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Picnic
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๋ฐ์ดํธ:
2024-08-15 22:05:00
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CHASING THE BILLIONAIRE'S SUBSTITUTE EX-WIFEย ย ย Family Picture
EZEKIELLooking at Vivienne, Vera, and Vince sitting beside me and us, having a picnic made me feel some sort of contentment. When was the last time I did this? Or did I ever experience having a picnic before? I watched Vera and Vince dig into their food, and for a moment, everything felt just right.I pulled out my phone and started taking pictures of the kids. I couldnโt stop myself from capturing every moment. Then I turned to her brother who was beside her. "Hey, Vince, smile for the camera!" I called out, and he gave me a half-smile, his usual reserved self. Vera, on the other hand, was all giggles, posing with her sandwich like she was on a magazine cover. โMe too, Dad!โ she said. โAlright.โ After a while, I turned the camera toward Vivienne. She was sitting quietly, looking at the kids with a soft expression. I snapped a picture before she even noticed, wanting to remember how beautiful she looked at that moment, even with her messy hair.โYou three, smile all together,โ
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-08-17CHASING THE BILLIONAIRE'S SUBSTITUTE EX-WIFEย ย ย More Time With Them
VIVIENNEMy heart automatically ached when Ezekiel mentioned our first child. Although years had already passed and I even got Vera and Vince now, the pain of the miscarriage was never really gone. It just stayed within me, occasionally getting triggered. I could still clearly remember how alone I felt during that time. How everything seemed to crumble around me. And worst of all, I felt like I had lost Ezekiel too. He became so distant, so cold. It was as if the miscarriage took away more than just our child; it took away the man I had fallen in love with.But I didnโt want to dwell on those thoughts. So, I pushed the negative feelings aside."Anyways," I began, trying to change the subject, "donโt you have work to do? How were you able to travel from Paris to New York and come here to the park with us?"Ezekiel looked at me. The guilt faded from his expression. He was probably guilty when he brought up our lost child earlier. Now, a small smile played on his lips again. "I cance
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-08-17CHASING THE BILLIONAIRE'S SUBSTITUTE EX-WIFEย ย ย Move In
VIVIENNEI had to be fair. Ezekiel had missed so much of Vince and Veraโs lives, and as much as I wanted to keep them close to me, I knew I couldnโt be selfish. To be honest, I wasnโt used to the idea of being away from my kids for three days at a time, but I needed to get used to it. I had to remind myself that this wasnโt just about me anymore. This was mainly about what was best for Vince and Vera too.So, after our family day at the adventure park and after Ezekiel and I had an agreement, I knew it was time to talk to the kids. I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves as I gathered them in the living room. Vince and Vera sat on the couch and their curious eyes were on me, waiting for whatever I was about to say.โKids,โ I began, my voice soft but firm, โI need to talk to you about something important.โVera perked up immediately, always eager to know what was going on. Vince, on the other hand, looked a bit wary, like he already sensed that this wasnโt going to be someth
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-08-18CHASING THE BILLIONAIRE'S SUBSTITUTE EX-WIFEย ย ย Disappointment?
