Chapter 19
Soraya-
“Hahaha!” Soraya had to fake a laugh. For crying out loud, why had Amanda suggested Jacob Steel!! Of all people!
“Mom? What are you talking about? Let’s leave Mr. Steel out of this,” Soraya said.
“But it’s true,” Amanda responded.
“No, Mom. I—I—“Lost for words, Soraya could only think of one defense. “Jacob is not my type, Mom. Haha.”
“Jacob is not your type?” Amanda questioned. “But he’s like Calum in almost every way! And my son is your type!”
“Oh my god!” Soraya screamed in her head. She turned to Jacob and found him staring at her, unreadable.
“Mr. Steel is a fine gentleman and businessman, but I’ve changed my preferences, Mom. So, Mr. Steel is not my type,” she claimed. “One Calum is traumatic enough for me. Haha.”
“I think we’ve learned the hard way that it’s not good to play matchmaker,” Philip jumped in. “Let’s have Soraya figure out for herself who she ends up with. Besides, she’s still young. Even if she has Sage, my niece is a beautiful and smart woman.”
“Thank you, Uncle,” Soraya said, exhaling slowly.
Amanda looked defeated. Her blue eyes bore no life whatsoever. She said, “If only we had been able to prove your innocence back then.. Calum wouldn’t have disp-
“It’s in the past,” Soraya cut in, gently squeezing Amanda’s hand. “You tried everything. But I’ve accepted that some truths will never come to light.”
Sult holding Amanda’s hand, she said, “I want to move on, Mom
“And I’m done with my visit,” Jacob said, getting up. “Get well soon, Mrs. Montclair.”
“Now you’ve scared Jacob away with your matchmaking tendencies, Cedric teased his wife, lightening the mood in the room.
Jacob gave a half–smile. “It’s alright I understand that Mrs. Montclair truly cherishes Soraya”
Turning to Amanda, Jacob added, “Regardless of Calum and Soraya’s upcoming divorce, relationships aren’t formed by blood–they’re built through bonds”
The message was clear: even without Calum, Soraya could still have a relationship with Amanda.
Jacob’s words impressed the older people in the room, and even Soraya looked at Jacob, stunned. She had never known this man was so emotionally mature, considering he had previously judged her.
“Thank you for visiting Jacob, Amanda said. “We know now what we must do.”
Then, unexpectedly, Amanda winked at Jacob!
Cedric Montclair held his laughter in. Her uncle and aunt were confused–but as for Soraya? She was mortified!
Fortunately, Jacob did not react. He simply walked toward the door. However, when he opened it, two people were standing there
It was Calum and Sage.
Calum was frowning, whereas Sage was caught by surprise. “Mommy!”
Sage tanto her and hugged her “Mommy, are you still mad? You didn’t answer my messages
Soraya gasped at Sage’s hold, stunned. Then, recalling the last time she was with her daughter, her gaze dimmed. Her expression
Suraya caged her heart. She looked down at Sage and said, “I was
as taisy
“Greet your grandparents first, especially your grandma Amanda Soraya ungest, and Sage did precisely that
“Grandma, get well soon,” Sage greeted with a smule
11/3
3.56 PM
Chapter 19
Soraya did not give Calum a second glance, but she assumed he and Jacob had stepped somewhere else to talk. Upon Calum’s return, Sage was already done greeting her grandparents. She had also hugged Philip and Emily. She returned to Soraya and said. “Mommy, I’m hungry.”
It was an opportunity to stay away from Calum, so Soraya took it. Without a smile, she excused herself. “I’ll take Sage to the cafe downstairs.”
Soraya gave no regard to Calum. She walked out of the ro
room.
hand in hand with Sage
The hospital had a café on the second floor. Soraya took Sage there for a snack. She didn’t say anything at first and simply ordered pancakes.
As Sage ate, she said, “This doesn’t taste like the pancakes you make me, Mom.
Soraya said nothing.
“Aunt Rose has been visiting me at home. She tried to cook me pancakes, but they don’t taste the same,” Sage added.
That revelation stung. So, Rose has been playing house already.
