Chapter 141: Power

Steven's POVI used to walk into courtrooms with confidence — no, with power. People would nod, whisper, try to curry favor. My name used to mean something in this city. Now, it meant nothing but scandal.I tried calling every lawyer I knew. No one returned my calls. The few who answered offered polite, clipped refusals. Some didn't even try to hide their disgust. One of them — someone I had once shared drinks and dirty secrets with — actually said, "You're toxic now, Steven. No one wants to touch you."That was when I realized how far I had fallen.My publicist blocked me. My assistant ghosted me. Even my former driver sold my location to the press. I wasn't just alone — I was radioactive. The woman I had been seeing, the same one I brought to that stupid charity gala, cleaned out every piece of jewelry I ever gave her and vanished. Not even a goodbye.So I did what I had to do. I sold one of the sports cars, pawned a few watches, and flew in a defense attorney from out of state. He

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Chapter 142: William's.

Shirley's POVThe supermarket was filled with the scent of pine-scented candles, artificial snowflakes taped to every glass pane, and endless rows of Christmas-themed everything. Abby tugged on my coat, pointing excitedly at the peppermint bark display."Can we get this for William?" she asked. "He gave me marshmallows last time."I smiled and nodded. "Of course."It had started with a quick errand — picking up some cookie mix and a few decorations for the apartment — but somewhere between the gingerbread kits and rows of warm lights, I found myself picking up an extra pack of cocoa mix, an extra set of ornaments, and a red-and-gold wreath that I suddenly imagined hanging on someone else's front door.William's.I stared at the cart. Half of what was in there, I wouldn't have bought just for Abby and me.On impulse, I reached for my phone."Hey," I said when he picked up. "Do you… have any plans for Christmas?"There was a pause. Then his voice came, calm and amused. "Not anymore."I

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Chapter 143: Peaceful

William's POVAbby was finally asleep.She had insisted she wasn't tired—claimed she could stay up all night, even help Santa when he came. But ten minutes after she got under the covers, she was out cold. I quietly pulled the blanket up around her shoulders and turned off the lights in her room, leaving only the nightlight glowing in the corner.When I stepped back into the living room, Shirley was still sitting on the rug, cross-legged, surrounded by torn wrapping paper, ribbon scraps, and a few stray cookie crumbs. She was flipping through the journal I'd given her, running her fingers over the embossed cover.The tree lights blinked softly in the corner, casting a warm glow across her face. She looked calm in a way I hadn't seen in a long time—like the weight she carried every day had been set down, just for a little while.I sat down beside her and reached for my gift again—a vintage mechanical watch she'd somehow found. I hadn't said much when I opened it earlier, but I think sh

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Chapter 144: Christmas

Shirley's POVI didn't expect to stay at William's place past Christmas.I told myself it was just for the holidays. Abby needed the warmth of a familiar presence. I needed a few days away from the apartment that still carried too many memories of Steven. William's home, with its quiet calm, its fireplace and coffee-scented kitchen, had become a kind of soft shelter.But I hadn't planned on New Year's. Or what came before it.It was two days after Christmas when William asked if we'd like to go away for a few days.He waited until Abby had gone to bed before bringing it up. I was sitting on the sofa with a cup of ginger tea, flipping through a book I hadn't really been reading. He sat down beside me, his tone light but deliberate."There's a place I used to go with my family years ago," he said. "It's by the sea. Quiet, not crowded. The kind of place that doesn't expect anything from you."I looked up. "You're suggesting a vacation?"He nodded. "Just a few days. No pressure. But I tho

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Lahat ng Kabanata ng Ex-Wife's Revenge: Kabanata 141 - Kabanata 144

Chapter 141: Power

Chapter 142: William's.

Chapter 143: Peaceful

Chapter 144: Christmas