After Divorce Billionaire Ex Found Me Pregnant

Leonica shifted in her stance, pushing her weight onto her non dominant leg and crossing her hand across her chest as she made up her mind.

She was going to tell him. To hell with whatever happens afterwards. All she cares about is knowing that she had gotten it off her chest, told him the truth and not lied to him. Not that it really mattered to her if she lies to him or nOL "He's my son...Our son." She confessed after a heartbeat, somewhat surprised when Gabriel didn't show any real emotion.

"Bill," He turned towards his assistant, watching as he becalert at the sound of his name. "Wait outside for a minute, would you?" "O-of course." Bill stuttered, as usual, not used to Gabriel's less mean way of speaking. He wasn't exactly polite, but compared to the Gabriel Bryce of a few weeks back, a month at tops, this Gabriel was far way more polite, more Tolerable. But Bill really didn't have the tto think all that over. Bowing at his employer's instruction, he exited the room, giving them the privacy that had been demanded of him.

Once alone, Gabriel turned his gaze back on Leonica, but much like the angered or frustrated gaze she had expected, Gabriel had a calm xpression on his face and for the briefest second, she was reminded of how calm he used to be when Lila had first introduced them. So, we have a son?" Gabriel's question sounded more like a speech directed towards himself, rather than the female in front of him." How old is he?" "Five." Leonica answered after swallowing her saliva.

She watched as he went silent after her worse, gaze casted towards the picture on the table while he played with the tips of his finger, something she knew he did each the was trying to concentrate on one too many things. After a while, he asked the question on his mind. "How how long were we married?" And Leonica was not expecting that. Heck! She hadn't expected all that had happened here today, Gabriel tinding the picture, his almost lifeless reaction, like he had long knew and accepted the fact before she sprung in and dropped the bomb, and lastly, this damn question And all of his behavior today, in such a short tspan, made Leonica wonder, who really was the man in front of her. He was different to be her Gabriel.

star too No, he wasn't far too different from her Gabriel. He was her Gabriel, the Gabriel she had tallen for close to a decade ago, not the monster he had becduring their marriage. Perhaps she had gotten too used to that him, the Gabriel she hated, that she couldn't even recognize the man whom she had actually fallen for er has Perhaps that's it, Leonica thought as she moved and settled in the chair across from Gabriel, surprising him as she placed her down and arranged her hands on her laps.

"Two years, you and I were married for two years." She honestly answered his question, waiting for the ones that were to come.

Two years? Gabriel pondered. If they were married for two years, how cAshley was Five? "We got married seven years ago, divorced five years ago." Leonica confidently answered his question as if she was able to read it off his face Ah, that made more sense, Gabriel thought.

Another few seconds passed before he asked. "And why did we get a divorce?" Now that, Leonica couldn't answer confidently.

Because you were an asshole. Because she fell in love with a witch and neglected your family, or perhaps you were just too stupid She wanted to say all those words, but kept her mouth shut and instead, stared blankly at him. Gabriel more than got the memo. It was his fault.

Nodding his head, he moved onto the next question, not bothering to press for answers on the previous one. "Do we live together? Youand... Ashley?" He asked.

When Leonica shook her head, get felt a weird sense of disappointment wash over him. "No, we don't. Ashley stays at mine, sometimes at my parents." She informed. When she said nothing about the child staying with him, Gabriel narrowed his eyes. "Your place wasn't the best. Fancy and all, but not suitable for a growing child." She said and gave a nonchalant shrug to cover up the shivers that had washed over her body at the thought of the numerous chances Angelina would have had to hurt Ashley had he actually stayed at Gabriel's place.

Gabriel wondered how his place wasn't suitable for Ashley, Was it because the child would be living far away from his mother? Despite the thoughts in his mind, disapproving of the fact that Ashley didn't for once stay with him, a sense of fatherly instinct causing a sudden spike of anger towards rise in his chest, Gabriel calmly asked. "Where is he, now?" Leonica was quiet for a few seconds before she gave the best answer her mind could conjure. "He's safe." She has unlanowingly smiles when answering aa thoughts of Gabriel's sacrifice flashed in her mind. However, the smile disappeared as soon as it had come, but as fleeting and short lived as the smile had been, it had caused weird heart palpitations in his chest the moment Gabriel spotted it.

Seconds later, he was left with a new feeling of emptiness in his chest after her smile disappeared.

