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170: Waiter In Disguise
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2025-03-21 23:59:05
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The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife    171
[Arella]The dining hall glows with warmth, a golden ambiance settling over the long, elegantly set table. Laughter hums through the air, weaving into the clinking of glasses and the soft murmur of conversation.For a moment, just a fleeting moment, everything feels perfect.Lincolnâs family joins seamlessly, blending into the flow of my ownâlike they were always meant to be here. No tension. No awkward pauses. Just good food, good company, and an almost surreal sense of ease.It should put me at peace.It does actually.But then, as the wine flows and lighthearted discussions turn toward the Big Merge, something shifts.âArella,â Grandpa chuckles, swirling the amber liquid in his glass, âwe keep hearing about this âsurpriseâ of yours. Should we be worried?âI smirk, resting my chin on my palm as I glance at Lincoln. Heâs stiff.Oh?The way his fingers tighten slightly around his fork doesnât go unnoticed. The subtle shift in his expressionâcool, composed, but definitely guardedâhas m
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-03-22The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife    172: The Proposal
[Arella]I donât even bother sparing Lisa or Mr. Thompson another glance. They donât deserve it.We move on with our conversations, ignoring them so thoroughly it must sting. But they still try to wedge their way in, their voices lingering like an unwanted aftertaste.Utterly pathetic. But something feels off. My gaze flickers across the room. Where the hell is Vivian?Sheâs nowhere in sight, and that sends a cold, uneasy ripple through my spine. Sheâs not the type to disappear quietly.Whatever.Eventually, weâre all guided back into the grand ballroom for gift presentations.This room screams old moneyâthe crystal chandeliers dripping gold, the marble floors reflecting the warm glow of candlelight, the air thick with the scent of vintage cologne and wealth. A true battleground where status is the only weapon that matters.Lincoln leans in as we walk. His voice brushes against my ear, low and teasing.âSo, a surprise, huh?âI smirk, locking eyes with him as I make an exaggerated mot
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-03-23The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife    1. Who Are You?
[Arella] "Doctor, her vitals are coming aroundâcome quick!" Everything around me feels hazy, like Iâm trapped underwater. Urgh, why is there so much noise? My limbs are heavy and sore, my mouth unbearably dry. My mind feels foggy and I try to open my eyes, but my lids wonât obeyâjust like the rest of my body. What happened to me? The last thing I remember wasâĶthe truck slamming into our car! A gasp escapes my mouth, raw and faint, as my eyes peel open wide. âDeric!â My voice sounds bruised, almost alien, as if I haven't used it in years. âCalm down, Mrs. Smith. Youâll be fine,â a voice reassures me, calm and gentle, but my panic refuses to settle. A quick sting hits my arm, and a wave of sleepiness washes over me, pulling me back into darkness. âĒ°âĒ°âĒ°âĒ°âĒ°âĒ°âĒ° âWhat do you mean Iâve been in a coma for two years?!â My voice is still hoarse, strange and rough to my own ears. Looking around, my head spins as I try to process his words. âThis is the situation, Mrs Smi
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2024-11-07The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife    2. No One On My Side
[Arella]"Why don't you understand this simple thing? I don't care about who you are, or what you meant to me! Just leave this house now!âDeric thunders, his words cutting so deep that I feel my heart shatter.Itâs as though each syllable hammers away at the love we once shared."Please..." I reach closer to him, my hands trembling as I clasp his in mine, trying to bridge this unbearable distance. "Please, Deric, look into my eyes and tell me you don't even feel anythingâour connection, our bonâ.""I don't." He bites out, cold and final as he pushes me away. "This woman right here is the one who has my heart." He pulls Vivian into his embrace, smirking down at me. "As far as I'm concerned, you're just a stranger claiming to be my wife.âStranger.The word hits me like a punch to the gut, stealing my breath. I remember rushing to his ward this morning to check up on him, only to find out he'd checked out, leaving me all alone. I managed to trace him back to our home, finding him
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2024-11-07The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife    3. Choices To Make
