All Chapters of The Billionaire's Forgotten Wife: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

The flight back to Aurelia was longer than usual. I was seated in first class, the window shade drawn down, a glass of untouched whiskey sitting on my tray. I made every effort, but my thoughts could not help but linger over what had happened in Eldoria. Her face. Her voice. And most of all, the way she put her hand on her belly when she didn't think I was looking. I pressed my fingers into my temples, forcing myself to think. Maybe it didn't mean anything. Maybe it was nerves, or she wasn't feeling well. But I couldn't leave it alone. As the plane landed, my driver was already outside the terminal. He opened the door, bowing low. "Welcome back, Mr. Bronson." I got into the car without saying anything. Aurelia city flashed by in the back of the dark windows, but I barely noticed. Upon arrival at the office, it was close to evening. The lobby was empty except for a few late workers. My assistant Darren met me at the elevator. "The board would like to have an update on the trip to

I couldn't sleep. The words of the detective kept ringing in my mind over and over."She isn't pregnant, sir. She's been going to doctors because she's ill."Ill. The one word could not leave my head. I sat up in bed, staring at the ceiling in the dark. If she was ill, how serious was it? Was it something life-threatening? Why had she never told me about such things?My phone buzzed on the nightstand. It was already close to six, even though I hadn't closed my eyes. Darren's name was on the screen."Sir," he said the moment I answered. "The board has called for an emergency meeting in two hours. They're demanding answers about the numbers. Wilder Group has put in a lot, but the company's losses haven't turned around."I rubbed my face tiredly. "I'll be there."---Two hours later, I walked into the boardroom. The directors were already seated, eyes sharp, papers in front of them. One of them, Mr. Harper, spoke first. "Mr. Bronson, the situation is alarming. Wilder Group has invested

POV: ZephyrineThe lights of the gala still hurt my eyes as I tried to leave. The stress of the evening clung to me, the looks, the whispers, the queries I had evaded. I just wanted to be gone, far from it all.But then he stood in my way."Why didn't you let me know you're sick?" Callum's voice was low but sharp, ringing above the noise around us.I bristled for an instant before steadying myself. I straightened and looked him in the eye. I wouldn't let him see anything in me, no fear, no weakness."I owe you nothing," I answered, cold and calm.He clenched his jaw. "Zephyrine, come on. Don't play games. I saw you, at the function, how you stood, don't lie to me."I smiled, thinly, a smile that did not reach my eyes. "Playing games? That's rich, coming from you."He appeared to be desperate to talk again, but before he could, Adrian appeared by my side. "Is there a problem here?" Adrian's tone was even, yet the tension underlying it was palpable.Callum's eyes flicked to him. "Mind y

POV: CallumMy jaw throbbed as I stood up. There was blood stuck in my mouth, and pride burned fiercer than the punch. Adrian's punch had landed hard, but it was the look on his face, that I wasn't worth the air he occupied — that cut deeper.Edmund tapped his cane on the ground. "You heard me, boy. This is done. Leave her alone."I rubbed the corner of my mouth and forced my voice tone. "You can't tell me what to do."Adrian stepped closer, his face hardening. "I can. And I just did. If you get anywhere near Zephyrine again, you'll have to deal with me first."I clenched my fists but didn't swing. I was hurting to, but I knew they'd love it when I lost my cool. I forced myself towards the door."Callum," Edmund's voice came behind me. "Men like you don't get second chances. You got your chance. Be grateful you're walking away with a bruise."I stopped in the doorway and faced him. "You think you know, but you don't. You don't know what happened between us."Edmund shook his head. "I

POV: Callum (Aurelia)The plane landed in Aurelia in the late afternoon, but I barely noticed the view outside the window. My mind was fixated on the same thing for what had to have been hours already: Adrian's fist across my cheek, Edmund's cold tone telling me to go back to Evangeline, and Zephyrine's silent glares that followed me everywhere.By the time I stepped out of the airport, my jaw ached. I massaged the side of my face and winced. The waiting driver saw that."Bumpy ride, sir?" he inquired."Just drive," I growled, climbing into the back seat.. Aurelia was as always, the skyscrapers and crowded streets flashing by, but I couldn't help but feel that I came back smaller than when I left.When we pulled up to my building, the doorman smiled at me. I nodded but did not engage in small talk. I simply wanted quiet.I stepped inside, set my bag on the floor, and proceeded to my office. Papers I had left on the desk were piled high, and the screen of my laptop flashed with messag