EZEKIELโAre everything perfect already?โ I asked the room organizer I hired to fix the rooms of Vince and Vera in my house. โYes, Sir. Everythingโs according to what you wanted us to do.โ โGood.โ I had been planning for this day ever since Vivienne and I agreed on the new arrangement. It wasnโt easy, trying to juggle my work and getting everything ready for Vince and Vera. But I wanted it to be perfect. I spent hours guiding the organizers fixing up their rooms, making sure every detail was just right. I wanted them to feel at home here, to know that this place was just as much theirs as it was mine.The day had finally come, and as I stood in the hallway, waiting for the kids to finish examining the house, I felt nervous and excited at the same time. I wanted them to love it here. I wanted them to feel like they belonged.โOkay, are you two ready to see your rooms?โ I asked, trying to keep the anticipation out of my voice.Veraโs eyes lit up, and she practically bounced on her f
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-08-18CHASING THE BILLIONAIRE'S SUBSTITUTE EX-WIFEย ย ย Play With Them
EZEKIELโNo, Dad, thatโs not how you do it!โ Vera giggled, reaching over to adjust the way I was holding the dolls.We were now on the floor of Veraโs new room. I had a Barbie doll in each hand, trying my best to mimic what I thought was Barbie's behavior. Vera was sitting across from me, her eyes wide with amusement as she watched me struggle to make the dolls interact.I didnโt know that being a father would make me do this but fuck it. Iโll do anything to please my daughter anyway. โBarbie has to talk like this.โ Vera made her voice high-pitched and sweet, giving an exaggerated smile as she moved her Barbie doll around. โSee? Like this.โI couldnโt help but chuckle at how serious she was about it. โGot it,โ I said, trying to mimic her tone. โLike this?โ Oh Lord!I made my doll talk in the way she showed me, and Vera nodded approvingly.โMuch better!โ she exclaimed, clearly pleased with my improvement. It wasnโt easy for me to play like this. I wasnโt used to it, and honestly,
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-08-19CHASING THE BILLIONAIRE'S SUBSTITUTE EX-WIFEย ย ย Familiar Font
EZEKIEL"How was their first day?" Vivienne asked.I was standing outside the kids' rooms with my phone pressed to my ear as I spoke quietly with Vivienne. I wanted to check on them before calling it a night. I glanced toward Vera's room, where the door was slightly ajar. "Well, Vera had me and Brooks, playing with Barbies earlier," I said, trying to keep my tone light.Vivienne laughed, and for some reason, it made my heart leap. For a moment, I closed my eyes, letting the sound wash over me. God, I missed her laugh. It had been a long time since Iโd heard her laugh like that, and I couldnโt help but appreciate it more than I was allowed to. "Poor Brooks," she chuckled, "I can only imagine his face."I grinned as I recalled Brooksโ pained expression while he awkwardly held a doll in each hand, trying to follow Veraโs detailed instructions. "Yeah, he didnโt have much of a choice. Veraโs very persuasive.""That sounds like her.โI pushed the door to Veraโs room a bit more so that
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-08-19CHASING THE BILLIONAIRE'S SUBSTITUTE EX-WIFEย ย ย Karma
VINCE FELT BAD about how he acted toward his dad. He didnโt mean to shout at him. He was just surprised when he saw Ezekiel looking at his wallpaper. Vinceโs heart started to beat faster as he wondered if Ezekiel noticed that the font on his desktop wallpaper was the same one he used when he hacked the Harrington Luxe website.As soon as Ezekiel left the room, Vince sat up in bed. He went to his desk again and grabbed his laptop to open it. He quickly changed his wallpaper to something differentโa picture of a forest. He wanted to be sure no one could ever figure out the connection.After he changed it, Vince felt a little better, but he still felt guilty. Vince knew his dad was just trying to help. He didnโt mean to be rude, but he was scared Ezekiel might have seen something he shouldnโt have.Vince put his laptop back on his desk and lay down again. He pulled the covers over his head and tried to sleep, hoping he could make it up to his dad tomorrow.EZEKIEL ARRIVED AT his office
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-08-20CHASING THE BILLIONAIRE'S SUBSTITUTE EX-WIFEย ย ย Present
VIVIENNE Seeing the pain in Ezekielโs green eyes hurt me more than I expected. He tried to hide it, but I knew him too well. Although he was acting calm and collected, his words were filled with sadness, and it broke my heart to see him like that. I knew he wanted to be close to Vince, but hearing our son say he didnโt want to stay in his house must have been a heavy blow.โItโs just the first day, Ezekiel,โ I said, trying to reassure him. โVince just needs time to adjust. Heโll come around.โEzekiel shook his head slightly and his lips formed a slight sad smile.โI donโt think so, Vienne. But really. Itโs fine. Iโll be busy with work anyway. I wouldnโt be able to take care of the kids properly. Itโs better if they stay with you.โI frowned, knowing he wasnโt being entirely truthful. Ezekiel had the kind of job where he could easily adjust his schedule if he wanted to. He was the CEO of Harrington Luxe, after all. He could delegate tasks, rearrange meetings, or even take some time
