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Alexander Brookes was once a rising star in the competitive world of business, until the love of his life, Alessia , left for Paris, crushing his hopes. Diverting into depression and frequent drunkenness, he gave in to his father's opinion , marrying Camilla-a woman he hardly knows-in a loveless arrangement intended to save his reputation. For three years, their marriage has been frigid, but when Alessia unexpectedly returns, Alex's addiction reignites, blinding him to the love that has gradually built between him and Camilla. Camilla realizes she is pregnant, a secret that might change everything, just as their lives cross paths again. As Alex battles his problems and accepts the consequences of his decisions, Alessia's envy leads to a catastrophic kidnapping of Camilla's child, forcing him and Camilla to collaborate. In a high-stakes game of love, betrayal, and forgiveness, will Alex find the courage to recover his life and become the father and partner they deserve? AFTER MY EX-WIFE is a story of second chance, tenacity, and enduring family relationships, demonstrating that sometimes the way to love is paved with heartache.
CAMILLA
The beep from my phone pierced through the peaceful chats of the hospital waiting room. I paused before answering. My fingers, still numb from holding the pregnancy report, reached sluggishly for the phone.
"Camilla, where are you?" Mirabel's voice was frantic and pulled me back to reality. "I'm just leaving the hospital," I replied, my tone remote. A mild, delicate delight grew inside me, blended with something deeper.
"What's going on?" Mirabel was silent before she spoke again. "Get to the hotel. Now." Her voice faltered. "Your husband is been stolen from you by another woman." It's Alex He's... "He is with another woman."
The words hit me like a slap in the face, but I didn't respond. I could not. Not in front of everyone.
I tightened my grip on the phone, my breath wavering as I battled the nausea that was forming in my throat. "Which hotel?" I murmured. She mentioned the city's most exquisite five-star hotel, a place that seemed almost mystical to me-like something out of a storybook. Not me. Not us. The word "us" felt hollow now, like an echo of something that never existed. "Camilla?" Mirabel's voice sounded distant. "Are you okay?" I nodded, but she could not see me. "I'll be there."
I closed my eyes as I hung up. My pleasure at becoming pregnant was tempered by the weight of the reality that was weighing down on me. I am carrying a child. anticipating Alex 's child. I had hoped, genuinely thought, that this would be the turning moment after three hard years- three hard years of hoping, three hard years of trying to make him love me. This child had to be the one. He had to see me and fall in love with me. But, right now?
My thoughts dashed back to five weeks ago, the night we conceived our baby, as I drove to the Hotel. That night was different. Alex had held me for the first time in three years. Not out of cold need or obligation, but something more. Even though he had been far gone for so long, that night seemed like a truce-a moment when he allowed himself to be vulnerable- I had been craving for his touch.
He had just returned from a long business trip and was tired. We sat in the living room, and for once, the air was not thick with tension.
I had made his favorite meal, as I usually did, even though I often ate alone afterwards. But that night, when he sat down with me, there was something different in his gaze. Was it sadness? Guilt? I had no clue, but I didn't dare break the illusion.
Later, when he kissed me gently-so softly that I nearly missed it-I sunk into him, engulfed in the warmth I had always sought. His hands, were smooth and friendly, even sensitive, as he escorted me to bed. That night, I allowed myself to think that, just maybe, he had finally noticed me.
But the following morning, the freezing wall was back up. He left the house before I even woke up; I looked around, but he was gone. That night's warmth was like a faraway dream that I couldn't grasp again.
The hotel was before me, its towering structure creating shadows on the roadway. As I strolled around the hotel, the green surroundings and the beautiful flowers that decorate it, the liveliness outside, the magnificent halls, the contrast between the richness of the environment and the barrenness of my marriage stung. Couples grinned, hands intertwined, their love on display for everyone to see. It hurt a lot. It reminded me of something I've never had.
My sight was pulled to Mirabel near the doorway. She worked here-one of the numerous jobs she took on after the Corona virus became widespread-always working hard to support her family.
We've been good friends since college, sharing everything from sorrow to aspirations. She was the one person I could confide in, and she was aware of my misery and the heartbreaking parts of my marriage. As I went closer, I could see the concern in her posture and the embarrassment in her eyes. "Mirabel," I said softly, seeing her gaze. "How long have you known?"
Her eyes wandered and then returned to mine. "A couple of days," she mumbled in apologies. "I think I saw him here twice, but I wasn't sure if it was serious. I had no clue until now. "
"Who is she?" With a burning question mark on my tongue, I questioned.
Her eyes were filled with anxiety, as if she didn't want to hurt me any more than she already had. "Her name is Alessia." She's the daughter of one of his key investors. I have never seen her, but I have heard you mention her before."
Alessia. The name sent chills down my spine. Alex had mentioned her once or twice, always with a subtle air of respect, as if she carries something untouchable, someone he could never have. Until now.
I followed Mirabel inside, past the gilded lobby's gorgeous chandeliers and luscious draperies. The hotel was a palace, and I was the begar wandering through its hallways. My stomach churned with each step, the life inside me appearing so fragile and breakable. I had mistakenly hoped that this child would save us. But Alex had already given up on us, and specifically on me.
That's when I saw him. He was standing close to the bar, wearing blue jeans and a casual white polo shirt. He was laughing, really laughing, and Alessia was beside him. Naturally, she had flawless features, lustrous dark hair, and a form that made her seem like she belonged in places like this. I saw him give her a quick kiss on the forehead. An expression of love in public, something he had never done for me. Its sight cut like a knife through me. He showed her respect in a manner that he had never shown me. Here, in public, in front of those who knew him, he gave her a kiss devoid of remorse or shame.
