Nine months too late: After divorce by Baby Charlene novel Chapter 85

Chapter 85
FOUR MONTHS LATER.
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Sylvie stood before the mirror-black knee-length dress, black heels, silver purse.
Her hair and makeup were perfect-thanks to Cindy.
She had diamond pieces on her neck and ears. She was supposed to look ‘beautiful’, yet for some reason, she found it difficult feeling that way.
“I’m telling you, you look great!” Cindy who was gathering her things from the table said for what felt like the hundredth time. “I seriously don’t know what is wrong with you. Trust me, nobody at that event will be beating your looks, Sylvie.”
“Oh, can you stop?” Sylvie rolled her eyes, touching the back of her neck nervously. “Not everyone at the party will be eight months pregnant.”
“Well, not everyone at the party is as lucky as you are.”
Sylvie let out a soft laugh. Cindy had always been fond of telling her how lucky she was.
Over the past four months, Cindy had grown to be the closest among all her friends. It was a companionship that Sylvie appreciated as she really needed a good friend in that phase of her life. Her sisters, unfortunately, even after learning she was pregnant, had never bothered to check on her. Not like she cared. She grew up knowing they never liked her.
The door to her bedroom opened, revealing Kage.
Sylvie held her breath for a moment as she stared at him – the epitome of perfection. Kage would always be the most handsome man she’s known.
He was wearing a black Ivory Halo pants, with a crisp white shirt neatly tucked into it. The first button of the shirt was undone – giving him a look so hot, it could set the room on fire. Hopefully, that wouldn’t happen as she had too many precious things in the room.
Her heart quickened as he approached her, staring at her with such tenderness that always made her weak in the bone
“Hey,” he took her hand, kissing her knuckles.
Cindy cleared her throat, a smile on her face as she picked up her already packed bag. “I’ll leave now, Sylvie. I’ll check up on you later.”
For the first time since he walked in, Sylvie looked away from Kage and at Cindy. “Thanks a lot.”
“Goodluck,” Cindy mouthed to her before finally leaving.
Now, back to Kage.
“You look good,” She took a deep breath as she told him.
“Hm. And you look-” he stepped back, as if to access her. “charming-”
Her cheeks turned crimson, her gaze dropping to the floor. “Y…You think so?”
Her eyes fell on her bump. She was only one month away from delivery, so her stomach was quite big already. This time, no amount of clothing could conceal it.
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Everyone finally knew she was pregnant. Although, the body changes were new to Sylvie, she still loved them and couldn’t wait to meet her kids. But sometimes, she felt less beautiful – not like she cared. They were just changes she was trying to adjust to.
+5
Tonight, she was attending a fundraising event with Kage. It was the first time she’d be accompanying him to a public event since she became pregnant. Sylvie was happy for it, but she wondered if it wouldn’t look awkward that he was arriving at such an important place with a heavily pregnant lady who wasn’t his wife. Wouldn’t she be the only odd one in the gathering?
Kage took her hands, clasping them tight in his. “If you didn’t look so beautiful and I sure wouldn’t want to ruin your makeup, I’d have spanked your cheeks.”
Sylvie chuckled.
“How many times do I have to tell you to stop thinking so strangely?” He lifted his hands to gently cup her cheeks. “I’ve told you you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known. You seriously think a baby bump is enough to change any of that?”
“Of…of course, not. I just thought maybe you’d want to go to the party with-
“You’re my partner. Everyone knows that already. If I have to go to the party with anyone other than you, I might end up strangling her.”
She laughed, hitting him on the chest. “Fine. If you say so.”
She took a deep breath. “Let’s go.”
With a smile that warmed her heart, Kage held out his hand. She gladly took it and together, they left the room.
The couple that found love after their divorce – was one of the many rumors that followed Sylvie and Kage.
While some of them found it lovely, others saw Sylvie as a golddigger who had broken Kage and Lana apart. And that was one of the reasons Sylvie felt nervous having to step out with her bump.
People’s opinions had never really mattered to her, but the last thing she wanted was her kids getting dragged into it as well.
She and Kage had developed a relationship she never wanted to lose. He meant everything to her, and she hoped to God that nothing would ever get in their way again.
When they reached the event, Kage held her hand as they walked into the grand hall filled with high-profiled guests. Somehow, her hand in his made her feel protected, and she didn’t feel so nervous anymore even as the guests clearly gawked at them.
They had barely gotten to their table before some associates approached them, offering warm greetings to him and Sylvie.
As usual, Kage was still one of the most influential businessmen and as such, people always wanted to stay in his good books.
As time went on, Sylvie was relieved that none of the guests were saying anything awkward about her. Of course, how could they in the presence of Kage? She was sure her name must ring on their lips in private.
However, she began to feel more relaxed as the event progressed. She took non-alcoholic drinks and even though Kage kept getting swamped with guests, from to time, he’d turn to her, touch her and ask if she was okay.
“Is that… Galen Cheng?” Sylvie squinted her eyes as she asked, surprise filling her face.
She had been feeding her eyes when she spotted someone familiar in the crowd, at the other side of the hall. Of course, she’d never met him and had only gotten to know him from the news, but everybody knew the Cheng family.
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Kage followed the direction of her eyes until he found Galen speaking with someone in the corner. His mean-looking wife was beside him, looking like she wanted to crush the glass of wine she held in her hand.
“Yes,” he confirmed. “It’s him.”
Sylvie’s curiosity wasn’t satiated. “But how? Is he here on a business trip? I thought the Cheng family didn’t reside in the States?”
“That was before. Galen and his family have been back in the country for over a month now.”
“Oh. But why’s that?”
Kage shrugged. “I have no idea, love.”
+5
The Cheng family were the owners of the world’s most famous fashion brand – Astréa Label. Galen Cheng was the founder of the brand and grandfather of the family. He was a man who was known to be too hard to please, and very strict with business.
As a result, his grandchildren who have been fighting endlessly for power have been doing all they could to get on his good side, but Galen Cheng wasn’t someone you could easily please.
They’ve been based in Singapore for over fifteen years. Their return to the States was quite surprising to Sylvie.
Astrea Label was already well known all over the world-even the black dress Sylvie had on was gotten from them. So, she was sure they weren’t there in the States to establish their brand.
Perhaps, the family just felt like moving back.
She looked away, concluding she had no business thinking about them.
Another guest walked up to Kage, dragging his attention away. Sylvie sipped from her glass as she continued looking around, and her heart seemed to stop in her chest the moment she spotted someone she wished she hadn’t seen.
Westley.
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