[Arella] When my eyes finally flutter open, I find myself alone in the lounge. My skin feels prickly, my body hot and uncomfortable. Whatâs going on? My mind is sluggish as I rise, trying to leave, but I realize I donât have my phone, no way to call anyone for help. I stagger out, the heat intensifying, a flush creeping over my cheeks as a tingling builds low in my stomach. A horrible thought crosses my mindâhave I beenâĶ drugged? I might need to stay here; I canât risk going out like this. As I stumble toward the receptionistâs desk, I collide with a solid wall of muscle, a small whimper escaping me. I look up and feel relief wash over me as I meet an unexpected familiar gaze. "Arella?" His deep voice washes over me, sending a shiver through my body. Clutching onto his suit for balance, my voice comes out barely more than a whisper. "PleaseâĶ help me." He looks down at me, his brows drawing together in concern. âArellaâĶ what happened?â His voice softens as he steadi
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2024-11-07The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife    4. A Bitter Goodbye
[Arella]"Please, don't sign it!" Itâs Vivianâs voice, loud and clear. My blood boils with anger. What does she want now?Deric frowns and narrows his eyes at her. "Babe, what are you doing?""Just let me talk to her, okay?" She looks at me, her eyes wide and pleading. Her voice is soft and shaky."I should explain myself. I never intended to make him fall for me, I swear. It just happened, I was only trying to help him. Y-you can take him back. Please, don't fight because of m-me." She hiccups and tears fall from her eyes, looking fragile and helpless."Why canât she just let them be happy? Such a crazy woman," I hear someone sneer from the crowd.Thatâs all it takes to make me snap. I lunge at her, grabbing her by the shoulders. Rage burns inside me, and my voice shakes as I speak. "Whatâs the use of all this? Youâve already ruined my life! Why didnât you clarify right away? Why didnât you try to stop him, to tell him about me? I treated you like a friend, Vivianâno, like a sist
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2024-11-07The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife    5: A Sister's Pain
[Arella]"Ava, please get down! Please listen to me, Ava. I'm sorry. It's all my fault! Please, you're all I have left. Don't do this to me! Take my hand, please!"My voice cracks with desperation, trembling with fear and guilt as I scream up at her.She doesnât listen. She doesnât even look in my direction. Her vacant stare sends a chill down my spine, and my heart feels like itâs breaking in two.The hot summer wind slaps against my face, drying the tears on my cheeks almost as quickly as they fall. My hair flutters wildly around me, mirroring the chaos in my heart."Please, donât jump! Mom wouldnât have wanted this!"That stops her. She turns to me slowly, her eyes hollow, her face streaked with tears that glisten under the harsh sunlight.She doesnât say a word, and it breaks me even more. Her silence screams louder than any words ever could."Talk to me, Ava! Yell, scream, hit me! But please, donât jump! Iâll avenge you. I wonât let them hurt you. Please, come down."My voice r
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2024-11-25The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife    6: The Text Message
[Arella]"Give us an answer, Mrs. Smith! Did you cheat on your husband? Are the rumors true? Is your marriage in shambles? Mrs. Smith! Did he really divorce you? Mrs. Smith! Mrs. Smith!"The voices of the reporters cut through the air, sharp and unrelenting. Their cameras flash rapidly, blinding me as I try to shield Ava from the chaos.I grip her hand tightly, her fingers trembling in mine. Her fear is palpable, and it sends a wave of protectiveness surging through me. I push forward, but the reporters swarm us like vultures circling prey."Move! Get out of the way!" I yell, my voice breaking with desperation.Avaâs wide eyes dart around, her chest rising and falling rapidly. Sheâs shivering uncontrollably, her fragile form shaking against me. My heart twists painfully at the sight.I try again to push through, but their relentless questions cut deeper with every word. Theyâve been hounding me ever since the news of our divorce broke out. For days, I managed to evade them, but today
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2024-11-25
āļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ
The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife    172: The Proposal
