Chapter 20
Soraya-
When Soraya returned to Amanda’s private room, Calum was already gone. Sage chatted with Philip and Emily in the sitting area while she and Calum’s parents had a talk
Amanda had told her the divorce was settled, and Soraya should hear from Calum’s lawyers next week.
“I have also decided to give you my shares of the Montclair Group.” Amanda revealed. “That’s the five percent left under my name. As you know, I gave ten percent to Calum last year.“.
“Mom, no. I can’t possibly take that,” Soraya said.
“I want you to have it, and you can’t change my mind yourself,
don’t want to keep it, sell it.” Amanda firmly said. “Use the money for
Soraya turned helplessly to Philip and Emily, seeking their silent guidance. However, they said nothing
They agreed with the Montclairs.
“Take it, Soraya. We wholeheartedly want you to have it Cedric said. There was determination in his eyes that convinced Soraya they would not have it any other way.
Cedric had expanded the Montclair empire with blood, sweat, and sacrifice, adding two subsidiaries under his leadership. He had once been the company’s heart until health issues forced him to step down. He now sat as Chairman of the Board, a title that carried power but not the same daily control. It was already Calum’s turn.
There was no way Soraya could sell the shares. Not after everything the Montclairs had poured into the
company.
The shares were worth a lot, but they would remain financial assets–not usable funds–unless Soraya sold them. “Alright,” she whispered. “If you insist. When the time comes… I’ll pass them down to Sage. She is a Montclair and will always be.”
At the end of their visit, Sage had agreed to go out for dinner with Philip and Emily. Soraya was reluctant, but she understood her uncle and aunt also missed Sage. So, they walked out of the hospital room with the intention of asking Calum’s permission.
They did not find Calum in the lobby, but they spotted Rose, Claire, and Roger. Claire and Roger were siblings. Calum’s cousins. They were engrossed in a serious discussion. Jacob wasn’t there. He had probably left.
As soon as the group spotted her, Soraya felt it–the tension in the air, the judgment in their eyes, Claire and Roger looked at her as if she were din beneath their shoes.
Soraya could only assume they were talking about her.
“Auni Rose!” Sage called, her voice filled with excitement.
Sage easily let go of Soraya’s hand and ran in Rose’s direction. Rose hugged Sage and whispered something into the little girl’s ear. In the next second, Sage turned to Soraya, Philip, and Emily, saying, “I want to go with Aunt Rose.”
Of course she does: Soraya muttered in her head.
Her uncle wanted to object, but Soraya said, “It’s fine. We can’t force Sage.”
Soraya walked ahead, forcing Emily and Philip to follow her lead.
As their party walked past Rose and her
er group.
Soraya overheard their conversation.
“So what if she’s getting five percent of the Montclair Group? The dollars in your fashion line, Row? Claire muttered.
“Yes. Calum dotes on you, Rose Roger said
That’s only worth $1 billion. Didn’t Calum promise to invest ten billion
“And let’s not forget, he bought you that penthouse worth a hundred million dollars. He takes care of all your expenses, including your clothes and jewelry. He even gifted your parents a vacation home in Bay Island Calum gives you more than what Aunt Amanda could ever give her” Claire added, making her vone loud and cleaE
Rose did not react, but her silence sad enough. She was quietly rejoicing in
Soraya’s defeat.
Chapter 20
Soraya ignored them, but of course, each word landed like a punch.
Although Calum gave Soraya a regular allowance, they were mainly used to maintain their marital home and its associated expenses. plus Sage. Most of the time, Soraya relied on her own money to cover personal necessities.
Calum showered Rose with luxurious gifts, but the only present her husband had ever given her were insi wasn’t even personalized. It felt more like a payment for taking care of Sage.
re insignificant fund transfers. It
Calum invested in Rose’s fashion line and even gave her parents a vacation home, but in contrast, her husband pulled out his investment in Philip’s company, leaving the Azars to downsize their business.
