The Ex-Wife’s Billion Dollar Comeback Novel

---- Chapter 126: The Oyster Shell ~ Soraya ~ "And we are done," Jacob said, putting the Dora topper on the cake. "Angela will love this." Last night, Jacob helped Soraya bake the cake, and early that morning, he whipped up the frosting following her instructions. Soraya covered the cake while Jacob added the decorations. It was a simple ten-inch round, moist chocolate cake with buttercream frosting. Jacob hurriedly placed it on the cake stand, just in time for the resort staff to announce, "They are here, Sir." "Hurry," Soraya said excitedly.

She put on a party hat, and so did the resort workers who were there to assist with their small gathering. The gathering was within the resort's open restaurant. Jacob and Soraya hid behind pillars until Angela arrived. When they saw the little girl walk past them, they both exclaimed, " Surprise! Happy Birthday!" But Soraya was not the only one surprised, because Philip and Emily were with Veronica! "Surprise!" Emily and Philip exclaimed, shocking Soraya. "Aunt! Uncle! Haha! | can't believe it!" Soraya said, hugging them.

"| guess we are also going on a mini vacation," Emily said, kissing Soraya's cheek. When Soraya turned to Jacob, he explained, "Did you notice the small structure behind our villa? It's actually a small villa- type accommodation that the resort had reserved for bigger crowds. Philip and Emily can stay there for the rest of our stay." ---- "Mommy, did you make my cake?" Angela asked, rushing to her with glistening eyes. Soraya leaned down and carried Angela in her arms. "Yes, your daddy and | made your cake!" "Yay!" Angela screamed.

"This is going to be Angela's best birthday yet!" Veronica suggested. Just then, everyone heard a drum roll. A brass band came out of hiding, carrying various musical instruments. The resort staff clapped their hands, singing the Happy Birthday song. "Happy Birthday to you!" "Happy Birthday to you!" As the group played the music and sang, they swayed along, making it a very cheerful welcome. At the end of the song, they all said, "Happiest Birthday, Angela Steel from Azure Cove Sanctuary! We wish you all the best and good health!" One resort employee carried Angela's cake.

Candles were already lit, and all Angela had to do was blow them out. The little girl put her hands together, made a wish, and blew out the candles. Then, the resort owner himself appeared, carrying a gift for Angela. "Thank you," Soraya was the first to say. Angela received the gift, saying, "Thank you." "It's very kind of you," Jacob added. The resort owner smiled and urged, "Enjoy the celebration Your food will now be served." A long table was prepared for them, served with delicious ---- food and dessert. They helped themselves.

Soraya especially put food on Angela's plate, which the little girl happily ate. While they enjoyed their meal, Veronica asked the birthday girl, "What did you wish for, Angela?" Angela did not hesitate. She looked up and revealed, "A baby brother." "Oh, boy," Philip said, shaking his head. Emily only laughed, and Soraya flushed. Veronica was the most amused of them all. After lunch, the resort organized a low-impact, calorie-burning activity suitable for older adults: a treasure hunt using seashells. The groups were divided, with Soraya and Jacob leading each team.

In Soraya's team were Angela and Veronica. In Jacob's team were Philip and Emily. Before the hunt began, the resort coordinator urged them to come up with a team name and cheer. Soraya named her team "Shell We Win?" And their cheer? "Shell we win? Watch us slay, Sandy champs are here to stay!" "Daddy, we are going to win!" Angela claimed. "Let's see about that," Jacob said, calling his team over.

They called themselves "The Seashell Snatchers." They quickly chanted their cheer: "Shells beware, we're on the attack, The Snatchers are here-no giving them back!" Soraya laughed her heart out, seeing her uncle and aunt ---- cooperate with Jacob. She laughed, "You look like you are having fun, Uncle." "| did not know | had it in me," Philip said, patting Jacob's back. "What a leader we have." The cheer alone brought them back to their younger days, amplified by the seashell hunt. When their groups scattered along the shore, Veronica was the loudest. "| got one!

Pretty like me!" "Let's hurry before Team Snatchers take our treasures!" In fairness to Jacob's mother, though she dressed like a queen, draped in a flowing white kaftan, oversized sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat, she turned out to be the most energetic in the seashell hunt. Soraya could barely keep up with Veronica, but that was because she was with Angela. And their birthday girl? She was very picky with her shells. "| don't like that, Mommy. It's not perfect." "No, Mommy. It's scary," Angela remarked after Soraya pointed to an oyster shell. Unexpectedly, Jacob approached them.

He picked up the oyster shell and gave it to Angela. "Princess, you will never know the beauty this shell can offer. Don't judge a shell by its looks. Do you know that oyster shells can make pearls?" "Really, Daddy?" Angela asked eagerly, and Jacob nodded. Then he put it in Angela's basket. Just as Jacob did, Philip snorted, "Whose side are you on?" Everyone erupted into laughter, leaving Jacob shaking his head and smiling. ---- When the game ended, everyone returned to the restaurant. The coordinator counted the shells and declared Soraya's team the winner. "Yay!" Angela was the happiest.

"We won, Mommy! We won!" "Daddy, we won!" Angela said, turning to Jacob. Soraya's team received a prize: a complimentary sunset cruise, which everyone, both her team and Jacob's, could enjoy. Later that afternoon, they sailed on a huge yacht, watching as the sun went down. During the cruise, Angela still brought her shells, particularly the oyster shell she found. She sat between Jacob and Soraya and said, "I want to see if there's a pearl!" Soraya and Jacob looked at each other. They did not want to hurt the little girl's feelings.

Soraya said, "Not every oyster shell will make pearls, but let's try." Jacob opened the oyster with a Swiss knife, and to their astonishment, they found a small pearl inside. He picked up the pearl and placed it in Angela's hand. Angela lifted the pearl toward the sunset and smiled. "It's so pretty!" Jacob chuckled, pecking Angela's head, but then his gaze landed on Soraya. "Beauty usually comes from the most unexpected places." Soraya's eyes softened as she looked at the small orb in Angela's hand.

She thought of herself-seven years of a marriage that had confined her, enduring so much hurt and disappointment. And yet, here she was, still standing and finding happiness. Like the pearl, perhaps her pain hadn't been wasted; it had shaped her. Maybe some of life's greatest treasures were not born from ---- ease or comfort, but from surviving and growing through the storms. "Thank you, Jacob," she said, leaning into him and kissing his lips. "| did not do anything," Jacob chuckled. He may have said that, but, in her heart, she knew that Jacob had done more for her than he realized.