All Chapters of Ex wife’s return: Claiming the billionaire’s crown: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

It had been a week since Scarlett had officially taken over the Ashbourne company as her son’s guardian and manager. Seven days of relentless strategy, high-stakes decisions, and navigating the empire that had once been her cage. The weight of the position pressed against her shoulders, but she welcomed it-every boardroom, every deal, every signature was a step toward reclaiming what had been denied to her. And yet, even as she worked tirelessly, she felt the echo of her own absence-the moments she missed with Theodore, the days spent buried in numbers instead of feelings.The apartment was quiet except for the faint hum of the city beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows. Scarlett’s gaze shifted between the laptop screen and the live feed of her son’s virtual classroom, where Theodore’s small face was concentrated on his teacher’s lesson. His tiny hands waved occasionally when prompted, his voice soft but confident. She had no time to breathe-no time to pause but she wanted to watch hi

Scarlett wiped the last of her tears, still clutching the lyric paper from Grant, as there was a gentle knock on her bedroom door.“Scarlett? Are you okay in there?” Roxy’s voice floated through.Scarlett took a shaky breath and straightened her posture. “I’m fine,” she called back, forcing a calm tone.She emerged a few minutes later, brushing her hair back and plastering a small smile. Dinner resumed in the warm glow of candles, laughter flowing again. Theo was busy with his cake, and Roxy teased him mercilessly for wearing the tiny party hat slightly crooked.Once the meal was over, Roxy nudged Scarlett. “Time for gifts, birthday girl!”Scarlett’s eyes widened as she took the first small box from Roxy. Inside, a delicate gold bracelet glittered softly in the candlelight, engraved with tiny letters spelling “Mi Vida.” Her throat tightened at the sentimental gesture-Roxy always had a way of knowing exactly how to make her feel loved without fuss. She whispered a ‘thank you’ and Roxy

“Not working today?” Roxy asked as she walked into Scarlett’s large living room.The scent hit her first.Alcohol-sharp and unmistakable.Scarlett sat curled at the far end of the couch, hair loose, makeup faintly smudged, both knees pulled to her chest. Her laptop was shut, her phone abandoned beside her. Outside, rain streaked down the glass walls in relentless lines.“I am,” Scarlett said, her voice calm-but just a little too slow. “Just not..productively.”Roxy didn’t answer immediately. Her eyes lingered on Scarlett, taking in the unfocused stillness, the glassiness beneath her lashes.Then her gaze drifted to the corner of the sofa.An empty bottle lay on its side, the label peeled halfway off, its mouth still damp.Roxy’s jaw tightened.“You’ve been drinking,” she said flatly.Scarlett didn’t deny it. She leaned her head back against the cushion, staring at the ceiling. “Yes Roxy and I have the worst headache so please don’t start.”“It’s eight in the morning,” Roxy replied flatl

Cassian returned to an empty house.He loosened his tie as he stepped inside, shut the door behind him, and stood there for a moment longer than necessary, as though listening for something he already knew wouldn’t come.He hadn’t stayed long at Scarlett’s.He couldn’t believe she looked like that.The smell of alcohol still lingered in his mind, sharper than it had any right to be. Scarlett Monroe had always felt everything and still moved forward. That was what had set her apart.Now, she had felt-and stalled.Cassian crossed the living room and poured himself a drink, then stopped, studying the amber liquid before setting the glass down untouched. He leaned his hip against the counter, arms folding across his chest as his thoughts returned, uninvited, to the sight of her curled slightly inward on the sofa. Perfect posture abandoned. Control worn thin.It unsettled him more than he cared to admit.Not because he thought she was breaking but because he felt she was hesitating.Wars w

The ballroom glittered under crystal chandeliers, the air thick with perfume, power, and ambition. Shadows danced along the marble floors as masked figures wove through the crowd. Scarlett adjusted the delicate black mask over her eyes, her lips curling slightly as she surveyed the room. The orange wig from a month ago had been discarded; tonight, she was unrecognizable to anyone who knew her - and that was exactly how she wanted it.She guessed Grant would be here even if it had only been a week since he was discharged from the hospital , she hoped she guessed right.Her gown clung to her curves, dark as the night, flowing softly with every step. Each movement was deliberate, controlled, poised. But beneath the mask, her pulse hammered. Her heart had betrayed her the moment she left the car. Grant was here, she could feel his presence even without seeing him yet. Somewhere- in this glittering crowd. Tonight , secrecy would be their only ally.She’d rather be at home in bed with her s