The Ex-Wife's Billion Dollar Comeback - Chapter 49: Chapter 49

~ Soraya ~
‘Dinner and movie?’ Jacob’s request rang in Soraya’s head multiple times. She stuttered in her reply, “Um – I – Dinner? You and me?”
“Oh. No, I meant you, Angela, and me,” Jacob responded calmly, sitting next to Soraya on the piano stool. He crossed his arms against his chest, brows meeting, as if he was surprised by his own invitation. “I – I missed spending time with Angela. Having been away for more than four days, I – I wanted to take her out. And given how she responds so positively to you, I’d really like it if you joined us.”
“Please,” he added. “I’d appreciate it. I can pay you for—”
“No,” Soraya cut him off. “Please. It’s not always about money, Jacob. I like spending time with Angela.”
She looked at him, her eyes fixed on his hazel orbs. Jacob really looked tired. “Looks like your business trip drained you.”
Jacob groaned. He ran his fingers through his hair, and as he did, Soraya’s gaze caught on the angle of his chiseled, well-defined jaw. Even with the fatigue in his eyes, there was something undeniably sharp about him.
“Yes, this major deal SteelCore Infrabuild closed in Knox City is giving me a headache. The client is building a two-tower condominium, and they’re asking for additional demands after signing the contract,” Jacob explained. “I had to deal with it myself. The client was very difficult to handle.”
“I’m sure you came to an agreement,” Soraya suggested.
Jacob nodded. “It took a while since we had to put together a new contract.”
Silence fell upon them. Jacob stared at Soraya intently, and that’s when she realized he was waiting for an answer.
“Sure, why not?” she said, smiling. “Dinner and a movie sounds fun.”
“Smiling suits you,” Jacob remarked. “You should smile more often.”
Soraya paused. She assumed Jacob was making a comparison between now and her old self, before the divorce. She said, “I’ve been trying to.”
Since they were leaving later, Soraya had spent the rest of her morning trading in forex. After lunch, she continued working on Luca’s website. At around three, she, Jacob, and Angela left for a specialty restaurant just outside Belridge.
It was a garden restaurant located in the highlands. It offered a scenic view of Belridge City, fresh air, and a peaceful atmosphere. Guests could enjoy outdoor seating surrounded by flowers and trees.
They did not start dinner right away. The three walked around the garden, taking pictures and admiring the view. As they strolled along, both Jacob and Soraya held Angela’s hands, with the little girl in the middle.
To others, the three of them looked like a perfect family. Soraya could tell by the looks of admiration around them. It didn’t help that Angela kept addressing Soraya and Jacob as her parents.
When Angela saw a colorful butterfly, she said, “Mommy! Look!”
“Mommy! Daddy!” she shouted, lifting her legs as Soraya and Jacob swung her between them like a swing.
There was even an elderly couple who walked up to them and offered to take a picture. After their photo was taken, the older woman said, “Young man, you have a beautiful family. Your wife is gorgeous, and your daughter is so cute!”
Soraya nearly choked, and Jacob tried to explain, but he probably thought it was much faster to just acknowledge them. He later said, “Um - Thank you, Ma’am.”
Soraya felt uncomfortable, but as always, Jacob did not seem to mind other people’s misunderstanding of their relationship. So, she just let it go.
After walking around, they sat at a cozy outdoor table under a pergola. The golden hour cast a warm glow on everything.
“They have a great view of the sunset here. Just watch,” Jacob suggested.
While waiting, the restaurant offered them a fruit cup, which was glazed with melted chocolate. Jacob accepted it, and Angela happily ate some.
“Want to try?” Jacob asked, holding out a mini fork with a green grape.
Soraya hesitated. He had done it so naturally, like it was normal for him to offer her food. Slowly, she leaned in and took a bite. The moment was brief, but charged.
Their eyes met. Soraya swallowed. “It’s... good.”
“You have a little...” Jacob leaned forward, gently wiping the corner of her lips with his thumb before he even realized what he was doing.
She froze. Soraya could not believe this happened again.
After Soraya reacted, Jacob also froze.
Angela suddenly giggled. “Daddy likes Mommy.”
Jacob’s mouth opened. He gulped and said, “I – I’m sorry. Sometimes I forget—”
“It’s fine,” Soraya said. She smiled, pointing to his thumb. “Now the chocolate is on your thumb.”
Jacob only chuckled, but just when Soraya thought he would wipe the chocolate with something, he licked it and nonchalantly ate from the fruit cup.
Soraya looked away and scolded herself. ‘I shouldn’t really be overthinking this. Jacob just doesn’t mind you, Soraya.’
They had a wonderful dinner, one filled with many discussions. Soraya got to know more about Jacob. Apparently, he had many other investments, and some ventures were located abroad.
As for her? She shared something very important with Jacob. “Can I trust you to keep a secret?”
“About you?” Jacob inquired.
“Yes, somewhat,” Soraya said.
“Of course,” Jacob replied. “The same way I trust my daughter in your hands.”
As they spoke, Angela enjoyed eating her dinner. It was a dish she truly loved—chicken poppers.
“I’m investing in a fashion brand. The designer is Luca Valmont,” she explained Luca’s background and everything she had been working on.
After hearing everything, Jacob leaned back and offered, “I can help you with a space at either Titan Plaza or Vanguard Galleria.”
“Even if you’re friends with Rose?” Soraya asked, chuckling.
“I haven’t exactly been friendly with her for a while now,” Jacob said before sipping from her wine glass. “And no, business is business. As long as you pay the rent, I shouldn’t be choosing clients. Everyone should get equal opportunity. That’s what I’ll tell Rose.”
Soraya smiled. She thought about it and said, “Thanks, Jacob. I mean it. I’ll definitely take you up on that offer when the time comes.”
“I’ll be waiting,” he said.
Later, at the movie theater, the father and daughter argued about which movie to watch, but Angela won.
They agreed on Moana.
From the moment the opening number played, Angela was fully immersed, humming along, sometimes standing on her seat to mimic Moana’s movements with her arms. Angela was the happiest kid that night, and her happiness was contagious. Jacob and Soraya couldn’t help but feel it too.
Eventually, the story wrapped up. And by the time the credits rolled, Angela was fast asleep in her seat, her head resting against Soraya’s arm.
“I’ll carry her,” Soraya whispered.
She gently lifted Angela into her arms. But before they even made it halfway down the aisle, Jacob reached over and scooped his daughter from her.
“I’ve got her,” he said softly.
Soraya nodded and stepped beside him.
As the crowd surged toward the exits, the number of people thickened. Soraya didn’t know what had happened, but perhaps it was instinct. Maybe. But Jacob reached out and took Soraya’s hand firmly, his fingers closing around hers without a second thought.
Soraya’s heart skipped.
They walked out like that—his daughter asleep against his chest, their hands intertwined as if this was the most natural thing in the world. No one paid them much attention, but to Soraya, the moment felt loud.
Something was happening, but Soraya didn’t dare call it anything yet.
They were already in the theater lobby, but Jacob still hadn’t let go of her hand.
And Soraya… didn’t let go either.
She looked down at their hands, her heart pounding, and thought, ‘What am I doing?’