The Billionaire’s Ex-Wife (Her Ex-Husband’s Regret) Chapter 19

Chapter 19

Cassie.

I step out of Ethan’s Bentley completely unaware of what he is planning to do.

“I know you are quite fond of lake houses, so I thought I should take you to one.”

His smile is contagious, and although I have no idea what he is up to, I decide to go along with it.

“Are you prepping me for a huge favor I could not say no to?” I ask him, pretending to be suspicious.

“No, silly. But now, you’ve given me an idea for next time I need to ask a huge favor from you.”

Ethan takes my hand and leads me towards the lobby.

I look around, noticing the huge improvements that have been done since the last time I was here.

Ethan notices the smile on my face.

“Do you like the place?” Ethan asks. “Apparently, this is the only lake house resort that’s close to the city.”

I nod. “Yes. I love this place. I have been here before.”

“Really?”

“A long time ago. When I was a kid, I went here with my family. It was the only family outing we had. And it was the most

memorable too.”

“Memorable how?”

I remember that day vividly. I almost drowned saving a boy I don’t even know. My hand immediately goes to the pendant on my necklace. I guess that boy was my puppy love.

“Let’s just say I met my first crush here.”

Ethan raises a brow. “Damn! What bad luck? Of all places to bring you to, I had to bring you to one that reminds you of some other guy!”

I laugh. “I was eight years old then! I don’t even know what happened to him.”

It is true. That boy gave me his mother’s ring, and promised that he would come and find me again someday. But after I saved him and we both passed out inside a worn-down shed, I never saw him again. I woke up in the hotel clinic. And I was told by my stepmother that his father took him back to New York. I didn’t even get his name. I only have his memory and the ring that he gave me.

“Is he handsome?” Ethan asks with a feigned pout on his face.

I laugh. “He was a little boy! Of course he’s cute. Or I think he was. I don’t even remember his face. It was a long time ago.”

I am not aware but I was touching the ring pendant as I spoke. For years, I have worn this pendant and kept it under my slur. No one has ever seen it. But somehow, this childhood memory has always brought me comfort.

“Why did you bring me here? Are we going to meet some business associates here?”

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Chapter 19

Ethan shakes his head. “I heard their steak here is the best. I’ve made special arrangements with the chef. Let me see first if everything is ready.”

“Do

mind if I take a stroll around the property?” I ask. “It’s been a while since I was here. I’d like to see if it’s still the same as before.”

you

“Sure,” Ethan replies. “I think we got here early anyway. I’ll call you when everything is ready.”

I walk around the property. It has changed a lot, and yet a lot of it still feels the same.

I wander around without a particular destination. And before I know it, I find myself walking towards a path deep within the

garden. I find the lake and I smile at the memory of once jumping into it to save a silly little boy.

I wonder how he is now. Does he still remember that I have his mother’s ring? Does he remember me at all?

I turn to the path where I remember the playhouse used to be. But to my surprise, in place of the

playhouse, there stands a magnificent treehouse perched high in the branches of a tall tree.

grow a tree here and build you a tree house. It would be perfect!”

I smile to myself, but at the same time. I cannot help tearing up a little at the memory.

Did he do this? Did he build this because I suggested it would be perfect?

Curiosity gets the best of me, and I make my way towards the treehouse. I ascend the ladder and push open the door. Inside, Fám greeted by the lush interior, wooden seats, and bookshelves

As I go around, I find that there’s an intercom, and beside it is a toolbox. I open it and find survival kits and two blankets.

I giggle, hugging the blanket to myself

“Well, these would have come in handy back then.”

He remembered everything. I felt like the treehouse was his tribute to our brief time together.

Now, I’m curious about him. Who was he? How does he look like now?

If he did all these, then he must remember me also. I wonder if he ever came looking for me.

I dial Lyn’s number.

“What can I do for you?” she asks after one ring.

“There’s this lake house resort here. Can you find out who owns t

“Why? Are you going to buy it?”

“No. But that’s not such a bad idea

“Kidding!” Lyn protested on the other line. “I will find it for you. Now, tell me. What’s up with Ethan? What’s with all the mystery?”

“I have no idea,” I reply. “Wait, how’d you know about that?”

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“Err… well, I asked hinrwhere he’s taking you and he’s being weird.”

“Maybe we’re celebrating another company acquisition.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s the case. Ethan has been growing his empire bigger and bigger.”

“And he’s got stakes at King’s Court through his uncle,” I say.

“Then it’s good. You’ll be sure that you have someone who is on your side. Ethan will never turn his back on you.”

“I know. Right now, I need all the help I can get with King’s Coun. Anyway, find out who’s the owner of this lake house.”

“Got it. I’ll send it to you in a few hours.”

After I end the call, my hand unconsciously reaches out to touch the velvety smooth texture of the blanket once more. The familiar feel of it on my fingertips brings back a flood of memories.

“What are you doing here?” somebody barks behind me.

I turn around and find Kayden Steele staring back at me.

I blink back at him in surprise. Of all places, why is he here, too?

“What about you?” I ask evenly. “What are you doing here?”

“I own this place,” he replies. “Now, I’m going to ask you again. What are you doing here?”

“…I try to say something but I am unable to utter a sound. The only thing that registers in my mind is, He owns this place? Does this mean that the boy I saved in the lake when I was eight years old, the boy who gave me his mother’s ring so he can come and find me again was…

“This is not working out for both of us. I want a divorce!

‘I don’t want to see

e you around the office. You’re fired!”

He was my puppy love. When I was growing up, I fantasized about meeting him again someday.

Then this same man… I truly loved him when we were married. But all he did was ignore me, hurt me, and break my hear

How could fate play this joke on me?

Kayden takes a step closer. I take a step back, clutching the blanket close to my body.

“How did you know about this place? This part is off-limits to resort guests. It’s not in the guest map.”

Shall I tell him that I was the little girl who saved him?

But what difference will it make? It’s not like he will feel remorse and suddenly change his attitude towards me. Besides, I no longer want him to change the way he treats me. I just want him to stay away from me and my son.

I raise my chin, keeping my face expressionless.

Tm sorry, I got lost.” Immediately, I turn and place the blankets back inside the toolbox. “I didn’t mean to intrude.”

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I quickly turn on my heel and head towards the door. But suddenly, I feel Kayden tug at my arm and pull me to him until as if trying to decipher the secrets we are close enough to feel each other’s heartbeats. His intense gaze searches my eyes, hidden within them.

With narrowed eyes and a suspicious tone, he asks, “You’ve been here before, haven’t you?”

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