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34: Friendly Reunion

Penulis: Tarina
last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2024-12-05 23:51:45

[Arella]

The dining area is bathed in soft sunlight pouring through tall glass windows, reflecting off the polished marble floors.

I sit at the expansive wooden table, its surface gleaming under the light, with a small plate of sliced apples in front of me.

I'm alone at the table, Lincoln had told me last night that he wouldn't make it for breakfast because of a board meeting.

My stomach feels hollow after throwing up–yet again, and I bring a an apple slice to my mouth, hoping its sweetness will settle me.

The butter–sweet, tangy taste soothes my taste buds, momentarily easing the nausea twisting in my gut.

It’s still my first trimester, so tell me why the only thing I can enjoy in the morning without throwing up is mayo-covered apple slices.

Heaven knows what my weird cravings will be like as the months come along.

“Need more apples, my dear?” Rita’s warm, maternal voice floats over from the kitchen area. She moves toward me with a concerned smile.

I shake my head, rubbing my tu
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  • The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife    35: Her Turning Point

    [Arella]“Oh please, you don’t have to call me that,” Bridget giggles, her voice light and melodic as she leads me to our favorite spot at the back. The warm, familiar ambiance of Morty’s wraps around me like a cozy blanket.I wonder if Morty, the owner, still works here. He was already quite old back in college, with a twinkle in his eye and stories that could fill a library.“But I do, Your Highness,” I tease, lips curving into a playful smirk, and Bridget just shakes her head, her cheeks flushing faintly.I’m not joking, though—Bridget is a real-life princess of a small Scandinavian country in Europe, though she’s always been more down-to-earth than royal.We sit, settling into the worn but inviting leather booth. Our orders are taken by a cute little girl on rollerblades. Cliché, I know, but it’s charming, like something out of an old movie.Feeling my hands being clasped by Bridget’s soft, slightly cool fingers, I look up. Her baby-blue eyes glisten with unshed tears, reflecti

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-07
  • The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife    36: Busted and Refused

    [Lincoln]“Welcome home, Mrs. Sawyer,” I say, my voice calm yet firm, startling Arella as she turns to see me seated on the dark leather couch, illuminated only by the soft amber glow of the fireplace. The large living room seems even bigger in the dim light, with the fire casting moving shadows on the marble floor.The staff retired to their quarters early today because I wanted to spend some quality time with my wife.Imagine my shock when I didn’t see her home—no texts, no calls. I went a little paranoid—not that she needed to know that, though.“Heyy…Lincoln,” she replies in an awkward voice, her fingers nervously fidgeting with the strap of her handbag.My lips twitch, and I fight back a smile.I’m supposed to be angry, but I guess I can’t—not when she looks like an adorably stunned hamster, her wide eyes shimmering under the soft light.Keeping my voice flat, I continue with a practiced stoic face, “The driver tells me you declined his offer to take you out.” My tone is even,

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-08
  • The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife    37: The New Vice President

    [Arella]The dim light from the bedside lamp fills our cozy bedroom with a soft, golden glow. The air smells faintly of lavender from the candles on the nightstand filling the silence between us. Lincoln’s shoulders slump, and my heart drops for some reason."I'm sorry," the words come out as a whisper, barely audible."You don't want to work with me?" His voice is low, tinged with disbelief.Deciding against lying, I nod truthfully, and he chuckles sadly, the sound hollow and distant."Can I at least have a reason? You declined it without going through it all" His gaze is steady."It's not what you're thinking, Lincoln. It's just that…it wouldn't be right handing me the position of Chief Officiating Officer of Sawyer Group," I explain, feeling my fingers tremble slightly."With your numerous qualifications, nobody would say a word even if I make you the CEO, Arella. Tell me the real reason." His voice tightens just enough to make my chest constrict.I swallow, reaching out to hold

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-08
  • The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife    38: Lunch With Wifey

