The Ex-Wife’s Billion Dollar Comeback Novel

Rose wasn't originally part of Calum's meeting with Edward Wright , but she made sure to include herself . She wanted Soraya to see just how far she'd come - how far her relationship with Calum had progressed . It was Rose's idea to move the meeting to the prestigious Majestic Restaurant , and she insisted on bringing Axel Davis , her textile supplier . She preferred to have allies at the table , especially since Edward Wright already admired Sorava .

When Sage called to ask if she could join , Rose hesitated . But the little girl's sweet voice softened her heart . After all , Sage had always been Calum's well - kept secret . Though he loved his daughter , he rarely brought her out in public , afraid of the inevitable questions about her real mother . But now that Rose was by Calum's side , none of that mattered . She could be mistaken for Sage's mother - and she wouldn't mind . She even made sure Sage understood the new arrangement .

The meeting began without Soraya , who , for once , was late . Axel had requested they stay in the smoking section , and Rose had happily agreed to please him . Calum gave in with mild reluctance . Everything was perfect . Edward and Axel both commented on how Rose , Sage , and Calum looked like the perfect . family, Sage even called her " Mommy " in front of them , which made Rose's heart swell . Only Jacob seemed unsettled by the term , though he said nothing . Rose brushed it off .

Then Soraya arrived , and things began to unravel . First , Edward Wright's reaction was almost laughably transparent . His eyes lit up the moment he saw Soraya , and for a while , it was as though no one else at the table existed . That , Rose could handle . What truly caught her off guard was Axel . She had met Axel while scouting for a textile supplier in another state . He'd been immediately drawn to her , Rose could tell .

She'd used his infatuation to her advantage , landing a generous discount for her orders . But now ? Axel was gawking at Soraya like she was the showstopper . His regard was obvious - too obvious . And Rose ? 5 She didn't like it . " I'd also like to meet this beautiful lady , " Axel had cut in , interrupting Soraya and Edward's conversation . Rose introduced Soraya , of course , but not without making sure to mention Calum's involvement in her expansion . project .

It was a subtle reminder of who stood beside her now . 1/5 Chapter 42 She thought she'd regained the upper hand . But then Soraya and Edward began exchanging ideas - high - level , tech - heavy terms Rose couldn't even pretend to follow Melvin , seated beside Soraya , looked taken aback . He listened with quiet interest . He didn't express his admiration , but it was evident in the way he asked , " I never knew this side of you , Soraya . " It wasn't just his words ; it was his tone .

He was rarely warm toward Soraya , but that day , he seemed genuinely intrigued . Worse , when Rose glanced at Calum , he too was listening intently . And Jacob ? He didn't speak , but he nodded occasionally , as if he actually understood and agreed with Soraya . " Were they all impressed by Soraya ? " Rose scowled inwardly . ' No. That couldn't be ." Besides , whatever Soraya had accomplished with Aegis Core Systems was probably due to Silas Ward's help . But it didn't matter .

She told herself it didn't . Soraya could dazzle them with her technical knowledge all she wanted . Rose was still ahead in other ways - more successful , more accepted , and above all , the one who had Calum's heart now . And Sage ? Even the little girl now called her " Mommy . " Rose smiled as she attended to Sage . She still felt triumphant . But later , something happened - a single mistake that would cast doubt on her relationship with Sage . - Soraya- Cough . Cough .

Soraya heard Sage's faint cough . She turned her head , but instead of finding her daughter , her eyes locked on Axel . Axel was smoking ! And although he tried to blow the smoke away from the table , the man was only one seat away from Sage . " What were Rose and Calum thinking ? Soraya's anger surged . She snapped at Calum , " Mr. Montclair , wasn't your daughter previously diagnosed with asthma ?

" 7/5 13:03 Tue , 19 Aug Chapter 42 85 % Axel turned to Soraya in surprise , and the same look flickered across Edward and Peter's faces . It was clear they hadn't expected Soraya to know something personal about Calum's child . " It's just a simple cough , Soraya , " Rose said , offering water to Sage . " Here , baby . Let Mommy give you water ." " Wow , " Soraya thought . " So Rose has now upgraded from ' Aunt ' to ' Mommy .

