The Ex-Wife's Billion Dollar Comeback (Soraya) novel Chapter 1

Soraya would have given her life for her husband and child. But one day, her daughter performed her piano recital with her husband’s mistress, and called her “Mommy.”

Standing beside her husband, the mistress looked every bit the legal wife. And Soraya? She was just a stranger watching her own family from the crowd.

With her heart shattered, she walked away and never looked back.

***

~ Soraya ~

“Excuse me, where’s the auditorium?” Soraya asked the school’s security guard.

“That way,” the guard pointed. “Are you attending the recital?”

“Yes, my daughter is playing the piano today,” she happily shared. “She doesn’t know I’m coming. I’m surprising her.”

“Well, better hurry, ma’am. It’s about to start. Good luck to your daughter!” the guard answered.

“Thank you!” Soraya clutched the small gift bag tighter and dashed off, her heels tapping across the marble floor.

Soraya missed her daughter so much.

Her little girl, Sage, bright and beautiful, was her world. Soraya swore she would hug and kiss her the moment she saw her.

She wanted to look her best for Sage, wearing her favorite dress and the perfume her daughter once said smelled like “home.” Because lately, “home” had been slipping away.

Why? Because someone had been trying to steal her daughter’s affection, and that worried her the most.

Her husband, Calum Montclair, had sent her on a business trip for four months. While she was gone, she rarely had contact with Sage. Worse, she felt as though her daughter had been avoiding her.

Soraya’s trip wasn’t due to end until next week, but she worked long hours to finish early.

The auditorium was packed when she arrived. There were no seats left. She stood at the back, craning her neck, clutching her gift and her phone.

Soraya texted her husband, letting him know that she was already there:

[I can’t find you and Sage. Where are you? I just arrived at the auditorium. I made it to Sage’s recital!]

There was no answer, not that she expected any.

The truth was, her husband never loved her. She had come to terms with that.

The only person who kept her holding on to her marriage was Sage.

It didn’t matter, though. She was used to her husband’s indifference. She just wanted to see her daughter.

The recital began. The auditorium came to life as kids from Evermoor Academy began their performances.

Phones were up, taking photos and videos. Around Soraya, people clapped enthusiastically. Some parents even joined their children’s performances.

“Sage, where are you?” Soraya looked around, but still, she couldn’t find her daughter.

She managed to move past the crowd. And finally, when she reached the center of the auditorium, she noticed her husband’s tall frame. He was seated in the front row, looking as handsome as ever.

But when Soraya saw who was sitting beside him, she froze.

Her face turned pale, and her hands trembled. Before she could process anything, the host’s voice echoed through the speakers.

“And next to perform is Sage Montclair! She will be playing a classical piece on the piano with her mom!”

The words rang in Soraya’s head.

‘Sage is performing with me?’ she thought, confused. She and her daughter hadn’t practiced at all. She had been gone for four months. Although, Soraya had been the one who taught her daughter how to play.

But when her daughter stepped onto the stage, everything became clear.

She was not the “Mom” they were referring to.

They were referring to someone else.

Walking onto the stage beside her daughter was Rose Becket, her husband’s mistress.

Yes, Soraya was married, but her husband loved another.

The next few minutes felt like torture. Soraya could only watch as her beloved daughter played the piano beside Rose, each note striking deeper than the last.

As they played, Sage glanced up at Rose with a smile so pure it shattered Soraya’s heart. Their fingers moved in perfect harmony. It was an unspoken bond on full display.

‘So this was why Sage had been secretive about the recital,’ Soraya realized bitterly.

Her daughter, the child she carried for ten months, the little girl she raised and loved for six years, had chosen another woman to share her music, her joy, her heart.

But Soraya stood still for a moment, her heart refusing to move on.

Then she saw them.

Calum. Rose. And Sage. Her Sage. They were together like a picture-perfect family.

Despite the growing ache in her chest, Soraya forced her trembling legs to move. As she approached, Sage’s teacher, Miss Gale, noticed her and froze.

“Mrs. Montclair…” the teacher murmured. Her expression was a mix of sympathy and shock.

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Montclair.” If anyone, Miss Gale had witnessed all of Soraya’s sacrifices for Sage in school. She knew, Soraya was the rightful Mrs. Montclair. When Sage got hurt or sick while in school, Soraya always came to her daughter’s aid. Soraya attended most school activities without Calum.

Soraya averted her gaze.

“It’s fine,” she whispered to Miss Gale, though nothing about it was.

When Calum’s eyes met hers, his expression hardened. Deep lines etched across his face as his brows furrowed. Without a word, he reached for Sage’s hand and guided Rose away, right past her.

Like she was invisible.

“Sage! Sage, wait!” Soraya called, running a few steps after them.

Her daughter turned. For one hopeful second, Soraya thought Sage would run to her. But instead, Sage’s eyes darted toward Rose, and she looked away.

Then, as if in slow motion, Sage reached for Rose’s hand instead.

Soraya’s chest tightened.

She could barely breathe as she followed them out of the auditorium, ignoring the stares that followed.

By the time she caught up, they were already at the parking lot.

Sage and Rose were seated in the car. Only Calum stood outside, his posture cold and guarded.

“Why are you back?” he demanded. His jaw clenched, hands buried in his pockets like he was trying to restrain himself.

“I wanted to make it to my daughter’s birthday,” Soraya said, forcing a smile. “Can’t I—”

“You’re not invited,” Calum snapped.