The Ex-Wife's Billion Dollar Comeback - Chapter 16: Chapter 16

~ Soraya ~
“Mommy,” a cute voice called out to Soraya.
Soraya blinked, feeling someone touch her lashes. When she opened her eyes, she saw Angela’s green orbs staring right at her.
“You are so pretty,” Angela said.
Soraya smiled, softly responding, “You are pretty too.”
Usually, Soraya would wake up with an aching chest, but that day, she felt really good.
Yes, she had stayed in Angela’s room. Throughout the entire night, the little girl hugged her like she was her favorite plushie.
It was cute and heartwarming.
Angela’s actions reminded Soraya of Sage’s early years, when her daughter also feared heavy rain and thunder.
But now, Sage was getting older, braver, and bolder.
Sage was changing.
She even preferred Rose over her.
Recalling her daughter, Soraya was momentarily reminded of the pain. She counted numbers and focused on the little girl before her. She said, “Angela, last night, you nearly got hurt. You almost got your daddy hurt too. Promise me you won’t run up or down the stairs like that again.”
“If you are alone and scared, just stay where you are and call for an adult,” she added. “Do you understand?”
Angela looked guilty. She nodded and said, “I’m sorry, Mommy.”
Soraya gulped at being called ‘Mommy.’ She explained, “I’m not really your mommy. To be your mommy, I’d have to marry your dad. Why don’t you call me Aunt instead?”
Angela nodded and said, “You marry Daddy.”
Soraya, “...”
She let out an awkward laugh. She said, “No, your daddy and I are not like that. Call me Aunt instead.”
Angela frowned and shook her head. “No.”
“But other people might misunderstand,” Soraya pointed out.
Angela shook her head. “I want you to be my mommy.”
Soraya bit her lip. She felt ineffective. “But why me?”
“You are my angel,” Angela said. “I like you.”
‘Didn’t Jacob say Angela rarely talks? Why is she talking continuously now?’ Soraya mused.
Then, Angela touched her tummy. Soraya asked, “Are you hungry?”
The little girl nodded.
“Do you want anything in particular?” Soraya asked. “I—” she hesitated but eventually offered, “I can cook for you.”
Angela’s eyes lit up. She said, “Pancakes!”
Soraya smiled. Sage also loved pancakes. “Okay, I’ll make pancakes.”
Outside, it was still raining, but it wasn’t as bad as last night. Soraya got up, figuring out what to wear, when Jacob knocked on the door. He said, “I have clothes for you.”
Soraya looked down at the oversized T-shirt she was wearing—Jacob’s shirt. It covered her down to her upper thighs. She was only wearing her underwear below her waist, so Soraya opened the door just a little to peek.
Jacob was holding a paper bag. He said, “I asked the driver to pick out some of my mother’s clothes. My parents live two houses away. If you don’t mind, they should fit you.”
“Oh,” Soraya said. “Thank you.”
“There’s—” Jacob coughed against his fist. “My mom said there’s disposable underwear in there, made of premium cotton. I hope it will fit you.”
It was so awkward.
Jacob Steel brought her disposable underwear, but then again, the idea came from his mother.
“Um, thank you,” Soraya said before taking the bag and closing the door.
She helped Angela bathe and change after getting cleaned up herself.
Soraya settled on an overall jumpsuit. It made her look extremely elegant as if she were about to attend a business meeting.
It was the least fashionable clothes. Hence, her choice.
Soon, she went to the kitchen to make some pancakes with Angela. She wore an apron to secure her attire.
Angela insisted on helping. At every step of the way, she asked Angela to speak.
“Next are the eggs—Angela, follow after me,” Soraya instructed.
“Next are the eggs,” Angela’s cute voice echoed in the kitchen. She giggled.
The maids behind Soraya gasped.
Maid 1: “Angela speaks!”
Maid 2: “This young lady truly is a miracle!”
Soraya, “...”
It did not take long for the batter to be ready, and while Soraya was cooking the pancakes, Angela tugged on her jumpsuit. She pointed to the water dispenser.
“Are you thirsty?” Soraya asked, and Angela nodded.
Soraya leveled with Angela. “Actions are great, but they are better understood if you express them. Say, I want water.”
“Water,” Angela said with a smile.
