All Chapters of His Forgotten Love Returns: The Return of the Ex-wife: Chapter 191 - Chapter 200

* RACHEL’S POINT OF VIEW * I walked into the living room, where Luca, Abbie, and Cale were already gathered. I handed each of them a small dessert plate with a slice of the cake Aunt Rose had just finished. As they thanked me, Luca reached out to take his, but his hand hovered over the plate for a long beat. His expression softened with a bittersweet longing; I could tell he was thinking about his mother’s kitchen — the one place that ever felt like home — and the crushing weight of being disowned by the woman who made it so.Finally, he took the plate with a tight nod.“Where’s Slade?” I asked, holding the two remaining slices for us.“He told me to tell you he had to head out to the site with Aaron,” Cale said, shifting in his seat.“Why didn’t he wait for me?” I muttered, a small sting of disappointment hitting me. “Heidi!” I called out.She appeared at the doorway. “Can you keep these in the fridge for Slade and me, please?” I asked, handing her the plates. She nodded and slippe

* RACHEL’S POINT OF VIEW * The place was a magnificent estate, sprawling and grand enough to accommodate every guest we had invited. That was my first thought when we stumbled upon the listing while searching for the perfect vacation rental. I had practically begged Slade to host this getaway; after everything that had happened, there was simply too much to celebrate. Abbie and Cale were finally breathing the clean air of a life without Tate’s shadows. They had found the peace they so desperately needed, and seeing them happy made my own heart feel lighter. When I asked Slade if we could do this, he didn't hesitate. “Whatever you want, Rachel,” he’d said. So here we are. The estate is a masterpiece of modern architecture blended with old-world charm, surrounded by manicured gardens that seem to glow in the afternoon sun. As we stepped through the massive front doors, we were met by twin grand staircases that curved elegantly toward the second floor, framing a recessed living roo

* RACHEL’S POINT OF VIEW * We all sat in a loose circle in the backyard, the cool night air wrapping around us as the stars twinkled like spilled diamonds across the sky. Each of us held a wine glass, the liquid shimmering under the soft patio lights. “This place is positively magical,” Barbie said, though she shivered slightly in her sleeveless pink shirt. Orrick, who was sitting right next to her, didn't hesitate; he stripped off his blazer and draped it over her shoulders. She gave him a shy, small smile, and he returned it, his eyes softening with a warmth that was impossible to miss. I raised an eyebrow, exchanging a quick look with Abbie. I wondered if there was something more going on there than just polite hosting. “So, what are we doing first?” Abbie asked, rubbing her hands together with an excited spark in her eyes. “Let’s play Never Have I Ever,” Barbie suggested, pulling Orrick’s jacket tighter around her. “I think I’m going to retire to bed,” Slade said, shiftin

* SLADE’S POINT OF VIEW * I walked out of the bedroom, leaving Rachel behind in a cloud of silent frustration. It shouldn’t matter this much… but the silence she left behind was louder than I liked. She wouldn't even look at me. I knew with her, I just needed to give her some air — let the fire of her temper burn itself out before I tried again. I honestly didn’t understand why she was so hung up on Barbara’s confession. It was nothing — brief, meaningless, and long over. As a teenager, I’d had my share of crushes on female TV stars — women who seemed untouchable, beautiful figments of a screen that you’d forget about the moment the power went out. That’s all this was to Barbara. It wasn’t a threat; it was a closed chapter. I headed downstairs to the living room, where I found Cale and Aaron already deep in conversation. “Good morning, Boss,” Cale said, followed by another “good morning, boss,” from Aaron. “Good morning. What’s the situation with breakfast?” I asked, leaning

* RACHEL’S POINT OF VIEW * We had such a magnificent time. We didn’t just hide away at the estate, though we certainly made the most of it. Slade and I stole quiet moments for ourselves — from slipping into the hot tub beneath a sky full of stars, the steam curling around us as the rest of the world disappeared, to slow mornings tangled in soft sheets with nowhere to be. The others made their own kind of magic. And we girls took over the hot tub for hours of gossip and champagne, and our nights often turned into marathon movie sessions in the cinema room, filled with laughter, teasing, and far too many snacks. We all spent our afternoons playing competitive but fun games, lounging by the pool until our skin was kissed by the sun. We indulged in long, lazy breakfasts on the patio and took slow evening walks through the manicured gardens as the sky melted into shades of gold and violet. One evening, a private chef was brought in, and what started as a refined dinner turned into