Library
Search
Home / Romance / THE BILLIONARE'S UNWANTED WIFE / CHAPTER 20: Between the Past and the Wounds I Carry Today

Share

CHAPTER 20: Between the Past and the Wounds I Carry Today

Author: Author Granger
last update Last Updated: 2025-12-26 07:29:48

STEVEN

“A-What?”

The word slipped out before I could stop it—not because I wanted to be dramatic, but because I genuinely didn’t expect that name to come out of Emely’s mouth.

I lifted a hand slightly, signaling her to wait a moment. I needed to choose my words carefully, something that wouldn’t add weight to what she was already carrying.

“I know that name,” I said slowly. “Winchester Media Group… they’re one of the biggest media conglomerates. And yes, they’re Astra Studios’ main rival.”

Emely fell silent. She wasn’t panicking—she was processing.

“So my husband…” her voice softened, “he’s on the opposite side of your family?”

“In business, yes.” I shook my head. “But that has nothing to do with you.”

She finally nodded, still unsettled but no longer frozen.

“You won’t pull away because of that… right?” she asked cautiously.

“No.” The answer left my mouth immediately. “That’s company business. You’re not part of that rivalry.”

Her shoulders lowered, just a fraction, like a small weig
Continue to read this book for free
Scan code to download App
Previous Chapter Next Chapter
Locked Chapter

Latest chapter

  • THE BILLIONARE'S UNWANTED WIFE   CHAPTER 45: On the Edge of the Truth

    EMELYNight arrived without bringing any real sense of peace.I lay on my side in bed, the bedroom lights dimmed and the curtains drawn tightly shut. The clock in the corner ticked far too loudly, or maybe my senses were simply too sharp tonight. Since the afternoon, my stomach had felt unsettled. Not a sharp pain like when the needle pierced my skin, but a dull ache that came and went, like small waves that never truly receded.I tried to breathe slowly, following the rhythm Dr. Hailey had taught me. Inhale. Hold. Exhale. But every time I began to feel calmer, the sensation returned, tightening my chest all over again.My hand moved to my stomach on instinct. The touch was careful, almost hesitant, as if I were afraid of doing something wrong. As if this body no longer belonged entirely to me.“Easy,” I whispered, to myself or perhaps to the tiny life inside me. “Mama’s here.”For a moment, I considered calling Alexander. His name crossed my mind several times, along with the image o

  • THE BILLIONARE'S UNWANTED WIFE   CHAPTER 44: Between Worry and Waiting

    STEVEN“Austin, are you sure that was Emely?”“Absolutely sure. I’d recognize that blonde hair anywhere,” Austin replied, almost too eager.“How sure?” I pressed, needing to hear it again.“A thousand percent. If you don’t believe me, ask her yourself. I’m telling you—it was her.”I fell silent for a moment. After weighing it in my head, I finally decided to text Emely. Thankfully, she replied almost immediately.Emely: [Steven… I was at the hospital this morning. DNA test for me. NIPT for Lorian. The baby’s okay, but the procedure hurt. Amniocentesis.]My heart slammed hard against my chest. Amniocentesis, I knew the risks. A needle into the abdomen. A risk of miscarriage.And Alexander made her go through with it… just because he doubted the baby was his?I took a deep breath, my fingers hovering over the keyboard.Steven: [Oh God, Em. Are you and the baby okay?]Emely: [I’m okay. I think it was just the procedure—it was painful. But I really am okay now.]Steven: [So Alexander real

  • THE BILLIONARE'S UNWANTED WIFE   CHAPTER 43: DNA TEST

    EMELYThat morning, I woke with a feeling that was far too familiar. Heavy. Suffocating. As if a massive stone were pressing down on my chest. My body was still exhausted after a long night spent replaying the chocolate milk incident and Lorian’s sobs over and over in my head. My mind was not even fully awake yet when the door to the guest room opened.Alexander walked in without knocking.His face was unreadable, but there was urgency in his eyes.“Get ready,” he said curtly from the doorway. “We’re going to the hospital today. Your DNA test and Lorian’s NIPT are scheduled for this morning. Dr. Hailey said it’s better not to delay.”I sat up immediately. My heart began to pound, fast and uneven.A DNA test.The words felt like a blade that had been lodged in me for a long time, now twisted again without warning.“Today?” I asked. My voice was still hoarse from sleep.“This morning,” he replied firmly. “Lorian’s already downstairs. Don’t take too long.”Then he was gone. The door clos

  • THE BILLIONARE'S UNWANTED WIFE   CHAPTER 42: A Small Act of Defiance

    EMELYI wasn’t deaf. I heard every word the three of them said in the dining room that morning, loud and clear. And after that, I made a decision. I would be even more careful. I would no longer accept any food or drinks from Lorian.Not out of spite. Not out of drama. Simply to protect myself and the baby growing inside me.Days passed with the same pattern.Lorian always appeared with her new brand of “kindness”: a morning smoothie, fresh juice at noon, warm milk at night. And every time, I refused, always with a different excuse. Nausea. I’d already eaten. Or just a simple, “Thank you, but no.”Alexander only shrugged. Anna said I was being “too spoiled.” And Lorian pretended to be hurt. But I knew better. She enjoyed it. Every rejection became fresh ammunition for her to run back and complain about me.This afternoon, around four o’clock, there were three soft knocks on the guest room door, just like always.“Em?” Lorian’s voice came from outside, sweet as honey. “May I come in?”

  • THE BILLIONARE'S UNWANTED WIFE   CHAPTER 41: A Bitter Morning (2)

    LORIANTo be honest, I chose that avocado for Emely on purpose this morning, the one that was already unfit to eat. And no, it wasn’t without reason.Does it sound cruel? Maybe. But I needed to know. I needed to truly understand where Alexander’s heart stood now. Would he still defend Emely the way he used to, or had he finally chosen my side, just as I had always hoped?The outcome was even more satisfying than I’d imagined.When Emely threw up at the sink, her face drained of color, I rushed to her immediately, pretending to be concerned, of course. My hand rubbed her back, my voice trembling just right. But inside, I was laughing in triumph.Alexander didn’t even look up from his tablet. And when he finally did, the words that came out of his mouth were, “It’s okay, Lorian. You tried.”That one sentence was enough.He chose me.Then Anna arrived at the perfect moment, rushing straight to my defense. “Lorian did her best. Emely is just too sensitive.” I watched Emely shrink under th

  • THE BILLIONARE'S UNWANTED WIFE   CHAPTER 40: A Bitter Morning

    EMELYBy the time we got home, my body was so drained it practically ordered me to rest. I lay down in my room “just for a moment” and ended up sleeping for nearly an hour. When I woke, it was already close to nine. I headed downstairs slowly, clinging to the hope that today might be a little calmer.That hope shattered the moment I saw the dining table.Lorian was already there, wearing a neat apron, busy arranging plates like the lady of the house. A green smoothie sat in front of Alexander. Avocado toast with a boiled egg was placed neatly in front of her. And then there was a third plate, set deliberately in my seat, offered with a wide smile.“Hi, Em!” she chirped, as if we were old friends. “I cooked especially for all of us. This avocado toast is so good for pregnant women. You should try it. I picked the ripest avocado myself this morning.”Alexander sat at the head of the table, tablet in hand. He gave a small nod without looking up.“Good, Lorian. You really understand what’

More Chapters

You may also like

Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on GoodNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP
DMCA.com Protection Status