    [Lincoln] "I wanted to see my wife," I reply, unashamed. Arella rolls her eyes. "You saw me this morning," she retorts, her tone clipped but playful. I shake my head slowly, holding her gaze. "Doesn't matter. Had lunch yet?" She flushes, her lips twitching with guilt. "Would you believe a yes?" "I wouldn't," I reply, my jaw tightening at her carelessness. "Get in," I command firmly, my voice leaving no room for argument. "What? Now? I’m at work, you know," she protests, exasperated but already moving toward the car. I give her a pointed look. With a resigned sigh, she slips into the passenger seat, smoothing her skirt with jittery fingers. Reaching into the back seat, I grab the small flask of food and place it in her hands. Her eyes brighten instantly, a spark of joy softening her tense features. "You got me food?" she asks, her voice rising with surprise. "Hmm." I hum, savoring her reaction. Before she can say more, I grab her chin with controlled intensity and press my li

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-08
  • The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife    39: The Mall

    [Arella]The weekend rolls by, and despite how drained I feel from my first week at Chanax, I’m excited to see my sister again.The car pulls up, its engine purring softly as it comes to a stop. Without waiting for Lincoln, I push the door open and step out, my shoes crunching against the gravel.“Careful,” he says behind me, his tone carrying a mixture of amusement and mild exasperation. I don’t even have to turn around to know he’s shaking his head at me.The camp air wraps around me, warm and inviting, with the faint scent of pine and freshly turned earth wafting through the breeze. The soft hum of nature fills my ears, broken only by the occasional chirping of birds. Beautiful birds flit between the trees, their bright colors streaking against the dense greenery.Tucked away in the busy city, this camp feels like a sanctuary—a place of hope for children with MDD. My heart swells at the thought of seeing Ava again, of being able to hold her.“Ava!” I squeal, excitement bubbling in

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-09
  • The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife    40: Back To Sqaure One

    [Arella]Turning my worried eyes away from Ava, who looked like she'd seen a ghost, I turn to none other than Deric. The air feels thick, like something heavy is about to drop, and it settles in the pit of my stomach. I swear, it’s like fate is always playing a cruel joke on me, making me cross paths with this scumbag at the worst possible time.I scoff immediately, the sound sharp and biting, as I feel the blood rush to my face in anger. "Why can't I be here? Is the mall yours?" He smiles smugly, his lips curling into a mocking grin. "I should be asking you this same question. I'm here to get an engagement ring for my soon-to-be wife, Vivian."He emphasizes her name like it’s some kind of victory. Like I should care. “Not like you would know anything about that”, he adds, the jab aimed right at me…I don't even know if I should call this a jab though, seems pathetic.My smile turns brighter, forced but sharp. "Well, my husband closed down the mall for today. It'd be in your best in

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-10
  • The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife    41: Sly Foxes

    [Arella]The hot summer sun beats down, its harsh rays bouncing off Mr. Malcolm's bald head. I sit up straighter, tilting my head to avoid the glare coming through the open window. The office feels warm, with the AC struggling to keep the heat at bay.“What is the matter, Mr. Malcolm?” I ask calmly, masking my irritation.“Oh, please, cut that bullshit, young lady!” he snaps, his voice sharp and abrasive, echoing through the quiet office.I arch a brow, fighting the urge to roll my eyes. Funny how bold he is now that Bridget is out on business. His audacity is as suffocating as the humid air hanging heavily in the office.“I'll ask again, Mr. Malcolm. What is the matter?”He storms forward and slams a crumpled piece of paper on my desk, his thick fingers trembling with barely restrained rage.“This! This is the matter! What do you think of yourself, eh? That you can just come here and change the order of things? My project with the Ames finances will not be cut off the vision board,

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-11
  • The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife    42: Tampered

    [Lincoln] The ambiance of the 7-star Michelin restaurant is almost suffocatingly posh, reeking of old money and self-importance. Crystal chandeliers dangle from the high ceiling, their cold light shimmering off gold-accented walls. The faint hum of soft classical music seeps into the room, blending with the clink of fine cutlery and quiet murmurs of privileged patrons. Why Clement Thompson chose this particular restaurant for a simple lunch is beyond me. It feels like I’ve walked into a live-action display of "Who’s the Richest?" “Right this way, Mr. Sawyer.” A lady with a crisp British accent, dressed in an immaculately tailored suit, leads me through the maze of lavishly decorated tables to a private room. The air is thick with the scent of aged wine and freshly baked bread. Seating in front of Mr. Thompson, I relax my posture, though every instinct tells me to be on guard. His sharp, calculating eyes study me like I’m both a challenge and a prize he intends

