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6: The Text Message

ผู้เขียน: Tarina
last update ปรับปรุงล่าสุด: 2024-11-25 07:54:57

[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.

Ava’s wide eyes dart around, her chest rising and falling rapidly. She’s 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. They’ve been hounding me ever since the news of our divorce broke out. For days, I managed to evade them, but today
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  • The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife    7: Injustice At Every Turn

    [Arella] "You know what he did, yet you bailed him out! How—" "Oh, shut up, Arella. Is this another plot of yours to get me to talk to you? I must say, you're quite the shameless one." Deric snickers. His words hit me like a slap, cutting deep. My anger rises, sharp and biting, my voice trembling with suppressed rage. "Just stop. Stop it, okay? Why did you free him, Deric? He drugged me! Why did you have to interfere?" I yell, my voice cracking at the end. "Don't tell me what I can and cannot do, and for fuck's sake, stop being a desperate loser vying for my attention every single time! It's barely been a week. Just leave me alone and never call this line again!" The line goes dead, leaving a deafening silence in its wake. Angry tears blur my vision, the sting of humiliation spreading through my chest. My hands tremble as I grip the phone tightly. Why did I even call? What did I think I could prove? A lump forms in my throat, but I swallow it down. There’s only one way

    ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2024-11-25
  • The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife    8: A Heart That Can't Let Go

    [Lincoln]“M-Mr. Sawyer, what are you doing here?”His voice is shaky, tinged with fear.“Why? Am I not allowed to come to my school?” I scoff, stepping inside with deliberate slowness. The sight of him visibly flinching fills me with grim satisfaction. He’s scared, that’s good. If only he knew the storm of anger burning through me right now.“Lincoln…”Arella’s soft, broken voice pulls my attention, and I turn to her. Her chest rises and falls unevenly, her breath shaky. Small droplets of tears cling to her lower lashes. The sight makes my chest tighten, and I feel a sharp pang in my heart. I nod at her, fighting the overwhelming urge to pull her into a protective embrace. Not now.Instead, I turn back to the principal and take another step forward, each movement deliberate and steady, a quiet storm brewing inside me.“You haven’t answered my question, Mr. Paulo. Is this how you treat people in my school?”His face pales, and he stammers, “N-No, sir! You don’t understand. Those kids

    ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2024-11-25
  • The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife    9: Jobs And Jabs

    [Arella]"Sorry, but we don't find your qualifications suitable for our company. Please try somewhere else."I swallow thickly, the bitter taste of disappointment evident. Three weeks. I'd spent the last three weeks looking for a job everywhere, and I keep getting rejected. A master’s degree in accounting and experience with Ames Finances wasn’t suitable for a managerial position? That’s utter bullshit.I clench my fists as I step outside, the warm afternoon sun doing little to ease the chill of frustration creeping through me. I’ll tell you what’s really going on—I’ve been blacklisted. And by none other than my shitbag of an ex-husband.What does Deric want from me? He called me up two weeks ago. Apparently, Vivian still feels ‘sorry’ for me, and he offered me a job as his receptionist. I helped Deric Smith build a multi-billion-dollar company, and he offers me a job as a receptionist? The nerve. I told him off, and he became offended. Told me I would never get a job anywhere

    ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2024-11-25
  • The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife    10: No More Deals

    [Lincoln] “It was a hassle but I found the file, sir.” Jane’s voice is crisp but slightly hesitant, drawing my attention from the document in front of me.“Thank you, Jane.” I reply reaching for it.“But if I may ask, why do you need this student’s file? Shouldn’t you be preparing for your meeting with the minister? He’s already offended, as you’ve bailed on him once.”Her words cut through my concentration like a sharp blade. I lift my head to hers, my eyes locking on her steady gaze. She’s right, and she knows it.“I’ll be there soon,” I reply, dismissing her with a nod.As the door clicks shut behind her, I turn my focus back to the file in my hands. The edges of the folder feel worn under my fingertips as I flip it open. My gaze lands on a passport-sized photograph of a young girl: Ava Myers, age 17. Her wide, determined eyes stare back at me from the glossy paper.My eyes skim across her achievements—a list so impressive it momentarily halts my thoughts. A small grin splits my

    ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2024-11-25
  • The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife    11: First Day Mishaps

    [Arella]Vivian’s face comes into view as soon as I turn, her delicate features framed by soft waves of hair, and I can't help but let out a snark. The air between us feels thick, like static before a storm. Her eyes widen, a flicker of surprise and possibly dread crossing her face, but then she smiles and approaches me for a hug, stopping midway at my death glare.“Arella, how are you? I’ve been so worried, and Deric won’t let me speak to you. I’ve been looking everywhere for you!” she says, blinking repeatedly, her voice carrying a mix of urgency and pity.I feel sick to my stomach, the pit churning as if it holds molten lava. I don’t think I can work here. What was I even thinking? Kaitlin already hates me, and now she’s friends with Vivian? The world feels cruelly orchestrated.“Come on now, don’t be all high and mighty, Arella. She just asked a question,” Kaitlin says smugly, her tone mocking. She stands a few feet away, leaning casually against the counter, her arms crossed.

    ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2024-11-25
  • The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife    12: A Step Forward?

