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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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CONFRONTING BELLA Rowan’s POV Bella’s apartment smelled like expensive candles and desperation. She stood by the window, her back to me, arms crossed tightly over her chest. The sunlight spilled across her polished hardwood floor, casting her in a cold, unflattering glow. I closed the door behind me with more force than necessary. “What do you want Rowan Douglas?” “I want to have a word with you.” She didn’t turn around. “A word? Now you want a word?” Her voice was sharp, dripping with sarcasm. “Funny. You’ve been too busy chasing after Ivy to talk to me for weeks.” I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to stay calm. “Cut the games, Bella. I warned you to stop messing with Ivy. Why did you bother her?” That got her attention. She spun around, her eyes narrowing. “Excuse me?” “Vanguard. The leaked designs. The timing of their knockoff release,” I said, each word biting. “It all points back to you. And I’ve got the emails to prove it.” Her expression flickered—just for a second—b
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THE RETURN OF THE BILLIONAIRE'S EX WIFE CHAPTER 27
A MOMENT OF TRUTH Ivy’s POV The apartment was unusually quiet, except for the rhythmic ticking of the wall clock. It filled the silence between Sarah and me, almost like it was counting down to something inevitable. She sat across from me on the couch, one leg tucked under her, her sharp eyes studying me like she knew I was about to spill something big. “Alright,” Sarah said, tilting her head. “You’ve been pacing for the last five minutes, and I’ve already watched you open and close your mouth at least three times. Just say it.” I stopped in my tracks, chewing on my bottom lip. My palms felt clammy, and my heart was racing. I had no idea where to begin, but the weight in my chest refused to let me keep quiet any longer. “It’s Rowan,” I finally blurted out, sinking onto the couch beside her. “I can’t stop thinking about him.” Her eyebrows shot up. “Rowan?” she repeated, her voice cautious. “As in the Rowan? The one who—” “Yes,” I cut her off quickly. “That Rowan.” Sarah folded
THE RETURN OF THE BILLIONAIRE'S EX WIFE CHAPTER 26
BREAKING POINT IVY’S POV The boardroom buzzed with a nervous energy I couldn’t quite place. My investors sat around the long table, eyes on me, waiting for answers I wasn’t entirely sure I had anymore. I swallowed the lump in my throat and smiled through it. “Thank you all for being here,” I began, clasping my hands together tightly to keep them from shaking. “I know there have been… setbacks recently, but I want to assure you that the launch is still on schedule. The designs are ready, and the marketing team is already preparing the final campaign strategy.” A couple of the investors nodded, but most of them looked skeptical. I could practically hear their thoughts. Another crisis. Another excuse. How long until this business collapses? I couldn’t let that happen. I wouldn’t. I’d worked too damn hard to get here. Just as I was about to continue, the glass door to the boardroom swung open. A woman I vaguely recognized—short hair, sharp suit, and a notebook clutched in her hand—w
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WARNING GABE’S POV I found him leaning against his car, hands stuffed in his pockets, staring up at the darkened windows of Ivy’s house. There was something about the way he stood—too casual, too comfortable—that set my teeth on edge. He had no right to stand there like he belonged, like he hadn’t left her to pick up the shattered pieces of her life. I took a deep breath, my boots crunching against the gravel as I closed the distance between us. His head lifted at the sound, and when his eyes met mine, I saw the flicker of recognition, then caution. “Gabe,” Rowan said, his voice calm, almost too calm. “Didn’t expect to see you here.” Right back at you asshole. “Yeah, well,” I crossed my arms, standing tall. “Figured it was about time we had a little chat.” Not that it was my plan to talk to him. I came to see Ivy and Noah but his appearance just set me off. His brow arched. “A chat?” Was I supposed to repeat myself? What was it with this rich pricks? “About Ivy,” I said fla
THE RETURN OF THE BILLIONAIRE'S EX WIFE CHAPTER 24
NOAH'S BIG QUESTION Ivy’s POV The soft hum of the TV was the only sound in the living room, but I wasn’t paying attention to the cartoon flickering on the screen. My eyes were locked on Noah, who was sprawled out on the couch with his tablet in his lap, his little face furrowed in concentration. He hadn’t said much since we got home earlier, and I couldn’t blame him. After everything that had happened over the past few days—after everything with Rowan—I wasn’t sure how to begin untangling it for him. “Mom?” His voice pulled me out of my thoughts. “Yeah, sweetheart?” He set the tablet aside and sat up, his serious expression catching me off guard. “Can I ask you something?” I smiled, trying to push down the anxiety curling in my chest. “Of course. You can ask me anything.” He hesitated for a second, then looked at me with those wide, honest eyes of his. “Why isn’t Rowan around? Like… in our lives?” The question hit me like a punch to the gut. My breath caught, and for a secon
THE RETURN OF THE BILLIONAIRE'S EX WIFE CHAPTER 23
PRESSURES FROM THE PAST Ivy’s POV I sat in my office, glaring at the email on my screen like it might burst into flames. I read it again, hoping I’d misunderstood. Nope. “Vanguard launches new summer collection.” My collection. Their press release was bold, complete with photos of the exact designs I’d planned to release next month. The different shades of soft colors, and unique styles on the dresses—every single detail—identical to my sketches. I clenched my fists. Bella. It had to be her. Only a few people had access to those designs, and one of them included my former employee and mentee, Eric. The son of bitch betrayed me and leaked my other designs to her. It hadn't been too long that I caught wind that he was the one responsible for Vanguard stealing my designs before they even got the chance to see the world. And it had happened again. But by God, this will be the last time. Not if I can help it. My pulse thudded in my ears. I needed to act fast, but legal actio
THE RETURN OF THE BILLIONAIRE'S EX WIFE CHAPTER 22
A BATTLE OF WILLS ROWAN'S POV It's been a few days since I found out that I have a son and all I could think was how I could get to know him. Obviously, I knew that was going to be a new level of difficult seeing how Ivy is trying to make sure that we don't get I stay away from the boy. It's not like I blamed her or anything. It was my fault after all. I was the one that tossed her out for a stupid reason. It was Saturday evening and I didn't have it in me for any social calling. So, I sent the servants away and sat in the living room while flipping through TV stations that barely held my attention. Lost in my thoughts, I barely notice when someone knocks on the door. I was about to call for one of the servants to come get the door but then I remembered there was no one around. With a grunt, I went to get the door. The moment I opened the door, my system was hit with shock that I almost fell to my knees. The usual floral scent of Ivy filled the air, robbing me of the ability
