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115: The Cost of Being Accepted

Author: Khadijah Bunza
last update Last Updated: 2026-01-31 09:59:29

* RACHEL’S POINT OF VIEW *

I was still in a state of shock, my mind reeling as I tried to process the weight of the papers in my hand. Jacob—a man who once seemed like an immovable fortress of coldness—had actually opened his heart in the end.

Before he died, he had asked for my forgiveness, even for that bitter first encounter we had at the hospital.

He had shown such genuine affection for the children in those final months, a soft side of him that only surfaced when the clutches of his illness retreated.

And now, this.

I wasn’t happy about the money or the properties themselves; it was the validation they represented. He had truly accepted me as a Pierce. But as I felt that warmth, a cold shiver followed: Beatrice. That woman would never see me as anything but an intruder.

No matter how many olive branches I extended or how well I raised her grandchildren, she would always see me as a stain on her family’s legacy.

“Rachel… is there anything I can do for you?” Emilia’s voice cut thr
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  • His Forgotten Love Returns: The Return of the Ex-wife   117: Leaving Her Behind

    * RACHEL’S POINT OF VIEW *I remained in the island chair long after Beatrice had swept out, the silence of the kitchen feeling louder than her insults. Her words cut deep, but they also sparked a flicker of defiance. If she was a pillar, then so was I. I was the foundation for my children and the anchor for Slade, I had every right to stand my ground for the future Jacob wanted for us. Still, the weight of the conflict pressed heavily against my chest.I just wanted Slade to come back. I needed to breathe air that wasn’t tainted by the suffocating tension of this mansion.Finn and Fiona had already come back inside, covered in the happy grime of play, and Emilia had taken them for a bath.As soon as they were dressed, I planned to call Slade and tell him we were leaving — whether he was finished or not. This house was closing in on me, every creak of the floorboards felt like Beatrice’s footsteps coming to start another war.Then I heard the familiar, heavy rhythm of shoes on marbl

  • His Forgotten Love Returns: The Return of the Ex-wife   116: What Remains Unsaid

    * SLADE’S POINT OF VIEW *“Boss… what do you think about the Hamptons project? Are we moving forward with the acquisition?” Rebecca asked from the front seat.I was still getting used to her presence; I missed having Cale as my P.A. He knew my moods, my unspoken cues, and exactly when to push or pull back.“Yes… go through with it, and make sure to BCC Rachel on every email,” I said, looking out the window.Simon pulled the car to a smooth stop in front of a secluded, high-end Italian restaurant. It was the kind of place tucked away behind ivy-covered walls, known more for its discretion than its menu.“Do you want me to come in with you?” Rebecca asked as Simon climbed out to open my door.“You know you’re not supposed to do that,” I said firmly.I stepped out of the car, adjusting my suit jacket, and walked into the quiet dimness of the restaurant.My eyes roamed the room until I spotted her. She was sitting at a corner table in the very back — private, shadowed, and perfect for a m

  • His Forgotten Love Returns: The Return of the Ex-wife   115: The Cost of Being Accepted

    * RACHEL’S POINT OF VIEW *I was still in a state of shock, my mind reeling as I tried to process the weight of the papers in my hand. Jacob—a man who once seemed like an immovable fortress of coldness—had actually opened his heart in the end.Before he died, he had asked for my forgiveness, even for that bitter first encounter we had at the hospital.He had shown such genuine affection for the children in those final months, a soft side of him that only surfaced when the clutches of his illness retreated.And now, this.I wasn’t happy about the money or the properties themselves; it was the validation they represented. He had truly accepted me as a Pierce. But as I felt that warmth, a cold shiver followed: Beatrice. That woman would never see me as anything but an intruder. No matter how many olive branches I extended or how well I raised her grandchildren, she would always see me as a stain on her family’s legacy.“Rachel… is there anything I can do for you?” Emilia’s voice cut thr

  • His Forgotten Love Returns: The Return of the Ex-wife   114: The Will of a Pierce

    * SLADE’S POINT OF VIEW *It had been a week since Jacob was laid to rest, and the silence of the mansion had been replaced by the suffocating tension of legalities. The lawyer called us today for the official reading of the will. We sat in the grand living room — a place that once felt like a kingdom when I was a child, but now resembled a cold museum of missed opportunities. I remembered playing on these rugs, always looking over my shoulder for a father who was too busy building an empire to notice his son.Mr. Tennessee, the family attorney, stood and adjusted his glasses. He handed each of us a thick packet of documents, including one for Rachel, who sat stiffly beside me.We exchanged a quick, uncertain look.“You will each find a detailed breakdown of the properties and the percentages of the liquid assets you are entitled to,” Mr. Tennessee began. “Rachel, you and the children have been granted a significant percentage of several properties. Slade, your shares are listed unde

  • His Forgotten Love Returns: The Return of the Ex-wife   113: The Space He Left Behind

    * RACHEL’S POINT OF VIEW *My heart sank into the pit of my stomach, the sight of her hand on his thigh feeling like a blow to the chest. A thousand jealous thoughts raced through my mind, but I forced myself to take a long, grounding breath. I couldn't fall apart here — not today.“What’s going on here?” I asked, my voice sounding steadier than I felt.“Nothing,” Slade said quickly, his tone smoothing out into that calm, professional mask he wore so well. “Rebecca was just about to leave.”She stood up with practiced calm. “Yes, I was just heading out. I only came in to offer my deepest condolences. Rachel, I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. If you two ever need anything—anything at all—please know that I am right here for both of you,” she said. She flashed a perfect, sympathetic smile, the light catching the silver of her braces before she turned and walked away.The door clicked shut behind her, leaving a heavy silence in the room. I walked over and set the tray down on the

  • His Forgotten Love Returns: The Return of the Ex-wife   112: The Son Left Behind

    * SLADE’S POINT OF VIEW * I thought I would be ready for the call. I thought I had hardened my heart enough to handle Jacob’s death, but I was wrong. It hit me like a brutal, bone-deep blow, a raw, jagged ache that hollowed out my chest. We had an estranged, complicated relationship — years of silence and bitterness defining the space between father and son. But he had changed so much in those final months. He had asked for the children, asked for Rachel. When I finally brought them to him, he was kind — gentle, even. Seeing him embrace my family took me by surprise and began to bridge a gap I thought was permanent. After the news broke, I retreated to my study. I needed the silence to reckon with the ghosts of our past. Remembering the good times was somehow more painful than the bad, and I found myself grappling with a grief I hadn’t given myself permission to feel. When I finally went back to the bedroom, Rachel held me, her presence a silent, steady anchor in the sto

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