The Ex-Wife’s Billion Dollar Comeback Novel

---- Chapter 148: Damien Cross ~ Soraya ~ "Really?" Soraya frowned while a chuckle escaped Jacob's lips. Jacob pushed back a strand of her hair behind her ear and said, "It's the first time I've heard you acknowledge that you actually love me." "You haven't said it either,' Soraya pointed out. "The truth is, those words had been stuck in my throat for a while now." He hugged her again, pecked the side of her face, and declared, "Every plan | make, every decision, | can't picture it without you in it.

That's love, isn't it?" Soraya pressed her cheek against his chest, listening to the beat of his heart. "I love you too, Jacob, enough to risk everything, and to willingly depend on you. I'm not just saying this because of Angela." When Jacob pulled back, he said, "| would normally take advantage of the situation, but knowing your plans and dreams, | want to make sure you are okay with this. | don't want to wake up one day with you regretting things. So, I'll give you maybe two days to think about it.

Besides, we're not even sure yet that the threat is real." Even so, they invited Philip and Emily that evening for dinner. Jacob wanted to earn Philip and Emily's full trust. To do that, he revealed how Angela was adopted. He shared this before Angela arrived at the dinner table. The truth stunned both Emily and Philip, but it left them full of admiration for Jacob. Philip shook his head slowly, a small smile tugging at his lips. " ---- Not many men would do what you did, Jacob. Most would've walked away after learning the truth, but you stayed." Meanwhile, Emily's eyes softened.

She said, "That only proves you're more than her father. You chose her. Love that's chosen is stronger than any bond of blood." "We loved Angela. We raised her as a Steel. Her DNA did not change anything," Veronica added, teary-eyed during the meeting. When dinner started, Soraya and Jacob discussed their plans to get married and the reasons behind them. Philip recognized the decision and said, "It's the same concept as me adopting you, Soraya. To protect you from the Daltons. So, | understand if it has to come to that, but hopefully it doesn't.

Your marriage, if that is what you truly desire for each other, should come at the right time." Across the table, Veronica shook her head. "There's really no perfect time to get married. Life doesn't pause and wait for us to be ready. When | got married, | also thought | wasn't ready, but marriage ended up being the only thing that carried me and Jacob's father through the storms." "Well, | suppose you are right," Emily said, recalling their early years.

Emily turned to Soraya and shared, "When you were younger, there was a time when your uncle was so consumed by work, and | was left wondering where | fit in his world. Finding that balance between ambition and family wasn't easy, but because we were married, | decided to support Philip with the business instead." "Yes, when you are married, you learn to navigate your way together," Veronica added. "So, | don't believe in waiting for the perfect moment." ---- "| think | stand corrected," Philip said, leaving everyone laughing. "But, whatever you decide, we appreciate you telling us.' "Yes!

Mommy, | just solved the puzzle!" Meanwhile, little Angela was playing with her NeuroBloom, completely unaware of their serious discussion. Veronica, however, brought Angela to the discussion. "What about you, Angela? Do you want your Mommy and Daddy to get married?" Angela's face brightened. "Yes! Then I'll have what my classmates have-a Mommy and Daddy, a brother in the same house." Her hands fisted in excitement as she expressed, "I never had that before. | want it so much." Angela's words pulled at heartstrings.

Soraya specifically remembered how Angela introduced her as her mommy the first time she came to her therapy. It was what Angela had always desired, so why not give it to her? toe ~ Sienna ~ Meanwhile, somewhere in Fairmont, Sienna met with Angela's father, Damien Cross. After sharing the good news, they visited a lawyer who was an uncle of Damien. Angela's father, Damien, was a fallen actor and model, just like Sienna. They had met on set while Sienna was still dating Jacob years back, but nobody knew about him. It was a secret affair that led to her pregnancy.

After Damien's uncle learned of the situation, a smile crept across his face. "Jacob Steel? This is gold. We could get a ---- very big payout." "But | don't just want a settlement. | want custody of the child," Damien said. "| know. | know," his uncle replied. "Once we challenge the adoption, Jacob will be forced to respond. That gives us leverage-custody, support, everything we want." Sienna leaned forward. "How do we get around the fact that the adoption is already finalized?" "That's exactly why we need to dig," the lawyer said. "We don't play clean.

Jurors can sometimes respond to perception more than truth. Any doubt about Jacob's home, any hint of scandal, even if it's minor, can sway them. Start with anyone connected to Angela or Jacob: former acquaintances, past conflicts, business ties. Anything that could cast a shadow on their stability is fair game." He fixed Sienna with a sharp gaze. "We don't even know Jacob's girlfriend personally, but that's fine. We'll find her. Dig into her past, old rumors, unproven accusations, anything that could make her look questionable.

Then we create distractions-stir up tensions, insinuate conflicts, cause a commotion between her and Jacob. Make them second- guess each other, take their focus off Angela. Distract them, exhaust them emotionally, and the court will notice cracks." Sienna's eyes glinted. "So we make their lives chaotic while we push our case?" "Exactly." Damien's uncle pointed to Sienna and him. " Meanwhile, you two clean up your past, leave no trace. Every detail, no matter how small, can become leverage when the time comes." By Monday, they got the name of Jacob's girlfriend-Soraya Azar.

By Tuesday, Sienna had already dug up who Soraya had ---- been romantically involved with. All she had to do was ask some friends in Cedar Heights. Sienna went straight to find the man that same day. She caught him stepping out of his car at his office building. "Sir! | have something important to tell you!" The man turned to her with a raised brow. "Who are you?" Sienna's smirk widened. "I hate to be the one to tell you this, but Soraya Azar... she's not exactly honest. She's also seeing Jacob Steel.

| thought you should know before it's too late." She paused and leaned closer, her voice dripping with insinuation. "I mean... who knows what else she's hiding? Secrets, lies... maybe even things that could hurt you. You should confront her." This was all part of the plan. By stirring up trouble around Jacob's girlfriend, her credibility could be questioned. And if Soraya's former lover caused any conflict for Jacob, it could also affect Angela. Sienna's eyes glinted. She wondered what this man was capable of. "And while you're at it, confront Mr. Steel too, publicly, | would suggest.

He has to know the truth about your relationship, right, Mr. Ward?"