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-12

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  • The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife    204: Memories Don't Lie II

    ~PRESENT~[Lincoln]“Yes, it's me”, she whispers softly. “It's really you, Lincoln. I'm not d-dreaming, am I?”Her voice slams into me like a ghost of something I should remember. Like the echo of a dream I was never supposed to forget. It's soft... broken... but it shreds through me. It drags something deep inside of me, an aching emptiness, a piece of me that I didn’t even know was missing. And it pulls at me, hard.“Where are you now, Lincoln?” she asks, and I want to respond, but it’s like the words won’t come out.My chest tightens so fast it knocks the air from my lungs. My fingers tremble, gripping the phone like it’s the only thing keeping me tethered to the earth, to the reality I’m struggling to hold on to.And then I hear it again. “Where are you? Why aren’t you s-saying anything?”Everything else fades—the room, the air, even my own thoughts. It’s just her. That voice. Like I’ve been searching for it in every silence, never knowing I was looking for it, never knowing that

  • The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife    203: Memories Don't Lie

    [Lincoln]~THREE HOURS EARLIER~“This isn't over, boy.”“I think it already is, Thompson.”These two lines have been haunting me, looping like a broken record in the back of my mind since I rolled out of bed this morning. It’s from that dream, the one I can’t shake, no matter how hard I try. It felt more like a memory than a dream. The setting was some kind of grand celebration, flashing lights, the hum of voices, champagne bubbles bursting mid-air—but everything else was smeared and hazy... everything except Dan’s face.His name definitely isn’t Dan.That venom in his eyes when he spat those words—“this isn't over”—it wasn’t the kind of hate you dream up. It was real. A sharp, burning thing that dug into my spine and left scorch marks. He stormed off in the dream, dragging Chloe behind him like a rabid dog on a leash. But even then, no, especially then, I knew her name isn’t Chloe either. It’s Lisa.Too many slip-ups. Too many weird details they pretend not to notice. I’m not stupid,

  • The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife    202: Heartbeats And Truths

    [Arella]My eyes widen as I stare, mouth agape at Deric and Vivian. What? Rising to my feet, my hands tremble uncontrollably."What are you saying, Deric?" My voice cracks as the words leave, trembling with disbelief. But his eyes… they don’t meet mine. They’re locked on Vivian’s, like she’s the only thing he can see.She looks like death just kissed her. Her already pale face has lost all color, her lips trembling like a leaf in a storm."Answer my question, Vivian! You were behind the wheel of that truck, weren’t you?!" He thunders, his voice slashing through the tension like a blade, making her flinch violently.Anger. Hot, white, scalding anger surges through me like a wildfire, burning away the confusion and planting rage in its place. My mind scrambles, backtracking, clawing at the past for any clue—anything—that could’ve pointed to this. My blood turns to lava under my skin."I-I—" she bursts into tears, her sobs a jagged mess. Crumpling forward, she clutches her head like it’s

  • The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife    201: The Interrogation

    [Arella]"Help! Let me out of here! I've been kidnapped! Help!"I roll my eyes, stepping into the room where Vivian’s been locked up for the past two days. She hasn’t been much use, barely stirring after I beat her up—guess I went too hard. But that’s not my problem. The woman had it coming.I take the keys from Zach’s hand, turn them in, and push open the door with force, the impact sending Vivian stumbling to the floor.Her terrified eyes trail up my blazer, finally meeting mine. They widen in shock.“Y-You? How… So, I wasn’t dreaming?”I chuckle lightly, unable to hide the satisfaction in my voice.“You sure as hell weren’t.”Vivian clutches her head, her face twisted in confusion and fear as she screams, “Help! Help! This crazy woman kidnapped me!”I smirk, rolling my shoulders back.“The only crazy person here is you, Vivian.”She yelps in terror, scrambling to her feet. “Scream as loud as you want. This penthouse is soundproof.”Her face pales as the reality sinks in. She looks

