Lahat ng Kabanata ng Dear Ex-husband, My Stepbrother is Your Replacement.: Kabanata 11 - Kabanata 20

ASTRIDMy heart is pounding, my palms are slick with sweat and panic is slowly building in my veins.I made sure I was careful. I made sure to leave no trails that would link the missing money to me, or even reveal that money was missing in the first place. I made sure to buy myself enough time to pay it all back. How did Claire find out that money was missing from the account in the first place? How did she know it was me? Silvan’s stare is intense, unwavering. I’m suddenly overcome with the urge to tear the door open and run away.I take a deep breath; “I don’t know…”“I want you to think very, very carefully before you speak, angel.” Silvan seethes. “Lying will only make your situation worse.”I swallow the ball of nerves in my throat. Now what? I can’t admit to theft right now. I need to buy myself time.“I’m sure there must be mistake somewhere. I couldn’t possibly…”“Steal fifty thousand dollars from your father’s company?”I frown,“Mr. Montessori is not my father!”“There y

CLAIREThis is the greatest night of my entire life.I have waited seven long years for this moment, years filled with hatred and silent plotting. And finally, my dreams are coming true.Right from the first day I saw Astrid seven years ago, I knew she would be a problem. And I was absolutely right.Before her arrival, I lived in peace. I was confident of my position as the only daughter of the Montessori family. I was happy that my parents were past child bearing age and there was no risk of any little urchin taking my place.But all of that changed when mum and dad brought Astrid home. For the first time in my life, I watched my father’s eyes shine with love for someone else; and mother was busy faffing around, trying to make her comfortable.For the first time in my life, my father was too busy to play with me because he was showing Astrid around. Mother even cooked her favourite dish that night, instead of mine. I was forced to share my dolls and makeup with her. I was ordered t

ASTRID.It takes a moment for me to realize that Silvan is not just angry that I walked in the rain. He’s worried.Silvan Rourke is worried about me.I’m still struggling to wrap my head around the mind-numbing situation when he suddenly pulls away. Cold air blasts against my chafed skin and my body mourns the loss of his expensive-scented heat.Astrid, pull yourself together!! My subconscious screams at me.A single moment of clarity is all it takes to remember that no matter how much he affects me, Silvan is still the enemy. He is still very much the biological son of the man who maltreated me for years. He’s still part of the family that treats me like dirt till this day.Anger courses through my bloodstream and I shove upright, pressing my back against the door and putting much needed distance between us.“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I mutter coldly. “I didn’t ask you to come to my rescue. I never asked you to play the hero, so how the hell am I causing you a heart

ASTRID I wait and wait and wait for everyone to burst into laughter and confirm that this is just a big joke. I wait patiently for guns to start blazing in confirmation that I’ve actually been kidnapped. But nothing of the sort happens. “Who are all these people?” I gesture at the people who are lined up and smiling at me like I just returned from the moon. “These are some of the domestic staff who work here. They’re all here to welcome you, Astrid. We’re so happy to see you.” It finally dawns on me that he’s not joking. Anthony the butler is staring at me like I’m the best thing after sliced bread. I take a step backwards, already formulating an escape plan in my mind. “Uh… I think there’s been a misunderstanding. I only came here to clean. I’m not sure what’s happening here but I believe you must be mistaken.” Unfortunately, before I can escape, Anthony grabs my arm and gently pulls me behind him. “I know you’re a bit confused by everything that’s going on,

ASTRIDFifty million dollars.It feels like a dream. It must be a dream. My eyes are probably bulging out of their sockets as we speak. “Fifty million dollars?” The words fall from my lips in a stunned whisper. “What am I gonna do with all that money?”“That isn’t all of it, Astrid.” Lady Eleanor says with calm elegance. “Your total inheritance is about one hundred and seventy million dollars, minus the liquid assets, companies and other properties that your parents and grandparents left in your name. These properties are scattered across the globe. You’ll get to see all of them in due time.In fact, if I’m guessing correctly, including your assets, you’re definitely worth more than five hundred million dollars. Isn’t that great?”No, it’s not great. It’s overwhelming.One moment I’m just a girl struggling to survive and the next, I find out that I might be worth billions of dollars?A feeling of awkwardness coupled with intense pressure descends on me and I scoot to the edge of m