[Arella]I donât even bother sparing Lisa or Mr. Thompson another glance. They donât deserve it.We move on with our conversations, ignoring them so thoroughly it must sting. But they still try to wedge their way in, their voices lingering like an unwanted aftertaste.Utterly pathetic. But something feels off. My gaze flickers across the room. Where the hell is Vivian?Sheâs nowhere in sight, and that sends a cold, uneasy ripple through my spine. Sheâs not the type to disappear quietly.Whatever.Eventually, weâre all guided back into the grand ballroom for gift presentations.This room screams old moneyâthe crystal chandeliers dripping gold, the marble floors reflecting the warm glow of candlelight, the air thick with the scent of vintage cologne and wealth. A true battleground where status is the only weapon that matters.Lincoln leans in as we walk. His voice brushes against my ear, low and teasing.âSo, a surprise, huh?âI smirk, locking eyes with him as I make an exaggerated mot
The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife    171
[Arella]The dining hall glows with warmth, a golden ambiance settling over the long, elegantly set table. Laughter hums through the air, weaving into the clinking of glasses and the soft murmur of conversation.For a moment, just a fleeting moment, everything feels perfect.Lincolnâs family joins seamlessly, blending into the flow of my ownâlike they were always meant to be here. No tension. No awkward pauses. Just good food, good company, and an almost surreal sense of ease.It should put me at peace.It does actually.But then, as the wine flows and lighthearted discussions turn toward the Big Merge, something shifts.âArella,â Grandpa chuckles, swirling the amber liquid in his glass, âwe keep hearing about this âsurpriseâ of yours. Should we be worried?âI smirk, resting my chin on my palm as I glance at Lincoln. Heâs stiff.Oh?The way his fingers tighten slightly around his fork doesnât go unnoticed. The subtle shift in his expressionâcool, composed, but definitely guardedâhas m
The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife    170: Waiter In Disguise
[Deric]Staring at my reflection in the mirror, I frown at the waiter's outfit clinging to my frame. The stiff white shirt feels like a straitjacket, the black vest squeezing my ribs like it's mocking me. The whole thing smells like starch and cheap detergent.Amesâ finances wasn't enough to get me an invitation. Or maybe no one actually wanted me here. Not even as a footnote in this perfect, glittering night.Well, too bad for them.I adjust the fake mustache and beard, scrutinizing my reflection under the dim, flickering restroom light. I look unrecognizable, just another faceless server blending into the background noise. Exactly the way I need to be.I force my shoulders back, inhale sharply, and step out.The hallways are buzzing with champagne-drenched laughter, women in shimmering gowns clinging to men with expensive watches and empty smiles. Golden chandeliers throw soft light over the polished floors, the air thick with the scent of jubilation, wine, and wealth.I move with p
The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife    169: So Much Warmth
[Arella]Ryder drags me along deeper into another section of the ballroom, where my family members are waiting. The chandeliers above cast a golden glow, making everything look grand and elegant, but all I can think about is the familiar warmth ahead.Family members... Itâs a strange, comforting thought. A real, solid kind of warmth that wraps around me like a favorite childhood blanket. And suddenly, I wish Ava was with me. Sheâd love thisâbeing surrounded by all these people who actually feel like home.âHey, donât rush a pregnant woman like this!â I snap playfully at Ryder, shooting him a glare as I struggle to keep up in my heels. My feet are killing me, my back aches, and this man is dragging me around like Iâm luggage.Ryder rolls his eyes like the dramatic little gremlin he is. âOh, please, youâre only, like, what, two, three months gone?âI scoff, flipping my hair for dramatic effect. âIâm seven months gone, Ry.âRyder stops so suddenly that I nearly slam into him, my stomach
The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife    168: Uninvited Guests
[Lincoln]We both turn to the source of the voice, and my brows furrow at the sight of the people before us: Mr. Thompson and Dericâs girlfriendâor should I say exâsmiling at both of us. I feel Arella stiffen beside me, her body tense like a coiled spring.âWhat are you doing here?â I bite out, my eyes glaring at Mr. Thompson.He gives me a sly smile, the kind that sets my teeth on edge, and for a split second, my mind flashes to the conversation with him on my last business trip. That conversation. The one where things gotâĶ personal. Just here to wish Mr. Harold a happy birthday, boy. Just like you are.I feel my blood simmer.âYouâre not welcome here. Security!â Arella bites out, her voice sharp, her eyes gleaming with malice as they flicker over to Vivian, whoâs wearing the smug look of someone whoâs been handed all the right cards in life.âI'm sure you wouldnât want to cause a scene now, would you?â Mr. Thompsonâs smirk deepens, a slow, calculated move, like heâs enjoying this ga
The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife    167: Happy Birthday!
