His Ex Wife Is A Billionaire

Marilla approached Jareth, a solitary figure standing in front of him.

She was still wearing that white fleece loungewear she favored at the villa they once lived at, her cute and playful appearance causing Jareth’s pallid lips to lift in an involuntary smile.

Tears welled up in his eyes as he laughed, a single drop escaping to trace the line of his cheek.

Their eyes met, and a tumultuous tide of emotion surged between them, their hearts pounding fiercely within their chests.

The man before her had grown so thin; she could barely recognize him. She pressed tightly her lip to hold back the pain, afraid to utter a single word; afraid that if she did, she might break down in tears. If she cried, all her resolve would mean nothing.

Eyes bloodshot, Jareth shuffled forward with heavy steps, reaching out to wrap her in a fierce embrace.

Tears cascaded down Marilla’s cheeks silently, her sobs muted as she refused to return the embrace. Yet even in her restraint, her ragged breath and racing heartbeat betrayed her feelings.

There were three things one cannot hide coughs, poverty, and love.

Jareth had so much he wanted to say. He wanted to ask her, why was she marrying Alston? Why?

Why?!

But when he finally spoke, all that emerged was a concern, “Dressed so lightly, what if you catch a cold?”

Marilla, her forehead pressed against his chest, just shook her head slightly. Lily and Dean averted their eyes, unable to bear the sight of such star–crossed lovers. After a few moments of silence, Jareth’s cold lips brushed against Marilla’s ear, pleading softly, “Marilla, don’t marry anyone else; please come home with me.”

The woman in his arms said nothing, only her tears falling hot and fast onto his heaving chest. After a long moment, Marilla clenched her teeth and pushed him away with trembling hands, “Jareth, you have to take care of yourself from now on. Don’t come looking for me again.”

Jareth. A name she hadn’t uttered in so long. Yet now, it carried a distance that was foreign to the warmth and sweetness it once held.

As she turned to leave, Jareth’s restraint shattered. He grabbed her arm with a grip so tight it could crush her slender bones, “Marilla, how can you do this to me. How can you be so cruel. Wouldn’t it be easier to just kill

me?!”

“Mr. Fairhaven! Please, be calm! Lily and Dean panicked, fearing he might hurt Marilla by accident.

But Jareth’s eyes brimmed with fragmented tears, “Didn’t you say you loved me? That you’d only be mine? How could you go back on that? How could you?!”

He ranted in desperation, his hysteria carrying a taste of raw bitterness.

*A marriage not blessed by family will never be happy.” Marilla endured the pain, her voice soft as she lied to him, and to herself, I’m weak, and I’m scared. I’m afraid of getting hurt, afraid of causing trouble for those around me. I’m just an ordinary person; I can’t handle the storms. I just want a simple life. Even without love, as long as it’s peaceful, that’s enough. Jareth, it hurts at first, but it’ll get better with time. I’ve let go of a lot, and you will too.”

Lily was stunned. She finally understood what it meant to speak the most heartless words in the gentlest

Voice.

But having dealt with Gary earlier this evening, Lily hesitated. As long as Gary lived, he would seek revenge.

If Mr. Fairhaven and Ms. Abernathy reconciled, she would instantly become Gary’s target, subject to whatever vie schemes he might concoct against this poor girl.

The best course of action would be to keep their distance for now, to resolve all the dangers first, and then let the young master court his woman cleanly. But who could have anticipated the Bartley family’s interference! What if Ms. Abernathy truly married Alston in the end?!

FOS SE F

Upon hearing Marilla’s words, Jareth broke out in a cold sweat, his complexion void of any color. Could memories etched so deeply within the heart be so easily forgotten?

The harsh blare of a horn cut through the tension. Marilla’s heart skipped a beat as she turned to see headlights illuminating her startled face.

Dennis was the first to step out of the car, respectfully opening the door for Frederic, who appeared to have. been roused from his slumber. Clearly, his dreams had been disturbed.

“Marilla, what did you promise me?” Frederic stood amidst the harsh lights, his tone chillingly dark, “Didn’t you say you’d never see anyone from the Fairhaven family again? Why can’t you give me peace? Are you going to defy me like your brother did? Has he led you astray?”

The term “your brother” weighed on Marilla like a leaden crown. That night, Frederic’s words still echoed in her ears.

– “Dad, please don’t blame Thaddeus, okay? He’s worked so hard over the years; it hasn’t been easy. He’s given so much to his work; please don’t hold it against him.”

– “I don’t like disobedience, and your brother is a prime example. I needed his help to manage the Abernathy Group before, so I’ve been tolerant, letting him become so insolent and presumptuous! But now Chad’s health- is improving, and he’ll soon return to Elmsworth. Once his condition stabilizes, he can take over for Thaddeus and manage the Group affairs. If I replace that fool, I might even live a few more years!”

– “Dad, please don’t replace him! Please, I’m begging you; don’t do it.”

– “If you obey my arrangement and marry into the Bartley family, I’ll consider keeping your brother’s position.”

“Marilla, tome to me,” Frederic extended his hand emotionlessly toward his daughter.

Marilla’s lashes cast a sorrowful shadow as she took each step toward her father.

“Marilla! Come back!” Jareth’s eyes were bloodshot as he yelled after her retreating figure. But she didn’t look back.

“Mr. Fairhaven, coming to our doorstep in the dead of night with such a pathetic display, don’t you think it cheapens you?”

Frederic cradled his daughter in his arms, a contemptuous chill in his gaze, “Marilla is engaged to another man now. That brief, shameful fling of yours is over – completely.

If you truly care about Marilla’s well–being, stay away from her. The Fairhaven family have already broken her once. Do you want to ruin her chance at happiness again?”

Jareth’s imposing frame shuddered, stumbling back a step. He watched them leave, their departure feeling like a stampede across his heart.

A sense of utter powerlessness overwhelmed him. Never before had he felt so certain that he was about to lose Marilla.

Thaddeus spent the night with Evadne at Silverlake Harbor. As night fell and they shared their marital bliss, Evadne’s mind kept drifting to Marilla’s impending marriage to the Bartley’s son, making it hard for her to get in the mood.

But Thaddeus knew every inch of her body, and his gentle nibbles and caresses sent electric shivers through her. His strength tossed her désire skyward before plunging it down again. In the rise and fall, she found her passion rekindled, her clarity slipping away

Post–bliss, Evadne curled up in Thaddeus‘ arms, drifting into sleep. That man, so powerful and insatiable in bed no matter when, always left her craving more an addiction she couldn’t shake.

The next day was a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Evadne, spruced up, and descended the stairs with Thaddeus to the living room. She immediately noticed Aaron’s familiar jacket casually draped over the back of the sofa.

As the butler passed by, she quickly inquired, “Is Mr. Aaron Ashbourne back?”

“Yes, Ms. Ashbourne. Mr. Aaron Ashbourne has returned and is conversing with Mrs. Suri Ashbourne in the parlor.”

Evadne exchanged a knowing look with Thaddeus, and hand in hand, they headed toward the parlor.

As they stepped inside, Aaron’s crisp voice floated over the carved room divider, tinged with frustration and resentment.

“Had I known it would come to this, I never would have given up. If she must marry someone like that, it might as well have been me!”