All Chapters of From damped to Mrs billionaire: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

Gabriel Sterling POVFor as long as I could remember, the Sterling Mansion had been more than just a home—it had been a fortress. High walls, polished marble, endless rooms, and staff who moved with quiet precision. It was a place built to keep the world out, and to keep me safe from the things I feared most: betrayal, greed, and false affection. But lately, as I walked through its echoing hallways, I began to feel that it was no longer protecting me—it was trapping me.I had spent years believing that power and distance were the only ways to stay unhurt. I had hidden behind my wealth, behind my title, and behind walls both physical and emotional. But after everything that had happened—after the lies, the pain I had caused Lilian, and the slow, painful realization that my way of living had been wrong—I knew I could not stay here any longer. To truly change, I needed to step out of the shadow of the man I had been.And so, I made a decision that shocked my family and surprised everyone

Lilian Roseforth POVThe smell of baking bread that usually filled the bakery felt fainter these days, overshadowed by a quiet, heavy worry that hung in the air. For months, we had been growing steadily—expanding our menu, hiring staff, and supporting our women’s program. But then came a series of unexpected blows: the cost of flour, sugar, and other ingredients had risen sharply due to poor harvests, while our rent had increased without warning. At the same time, a new large supermarket had opened nearby, selling cheaper mass-produced bread and pastries that drew many of our regular customers away.At first, Mrs. Cruz and I had been confident we could manage. We cut back on our own wages, reduced unnecessary expenses, and tried to find cheaper suppliers without sacrificing quality. We ran special promotions and told our story to more people, hoping to bring back customers. But as the weeks turned into months, it became clear that the problem was bigger than we had anticipated.One ev

Lilian Roseforth POVIt was a quiet Sunday afternoon, and the bakery was closed. I sat at the small wooden table in the back room, sorting through some old papers and records, when there was a soft knock at the door. I opened it to find Victoria, Gabriel’s younger sister, standing there. She held a small wrapped package in her hands and wore a gentle, slightly nervous smile.“Hello, Lilian,” she said softly. “I hope I’m not disturbing you. I was in the neighborhood, and I… I wanted to bring these. They are some old photographs and letters from when Gabriel and I were children. I thought perhaps you might like to see them. Not to force anything, but so you might understand a little more about where he came from.”I hesitated for a moment, then stepped aside to let her in. Over the past months, Victoria and I had met a few times—always by chance, always briefly—but she had always been kind and respectful. I knew she cared deeply for her brother, and I trusted that she meant well.“Thank

Lilian Roseforth POVIt was a quiet evening, and the bakery was closed for the week. I had decided to spend the day organizing the small storage room above the shop—sorting through boxes of old supplies, extra linens, and a few personal items I had brought with me when I first moved here. The air was filled with the faint smell of dust and cinnamon, and sunlight filtered through the small window, illuminating the floating particles.I was lifting a large cardboard box when something soft and colorful slipped from between its folds and landed at my feet. I bent down to pick it up, and as my fingers brushed the fabric, a sudden wave of familiarity washed over me. It was a simple wool scarf—faded blue, with a few loose threads along the edges and a small stain near one corner. I held it up, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still.This was the scarf I had owned during those early days—the days when I had known Gabriel only as a quiet, hardworking man with little money and a gentle w

Lilian Roseforth POVThe bell above the bakery door chimed one quiet afternoon, and I looked up to see a man standing there whose face I had not seen in a long time. It was Carlos.He looked nothing like the confident, wealthy businessman I had known years ago. His suit was worn and slightly frayed, his hair was unkempt, and there was a look of unease and uncertainty in his eyes. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, glancing around the shop as if he felt out of place, which he clearly did.For a moment, I simply observed him. I remembered how he had been: ambitious, charming, but always calculating—someone who believed that money and influence could solve any problem and buy anyone’s loyalty. He had been one of Gabriel’s former associates, and he had not been kind to me when I was married to Gabriel. He had treated me as if I were invisible, or worse, as if I were only there to look good and be seen. When Gabriel’s troubles had first begun, Carlos had been quick to distan