It was such a slap in Soraya’s face.
“It’s such a shame. Calum must truly be smitten over by this… Rose,” Emily remarked bitterly.
Soraya did not say anything.
They were already at the hospital driveway when Calum’s car pulled over in front of them. Calum got out of the vehicle, his gaze looking past Soraya, her uncle, and aunt
He looked effortlessly handsome–clean–shaven, every strand of hair perfectly in place, and those striking blue eyes always captivated the people around him.
Calum appeared aloof, but his expression softened when Rose and Sage walked up to him. He guided them into the car and drove away.
once did he look at Soraya.
He did not even acknowledge Emily and Philip.
As for Sage! She also forgot about Soraya. She was too happy to be around Rose. She didn’t even say goodbye.
Watching as the car sped away, Soraya felt a warm hand on her shoulder. Philip said, “You don’t lose someone who never saw your worth. You free yourself from someone who never deserved you.”
Turning to her uncle. Soraya said, “Thank you, Uncle”
“Let’s just go home and play the piano,” Philip suggested. It will help you feel good.“)
In the days that followed, Soraya busied herself.
She completed her transfer to the new apartment in Cedar Heights on Wednesday. Between moving, she actively traded on the stock exchange and in forex while researching the best business venture.
She still had clothes and personal items in the villa she had shared with Calum, but Soraya was not ready to fetch them now. Instead, she went shopping with her friend Lyra on a Thursday afternoon. Silas Ward joined them, taking half a day off.
In one high–fashion boutique, Lyra and Silas selected clothes for Soraya
“The problem with you, Soraya, is that you’re too conservative,” Silas remarked. “You gotta show some skin–not too much, just enough to flaunt your flawless ivory skin and, perhaps, your long and sexy legs.”
“Which I love, by the way” Silas winked at Soraya, and she frowned.
Lyra giggled. “I agree And after shopping, let’s go to a salon. You need this, girl,”
“Why settle for a salon? Let’s go to a spa!” Silas declared. “My treat. Then, after the spa, let’s go out for drinks. the Velvet Hour”
“Still on your” Lyra asked.
“Syll on me” Silas said with a big smile. “I haven’t seen you both in years, so why not? Besides, this is to celebrate Suraya’s freedom.
Technically, we’re still in the process of divorce,” Soraya corrected.
“Butat’s final, right? Is it non–negotiable?” Sdas asked. When Soraya suuled, he added. “Then let’s celebrate in advance! I’ll invite some of our old team members from Argis Gore Systems and some of my batchmates who know you, buraya”
“Yes! Let’s celebrate and get drunk!” | yra exclaimed
Chapter 20
Soraya laughed. “I don’t know about getting drunk. Plus, I was planning to trade tonight.”
“Let go, Soraya, Everybody needs to loosen up. Let go!” Lyra encouraged. “Have fun!”
Soraya was holding a maroon dress. She bit her lip, thinking.
The last time she had too much to drink. Sage happened. She would never want history to repeat itself. She said, “Okay–but promise me, one of you will be watching me. The last thing I want is to end up being arranged into another marriage. You know I can’t hold my liquor.”
Silas winked at her, his blue eyes captivating. “Il take care of you, Soraya. And if you sleep with me by accident, I’m willing to marry you over and over and over again.”
“Hahaha!” Lyra laughed her heart out, and Soraya also couldn’t help but be amused.
Silas was always a tease, but if there was one thing Soraya was certain of, it was this: If she had ended up sleeping Calum seven years ago, her dear friend would have treated her fairly.
g with Silas instead of
Later that night at the Velvet Hour, it was more than just a night out, it was a shift. For the first time, Soraya wasn’t just the quiet Montclair ex–wife.
She was like a woman reborn!
Soraya was suddenly the center of everyone’s attention. And those who once looked down on her finally caught a glimpse of what she was truly capable of
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