  • The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife    200: Find The Truth

    [Lincoln ]My stomach growls, a reminder that I haven’t eaten much in the past few days, but it’s hard to enjoy food when everything feels off. I carry my plate of burnt toast from the kitchen into the small, dimly lit living room where I’ve been summoned for breakfast. The space feels cramped, its walls a dull beige that only adds to the weight in the air. Dan and Chloe are already seated, exchanging hushed words.“Good morning, baby,” Chloe says, offering me a smile as I draw nearer, the kind of smile that’s meant to soothe but only makes the pit in my stomach grow heavier. I can't find it in me to return it, so I just nod at both of them, my voice flat as I mutter a stiff, “Good morning.”Dan’s eyes are sharp on me, studying me in a way that’s too knowing, too calculating. I wonder if he can see the change in me, the shift in the way I’ve been acting since I overheard that conversation between them a week ago. It’s like something inside me cracked open, and I can’t unhear what I he

  • The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife    A/N

    Hey my lovely readers!💖 I know it’s been a little quiet around here, but I’m back! 😅 I’m so sorry for the break, but starting tomorrow, daily updates are officially back in action! Thank you for your patience and all your love—you're the reason I keep going! I can't wait to dive back into the story with all of you. See you tomorrow! 😉✨

  • The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife    199: Escape Or Confrontation? II

    [Arella] Vivian ran like the devil himself was on her heels. Her bare feet slapped against the filthy concrete, the sharp sting of debris cutting into her skin. The air was thick with the scent of rotting dough and mildew, the remnants of a bakery long abandoned, its glory days buried under dust and decay. Her breath came in ragged gasps, each one hitching in her throat as she weaved through the narrow corridors, her frantic movements sending old flour sacks tumbling to the ground. She was fast, I’d give her that. Desperation had a way of making people move like cornered rats, a blend of terror and pure survival instinct. But I wasn’t about to let her scurry away. Not this time. I chased after her, vaulting over overturned crates, my boots thudding heavily against the grimy floor. My pulse thundered in my ears, my lungs burning with exertion, but the fire only fueled me. Every step I took, every inch I gained, I thought about what this woman had done to me seven months ago. S

  • The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife    198: Escape Or Confrontation?

    [Arella] Two days later, we finally located the only bakery in Backwater Alley. True to the city’s name, the place was utterly demented. The snarls and sneers we received from passersby sent a chill slithering down my spine, despite the heavy security flanking me. It wasn’t just the people that made this place hell—it was everything. The very air felt wrong, thick with the scent of rot and dampness, like misery had been ground into the pavement for generations. The streets reeked of filth and desperation, a choking combination of decay and stale piss, and even with the promise of protection, a thick wave of unease clung to my skin like a second layer. Deric, on the other hand, was visibly cowering, his head ducked so low I half-expected him to burrow into the ground. He flinched at every sound, his breath coming in shallow gasps as we passed through each ‘checkpoint’—clusters of men loitering with sharp eyes and even sharper knives, their silent appraisal as damning as a blade ag

  • The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife    197: One Step Closer

    [Arella] Deric leads us to a restaurant that's just as rundown as that bar, but at least the air inside isn't nauseating. The dim lighting does little to hide the grime-streaked walls, and the wooden chairs creak ominously as we settle down. The stench of stale grease lingers in the air, but it’s a small mercy compared to the overwhelming stench of alcohol from before. I speak first, my voice sharp. "Where have you been? What are you doing all the way in Chicago?" He clears his throat, his eyes locked onto mine with an emotion I can't quite place—adoration, maybe? Like he can't believe I'm sitting right in front of him. That only makes my patience thinner. "You're going to have to start talking, Deric, because trust me, I have other ways to make you talk." "Water... please," he croaks out, his voice dry and weak. Zach signals to one of his men, never leaving my side for a single second. The moment the bottle is placed in front of him, Deric chugs it down like a man starved, g

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