Lahat ng Kabanata ng The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife : Kabanata 51 - Kabanata 60

[Arella] “Thank you so much, Doc. I really appreciate your help,” I say to the phone, a smile lighting up my face. The soft hum of the line fades as it disconnects. My heart feels lighter, a wave of relief rushing through me. I feel like I could almost float as I skip to our bedroom, the familiar warmth of the space embracing me. Lincoln was having a bath when I entered, but he was already out and in his sleepwear, his broad shoulders draped in a soft, worn T-shirt. He was bent over his laptop, his focus entirely on the screen. “Aren’t you going to blow dry your hair?” I blurt out, my gaze locked on the wet tendrils of his dark hair clinging to his forehead, droplets of water glistening under the dim light of the room. The air around me feels warm and heavy, the faint scent of lavender from his body wash mixing with the musk of his cologne. He chuckles, but his eyes remain focused elsewhere, distant. “And why would I do that?” he asks, his voice soft. I frown. He’s been o

[Arella] “Did you just say husband?” Bridget clarifies, her voice climbing an octave. She looks more like a giddy high school teen than the royal princess and polished CEO of this company. Her perfectly tailored white blazer gleams under the soft glow of her office lights, and the pearl earrings she always wears bob slightly as she leans forward. I nod, avoiding her gaze. Sasha, in her signature emerald-green jumpsuit, remains too stunned to speak, her wide eyes reflecting her disbelief. “But how did it happen? How come you never told us?” Bridget presses, her tone teetering between curiosity and excitement. She brightens up, a smile spreading across her face. “I didn’t want anyone to know,” I admit quietly. “Even his parents don’t know. You know how it is with me in the media.” Bridget nods understandingly, reaching out to hold my hand. The warmth of her gesture is comforting, but the memories of Deric's scandal still linger at the edges of my mind. “Is this about the Deric s

Pregnancy hormones are clearly making me reckless, and watching him try to stay composed is just too amusing. “Out, Jordan,” Lincoln finally says, his tone clipped. “What?” the other man asks, clearly confused. “You heard me,” Lincoln deadpans. “Okay, okay. Sheesh. See you after lunch,” Jordan mutters before the door clicks shut. It takes all of two seconds for Lincoln to grab me and lift me out from under the desk. I land on his lap with a startled yelp. “Jesus. Arella” His voice is filled with disbelief. “it’s really you?” I nod meekly, feeling a blush creep up my neck. “Sorry for teasing you,” I mumble. He palms my cheeks, his hands warm and firm, as if he can’t quite believe I’m here. “What are you doing here?” “I…” My words falter as I notice something that has been blushing a deep red, something hard poking my backside. He gives me a smirk. “You can't do what you did and not expect a reaction from me, Ella,” he deadpans. Great, just what I needed—a smirk from Lincoln

[Arella]“Lincoln!”The older lady chirps out his name before I can even fathom what’s happening or what to say. She stands up, taking a few steps toward him and hugging him. The faint scent of her floral perfume lingers as they embrace.“Happy birthday,” Lincoln mutters softly.“Thank you, child.”“Happy birthday, ma’am,” I add, tearing my gaze away from the middle-aged lady still seated.Play it cool, Arella. Don’t look too awkward. Breathe.As they separate, her eyes finally land on me. She doesn’t say anything at first, just scrutinizes me, her gaze sharp and assessing.Her piercing gaze feels like it’s stripping away every layer of pretense I’ve ever built. I clutch the hem of my dress, trying not to fidget, but it feels like she’s peering into my soul.“This is Arella, my date,” Lincoln says simply, his hand encircling my waist in a possessive manner as he draws me to him.Her eyes are still locked on me, dissecting every fiber of my existence like she’s deciding if I’m worthy o

[Arella]Lincoln’s mother reaches us, her breath labored as if she’d been chasing us down. I glance at Lincoln, whose grip on my hand tightens briefly before he releases it.“I just want to have a word with her,” “Mom, you–” “Please.”Her single word is almost a plea, and he relents with a nod, stepping away and sliding into the car.Turning to face her, I brace myself for the onslaught of judgment or accusations. My heart pounds, a mixture of defensiveness and fatigue swirling within me.“Ma’am, I—”“Mother-in-law,” she interjects, her tone soft but insistent.“Call me mother-in-law.”Her hands come up, cupping my cheeks in a gesture so tender it almost undoes me. The cool night air brushes against my skin, carrying with it the faint scent of blooming jasmine.“I know you must be hurt and sad over what happened,” she begins, her voice warm and earnest, “but trust me, it’ll all be fine. Mother in law will come around.”I nod mechanically, the words barely registering. I feel hollo