The Secret Pregnancy of the Billionaire's Ex-Wife novel Chapter 163

Chapter 163: He Didn’t Show Up At The Engagement Party

Angela POV

I quickened my pace as I entered the subway station, unable to resist glancing over my shoulder to check if Sean had followed me.

The morning crowd provided welcome camouflage as I scanned the entrance.

Nothing.

No sign of his tall figure or those penetrating green eyes.

A sigh of relief escaped my lips.

Disappointment? I shook my head, annoyed at my own traitorous feelings.

What was wrong with me? This was exactly what I wanted–Sean Shaw out of my sight.

I purchased my ticket and descended to the platform, pushing aside those conflicting emotions with practiced efficiency.

Hours later, I sat in my office, staring blankly at spreadsheets that should have

commanded my full attention.

“Angela? Angela?”

I blinked, suddenly aware that everyone at the conference table was staring at me.

“I’m sorry,” I said, straightening in my chair. “Could you repeat that?”

The meeting continued, but my focus remained elusive. I nodded mechanically at appropriate intervals, contributed the minimum required comments, and exhaled with

relief when it finally concluded.

As I gathered my papers to leave, Marcus appeared at my side, concern evident in his expression.

“Angela, got a minute?” he asked, following me into the hallway.

1/4

Chapter 163: He Didn’t Show Up At The Engagement Party

“What is it?” I replied, not slowing my pace.

“You seem off these past couple days. Everything okay?”

I brushed past him. “I’m fine.”

“Did something happen?” he persisted, easily keeping stride with me. “Want to talk about it?”

I stopped abruptly, turning to face him. “Not interested. If I told you, the entire company would know by tomorrow morning.”

Marcus’s expression shifted from concern to wounded dignity. “That’s not fair. I may enjoy office gossip, but I know how to keep secrets. Look at our company–barely anyone knows about your history with Mr. Shaw, right?”

His words gave me pause. Despite his chatty nature, Marcus had indeed kept my connection to Sean remarkably quiet. Perhaps he was more trustworthy than I’d given him

credit for.

I hesitated, then gestured toward my office. Once inside with the door closed, I leaned

against my desk, arms crossed defensively.

“So what’s really going on?” Marcus asked, settling into a chair.

I remained silent, unsure where to begin or how much to reveal.

“Is it about your ex–husband wanting to take the children?” Marcus ventured.

My head snapped up. “How did you-”

“Educated guess,” he replied with a shrug. “Don’t forget, I’m a married man too. If I were in his situation, I’d probably want my children back as well. But why assume he wants to take them rather than co–parent?”

“Co–parent?” I scoffed. “That’s impossible.”

“Why? There must be a reason.”

I looked away, unwilling to explain the complicated truth.

2/4

Chapter 163: He Didn’t Show Up At The Engagement Party

Marcus leaned forward. “Your ex–husband is influential, right? Has resources, status. Wouldn’t his involvement benefit Aria and Ethan?”

“Help raise them?” I shook my head vehemently. “No. He just wants to take them away. He has a girlfriend anyway–all this co–parenting talk is just a façade. He wants my children.”

“Girlfriend?” Marcus caught the word immediately. “Angela, are you worried he’ll have another woman become a stepmother to your children? Is that it?”

My expression must have confirmed his suspicion, because his face softened into a knowing smile.

“If that’s your concern, I can tell you it’s completely unfounded.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, trying to hide my sudden interest.

“Not to defend Mr. Shaw, but in the five years you’ve been gone, he hasn’t had any stable relationships. Even Christina Jordan, his supposed ‘savior‘ that everyone thought was a sure thing–they never ended up together.”