    [Arella]“H-How did you find me?” I stammer, taking a step back as his dark laugh echoes through the night air. He steps closer, the sound of his shoes scraping against the pavement sending a chill down my spine.Anger floods my veins, and a heavy knot forms in my stomach. “What are you doing here, Frank?”He smirks, his eyes gleaming, the intensity of his gaze piercing through the darkness. “I told you I’d make you regret it. That little stunt you pulled in front of the police officer the other day caused quite a ruckus for my reputation.”I square my shoulders and stand straighter, my pulse racing as I try to control the fear creeping up my spine. “So what? I didn’t get my justice, and a lowly man like you is still roaming freely. Shame on you,” I spit, my voice thick with venom. “How could you do that to me? What if something bad had happened?”He laughs, loud and dark, the sound chilling, like ice water pouring over my skin. “That was the plan all along, sweet girl. You know,

    ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2024-11-25
  • The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife     13: An Unexpected Task

    [Arella]Pushing up to my feet, I stumble to the only room in our tiny apartment. My knees feel shaky as I rummage through my bag, the weight of uncertainty pressing on me. Finally, my fingers brush against the smooth edge of Lincoln's card. I pull it out, staring at the number embossed in a fine elegant print. His personal number.I swallow hard, hesitation bubbling in my chest. Is this a good idea? Or should I just meet him in person? My thoughts spiral as I imagine the headlines if we’re seen together. Those filthy entertainment news handlers haven’t stopped tearing me apart since the saga with Deric. .A call it is, then.The phone feels heavy in my hand as I dial the number, my pulse thrumming in my ears. My thumb lingers over the call button, and something stirs deep in my stomach. Butterflies? How ridiculous.It rings. The sound seems endless, stretching time. My heart leaps when a deep, smooth voice cuts through my spiraling thoughts."Hello?"A breath catches in my throa

    ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2024-11-25
  • The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife    14: The Lunch Trap

    [Arella]Eyes are still on us as Deric’s laughter dies down. His gaze locks onto mine, and my stomach twists under the intensity of his disgust."This is what you rejected my offer for? A job as an event planner?” “And I was supposed to what? Accept a receptionist job at a company we built with our sweat?" I bit back, fury thrumming through my veins, as a flush of humiliation rises on my cheeks.His laugh rings out again, louder this time, cruel and biting, as if he’s reveling in my discomfort. He wipes his eyes dramatically and smirks, twisting the knife further. "You’re so delusional, Arella."He turns to Vivian, and instantly, his entire demeanor shifts. His expression softens in the way it always does when he looks at her, making my chest tighten painfully. "You knew about this, babe? Why didn’t you tell me? We would’ve never come here.""I just wanted to give her a chance," Vivian says sweetly, her voice dripping with honey. Chance? What the heck is she even talking about?Sh

    ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2024-11-27

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  • The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife    172: The Proposal

    [Arella]I don’t even bother sparing Lisa or Mr. Thompson another glance. They don’t 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?She’s nowhere in sight, and that sends a cold, uneasy ripple through my spine. She’s not the type to disappear quietly.Whatever.Eventually, we’re all guided back into the grand ballroom for gift presentations.This room screams old money—the 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.“So, a surprise, huh?”I 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.Lincoln’s family joins seamlessly, blending into the flow of my own—like 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.“Arella,” Grandpa chuckles, swirling the amber liquid in his glass, “we keep hearing about this ‘surprise’ of yours. Should we be worried?”I smirk, resting my chin on my palm as I glance at Lincoln. He’s stiff.Oh?The way his fingers tighten slightly around his fork doesn’t go unnoticed. The subtle shift in his expression—cool, composed, but definitely guarded—has 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.Ames’ 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... It’s 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. She’d love this—being surrounded by all these people who actually feel like home.“Hey, don’t rush a pregnant woman like this!” 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 I’m luggage.Ryder rolls his eyes like the dramatic little gremlin he is. “Oh, please, you’re only, like, what, two, three months gone?”I scoff, flipping my hair for dramatic effect. “I’m seven months gone, Ry.”Ryder 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 Deric’s girlfriend—or should I say ex—smiling at both of us. I feel Arella stiffen beside me, her body tense like a coiled spring.“What are you doing here?” 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 got… personal. Just here to wish Mr. Harold a happy birthday, boy. Just like you are.I feel my blood simmer.“You’re not welcome here. Security!” Arella bites out, her voice sharp, her eyes gleaming with malice as they flicker over to Vivian, who’s wearing the smug look of someone who’s been handed all the right cards in life.“I'm sure you wouldn’t want to cause a scene now, would you?” Mr. Thompson’s smirk deepens, a slow, calculated move, like he’s enjoying this ga

  • The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife    167: Happy Birthday!

    [Arella]Lincoln gets down first, his movements smooth and effortless, like he’s 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. That’s what this dress looks like. It’s 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 body—including my baby bump, which is now impossible to hide.I smooth my hands over the fabric, taking a deep breath. Breathe, Arella. It’s 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 times—blame my terrible network for that! Please open only one while I sort it out and remove the extras.😩 Sorry for the mix-up, and thank you for your patience! Love you all! ❤️

  • The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife    Am I Forgiven?

    [Lincoln]"Lincoln, are you here?"Arella’s 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

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