The Ex-Wife's Billion Dollar Comeback - Chapter 5: Chapter 5

~ Calum ~
Calum’s striking features tightened subtly. His brows pulled together, creating a slight furrow between his usually composed eyes. He was a man who never second-guessed himself, but at that moment, he hesitated.
He hadn’t planned to read the letter. But when his gaze caught Sage’s name, he reluctantly went through it.
[Calum,
Let’s end this, once and for all.
First, I am formally resigning. Please allow me to leave the company immediately and without complication. I’ve dedicated the past four years to serving you, often without pause. There is no longer any reason for me to remain. I’m sure you’d prefer my absence.
Second, the matter of our divorce. I am not seeking anything from you. I only want my freedom. This will also allow you the freedom to be with Rose openly and without restraint. I have not informed your parents of my decision. I trust you will handle that appropriately.
Third, about Sage. I won’t fight for custody. Please tell her that I love her deeply and always will. I won’t be seeing her for now. I need time to remove myself from everything. In truth, I believe she would rather stay with Rose than with me.
Lastly, there’s no need for further contact between us. Below is the contact information for my lawyer. Please have your legal team coordinate directly with them to finalize the divorce proceedings.
I trust you will see this through swiftly.
– Soraya]
Calum went through the divorce agreement next and confirmed that Soraya had, in fact, asked for nothing. He sucked in a deep breath and leaned back in his seat.
Just as he stared at the last page, where Soraya’s signature had been affixed, someone knocked on his office door. One of his good friends walked in—Melvin Carter.
“Calum, I really need to talk to you about my investments,” Melvin said before finding his seat.
Like Calum, Melvin was a businessman. His family owned several gas stations in Cedar Heights and Belridge.
Seeing Calum seriously holding on to a set of documents, Melvin asked, “What’s that you are reading?”
“Soraya asked for a divorce,” Calum revealed.
“Pfft!” Melvin leaned back, laughing. “What a joke. We all know she would never divorce you. She’s banking on the fact that she has the support of your parents!”
“She was the one who drafted this divorce letter,” Calum revealed. “She… even tendered an immediate resignation.”
Melvin grabbed the divorce agreement and noted, “She doesn’t want anything?” He shook his head, saying, “I don’t believe it. Trust me, Calum. She is just doing this to get your attention. Give it a few days, and you’ll see, she’ll come running back here.”
“She hasn’t been home for a week,” Calum pointed out.
“After she found out she wasn’t invited to Sage’s birthday?” Melvin asked. He hissed and added, “I guess she is mad. She has a right to be, though, but I get it. Sage wanted Rose to be there, and Soraya would never want to be around Rose.”
“Right,” Calum acknowledged.
“You know what? Since she signed it, you had better file it immediately before she changes her mind—like, do it now!” Melvin suggested. “This is your chance to finally get rid of her. Isn’t that what you have always wanted?”
“Hmmm,” Calum reacted, his hand retaking the divorce agreement. “It is.”
He took a pen and was about to sign it when he stopped. His brows met again. “No, I should give her alimony.”
“What? Why? She forced her way into this relationship, remember?” Melvin suggested.
“She gave me Sage, and she took care of our daughter for six years. Another thing, if my parents ever find out that Soraya is leaving with nothing, we will have another argument,” Calum reasoned.
“Well, you have a point. Besides, she’d probably need a lot of money after relinquishing the title of Mrs. Montclair. God knows what kind of work she can do,” Melvin remarked. “Didn’t she simply assist Greg?”
“You’re a talented man, Calum. You need someone who matches your skill level, someone like Rose,” Melvin suggested.
Calum merely nodded. He called his lawyer and made several arrangements.
In the evening, Calum returned home, finding his daughter, Sage, eating the last slice of chocolate cake Soraya had baked for her. That night of her birthday, Calum discovered Soraya was at the Butter & Crumb.
They left the celebration soon after that. When they had arrived home, they found the cake and several gifts that Soraya had prepared.
Sage felt guilty about leaving her mother out of the party, but it was her decision to exclude Soraya, favoring Rose.
“Mom’s cake is really the best,” Sage said with a smile.
“Of course, Sage,” Belinda, the maid, said. “Your mommy prepared the best ingredients. She made this cake with love—for you.”
When Sage’s gaze landed on Calum, she ran to him. “Daddy, you are home early!”
Then, Sage looked behind him, asking, “Is… Is Mommy back?”
“No,” Calum replied plainly. “Your mommy may not come here for a while, but she told me to remind you that she will always love you. Is that okay?”
“Gone for a while?” Sage looked up. “How long?”
“I don’t know. Maybe for a month or two?” Calum replied, unsure himself.
Sage frowned. Just when Calum thought his daughter was hurt, Sage asked with a smile, “Then, can I invite Aunt Rose?”
“You like your Aunt Rose to visit you here?” Calum asked.
“Yes, and we can spend time together—like dinner or play in the backyard!” Sage suggested. “I like it when you take me out with Aunt Rose. She buys me a lot of gifts and, that means you’ll be here too!”
She made a face and suggested, “Because you don’t usually go with me and Mommy. Since Mommy won’t be here for a while, I’d like to spend time with Aunt Rose.”
“I see. Then, I’ll tell her. Rose would love to spend more time with you,” Calum said before pinching Sage’s cheek.
Calum walked up to the master bedroom after speaking with Sage. He was about to take a shower when he realized his phone had several messages.
In a group chat that included his circle of friends, he received many words of encouragement and some advice.
Melvin: [Ladies and gentlemen, let’s have dinner tomorrow. Let’s celebrate Calum’s upcoming divorce!]
Roger: [What? No way. Soraya practically dedicates her life to Calum. She’ll never leave Calum.]
Roger: [I bet it’s just an act.]
Melvin: [I thought so too, but she did give Calum a divorce agreement. She signed it.]
Jacob: [She asked for a divorce?]
Roger: [If that’s the case, congratulations, Calum!]
Claire: [Oh, wow! I hope this is for real! Congratulations, Calum! I hate to say this, but Soraya was just too pathetic. She used Sage to keep you for a very long time.]
Claire: [@Rose, this is it! Soon, you’ll be Mrs. Montclair.]
Melvin: [Rooting for you, @Rose and @Calum. To new beginnings.]
Rose: [You guys. Let’s not be selfish here. We also need to consider Sage’s feelings.]
Rose: [@Calum. You know I never pressured you into anything. Think this through properly. Take as much time as you need.]
Claire: [You are too considerate, Rose. That’s why you’ll be better suited for my cousin, Calum.]
Jacob: [Calum, you need to be sure about this. Sage will need her mother.]
Melvin: [What’s wrong with you, Jacob? Don’t you remember how Soraya used such vile methods to force Calum into marriage?]
Claire: [Yeah, there was never a relationship between Calum and Soraya. She’s like a surrogate, if anything!]
Roger: [Rose can be Sage’s mother. Remember the party? Sage preferred to be with Rose rather than Soraya!]
Jacob: [No one can ever replace a mother.]
Calum frowned in disbelief. Jacob Steel, usually the most detached and ruthless among them, was taking Soraya’s side? Among his friends, he despised Soraya the most. What had changed?
What Calum didn’t know was that Jacob had seen Soraya that night. And whatever passed between them… left Jacob questioning everything he thought he knew about her.