Soraya smiled back. “That’s a start.”
After getting her a glass of water, Soraya finished the pancakes. The entire time, Angela stood beside her or watched from her seat.
When Soraya was done, she grabbed a plate of pancakes, held Angela’s hand, and was ready to proceed to the dining hall. However, she noticed Jacob standing by the door with a soft expression.
Soraya hadn’t realized it earlier or last night, but the damn man looked perfect in a plain white shirt and pajamas. His shirt fit his body well, showcasing his well-toned physique.
“Angela, did you make pancakes?” Jacob asked with a faint smile.
It was the first time Soraya saw Jacob smile. Apparently, this stone-faced man knew how to smile.
Angela nodded.
Soraya instinctively turned to Angela and coached her, “Instead of nodding, say yes.”
“Yes,” Angela echoed.
Jacob’s smile widened. He looked satisfied. He directed his gaze to Soraya and said, “Thank you.”
“It was nothing. I do this all the time for Sage,” she said.
“Sage is lucky,” Jacob remarked.
“She has Rose now,” Soraya said while walking out of the kitchen with Angela.
The three of them had an excellent breakfast. Aside from the pancakes, the maids prepared a variety of fruits, bacon, and eggs.
In between, Jacob would offer Angela a piece of everything. Still, the young girl would not eat them. Soraya had to try each piece and encourage, “Bananas are super fruits! They help give you energy to run and play, make your muscles strong, and keep your tummy happy. They’re also great when you’re feeling tired. Eat some, Angela.”
As Soraya ate a banana, Angela ate a slice.
Yet again, the maids behind them gasped. Whispers echoed in the dining hall.
Maid 1: “Angela ate for Miss Soraya.”
Maid 2: “She’s playing favorites, abandoning her own father.”
Soraya, “...”
When Jacob cleared his throat, the maids left for the kitchen, clearly afraid of getting scolded.
“I don’t mean to take her attention from you,” Soraya said to Jacob.
“No, it’s fine. I am happy. Angela is a picky eater,” Jacob explained.
“Most children with ASD are picky eaters. Sometimes, it takes a while to get them to eat other kinds of food,” Soraya said, and Jacob nodded.
In the next few minutes, Soraya encouraged Angela to eat more. Surprisingly, she ate small bits of the food on her plate. She ate more of the pancake.
“Isn’t it nice to eat fruits and bacon too?” Soraya said to Angela with a smile.
The little girl pouted and shook her head. It meant she only ate the food for Soraya.
Soraya let out a soft laugh. “You are a cute girl.”
“Thank you, Mommy,” Angela said, her eyes gleaming.
Hearing her call her that, Soraya felt uneasy. She said, “Angela, we already spoke about this. You can call me Aunt.”
Angela shook her head. “Mommy.”
Soraya gulped and turned to Jacob helplessly.
“It doesn’t matter,” Jacob said while reaching for a glass of water. When he turned to Soraya, he explained, “Angela’s development is more important.”
“But others might misunderstand,” Soraya reasoned.
“Gossip is irrelevant to me. Angela’s happiness is my priority,” Jacob said.
“But—but—” Soraya stuttered. “What if you’ll get married? It will be—”
“I don’t have a girlfriend. I haven’t found someone Angela connects with… and that’s what matters to me,” Jacob said casually, making Soraya’s eyes round.
Soraya, “...”
She had been taken aback, but since Jacob hadn’t looked at her or said it with any particular meaning, she figured he had probably said it without thinking.
‘Good,’ she said in her head. ‘I would never consider getting romantically involved with Jacob Steel. There is just no way!’
An hour later, Soraya was ready to leave. The rain had stopped completely.
So far, Angela understood that she needed to say goodbye for now, but with the promise that she would return. It was at the mansion door when she said to Jacob, “I accept your offer. I agree to help Angela.”
Jacob turned to her with a half smile. “Thank you. I appreciate it.”
“Don’t smile just yet. I have a condition,” Soraya said. “I need to know everything about Angela, including her mother.”
Immediately, Jacob’s gaze darkened, but before he could react, Soraya explained, “I need to better understand her for me to help her. You have to tell me everything.”
Jacob turned to the mansion’s lawn, thinking. He heaved a sigh and said, “Okay. I—”