The Ex-Wife’s Billion Dollar Comeback Novel

---- Chapter 125: Calum's Inner Conflict ~ Calum ~ Calum wouldn't have believed it was Soraya's social media account, except that the same profile was friends with Silas Ward, her friend Lyra Hayes, and some of the secretaries within his support staff. Soraya only had a few friends on her social media-ten to be exact. And she only had one photo, one that showed legs, intertwined. He wasn't sure if the legs in the photo were even Soraya's, yet amemory surfaced-her in that bikini at Marvin's birthday party. He shoved the thought aside, though it lingered longer than he liked.

Of course, what made him more curious was a set of well- toned legs intertwined with Soraya's. Calum recalled his parents' words, even those of Silas Ward. They all seemed to have suggested that... Soraya had moved on. Calum zoomed in on the photo and zoomed out again. Unfortunately, there was no clue to this man's identity, not even a birthmark or tattoo. 'Who is this man? Is it the doctor?' Edward Wright was another person he speculated to be Soraya's lover, but he had a darker complexion than the man's legs in Soraya's post.

For a moment, he considered asking his parents, but he quickly dismissed the idea. Later that day, Calum met Rose and his friends at the Velvet Lounge, Prima Hotel. Rose wanted to have a mini celebration before her relaunch. Claire, Roger, Melvin, and his cousin were ---- there. Melvin's cousin, Luke, had begun to hang around with their circle lately. Two of Rose's cousins were also present. It was during that gathering that Calum found a clearer direction to take. He had been quiet the whole evening. Instead of mingling, he sat in one corner of the bar, in deep thought.

Rose walked toward him and settled gracefully on the semicircle couch he had claimed as his own. "What's wrong? You've been acting strange since last Friday." Calum swirled the rum in his glass before taking a slow sip. " Have you seen the news about the Graysons?" "Yes, and honestly, | was surprised." Rose's brows knit together in a delicate frown. She shifted slightly, angling her body toward Claire and the others. "I don't know what to think anymore. | mean... You heard it too, you saw the video. When we found Soraya, she was with the senator, and Mr.

Grayson himself admitted he was in a relationship with her. How else were we supposed to take that?" "| spoke to Annette Grayson," Calum said flatly, his gaze fixed on the rim of his glass. "She confirmed Soraya had nothing to do with her husband." Rose blinked, then gave a faint, almost wounded smile. "Are you... angry with me?" Her voice lowered, sounding regretful. "When | saw Soraya that day, | was furious-for Sage, for you. And maybe... maybe also because your parents always held her so high, like she could do no wrong.

It hurt to watch, Calum." "Maybe-" Rose's lashes fluttered as tears welled, and she brushed the corner of her eye with a soft, trembling hand. " Maybe that's why | believed it so easily. But Calum, you can't possibly put all the blame on me. Anyone in my place would ---- have thought the same. | was only reacting to what Claire and | both saw and heard." Calum did not answer. He kept quiet throughout the gathering. He was certain that he had hurt Rose. He watched as she left, emotional, to seek Claire's comfort. After Rose, Claire took her turn, talking to Calum.

His cousin sat next to him and asked, "So what if we may have misunderstood Soraya? We'll just apologize to her. Everybody makes mistakes. She made a big mistake seven years ago." "Why are you so upset? Have you developed feelings for her?" Claire asked. "Think clearly, Calum. You never loved Soraya. Why like her now?" Claire motioned to Rose and said, "Remember when you met Rose, you said she was the woman who matches you better- someone successful, someone beautiful with a good family background, someone you could be proud of." "Don't you love Rose?" Claire asked.

"Just because you feel guilty for misjudging Soraya doesn't mean you ignore the beautiful relationship that you have. Rose has sacrificed so much for you. She endured the disdain of your parents. She risked her own reputation to be with you, despite knowing the fact that you were married." "You know how many men wanted to woo her, but she waited for you, because Rose loved you," Claire added. "She gave up opportunities, time, and even friends who didn't approve, just to stand beside you." "Can't you see what you are doing to Rose, Calum?

You are starting to treat her the way you treated Soraya, when she has done absolutely nothing wrong! If anything, she has shown you and Sage love," Claire said. As Claire left, he massaged his temples. He now admitted it ---- was because of Soraya, but Claire was right. Just a few months ago, he was so determined to give Rose everything. Why would he suddenly even consider Soraya when he was in love with Rose? It was because he saw the changes in Soraya. He also noticed how men around her appreciated her. Perhaps, he was just too used to Soraya being around, and her absence made things...

unnatural for him. Calum's jaw tightened. It wasn't longing, he told himself. It wasn't regret. It was just the discomfort of losing what had always been his by default. After arriving at this conclusion, he went to find Rose. He spotted her crying in Claire's arms in one booth. He walked up behind them and overheard their conversation. "What if Calum no longer loves me? | don't want to be the woman he would hate, like Soraya," Rose said, weeping. "I should just get rid of the baby. He doesn't need to know. | can leave him quietly." "Don't be ridiculous. A baby is a gift, it's a life!

If he doesn't take responsibility, I'll find you a better man," Claire said. " However, you owe him the truth. You should tell him." Calum's eyes rounded. He frowned, and with heavy steps he moved forward to face them. "Rose? You are pregnant with my child?"