Semua Bab Dear Ex-husband, My Stepbrother is Your Replacement.: Bab 141 - Bab 150

ASTRID“So he’s just gonna act like he didn’t see us?” Hayley asks, rolling her eyes with a smile as she nudges Michael who is standing beside her, nursing a can of Diet Coke.“Right now, the boss has priorities, Miss Hayley.” Michael responds. “It’s best that we let him attend to them.”Their conversation feels like it’s brewing from somewhere in the periphery of my unconscious mind. Meanwhile, my entire attention is fixated on Silvan, on the tiny hint of vulnerability that is so visible in his simple question.“I…”“Mommy actually missed you a lot.” Zoey speaks up from her position on the floor.I blink in shock, shooting a sideways glance. The little traitor.“I did?”“Of course you did.” Zara says confidently. “She was always asking if you called.” Her gaze drops to the doll in her grasp; “I think she was sad that you didn’t.”A sharp pain blooms behind my sternum, almost rendering me weak in the knees. “Girls, that’s enough!” I bark at them, my cheeks reddening in embarrassment.

ASTRIDMommy, Uncle Michael loves chocolate cake, just like me!”“Yes, my love.” I ruffle Zoey’s hair with one hand, balancing the giant chocolate cake with the other.I kid you not, the thing is big enough to feed an entire army. Silvan went all out. The air in Silvan’s kitchen is thick with the scent of delicious homemade casserole and buttered, deep-fried chicken. We went on a little hunt to discover all of Michael’s favourite foods and I took it upon myself to anchor the cooking.Silvan set up a mini buffet table and it’s currently overflowing with enough food and drinks to last us a couple months. Whatever is left of it will be boxed up and distributed to the homeless. Another one of Silvan’s ideas which I wholeheartedly endorsed.This appreciation party may have been Silvan’s idea, but Michael is important to all of us. He has shown up for us several times in his own little way. He definitely deserves it.Zara is helping Silvan and Hayley with the decorations. I peeked in on th

ASTRIDThe world tilts on its axis. I stare at him, the pieces slowly forming into a horrifying picture.Not his son. His brother. I blink rapidly, trying and failing to align my hazy thoughts.“Three years ago, I overheard a conversation between you and Leilani. She said the child was yours.”His eyes darken and his jaw clenches in remembrance.“The night of Claire’s engagement party?”I nod.Silvan’s eyes slide shut. His lips move a fraction, as if he’s reciting a prayer.“Is that why you ran from me? Because you thought Leilani was pregnant with my child?”I lower my head; “well, partly…”He grabs my chin until those fierce grey eyes are clashing with mine once again.“Explain yourself, angel.”Another deep breath. Here goes nothing.“I ran away because I heard you say you didn’t want kids.” My voice lowers to a whisper; “you said you didn’t want anything to do with children.”Silvan lets out a slew of curses that would definitely make a sailor blush. His grip on my chin is gen

ASTRIDThe claim ticket feels like a winning lottery ticket in my hand. Freedom. I actually managed to win my freedom from Silvan. Oh, and it took a lot of cat and mouse games to take back my claim ticket from him. My heart is still hammering from the auction, from the sheer insanity of outbidding a man who could probably buy a small country, feed half the population and probably still have enough change to take himself on a semi-luxurious trip to Dubai. I walk into the sleek, silent offices of the Phantom Auction to collect my prize, my head held high, my heart singing with triumph.I have no idea why Silvan gave in so easily. Five billion dollars is probably nothing to him. Why didn’t he bid higher?But after tossing and turning over it last night, I came to the conclusion that he considered it a bad financial decision and left it at that. The man behind the desk doesn’t smile. In fact, when I introduce myself, every trace of humour on his face flies straight out the window.

SILVANThe screen went black a long, long time ago, but I still see it. Astrid’s flirtatious smile. The one she gave him. It’s playing on a loop behind my eyes, and with every passing second, something tightens in my chest, a screw turning until it’s ready to drop.My phone buzzes with an incoming message from Michael. “Rodriguez is en route to the Grand Hyatt. I overheard him boasting to the valet about a "private celebration. Miss Astrid refused your invitation to come to the penthouse. There was nothing I could do to convince her.The wood of my desk groans under my grip. A celebration. With my woman. Astrid has no idea that I have access to the CCTV footage in the hallway. I listened to that bastard suggest that they book a room to “celebrate” the close of the deal.And I felt my soul leave my body when Astrid agreed. She even gave the bastard her number, all the while giggling with him, letting him hold her hand. Letting him touch what is mine!Mateo Rodriguez dared to mess wi