It shouldn’t have surprised her. She had expected it, but it still hurt.
Isee, Soraya said. “So, your Aunt Rose has been staying at our house?”
“She only visits sometimes, but last night, Aunt Rose slept in your room with Daddy because it suddenly rained,” Sage said. Then she paused, realizing too late that she shouldn’t have mentioned it.
“In our room, Soraya repeated in her head. Then, she scoffed inwardly. They slept together in our room.
me
“I’m sorry, Mommy,” Sage said. “Daddy told not to tell you, but I forgot.
Yet again. Soraya caught sight of the charm bracelet around her daughter’s wrist. She also noticed how Sage’s clothes were different. They weren’t the ones she had bought for her.
Clearly, they were from Rose. – too fashionable, just like her.
Her daughter was indeed.. changing.
in? Wh
Then, Sage changed the topic, “Mommy, will you cook me pancakes again? When will you come home?”
Soraya sucked in a deep breath and suggested, “You can ask your Auri!
Rose to try a buttermilk pancake recipe. That’s what makes the difference. I won’t be coming home to make pancakes for you–at least for now. You now have your Aunt Rose
“Besides, I’ll be very busy from now on,” Soraya added.
“On” Sage pouted. I’ll tell Aunt Rose. That’s okay, I guess, If I don’t like Aunt Rose’s cooking, she takes me out to my
favorite cafes.”
“Aunt Rose has taken me to Daddy’s office,” Sage shared, suddenly smiling. “I was really happy. It was the first time I’ve seen Daddy’s
meto office!
Soraya froze
For the entirety of their marriage, Calum had never once allowed her to take Sage to his office.
And the reason?
Questions would arise. Calum wouldn’t be able to stop Sage from calling him “Daddy.” It would reveal that he was married–and Soraya was his wife
Yet he allowed Rose to take Sage to his offer
In Calum’s world. Rose belonged more than she ever did.
Soraya could only imagine that the employees at Montclair Group assumed Rose was Sage’s mother. And together with Calum, they were a perfect family
She clenched her jaw, whispering silently, Control, Soraya, control. Feelings pass Feelings pass Control”
2-3
354 PM
Chapter 19
Calum –
“We agree for you to divorce Soraya,” Amanda said while holding Cedric’s hand. “She deserves better.”
“And you think Soraya deserves Jacob?” Calum said in an icy tone. “I overheard your conversation outside the room. Please, Mother, Do not humiliate me. Jacob is my friend, and he dislikes Soraya.”
“It didn’t seem that way to me!” Amanda shot back.
“He was just being polite,” Calum pointed out.
“I’ve had enough of you looking down on Soraya!” Philip interrupted. “Soraya s ready? We need to get this done ASAP!”
“You don’t deserve Soraya!” Philip added.
said
you’ve amended the divorce. When are the papers.
Calum gritted his teeth. He no longer retorted. After all, the Azars were bitter. It was natural for them to think their niece deserved someone better. As for his parents, he had never truly understood what they saw in Soraya.
Ever since they were young, his mother had always talked about the idea of him marrying Soraya. Back then, he never took her persistence seriously.
He didn’t mind Soraya’s presence. She was nice to talk to.
But after one reckless night–a party, too much to drink, and a setup that was never fully uncovered he was forced into marriage.
He began to resent Soraya.
But now, things were different. Since last year, Calum became the company’s major shareholder. Moreover, he met Rose.
“The documents are done. I’ll be sending the divorce papers to Soraya next week,” Calum said.
“You better give her a fair share, Calum–for all the sacrifices Soraya has made–for raising Sage and for putting up with you!” Amanda snapped.
POWER
Calum only shook his head. “I’m giving Soraya fifty million dollars. That should be enough to give her a comfortable life.”
His parents seemed amenable, but his mother’s following words shocked him.
“I was personally responsible for pushing you and Soraya to get married, so I’d also like to compensate Soraya.” Amanda looked at Cedric and revealed. “I’d like to give Soraya all my shares at the Montblair Group.”
Calum’s expression hardened. Was this just another excuse to keep Soraya close
宙