" " " Let's play it safe ," Axel said , stubbing out his cigarette in the ashtray . But not before a final curl of smoke drifted toward Sage . " We shouldn't have stayed in this room , " Soraya remarked . " Especially when there's a child around . " Soraya already knew the drill . She couldn't reveal herself as Sage's real mother , especially since Calum had never acknowledged their marriage . Calum tried to soothe Sage , but the little girl kept coughing .

" Why don't we move to the other side of the restaurant ? We're done eating anyway , " Jacob suggested . Calum nodded . " Let's do that . " The restaurant manager arranged a new table in the non - smoking area . They all had tea or coffee , but Sage's condition hadn't improved . She kept coughing , and while it wasn't persistent , her respiratory rate had increased . Soraya couldn't help but panic . " Does she have an inhaler ? " she asked . " Inhaler ? " Rose echoed , confused .

Calum searched in Sage's bag and saw the inhaler . He gave it to Sage , and the latter inhaled her medication . After a while , Sage's breathing seemed to have returned to normal . Rose let out a relieved sigh , saying , " Oh , thank goodness . You scared us for a moment , Sage . " Rose pulled Sage closer and kissed her forehead . " Rose , your daughter is very sensitive . Didn't you know this about her ? " Axel remarked .

" Had I known , I wouldn't have insisted on staying in the smoking area . " " It doesn't have to take a mother to know what's best for a child , " Soraya remarked , " I could say the same thing for you , Mr. Davis . You knew there was a child , yet you smoked in front of her ." " I gotta say , Miss Azar , you sound more like the mother of this child , " Axel pointed out . " But , please , stay in your lane . You have no right to scold me ." " Don't I , Mr. Montclair ?

I'm just concerned for the child , " Soraya snapped . " You are overreacting , Soraya , " Rose shot back . " Sage is doing fine . Right , Sweetheart ? " 3,5 13:03 Tue , 19 Aug Chapter 42 Soraya studied Sage . Her daughter looked conflicted . Then , Sage glanced at Rose , nodding her head . " I'm fine . " Soraya stared at Sage for more than a second . She would have stared longer if not for Calum reminding her , " Sage is fine , Soraya . You overreacted .

" Unfortunately for everyone , it took less than ten minutes before Sage began coughing again - this time , violently . Her small nose flared with each breath , and her chest rose rapidly , signaling her breathing had become shallow and strained . Sage stretched her arms , calling , " Mommy , Mommy ! " Soraya stood up , but Rose grabbed Sage's hands , saying , " I'm here . I'm here . " Calum immediately reached for Sage's inhaler , administering her medication , but it was no use .

She couldn't inhale it properly ; each puff seemed to escape her lips , the mist dispersing uselessly into the air . " The medication is not going into her lungs ! We need to take her to the hospital , now ! " Soraya said angrily . " I'll drive you ! " Melvin offered . And as they rushed , Sage kept staring at Soraya , asking , " Mommy ! Mommy ! " A tear fell down her face , but Rose was there . She cupped Sage's face and said , " I'm here ! Sage , I'm here ! I'll take care of you !

" Soraya caught the turmoil in her daughter's eyes , but she gave a silent nod to Rose , allowing them to leave in a rush . " We should go after them - make sure Mr. Montclair's child is okay , Edward suggested . " You can come with me , Soraya ." They all nodded and rushed to follow Rose and Calum . At the hospital , everyone lingered outside the Emergency Room , Edward was there , and his friend Peter was there .

Jacob walked back and forth , waiting for the news , and Axel was mumbling in his seat , half - blaming Rose for the incident . It took about an hour of waiting . Finally , Rose walked out of the emergency room . She said , " Sage is okay now . She got a few strong medications to control the attack . You all can return to your homes . We are sorry to drag you into this ." " I'd like to see her , " Soraya said , her heart was in a mess , worried for Sage . Rose frowned .

She said , " You don't need to , Soraya . Sage has me . " 13:03 Tue , 19 Aug e , 19 Aug Chapter 47 Soraya could only grit her teeth . She sucked in a deep breath and said , " Fine . " She turned on her heel and walked away . " Soraya ? " Edward called . " I have things to do , Eddie . I'll see you another day ," she said before finally leaving the Emergency Room waiting area . But instead of leaving the hospital , Soraya found the nearest restroom .

She stared at the mirror and muttered , " Why ? Why ? " Just as she was holding back her tears , the door to the female restroom swung open . Soraya turned to find Jacob standing there . He grabbed her arms and pulled her into his embrace . She couldn't help it . Soraya cried in Jacob's chest . 5/5