The Ex-Wife’s Billion Dollar Comeback Novel

---- Chapter 242: Seeing Rose Again ~ Calum ~ Time passed again. "Please welcome, Sage and her mom, Soraya, to perform a beautiful piece by Johannes Brahms, Hungarian Dance no. 5!" At Evermoor Academy's biannual school recital, the crowd erupted into applause as Sage and Soraya sat on the bench before a grand piano. In the front rows of the auditorium, Calum, Amanda, and Cedric clapped their hands thoroughly. Beside Cedric, Jacob sat there, smiling Sage struck the opening notes, and Soraya entered a beat later.

Their hands flew across the keys, meeting, parting, and weaving together in perfect sync. It was lively and bold, a piece that demanded trust between partners, and Calum saw that trust glowing in Sage's eyes each time she glanced at her mother. Soraya guided when Sage needed grounding, stepping back when Sage surged ahead with playful energy. The two of them laughed softly in the middle of the performance when their hands crossed at the same time, neither missing a beat. When the final dramatic notes echoed through the auditorium, Sage looked up at Soraya with a grin that reached her eyes.

Soraya squeezed her hand, full of pride and something deeper that made Calum exhale quietly in his seat. Then, Sage took the microphone and thanked her mom. "I love you, Mommy, so much. Thank you for being with me today. | want you to know that no one can ever take your place in my heart." ---- From a face, looking overjoyed, Sage wept, hugging Soraya, but very quickly, his ex-wife soothed their daughter and gave her an assuring hold. "| love you too, forever and ever," Soraya proudly said in front of the big audience.

Sage was now over eight years old, more than three years since Calum and Soraya officially divorced. His daughter had chosen to stay with him, but he still often caught Sage staring at photos of Soraya when they were still living under one roof. It was a look of longing, hope, and what-ifs. Now, seeing Sage cry on stage, it crushed Calum's heart, but there was nothing that he could do when it came to her mom. He and Sage could only learn from their past mistakes and make the most of Soraya's free time.

To make it up to Sage, Calum had sworn to give her all his love, so, in a way, he could fill that missing piece in her heart after Soraya could no longer spend all of her days by her side. Not only him, but also Cedric and Amanda poured their hearts into Sage. In fairness to his ex-wife, Soraya gave it her all. Even with a new family, she always tried to be there for Sage and welcome her into their lives. Sage always attended Soraya and Jacob's celebrations, including vacations. Almost every day, Soraya made it a point to call Sage, even just to say goodnight.

Sage had accepted that she had a sister and two younger brothers, and she was happy about it. She had even started to talk about Jacob casually. Speaking of Jacob, Calum noted how he was smiling, taking pictures of Soraya and Sage. He had to admit, Jacob was truly a sport. He was also a good uncle to Sage, in many ways. In fact, when Sage glanced his way, Jacob gave her a thumbs-up. ---- He mouthed, 'Good job, Sage!" After the recital was over, Amanda invited Soraya and Jacob for an early dinner at the Prima Hotel, and they agreed.

When they arrived, they encountered a familiar face from the past, a woman whose life had taken a sharp and troubling turn. It was Rose Becket. eee ~ Soraya ~ Everyone had settled in the Velvet Lounge, ordering the best dishes. "Mommy, why couldn't Angela come?" Sage asked. "Sage, Angela's class ends at three. If we had taken Angela, | would not have made it to your recital, but Angela called you last night, right?" Soraya answered. "She wished you luck?" Sage pouted and said, "Yeah. | wish we go to the same school." Inasmuch as Soraya wished the same, it was impossible for now.

Angela still showed traits in her spectrum, like getting overwhelmed by noise and struggling with sudden changes in routine. She needed a school where teachers were trained to support children with learning differences, and for the moment, that was the best place for her. "Maybe when Angela is much older," Soraya suggested. Soraya unwittingly locked eyes with Calum. He offered her a polite smile, and she returned it. "Thank you for thinking of your sister, Sage," Jacob said, smiling at Sage.

Sage smiled and replied, "Of course, Uncle." ---- The food arrived, and it was Amanda's cue to say, "Let's eat!" They had a pleasant meal, and in between, they had noticed a couple arrive, but Soraya and her party were too occupied eating that none of them bothered to turn. Later, however, a commotion erupted. Thankfully, it was right when Sage went to the restroom with Amanda, and she didn't get to see. "Axel! How could you do this to me? How could you flaunt your mistress around Cedar Heights! People will see and talk about me! People will mock me!" "You homewrecking bitch!

How dare you seduce a married man!" Soraya, Jacob, and Cedric turned to find a woman with long blonde hair, screaming at a couple, three tables away. To their surprise, it was Rose, and she was making a scene. "Go home, you shouldn't be here!" Axel snapped, standing up and grabbing Rose's wrist. Yes, Soraya had heard about Rose's unfortunate predicament. After her annulment with Calum, Rose had closed her fashion brand permanently. Then, she married Axel Davis, her textile supplier.

She was spared from financial instability by marrying another wealthy man, but Axel had constantly cheated on her. From what Soraya knew, the woman beside Axel was his third mistress since he married Rose. The Davis family from Belcourt City also looked down on Rose for not being able to give Axel a child. "No, your mistress should get what's coming for her!" Rose barked at her husband. Axel then slapped Rose hard on the cheek. He screamed, " Mona is pregnant with my child! If you dare to touch her, | will ---- divorce you!" He pointed at Rose and said, "This is your fault, Rose.

You can' t carry out a pregnancy. If you had only gotten pregnant, | wouldn't have to look for another woman!" "You are bad luck! You already had two miscarriages since we got married. If anything, you are just as good as a useless ornament in my house!" Axel pointed a finger at Rose, warning her. "Go back to Belcourt City, and stay there. Clean the house, clean my cars, and just wait when | return, if | return!" The look of humiliation was evident in Rose's face as she cried before Axel.

She said, "How dare you do this to me?" "If you don't like the way things are, then let's get a divorce," Axel threatened. "But you won't, will you? You like my money more than whatever dignity you have left." "Get lost!" Axel ordered. Rose seemed defeated. She turned to leave, but as she did, her gaze met Soraya's for a brief moment. Soraya saw the pain in her eyes before Rose's attention shifted toward Calum and the others. Horror washed over her face at the instant recognition. Her lips trembled, and she rushed out of the restaurant, a completely broken woman.

Did Soraya feel sorry for Rose? Never. She would never feel sorry for her. Rose got what she deserved, and that was Soraya's resolve.