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-08-20
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CHASING THE BILLIONAIRE'S SUBSTITUTE EX-WIFEย ย ย Special Chapter IV
EZEKIEL NEVER THOUGHT heโd feel so nervous, yet here he was. He couldnโt help but pace back and forth in the hospital room while Vivienne lay on the bed, breathing deeply as another contraction hit. His palms were sweaty and his heart was racing so damn fast. He couldnโt even sit down for a second. This was nothing like the business meetings, nothing like the deals heโd spent his life preparing for. This was something else. Heโd missed the birth of the twins, and he knew he couldnโt miss a second of this moment with Vivienne.Heโd missed the birth of the twins, and he knew he couldnโt miss a second of this moment with Vivienne. Back then, he hadnโt been there to hold her hand, to see the twins take their first breaths. This time, heโd promised himself heโd be present, no matter how terrifying it felt. Vivienne noticed his restless pacing and reached out to catch his hand, tugging gently. โZeke, calm down,โ she said, chuckling despite her pain.He stopped, looking down at her, his
CHASING THE BILLIONAIRE'S SUBSTITUTE EX-WIFEย ย ย Special Chapter III
VINCE WAS SITTING alone in the school canteen while he was lost in his own thoughts. Unlike his twin sister, he wasnโt worried at all about having a new sibling. In fact, he was excited. He couldnโt wait to have someone younger around to teach things to, especially about computers and coding. Heโd already planned it out in his head that heโd show their new sibling all the basics, and someday, theyโd be able to talk about complex stuff too. Just the thought of it made him smile.As he stared into space while planning all the lessons heโd someday teach, someone placed a small box in front of him. Vince blinked when his train of thought was interrupted. He looked down at the box, noticing it was wrapped neatly with a bow on top. Then he looked up and saw Maesei, the little girl he, Vera, and Genesis had helped when she was being bullied a while back.Maesei was standing there, looking shy and nervous. Her cheeks were red and she avoided his gaze, looking down at the table instead.Vin
CHASING THE BILLIONAIRE'S SUBSTITUTE EX-WIFEย ย ย Special Chapter II
GENESIS SPOTTED VERA sitting alone on the bleachers, looking lost in thought as she watched Vince at his soccer practice. She was unusually quiet, her small frame slumped forward, and her chin rested on her hands. Genesis found this strange. Usually, Vera was energetic and loud, always cheering for her brother or chatting away.With a grin, Genesis walked over and sat down beside her. โHey,โ he said, nudging her gently. โWhy do you look so sad? Thinking too hard?โTo his surprise, Veraโs lip started to tremble, and before he knew it, tears spilled down her cheeks. She let out a small, choked sob, and then it cameโall the tears she had held back, spilling out in big, messy drops.Genesis's eyes widened and he instantly panicked. โWhoa, hey, heyโwhatโs wrong, Vera?โ He fumbled, trying to figure out what to do. Heโd never seen her cry like this before. โDid something happen?โVera shook her head but kept crying, covering her face with her hands. Feeling helpless, Genesis reached over
CHASING THE BILLIONAIRE'S SUBSTITUTE EX-WIFEย ย ย Special Chapter I
THE AFTER-PARTY was winding down and Piper was more than a little tipsy. She leaned heavily on Jeremy, her bubbly personality even more vibrant after a few too many glasses of champagne. Jeremy sighed, his arm steady around her as he led her through the crowded room.โCome on, Piper,โ he said while rying to sound patient. โLetโs get you home.โPiper let out a laugh as she rolled her eyes. โOh, Jeremy, youโre so lame! Why didnโt you drink anything tonight? There were bottles of wine that cost more than youโd make in a month! You couldโve at least had one!โJeremy shook his head, guiding her carefully through the doorway. โI donโt drink much. Besides, someone had to be responsible for you,โ he said in a calm voice. She threw him a mock offended look, then smirked. โOh, please. Responsible? Youโre missing out! Once-in-a-blue-moon kind of party, and youโre just standing there, drinking water. So boring.โHe just nodded, too tired to argue. He knew she was half-joking, half-serious, but
CHASING THE BILLIONAIRE'S SUBSTITUTE EX-WIFEย ย ย EPILOGUE IV
