Lahat ng Kabanata ng The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife : Kabanata 1 - Kabanata 10

[Arella]"Why don't you understand this simple thing? I don't care about who you are, or what you meant to me! Just leave this house now!”Deric thunders, his words cutting so deep that I feel my heart shatter.It’s as though each syllable hammers away at the love we once shared."Please..." I reach closer to him, my hands trembling as I clasp his in mine, trying to bridge this unbearable distance. "Please, Deric, look into my eyes and tell me you don't even feel anything—our connection, our bon–.""I don't." He bites out, cold and final as he pushes me away. "This woman right here is the one who has my heart." He pulls Vivian into his embrace, smirking down at me. "As far as I'm concerned, you're just a stranger claiming to be my wife.”Stranger.The word hits me like a punch to the gut, stealing my breath. I remember rushing to his ward this morning to check up on him, only to find out he'd checked out, leaving me all alone. I managed to trace him back to our home, finding him

[Arella]"Please, don't sign it!" It’s Vivian’s voice, loud and clear. My blood boils with anger. What does she want now?Deric frowns and narrows his eyes at her. "Babe, what are you doing?""Just let me talk to her, okay?" She looks at me, her eyes wide and pleading. Her voice is soft and shaky."I should explain myself. I never intended to make him fall for me, I swear. It just happened, I was only trying to help him. Y-you can take him back. Please, don't fight because of m-me." She hiccups and tears fall from her eyes, looking fragile and helpless."Why can’t she just let them be happy? Such a crazy woman," I hear someone sneer from the crowd.That’s all it takes to make me snap. I lunge at her, grabbing her by the shoulders. Rage burns inside me, and my voice shakes as I speak. "What’s the use of all this? You’ve already ruined my life! Why didn’t you clarify right away? Why didn’t you try to stop him, to tell him about me? I treated you like a friend, Vivian—no, like a sist

[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

[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

[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