grandfather intervened, singing my praises. It wasn’t until after his grandfather’s passing that Rowan’s true colors emerged. "You and I both know that’s not why I married you," I manage through my tears. Rowan’s eyes flash with anger. "Then why did you take advantage of me when I was at my weakest? You married me and fooled my grandfather into thinking I was on death’s door, all so you could inherit my fortune for yourself!" I can only sob in response, praying this is all some cruel joke. But Rowan’s expression remains unmoved. "But...but we’ve been intimate," I whisper, my voice breaking. There’s a secret I’m desperate to share with him, but he’s already shattered any hope of reconciliation. Rowan scoffs. "That was merely to satisfy my own needs. I never slept with you out of love. Every time we were together, I imagined Bella in my arms." With that, he storms out of the room, leaving me in pieces. His words cut me to the core. I’ve been such a fool, pouring my heart into a man who will never love me back. Enough is enough. I signed the divorce papers with trembling hands. If Rowan wants me gone, then so be it. I make my way upstairs to gather my belongings, tears streaming down my face as I pack. An envelope flutters to the ground, and my heart clenches as I realize it’s the result of my prenatal exam. I’m two weeks pregnant, and I had planned to surprise Rowan tonight. Instead, he’s choosing to end our marriage. With a heavy heart, I tuck the envelope into my luggage. I’ve never been one for extravagance, despite being a fashion designer. Rowan put an end to my career when he learned of my dual roles as his secretary and designer. He demanded I quit after emerging from his coma, and like a fool, I obliged. As I reach the front door, I pause to take one last look at the place I once called home. Sighing, I step outside, only to find Rowan standing there with a woman by his side. She smirks at me, her voice dripping with mockery. "Oh, are you leaving already?"
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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
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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
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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
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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.