EZEKIELForgiving isnโt easy. Itโs one of the hardest things you can do, especially when the person who hurt you is someone you once trusted, someone you loved deeply. Iโd always respected people who could forgive the ones who wronged them, who could find it in their hearts to let go of pain and bitterness. And tonight, watching Vivienne, I felt my admiration for her grow even more.I thought Iโd reached the limit of how much I could love her, but seeing her forgive my motherโthat changed things. Vivienne had already forgiven me before, a forgiveness I never thought I deserved but clung to, knowing how lucky I was to have it. And now, she was doing the same for my mother. I looked at Vivienne, her calm expression, her steady gaze, and I couldnโt help but feel grateful. She was truly incredible, a woman who could forgive despite the hurt, and in that moment, I knew I was the luckiest man alive.After my motherโs apology, we found a quieter spot away from everyone else. I turned to V
CHASING THE BILLIONAIRE'S SUBSTITUTE EX-WIFEย ย ย EPILOGUE III
VIVIENNEIt was never too late to rise up again after youโve hit rock bottom. Iโd learned that lesson over and over, but standing here now, it finally felt real. So many times, I thought that scandal with Aton would destroy everything Iโd worked for. I worried people would only ever see me as the woman caught up in a messy scheme, but here I was, with a new chapter in front of me. This was my second chanceโnot just to clear my name, but to make it stronger than ever. Viatrix. That name still had power, still had life.I looked around the room, taking in all the smiles and congratulatory handshakes. Ezekiel and I had just launched our fashion line that we had been working on, and the event couldnโt have gone any better. Everywhere I turned, there were people celebrating with us, praising the collection, the designs, the way we had merged our ideas and brought something beautiful to life. For the first time in a long time, I felt truly proud of myself and what I had accomplished ag
CHASING THE BILLIONAIRE'S SUBSTITUTE EX-WIFEย ย ย EPILOGUE II
EZEKIELIt was never too late to change. I knew that now. I wouldnโt deny to myself or to anyone else that I had made mistakes before. Too many to count, honestly. Iโd been an ass. I didnโt know what I really wanted back then. I wasnโt sure of what the right thing was or how to treat Vivienne the way she deserved. Iโd lost sight of things, caught up in my own mess, letting my insecurities and past hold me back. But now, standing here in Switzerland, away from the noise and all the misunderstandings, I felt something Iโd never felt beforeโa clear sense of certainty. I loved her. I loved Vivienne in a way that was different, in a way that wasnโt clouded by doubt or fear. She was the woman I wanted to spend my life with, and Iโd failed to see that in the past. But I had the chance to make it right, and I wasnโt going to let it slip by.The soft breeze carried the scent of lilies as I stood at the end of the aisle, waiting for Vivienne. My heart pounded, and I could feel the tears gather
CHASING THE BILLIONAIRE'S SUBSTITUTE EX-WIFEย ย ย EPILOGUE I
VIVIENNEBefore, I was just dreaming of a good husband. A husband who would love me, who would prioritize me, who would stand by my side no matter what. It felt like a faraway wish, something Iโd only imagine late at night. When I first married Ezekiel, it wasnโt like that at all. He only married me because he felt he had to; it was a shotgun marriage after all, coming right after the surprise of my pregnancy.Back then, Ezekiel couldnโt even get over his ex, Alex. I knew it. Everyone knew it. I always felt like a stand-in, a shadow, never really the one he wanted. I was just a substitute. But now, looking at him todayโseeing him boldly defend me, even against his own parentsโI canโt ignore how deeply heโs changed. Before, Ezekiel always followed his parentsโ words without question, like he was bound by some invisible chain. They had such a hold over him, and Iโd come to accept that their influence would always come first. So now, seeing him stand up to themโfor my sake, no lessโfe
CHASING THE BILLIONAIRE'S SUBSTITUTE EX-WIFEย ย ย Finally Free
EZEKIELMy fists balled as I scanned through each line of conversation on Vinceโs laptop. Each word felt like a punch. And I gritted my teeth, trying to contain the anger boiling within me. Genesis had been right. It was real that the contents from Atonโs phone had transferred over. Everything was hereโmessages, plans, and schemes that Aton and my own fucking father had discussed. Each message was worse than the last, detailing how they intended to bring down Vivienne and tarnish everything sheโd worked for. I could feel Alice and Ronaldo leaning in, reading over my shoulder. Alice gasped, covering her mouth as her face turned pale. She shook her head. โI canโt believe they could plan something so evil,โ she whispered, horrified.Ronaldoโs expression darkened, his eyes sharp and filled with rage. โThis wonโt slide,โ he said firmly, his voice low and steady. โI wonโt let them get away with this.โHis words fueled my resolve. I nodded, swallowing hard, though my mind was racing. Ju
