The Ex-Wife's Billion Dollar Comeback - Chapter 2: Chapter 2

~ Rose ~
In a high-end luxury penthouse, Rose was reading Sage a bedtime story. As she did, the young girl looked around the room, her eyes widened in wonder.
Rose was pleased. After all, she had prepared the room for Sage.
The bed was big and fluffy, with light curtains hanging from the window. On the walls were posters of Sage’s favorite girl band. Her favorite books were stacked neatly on the table beside the bed.
Rose had gone all out like it was for someone she deeply cared about.
Why? Because Sage cared. That’s what made her so easy to spoil… so easy to win.
Rose had watched her quietly over the past few months, noticing how Sage lit up with attention and gifts, and how she softened with kindness. And as Soraya started slipping from Sage’s thoughts, Rose didn’t have to say much.
A small comment here, a quiet smile there… It was enough.
Sometimes, love wasn’t stolen. It was gently replaced.
And Rose knew how to do that, especially with a child who still believed the world was kind.
“The end,” her Aunt Rose said after closing the book.
“Aunt Rose, your house looks very new and expensive too,” Sage said.
“Your dad bought it for me. That’s how much he cares about me,” Rose replied.
“Why doesn’t Daddy care for Mommy?” Sage asked. “If only he would care for her and show up at home to celebrate my birthday.”
Rose shrugged and said, “To care for someone, you can’t force it.”
She did not know if Sage would understand, but she hoped the little girl would. After all, Calum never cared for Soraya. They were married, but there was never a real relationship between them.
At best, Soraya was a mere surrogate.
“But Mommy loves me,” Sage said, looking conflicted.
“Oh, my poor baby.” Rose offered an embrace. She hugged Sage. “I know your mom loves you. But sometimes love isn’t enough to keep a family together.”
“Are you sure about tomorrow? Aunt Rose and your daddy can always step away for your Mommy,” Rose suggested.
Sage shook her head. She said, “No, I want to be with you and Daddy on my birthday.”
A triumphant smile spread across Rose’s face. She had been patient, but she knew it wouldn’t be long now. Surely, with everything going on, Soraya would break.
After putting Sage to sleep, Rose smiled. She walked back to the study where Calum had been working on his laptop.
She said, “Sage is asleep.”
“Good,” Calum simply said, his fingers still working on the keyboard.
“I think I have totally won her over,” Rose claimed, walking toward him and sitting on his lap. “You didn’t think I’d be able to do it, did you?”
Calum stopped whatever he was doing and wrapped his arms around Rose. “Hmmm. You did well.”
Rose kissed Calum, and in the next few minutes, the sensual moans filled the air.
She rejoiced inside. There was no sweeter victory than having the wealthiest man in the city wrapped around her finger.
~ Soraya ~
The next day.
It was supposed to be a day of celebration, but at home, there was no knock, no ring, and no laughter in the dining hall. There was simply silence and food that had gone cold.
Soraya checked the time. It was seven in the evening. The candles were ready, and her gifts were stacked neatly. But still, Sage and Calum had not returned.
‘Where were they?’
‘Where had they slept overnight?’
‘Did Sage even think about me?’
‘Is this my fault?’
‘Am I not enough?’
Soraya had so many questions.
She looked pitiful while sitting before the chocolate cake she had made for her princess. Again, she tried to call Calum, but just as before, he did not answer.
Tears welled in her eyes as she scoffed bitterly. Turning to the maid, she asked, “Belinda, am I a bad mother?”
“No, Mrs. Montclair. You have always loved Sage. Please don’t blame her. Sage is still young,” Belinda said, teary-eyed in her presence.
“I need to… get some fresh air,” Soraya said, her beautiful face completely worn out.
She drove around town for almost an hour. Then, she pulled over at Butter & Crumb, one of Sage’s favorite cafés. The store had the best ice cream. Soraya remembered many afternoons spent with her daughter in this café.
