All Chapters of The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife : Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

[Arella] 'ONE HOUR EARLIER' "We can go during the weekend, Linc. I promise I'm fine." "Are you sure?" Lincoln's deep, husky voice bubbles over the phone, sending involuntary tingles all over me. My cheeks heat up as I sink into my chair. Does pregnancy make women, you know….more horny? Because I don’t understand myself around Lincoln these days. It’s like my hormones have been hijacked. "Ella, your dizzy spells have been—" "Please trust me, Linc. I got this." He grumbles, his voice low and gravelly. "You're so stubborn." I let out a chuckle, twirling a pen in my hand. "Bye, hubby." "Hubby, huh? I never realized you were so mushy, Ella." I yelp, nearly dropping my pen, at Bridget’s voice. She struts into my office in a flaring pale pink gown. Her hair is styled into loose curls, she’s clearly not in work mode. "Bridge, you startled me!" She laughs, plopping onto the chair across from me. "I’ve been at the door for ages, Ella. You were too engrossed with lover boy

[Arella]Apart from the soft clinking of chopsticks and the hum of distant conversations, the restaurant is fairly quiet. The smell of soy sauce and stir-fried vegetables fills the air, mixing with the faint aroma of jasmine tea. I sit on a wooden chair, its deep red cushion elegant.It's been roughly two minutes since I sat down, and she hasn't said a word. Not one word. But her eyes—sharp and judgmental—tell me all the things her mouth doesn't. They rake over me with open disdain, as if I’m something unpleasant she’s forced to tolerate.“I can see why my grandson got charmed by you. You're a pretty little thing indeed," she begins, her voice smooth but icy, like a blade cloaked in silk.Anger, slow and hot, burns up my chest. Pretty little thing? What am I, a doll on display? The way she says it, like I'm no different from... from—I clench my fists under the table, the nails digging crescents into my palms. I force those thoughts out of my mind, swallowing the bitter retort ri

[Lincoln]“C'mon, Ella, open your eyes,” I plead, shaking her slightly. My voice cracks, betraying the panic clawing at my chest. Her face is so pale, so unnervingly still, I almost feel like I’m holding a lifeless doll.“Drive faster!” My voice thunders, raw with urgency, urging the driver on. The air in the car feels suffocating, thick with tension and the metallic scent of blood. My hands tremble as I cradle her closer.She’s bleeding. She’s fucking bleeding! What had they done to her?My mind is a whirlwind, flashing back to the vision of her in Deric’s arms. My blood boils in my veins, rage simmering just below the surface. What had they planned? What the hell kind of sick game were they playing?Gritting my teeth, I whisper more to myself than to her, “C'mon, Ella, stay with me.”Her head lolls against my chest, her warmth slipping away by the second. A small part of me is screaming that I’m losing her, and that terrifies me more than I’ll ever admit.“You’ll be fine, Ella. You’

"Yes, you did all that!" Vivian yells, her voice cracking, then clenches my shirt tightly, her knuckles turning white. There’s a slightly crazed look in her eyes, a mix of desperation and something darker that makes my stomach twist. "Remember what you t-told me. Remember what you promised, Deric! You can only be with me, okay? Please… please don't go back to her. I can't live without you. I won't!" Her chest heaves, rising and falling so fast it looks like she might collapse any second."It's okay, Vivi. Come here."I pull her against me, her trembling body fitting awkwardly against mine. My mind flashes back to the crazed look in her eyes, and a shiver skates down my spine. That look… it clings to me, like an unwanted ghost in the back of my head."Nothing of that sort will happen," I say, forcing my voice to stay even. "I'm all yours, okay? Just yours."She sniffles, her tears soaking into my chest like raindrops on parched earth. For the first time, irritation sparks somewhere

[Arella] "What's wrong?" Lincoln pulls me closer, his strong arms encircling me like a fortress. My head finds solace against his chest, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat grounding me. "She's getting better, Linc. She's actually getting better." My voice cracks with emotion, and my fingers clutch at his shirt as if holding onto this moment will make it last forever. I feel his smile, warm and reassuring, as his jaw rests gently on my forehead. "Is that why you're crying?" he asks softly, his deep voice laced with curiosity and a hint of amusement. A small laugh escapes my lips, shaky and tear-streaked, as I lift my head. "It's the damn pregnancy hormones. I'm actually very happy. Too happy." I sniffle, swiping at my cheeks, embarrassed but too overcome to care. "You're adorable," he says, his eyes glimmering with an emotion so intense it steals my breath. Heat floods my cheeks, and I look away, suddenly self-conscious under his gaze. Why does he always manage to look at