The Ex-Wife's Billion Dollar Comeback (Soraya) novel Chapter 3

~ Rose ~

In a high-end luxury penthouse, Rose was reading Sage a bedtime story. As she did, the young girl looked around the room, her eyes wide with wonder.

Rose was pleased. After all, she had prepared the room for Sage.

The bed was big and fluffy, with light curtains hanging from the window. On the walls were posters of Sage’s favorite girl band. Her favorite books were stacked neatly on the table beside the bed.

Rose had gone all out, as if for someone she deeply cared about.

Why? Because Sage cared. That’s what made her so easy to spoil… so easy to win.

Rose had watched her quietly over the past few months, noticing how Sage lit up with attention and gifts, and how she softened with kindness. And as Soraya started slipping from Sage’s thoughts, Rose didn’t have to say much.

A small comment here, a quiet smile there… It was enough.

Sometimes, love wasn’t stolen. It was gently replaced.

And Rose knew how to do that—especially with a child who still believed the world was kind.

“The end,” Aunt Rose said after closing the book.

“Aunt Rose, this house you’re staying in looks very new and expensive too,” Sage said.

“Your dad bought it for me. That’s how much he cares about me,” Rose replied.

“Why doesn’t Daddy care for Mommy?” Sage asked. “If only he would care for her and show up at home to celebrate my birthday.”

Rose shrugged and said, “To care for someone, you can’t force it.”

She didn’t know if Sage would understand, but she hoped the little girl would. After all, Calum never cared for Soraya. They were married, but there was never a real relationship between them.

At best, Soraya was a mere surrogate.

“But Mommy loves me,” Sage said, looking conflicted.

“Oh, my poor baby.” Rose offered an embrace and hugged her. “I know your mom loves you. But sometimes, love isn’t enough to keep a family together.”

“Are you sure about tomorrow? Aunt Rose and your daddy can always step away for your mommy,” Rose suggested.

Sage shook her head. “No, I want to be with you and Daddy on my birthday.”

A triumphant smile spread across Rose’s face. She had been patient, but she knew it wouldn’t be long now. Surely, with everything going on, Soraya would break.

After putting Sage to sleep, Rose smiled. She walked back to the study, where Calum had been working on his laptop.

Earlier’s encounter with Soraya was unexpected. She wasn’t supposed to be back until next week.

Honestly? Rose was worried Soraya would spoil the birthday party she had planned for Sage, but to her surprise, Calum’s daughter didn’t want her mother there!

It was perfect. Her plan was moving forward, faster than she expected.

“Sage is asleep,” Rose said to Calum.

“Good,” Calum simply said, his fingers still working on the keyboard.

“I think I’ve totally won her over,” Rose claimed, walking toward him and sitting on his lap. “You didn’t think I’d be able to do it, did you?”

Calum stopped whatever he was doing and wrapped his arms around her. “Hmm. You did well.”

Rose kissed Calum, and within minutes, sensual moans filled the air.

She rejoiced inside. There was no sweeter victory than having the wealthiest man in the city wrapped around her finger.

***

~ Soraya ~

“Hi? What’s your name?” the fourteen-year-old Soraya greeted with a smile. She was attending Cedric Montclair’s birthday party. Upon seeing Calum, she immediately approached.

Of course, Soraya already knew who he was. The Montclair and Azar families had lived across from each other for years.

“Calum,” the young Montclair heir said. He shook his head like he already knew there was no need for introductions.

“Can we be friends, Calum?” she asked.

He just shrugged, and Soraya took it as an approval.

There was a time when Soraya and Calum got along just fine. Their families were close, and being neighbors, Soraya saw his achievements and grew to admire Calum.

Yes, Calum was a handsome man. He was tall and athletic, with brown hair and sharp blue eyes. But Soraya didn’t fall for just his looks. She loved the quiet strength he carried. He didn’t talk much, but when he did, people listened. He took over the family business at a young age, and even then, he acted with the seriousness of someone much older.

Yet life had a way of turning everything upside down.

One crucial night changed everything, forcing them into marriage.

Rose was carrying Sage while Calum clapped his hands. The crowd cheered as the trio blew out the candle on the giant fondant birthday cake.

Sage did not even like fondant cake, but she looked happy.

Around them were Calum’s social circle, his wealthy friends, and two of his cousins.

“Sage, are you happy to celebrate your birthday with Rose?” Claire, Calum’s cousin, asked Sage.

“Yes, of course! I love being with Aunt Rose!” Sage said, wrapping her arms around Rose with a beaming smile. “Even my classmates like Aunt Rose.”

“We are happy for you, Sage!” someone said.

“We are happy for all of you!” Calum’s cousin raised a glass, referring to Sage, Rose, and Calum.

From where Soraya stood, she overheard everything.

Soraya, yet again, questioned her life choices and the sacrifices she had made for her family. ‘Was it worth it?’

Right now, it did not feel like it.

What further added to Soraya’s resentment was how Rose was warmly welcomed by Calum’s friends.

Never had Calum brought Soraya to any of his friends’ gatherings. However, it was so much easier to flaunt Rose in front of them.

Soraya felt the ache again, so much that she rested her hand on her chest. After witnessing enough emotional torture, she turned on her heels, but as she did, she bumped into a tall, overbearing man on the street.

“What are you doing here? Don’t cause any trouble. It’s Sage’s birthday!” he warned. This man was Jacob Steel, one of Calum’s friends, a high-profile businessman in Belridge, the neighboring town. Like Calum, Jacob had that icy charisma and the unmistakable air of affluence.

Hearing Jacob’s remark, Soraya retorted, “Cause trouble? Me? Why would you think that, Mr. Steel? I willingly agreed not to be invited to my own daughter’s birthday. As a mother, I just wanted to see her. Is it a crime?”

She could tell Jacob was stunned by Soraya’s reply.

“I know. I know. You think I’m the evil one here? But, do you really think I wanted this?” Soraya snapped. She couldn’t help it. All of Calum’s friends had judged her the moment she got pregnant with Sage. “I’m still twenty-six. I got married at nineteen and threw away my life and career for Calum and Sage!”

“You all judged me, but you never really tried finding out the truth.” Soraya’s jaws clenched. “Fine, though. Let me be the bad person! It doesn’t matter. I don’t care anymore.”

She turned her back on Jacob and marched toward her car. In the car, she called her Uncle Philip. “Uncle. I’m leaving for Beldrige. See you in two hours or less.”

“And… Soraya, what about Sage?” her uncle asked.

Soraya thought about it and said, “Sage… she—she doesn’t need me anymore.”