All Chapters of Dear Ex-husband, My Stepbrother is Your Replacement.: Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

ASTRIDLocked. Everywhere is locked.I run across Silvan’s luxurious tower, going from door to door like a deranged woman. Apparently, the doors are automatically operated with biometric access only. There are no handles. Just a smooth, black surface probably made of uranium.The signal on my phone has not returned either. I’m on the verge of losing my goddamn mind.I stomp back to the kitchen, my blood boiling with rage. When I arrive, the space is empty. There’s no Silvan.A second later, I hear a whoosh behind me and turn around to find him emerging from…is that a cupboard?“Where’d you go?” I huff, exasperated.“The walk-in refrigerator.” He answers shortly.I look up at the ceiling and count to ten. Maybe, just maybe, I’ll get my anger under control and won’t go around bashing every single one of his fancy kitchen appliances.“You knew the doors were locked.”He shrugs, setting out ingredients for a hamburger. My favourite. I ignore that little piece of information. “You heard

SILVANI fight so hard to hold on to my anger, but when Astrid’s eyes shimmer with unshed tears, something breaks inside of me. I’m not sure what it is, but I feel something crack.She pulls away and I’m forced to lean back, forced to look away from her lush, trembling lips before I do something stupid — like pull her into my arms and kiss her distress away. Her cheeks redden and she swipes at her wet cheeks, her eyes hardening with the stubbornness I’ve grown accustomed to. I was gutted when I heard her reason for hiding the twins. I was tempted to tell her the truth about the situation between me and Leilani, that Leilani’s child wasn’t mine, but the selfish half of me held back.Astrid took my children away without hearing from me first. She doesn’t deserve a fucking explanation. I get to my feet and stroll to my desk, my jaw ticking with annoyance. When I return with the agreement I had my lawyer draw up at the last minute, she’s still seated on the floor, but the pitiable lo

ASTRIDMy brain is reeling, struggling to connect the dots. Mary, on the other hand, is smiling from ear to ear.“Such a thoughtful gift. The old playroom was cleared out and all the toys were packed away. We were going to order new ones tomorrow. God bless the generous sender. Those toys cost a small fortune!”The “generous sender…”Generous. Small fortune.Shit!I grab Mary’s frail arms, my voice dripping with urgency.“Do you know who sent them?”She frowns. “No. There was no card, which was weird. The delivery guy said it was from “the boss,” whoever that is.”The boss.Bingo. Bin-fucking-go.“Thank you, Mary. Good night.”I smack a kiss on her cheek, ignoring her curious expression as I race up the stairs.I don’t stop running until I’m bursting through the playroom’s doors.My eyes take in the mountain before me and I freeze.There are toys… everywhere. I’m pretty sure all manner and colour of toys available on the damn planet are having a meeting in my children’s playroom ri

SILVAN“You look like shit.” Hayley deadpans by way of greeting.She sinks into the chair before me and props her booted feet on my table.Jaws clenched, I arch a brow.“That table cost me more than ten thousand dollars.” I state matter-of-factly.Hayley purses her lips.“And?”“If you so much as scratch the surface, I’ll ship you to China in exchange for a new one. Deal?”Her lips twitch with a smile; “psychotic bastard.”“Where have you been, Miss Hayley?” I inquire, scrolling through my MacBook.“Out and about.”I flick a glance in her direction. “You’re being secretive again.”My suspicions are confirmed when her eyes take on a mischievous glow.“New man?”She scoffs. “Keep your nose out of my business, Mr. Rourke.”I raise both my hands in mock surrender. My best friend goes through men like a fashion model goes through clothes. Her motto? This week’s gent might not be next week’s gent. The moment they start acting up, Hayley disappears faster than a deadbeat parent.Speaking o

ASTRIDThankfully, we manage to distract the twins while housekeepers dispose of the flowers.Gemini came up with the brilliant idea of distributing them to orphanages and shelters around New York and we did just that.I’m currently pacing my office while Gemini and Zeya watch me, their expressions tense.Five minutes ago, I received a message from Silvan. One that nearly had me ripping off all my hair. It said;“You stole three years from me. I’m stealing your peace in exchange. Thirty million dollars and a restraining order will never be enough to stop me, Angel. This is just the beginning of our little game. So long as you refuse to sign the marriage contract, I will do everything possible beneath the sun to change your mind.I hope my daughters love the flowers. The sixty million is yours, and no, you cannot return it. Buy yourself something nice. Maybe a nice dress for our first date. A little hint? You look utterly divine in red.I hope I don’t have to embark on any other extr