The Secret Pregnancy of the Billionaire's Ex-Wife novel Chapter 286

The Secret Pregnancy of the Billionaire’s Ex–Wife

Chapter 286: Uninvited Guest

Angela POV

In an instant, the celebration around us froze. The laughter died, the music faded, and all eyes turned toward the dance floor where Sean and I stood locked in our embrace.

The crowd parted as a figure pushed through, revealing a woman in black mask that covered half her face. She was dressed in an oversized gray sweatsuit, completely out of place among the elegant evening gowns and tailored tuxedos.

“Is that one of your guests?” I whispered to Sean, my fingers tensing against his arm.

He shook his head slightly, his body stiffening beside mine. “I thought she was with you.”

The woman moved closer, her gait unsteady. I studied her carefully he wasn’t particularly tall, and beneath the mask, strands of flaxen hair escaped a messy ponytail,

For a moment, I thought it might be Christina, but no–Christina was blonde and taller, and currently serving time for assaulting me in Italy.

Security guards positioned at the perimeter of the room began moving subtly inward, responding to some silent signal from Sean’s head of security.

forced a smile, determined not to let anyone ruin our day–not after everything we’d been through to get here. “If you’re a friend, please enjoy the party,” I said, gesturing to a nearby waiter. “We can find you a seat.”

Sean squeezed my hand and turned to our guests with a practiced smile. “Everyone, please, continue celebrating!” The band hesitantly resumed playing, though the carefree atmosphere had evaporated.

The woman moved closer, close enough that I could smell the sharp ang of cheap whiskey on her breath mingling with something medicinal–perhaps over–the–counter painkillers. Her ice–blue eyes fixed on me through the slits in her mask, bloodshot and watery yet burning with an intensity that made my skin crawl.

“Enjoy the party?” she said with a bitter laugh. “How can you even suggest that? Because of you, I spent five years in prison eating slop and sleeping on a concrete slab. Do you really think I’m in the mood to celebrate?”

Sean stepped slightly in front of me, his voice dropping to a warning tone. “If you’re not here for the wedding, I suggest you leave. Now.”

“Who are you?” I asked, my heart beginning to race. “I don’t even know you.”

“Jennifer,” she spat out the name like it tasted foul in her mouth. “But of course you’ve forgotten. Just like last time when you tried to kick me out of the party!”

Jennifer. The name hit me like a physical blow, unlocking memories d long buried. Five years ago, she and a man had abducted me -beaten me, tied me up in an abandoned warehouse. I’d lost consciousness from the pain, waking up later in a hospital with Christopher beside my bed. After being discharged, my only concern had been protecting the twins growing inside me. I’d divorced Sean immediately and fled New York.

Christopher had mentioned she’d been arrested for kidnapping, but hadn’t followed the case. My entire world had narrowed to .. pregnancy and starting over.

“You were imprisoned because you kidnapped me,” I said coldly, memories of terror flooding back. “I’d say we’re even. If anything, you owe me an apology. And it’s clear you didn’t come to offer congratulations, so please leave.”

My words seemed to flip a switch in her. She stepped closer, her body trembling with rage.

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Chapter 286: Uninvited Guest

“Even?‘ she shrieked. “You had someone disfigure me in prison! How could we possibly be even?”

The remaining whispers among the guests died away. Sean moved to escort her out, but she only grew louder.

“What’s wrong? Afraid everyone will find out?” she shouted, her voice echoing through the ballroom. “I’m here to show everyone just how cruel the high–and–mighty Shaw family really is behind closed doors!”

With a dramatic flourish, she ripped off her mask. Collective gasps rippled through the crowd as she revealed the left side of her face–marked by jagged scars that ran from her temple to her jaw lik angry centipedes burrowing through her skin.

The silence that followed was absolute. Sean’s parents stood frozen hear the bar, Aria clutched Victoria’s hand, her eyes wide with confusion and fear. Ethan had moved closer to Alexander, his little face suddenly pale and serious.

I stared at the scars, genuine shock coursing through me. Whatever had happened to her, I had nothing to do with it.

But standing here on what should have been the happiest day of my new beginning, Lfelt the perfect world I’d carefully rebuilt beginning to crack around me.

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