The Ex-Wife's Billion Dollar Comeback - Chapter 33: Chapter 33

~ Soraya ~
The truth about Soraya’s professional background was out.
Soraya was pumped up, eager to make connections and expand their network. Schedules were booked for contract signing, and unofficially, Aegis Core Systems had fifteen new clients lined up.
Mr. and Mrs. Sharma were the proudest.
However, just when everyone else dispersed from their table, Silas whispered in Soraya’s ear, “At first, I saw Calum’s group was shocked to learn you’re a co-developer of NeuroSentinel, but then I saw your ex-husband just shrugged it off. He doesn't seem to care.”
Soraya slightly glanced at how Calum had his arm around Rose, like all that mattered was her.
She wouldn’t deny it. It still stung. But she casually waved her hand and dismissed it. She whispered back, “I know he doesn’t care. He never has.”
It was getting late. Mr. and Mrs. Sharma left the gala first. Soraya and Silas followed, but as they walked out, a few high-society women approached them again, asking about her dress.
“Miss Azar, who designed your gown? Was it from a private collection or a boutique?”
“It’s simply stunning. I assume you had it custom-made at one of the houses in Milan or Paris?”
“Or is it from one of the designer floors at Vanguard Galleria? I’ve never seen that cut anywhere.”
Soraya considered handing them Luca’s number, but the way they asked made it clear—they expected prestige, a storefront, a name with global reach. Certainly not a forgotten designer selling dresses from the back of his car.
So instead, she asked, “Is my gown really that amazing?”
“Yes! It’s marvelous!” one woman exclaimed, and the others gushed about it.
“Well, for now, the designer of this gown is keeping a low profile, but I can get your contact information and discuss it with him,” Soraya said.
“Oh, so the designer is a man?” one said, and Soraya nodded.
They exchanged numbers and soon after, Soraya and Silas finally left. It was Silas who brought Soraya to the gala. By the time the valet brought Silas’s car, Calum’s car had also been brought to the convention’s driveway.
Soraya no longer bothered with Calum, but she saw from the corner of her eye how he guided Rose to his car.
Silas, ever the gentleman, opened the passenger door and held Soraya’s hand as she got in.
Just as he was about to close it, Soraya paused.
Jacob was coming down the steps, sharp in his tuxedo, his eyes locked on hers. His stare was calm but intense—handsome, unreadable, and impossible to ignore.
They didn’t speak. They both simply held the gaze for a moment too long.
There was something different in Jacob’s eyes—a silent question.
Still, Soraya turned away first.
Silas, unaware, shut the door and circled to the driver’s seat. Jacob walked on, expression steady, but Soraya had a feeling they’d talk about it soon.
The next day, Soraya told Silas she was leaving work early.
After lunch, she drove straight to Belridge and arrived at Jacob’s estate at around two in the afternoon. The moment she walked into the living room, Angela ran up to her with arms wide open.
“Mommy! Mommy!”
Her face was lit with joy, cheeks flushed pink, and her smile was so wide it made her eyes squint. She launched into Soraya’s arms with such force that Soraya had to steady her footing.
Angela buried her face into Soraya’s neck and clung to her tightly, giggling and humming with happiness.
The way Angela hugged Soraya made her feel relaxed. Her happiness and warmth seemed to have revived her tired body. Soraya was still exhausted from the past two nights’ activity, and Angela seemed to have given her a boost of energy.
After putting Angela down, the little girl asked, “Mommy, are we baking cake?”
Soraya nodded. “Yes, we are.”
“Yay!” Angela exclaimed. “Daddy’s in the kitchen. He will bake too!”
Soraya, “...”
“I’m sorry, what?” Soraya had to make sure she heard the little girl right, but there was no mistake.
Angela dragged Soraya to the kitchen and found Jacob Steel in his home clothes, his hair unstyled as he leaned against the countertop with arms crossed.
He looked ruggedly handsome.
Soraya stared and caught a glimpse of his well-formed biceps. Jacob was... really muscular.
Jacob also glanced at her seriously and said, “Angela wanted me to join your baking activity, so I promised to be here.”
“Oh,” Soraya said. After she gulped down her shock, she faked a smile. “Then, let’s bake.”
“Have you eaten lunch?” Jacob asked, his voice deep.
“A little,” Soraya lied. All she had was a pack of milk on the way to Belridge.
Jacob’s eyes studied her closely. He said, “You’re not so good at lying.”
Soraya, “...”
The man turned to the maid who was taking out the cake ingredients and ordered, “Prepare lunch for Miss Azar.”
Angela was getting impatient. So, Soraya instructed the maid to prepare all wet and dry ingredients in separate bowls. That way, she and Angela could jumpstart the baking after she ate.
The little girl stayed in the kitchen to help the maid. She was that eager. Meanwhile, Jacob joined Soraya at the dining table as she ate.
There was silence in the air, but soon Jacob said, “So you’re going out on a weekend date with Silas Ward and that’s what you call something important?”
Soraya choked on her food. She coughed a few times and drank half a glass of water. After a while, she turned to Jacob and replied, “It’s not like that. Silas and I are just friends.”
“Are you?” Jacob asked back, his eyes narrowing.
Soraya frowned. She asked, “Why do I need to explain this to you?”
Jacob looked away and answered, “I’m just curious. What could be more important that you had to cancel your weekend plans with Angela?”
“It’s business,” Soraya said.
“Aegis?” Jacob asked.
“No, personal investment. I guess that’s the right term,” Soraya said. “I want to make my own money, and Silas is just helping me.”
Dead air fell upon them.
Soraya gave him nothing more, but later he asked, “Well, aren’t you going to tell me about it?”
She paused and looked into his hazel eyes. “I’m sorry, I can’t.”
He did not look pleased, but she could not tell him either. She simply finished her food.
They proceeded to bake the cake next.
They were making a one-layer chocolate cake and a dozen vanilla cupcakes.
Soraya gave instructions while she worked on the chocolate cake batter, and Jacob handled the vanilla cupcake mix. But somewhere in between, they both reached for the spatula at the same time.
Their hands touched, and Soraya felt a small jolt—like a spark had jumped from his skin to hers.
Jacob and Soraya ended up looking at each other, longer than they should.
As she looked at him, a strange warmth bloomed quietly inside her, too faint to name, but too real to ignore.