The Secret Pregnancy of the Billionaire's Ex-Wife

Chapter 271

The Secret Pregnancy of the Billionaire's Ex-Wife

Chapter 271: Perhaps Forgetting Is a Gift-1

Angela POV

The moment my father's arms wrapped around me, something insideme shifted. He held me so tightly I could barely breathe, but I didn't want him to let go.

"Angel,” he whispered against my furit, his voice breaking with emotion. "My little Angel

felt my throat constrict, unable to form words as tears welled in my eyes. Though my memory remained fractured, my body ensembered this embrace-the safety, the unconditional love of a father who had raised me alone,

Sean gently placed his hand on my shoulder, his touch a tender reminder of his presence. When I finally pulled back from my father's embrace, I caught a glimpse of Sean's expression-affectionate but tinged with something possessive.

"We should get going, Sean said softly. "The children are tired from the flight."

My father immediately stepped between us, placing his arm protectly around my shoulders. "Angel rides with me," he declared, not quite a request. "I want to catch up with my daughter. You can take the other car with the children."

Sean's jaw tightened slightly, but he nodded with practiced civility. "Of course. We'll

il see you at

the villa."

By the time we arrived at his sprawling Mediterranean villa, twilight had settled over the cypress trees, casting long shadows across the terracotta tiles.

The front door swung open as we approached, revealing a woman with olive skin and a cascade of dark curls. She stepped forward with arms outstretched, her smile radiant.

"Angela! Finalmente!" Her accent was distinctly Italian as she enveloped me in a warm embrace. "I am Giulia, your father's wife. He

talks of you constantly!"

Despite not remembering her, I felt immediately at ease. "Thank you for

welcoming us, Giulia. It's wonderful to meet you...again."

Giulia laughed, understanding in her eyes. "Come, come inside. I prepare dinner- all your favorites from when you visit before."

Victoria entered the kitchen moments later, her elegant presence contrasting with Giulia's more exuberant demeanor. Yet they quickly found common ground, Victoria admitingly examining Giul handmade pasta,

must teach me this technique, Victoria said, watching Giulia's expert hands shape the dough. "I've never mastered proper Italian pasta.

Through the window, I glimpsed Sean and Alexander in the garden, och holding a child's hand as Aria and Ethan explored the grounds. The afternoon sun glinted off Ethan's dark hair-so like his father's-while Aria skipped alongside her grandfather. chattering animatedly.

t sure what

you, I told my father and Giulia, retrieving the carefully wrapped gifts from my

unwrapped the burgundy cashmere scarf with reverent hands. "It's perfect, Angel. You always

dinner, the table overflowed with traditional Italian dishes. My father continuously added

pass

loved this as a child," he reminisced, spooning another helping onto my plate. When Sean attempted to pass plate of grilled vegetables, my father intercepted it

1/2

Forgetting is

never liked eggplant, the stated firmly, moving the plate away.

the two men who loved me most created an undercurrent throughout the meal that both warmed

said after dinner, leading me toward his study. "There's something I want

room smelled of old

trace of espresso that seemed to follow my father everywhere. He

his desk drawer, handling it with extraordinary care.

said, his

Chapter Comments

Secret Pregnancy of

271: Perhaps Forgetting Is a

sofa as he opened the album: The first photo showed a penly girl of perhaps. upside

I

his smile proud

university came, and suddenly my tonbury disappeared. You grow

"Sean?" I asked.

nodded noncommittally. "But whatever version of you- the tomboy, the elegant boninesswoman-you were ahenys toy beautiful

tumed the pages, I noticed the

us when I was very young. The question about her hovered on my lips, but seeing my father's tender expression as he reminisced, I couldn't

for raising me by

wish I had protected you better," he said, his voice rough with emotion. "When the bank collapsed... you had to endure so much on your

The bank?"

You worked so hard to rebuild something from the ashes." He cupped my face in his hands. "You were always carefree before, Angel. Now I see a seriousness in your eyes that

other, my tears soaking his shirt as years of unremembered pain and love flowed between

of my father's small Tuscan

at me since

turned toward him, surprised. That's

at true."

is," he insisted. "The

saw your father, you forgot one else. And he

snt approve of me.

Is