She felt like she needed to be a kid again and eat a gallon of the best ice cream in town.
The Butter & Crumb café was a huge establishment. Aside from the main café, it had an outdoor area designated for special events.
Soraya had paid for her ice cream when she overheard the joyous singing in the garden area.
It was someone’s birthday.
“Happy Birthday to you!”
“Happy Birthday to you!”
“Happy Birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday, dear Sage. Happy birthday to you!”
Immediately, Soraya’s heart stopped. Her feet dragged her to the outdoor area of the café. What she saw made her face pale, her dignity washed away.
Balloons floated lazily in the breeze. Laughter danced like music across the garden.
And in the center of it all was Sage, in someone else’s arms.
To others, it was a beautiful scene. Rose was carrying Sage while Calum clapped his hands. The crowd cheered as the trio blew out the candle on the giant fondant birthday cake.
Sage did not even like fondant cake, but she looked happy.
Around them were Calum’s social circle, his wealthy friends, and two of his cousins.
“Sage, are you happy to celebrate your birthday with Rose?” Claire, Calum’s cousin, asked Sage.
“Yes, of course! I love being with Aunt Rose!” Sage said, wrapping her arms around Rose with a beaming smile. “Even my classmates also like Aunt Rose. She is smart and pretty. She dresses really nice and wears nice jewelry!”
“We are happy for you, Sage!” someone said.
“We are happy for all of you!” Calum’s cousin raised a glass, referring to Sage, Rose, and Calum.
From where Soraya stood, she overheard everything.
Soraya, yet again, questioned her life choices and the sacrifices she had made for her family. ‘Was it worth it?’
Right now, it did not feel like it.
What further added to Soraya’s resentment was how Rose was warmly welcomed by Calum’s friends.
Never had Calum brought Soraya to any of his friends’ gatherings. However, it was so much easier to flaunt Rose in front of them. As for Calum’s parents, Soraya knew they never approved of Rose. After all, she was a mistress.
Soraya could not accept it.
The gallon of ice cream fell on the floor. She froze, feeling like she wanted to die.
She wanted to cry and walk in and scream! But something far worse inside her shattered.
Something deep and profound, something that could never fully mend.
Her eyes narrowed, and her heart turned cold.
Soraya knew now what she must do.
She turned on her heel, seething. Just as she exited the café, she bumped into a tall, overbearing man on the street.
“What are you doing here? Don’t cause any trouble. It’s Sage’s birthday!” he warned. This man was Jacob Steel, one of Calum’s friends, a high-profile businessman in Belridge, the neighboring town. Like Calum, Jacob had that icy charisma and the unmistakable air of affluence.
Hearing Jacob’s remark, Soraya retorted, “Cause trouble? Me? Why would you think that, Mr. Steel?”
“Do you think I’m the evil one here? Do you really think I wanted this?!” Soraya snapped. She couldn’t help it. All of Calum’s friends had judged her the moment she got pregnant with Sage. “I’m still twenty-six. I got married at nineteen and threw away my life and career for Calum and Sage!”
“You all judged me, but you never really tried finding out the truth!” Soraya’s face burned with anger. “Fine, let me be the bad person! It doesn’t matter. I don’t care anymore!”
She turned her back on Jacob and marched toward her car. Just like that, she left.
Soraya returned home and packed up her things. Then, she called her Uncle Philip.
“Uncle,” Soraya said.
“Soraya? What’s wrong? You sound sick,” her uncle said. “Please don’t tell me it’s Calum.”
“Uncle? Can I stay with you? I want to divorce Calum,” Soraya said. “I’m tired. I don’t want to do this anymore.”
Her uncle’s family had long moved to Belridge. Only Soraya remained in Cedar Heights to stay with Calum and Sage. She needed to be away fast, somewhere she felt she belonged.
“And… Soraya, what about Sage?” her uncle asked.
Soraya thought about it and said, “Sage… she—she doesn’t need me anymore.”