[Arella]Lincoln gets down first, his movements smooth and effortless, like heâs done this a million times before. The cool night air brushes against my skin as he rounds the car, the faint scent of cologne and leather lingering in the air. His hand extends toward me, strong and steady, and I take it without hesitation. The moment I step out, a burst of bright flashes erupts from all directions, the chaotic clicking of cameras blending into a deafening hum.I blink rapidly, my lips curving into a polite yet composed smile, keeping my posture graceful despite the overwhelming attention. My heart thrums, not with fear, but with a strange, thrilling anticipation. This is what being a Sawyer means.As my neck subtly turns, another car rolls up, its sleek exterior gleaming under the grand entrance lights. My heart warms slightly when I realize who it is. Ava, and my mother-in-law. And apparently, the entire family.Pleasantries are exchanged, the usual polite words masking the deeper, uns
The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife    166: Calm Before The Storm
[Arella]Slipping on the last hoop of my earring, I take a step back, staring at the woman in the mirror. Damn.An emerald dipped in gold. Thatâs what this dress looks like. Itâs elegant, silky, and clings to my curves like it was made just for me. The golden accents shimmer under the soft glow of the vanity lights, highlighting every dip and swell of my bodyâincluding my baby bump, which is now impossible to hide.I smooth my hands over the fabric, taking a deep breath. Breathe, Arella. Itâs just a birthday party.A ridiculously extravagant, over-the-top party where literally every single person in our familys will be gathered.Right. No big deal.Grabbing my purse, I head downstairs, my heels clicking against the polished marble. The moment I descend the first step, I freeze.Because at the base of the stairs, waiting like something straight out of a classic romance movie, is my husband.Sweet Lord.Lincoln stands there in a perfectly tailored black tux, looking devastatingly hands
The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife    A/N
Hiii I just noticed the same chapter got uploaded multiple timesâblame my terrible network for that! Please open only one while I sort it out and remove the extras.ðĐ Sorry for the mix-up, and thank you for your patience! Love you all! âĪïļ
The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife    Am I Forgiven?
[Lincoln]"Lincoln, are you here?"Arellaâs soft voice drifts through the cool night air, wrapping around me like a familiar melody. A slow smile tugs at my lips."Hi," I murmur, stepping forward and pulling her into my embrace. My arm encircles her waist, cradling our child as I watch the way her body instinctively melts against mine."Oh, thank goodness you're fine!" she exclaims, spinning around to cup my cheeks. Her fingers are warm, her touch gentle yet searching. Her gaze roams over my features, lingering on the dark circles under my eyes.Seeing my wife after two days feels like I've been deprived of her for years. An ache I hadn't realized was suffocating me eases as I press her close, inhaling the faint scent of jasmine clinging to her skin. Relief floods me when she instantly relaxes, her arms tightening around me with the same desperate fervor. She buries her face into my neck, her breath fanning over my skin."God, I missed you.""I missed you more," she whispers against m