My heart hammered in my chest as I came closer. Every breath was more difficult, every step seemed heavier. A scorching inferno of wrath threatened to devour me as it welled up inside me.
I was unnoticed at first by him. He was too lost in the world where I didn't exist and too lost in her. I yelled, nearly breaking into a cry, "Alex ," loud enough to penetrate the atmosphere. He glanced around, astonished to see me.
Something came in his eyes for a short moment-guilt? remorse? However, it faded just as fast as it had come.
With a stern tone, he questioned, "What are you doing here?" Alessia looked between us, perplexed yet unconcerned "Who is she?" she inquired, her tone filled with curiosity, as though I were merely a small interruption. "She's no one," he explained. "She used to work for me." "That's all." The words struck me harder than expected. Indeed, nobody! I had become nothing to him after three years of marriage and everything we had experienced.
I opened my lips to tell him that I was carrying his child and that I was pregnant. But before I could say anything, he stepped in closer and murmured quietly. "Camilla, you must leave. Right now. You shouldn't be here in the first place."
I gazed at him, in astonishment. The world became fuzzy, and for a second, the only thing I could detect was how severe his reaction is. He was unapologetic. neither about the kid forming inside of me, nor about me.
I took a look at him. But He had already shifted his sight from me, returning his complete attention on Alessia.
Without saying anything more, I turned around and left the hotel. My once-dreamed existence is disintegrating beneath my feet.
One night changed everything, and neither of them realized it. Years ago, they had one-night sex, the girl was drunk and her face blurred by booze and dim lighting. She went on to raise her daughter alone. He, a successful billionaire with his past put behind him. Now, fate puts them back together, he try to pretend and hide the truth that unites them. As they work together, sparks fly, as do questions. Could it be that he is the father of her child? And if the truth comes out, will it bring them together or tear them apart forever? How do you confront the past when it is right in front of you?
"I want a divorce!" Ryan demanded, despite the fact that he had cheated on her with his ex. ~ Serena is no longer the quiet, romantic lady Ryan Winters married and divorced five years ago. Now the CEO of Rocky's Designs, she is bright, unwavering, and unapologetic about her independence-a far cry from the woman Ryan remembers. When fate brings them back into one another's lives, Ryan is forced to confront the truth about their past, their newfound hot chemistry, and a surprising revelation; Serena has a daughter who may be his. But Ryan's girlfriend, Kate, isn't prepared to lose him again. She will do whatever it takes to keep Ryan in her grasp-even if it means destroying Serena's life and the corporate empire she has built. What happens when Serena's now peaceful life is being disrupted? Will Serena lose once again or will she seize this billionaire's heart?
Elena, once a pampered heiress, suddenly lost everything when the real daughter framed her, her fiancé ridiculed her, and her adoptive parents threw her out. They all wanted to see her fall. But Elena unveiled her true identity: the heiress of a massive fortune, famed hacker, top jewelry designer, secret author, and gifted doctor. Horrified by her glorious comeback, her adoptive parents demanded half her newfound wealth. Elena exposed their cruelty and refused. Her ex pleaded for a second chance, but she scoffed, “Do you think you deserve it?” Then a powerful magnate gently proposed, “Marry me?”
For ten years, Daniela showered her ex-husband with unwavering devotion, only to discover she was just his biggest joke. Feeling humiliated yet determined, she finally divorced him. Three months later, Daniela returned in grand style. She was now the hidden CEO of a leading brand, a sought-after designer, and a wealthy mining mogul—her success unveiled at her triumphant comeback. Her ex-husband’s entire family rushed over, desperate to beg for forgiveness and plead for another chance. Yet Daniela, now cherished by the famed Mr. Phillips, regarded them with icy disdain. "I’m out of your league."
Darya spent three years loving Micah, worshipping the ground he walked on. Until his neglect and his family's abuse finally woke her up to the ugly truth-he doesn't love her. Never did, never will. To her, he is a hero, her knight in shining armour. To him, she is an opportunist, a gold digger who schemed her way into his life. Darya accepts the harsh reality, gathers the shattered pieces of her dignity, divorces him, takes back her real name, reclaims her title as the country's youngest billionaire heiress. Their paths cross again at a party. Micah watches his ex-wife sing like an angel, tear up the dance floor, then thwart a lecher with a roundhouse kick. He realises, belatedly, that she's exactly the kind of woman he'd want to marry, if only he had taken the trouble to get to know her. Micah acts promptly to win her back, but discovers she's now surrounded by eligible bachelors: high-powered CEO, genius biochemist, award-winning singer, reformed playboy. Worse, she makes it pretty clear that she's done with him. Micah gears up for an uphill battle. He must prove to her he's still worthy of her love before she falls for someone else. And time is running out.
There was only one man in Raegan's heart, and it was Mitchel. In the second year of her marriage to him, she got pregnant. Raegan's joy knew no bounds. But before she could break the news to her husband, he served her divorce papers because he wanted to marry his first love. After an accident, Raegan lay in the pool of her own blood and called out to Mitchel for help. Unfortunately, he left with his first love in his arms. Raegan escaped death by the whiskers. Afterward, she decided to get her life back on track. Her name was everywhere years later. Mitchel became very uncomfortable. For some reason, he began to miss her. His heart ached when he saw her all smiles with another man. He crashed her wedding and fell to his knees while she was at the altar. With bloodshot eyes, he queried, "I thought you said your love for me is unbreakable? How come you are getting married to someone else? Come back to me!"
Joelle thought she could change Adrian's heart after three years of marriage, but she realized too late that it already belonged to another woman. "Give me a baby, and I'll set you free." The day Joelle went into labor, Adrian was traveling with his mistress on his private jet. "I don't care whom you love. My debt is paid. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other." Not long after Joelle left, Adrian found himself begging on his knees. "Please come back to me."