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

retrieving the carefully wrapped gifts from my luggage. "1

cashmere scarf with reverent hands. "It's perfect, Angel. You always knew exactly what

overflowed with traditional Italian dishes. My father continuously added portions

to pass

another helping onto my plate. When Sean attempted to pass plate of grilled vegetables,

1/2

Forgetting is a

liked eggplant, the stated firmly, moving the plate

caught Sean's fleeting grimace, quickly masked behind a polite smile. The subtle tension between the two men

me toward his

of old paper and the

that seemed to follow my father

his desk drawer, handling it

these years," he said, his voice soft with

Chapter Comments

of

271: Perhaps Forgetting Is a

The first photo showed a penly girl of perhaps. upside down on

I asked,

nodded, his smile proud and

suddenly my tonbury disappeared. You grow your hair long, started wearing dresses." He touched the photo gently. I suspected it

"Sean?" I asked.

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

the pages, I noticed the absence of any mother

when I was very young. The question about her hovered on my

for raising me by yourself," I whispered the gratitude

me. "I wish I had protected you better," he said, his voice rough with emotion. "When the

The bank?"

from the ashes." He cupped my face in his hands. "You were always carefree before, Angel. Now I see a

tears soaking his shirt as years of unremembered pain

guest room of my father's small Tuscan home, Sean sat on the edge of

me since we arrived,"

him,

at true."

is," he insisted. "The

saw your father, you forgot

snt approve of me.

but laugh. Is that jealousy I hear,