He managed to push the weird feeling aside and asked. "Can I see him?" Now she felt a small sense of guilt having to watch a father ask to see his own son. However, in this case, there was nothing she could do. It was either she bend to Gabriel's whims and see Ashley get hurt or she kept him away from Gabriel, hopefully he couldn't feel pain towards someone he couldn't even recall.

...No." *Her answer has Gabriel furrowing his brow and demanding for an answer seconds later. "Because you'll only end up hurting him. Ashley's a very sensitive child, he takes the simplest of things to heart, now imagine how he'd feel if his own father doesn't even remember him?" Cher answer as she glanced at her watch and proceeded to stand up. "As much as I hate to admit it; that boy loves you far too much, something like that would only break his heart. And I'm not ready to see my son cry over someone who isn't worth it." Gabriel's eyes darkened at her words. "I'd watch my mouth if I were you. He warned.

"Or what?" Leonica challenged, taking a step towards him. "Huh?" It seems like when she had advanced towards Gabriel, she hasn't phantom that he'd instantly stand up from the chair he had been seating in.

"If I were you, I'd watch my mouth, Leonica." He warned again, taking each word slower than the previous and dragging their syllables Now, perhaps it had been because of the way he spoke, or the way he called out her name, or maybe both, but Leonica telt her confidence steamer downs a bit, along with waves of shivers that made her very much aware of the fact that they were now standing really close in each other.

Instinctively, she took a step back Gabriel followed her, taking one of his own forward and staring down at her. "Now, givea damn good reason why I shouldn't see my son, or best believewhen I say I will find him..." He allowed the rest of his words trail off and Leonica hoped that they weren't what she thought he was going to say.

"So don't test my patience, Leo and tellwhere I can find my son." He cooed.

The shivering has increased now, but Leonica was more than certain it wasn't fear. She had known Gabriel long enough to know when his words were actually threats. He was using a trick she had been so very accustomed to, a trick she had used multiple times in her own life, and one she could easily spot in someone else.

Her lips formed a straight line and she tilted her head up to meet Gabriel face.

With a smile, she spoke.

"I preferred you so much better when you were an asshole." She whispered and stepped back, allowing their closeness to end and her smile to disappear, a frown in its place as she finally got tired of playing the gof cat and mouse, before it even began. "I love my son, enough to make sure nothing makes him sad. I'll have a talk with Ashley after school, explain the situation to him as best as I can, the rest is up to his reaction. If he's ready, fine. If not, you're not seeing him." Gabriel's eyes were on her the entire tshe had spoken. His jaw was clenching and unclenching, the sway it did every the was angered, something that she had becfamiliar with.

"I have a meeting to attend to, so I'd be taking my leave if that's all." She said and turned around, about to leave when the feeling of the keychain in her pocket stopped her. She reached into her pocket and pulled it out. She stared at it for a moment, and then, turned around, catching Gabriel's attention, who had been staring at her as she moved. "You might want to take this. Ashley got it for you." She held it out for him.

Gabriel took a glance at the object and felt his lips pull into a smile. "He did?" Leonica nodded and grabbed his hand, putting it in.

"I'll let him know you like it." She said as she stepped back, Then, without another word, she turned and headed for the door.

Act Fast Free Borusis Running Out! Clalm Owen's Predicament.

The moment Leonica had left, Bill stuck his head through the door, testing the water whether or not it was okay for him to step in "Sir?" He called out, snapping Gabriel out of whatever he had been thinking about at that moment. "May I step in?" Gabriel waved his hand at his assistant's question, indicating that he could do whatever he pleased. Tentatively, he stepped in while Gabriel returned back to the chair he had been seating in, grabbing the photo he has found in the process.

Once again staring at the photo, Ashley in particular, Gabriel found his mind replaying Leonica's words, something that had somewhat beclike a daily routine to him, since he had woken up a few days ago.

He wondered, had he really been that much of an asshole? Was he the reason their marriage ended? The reason why Ashley was forced to live with a broken family? Although he couldn't recall a thing about the child, Gabriel felt connected to him, just from the photo alone and thinking about how much the child must suffer from having a broken family, result of his own action, weighted heavily on Gabriel's chest. But not heavier than the fact that he couldn't remember a thing. His memories and actions, both good and bad, for the past ten years, all was gone.

Now, he was forced to learn things anew With a sigh, he dropped the picture "Mr. Bryce, is everything alright? Do I need to call the doctor?" Bill questioned after he had sighed.

He shook his head, dismissing his assistant's concern, but in that moment, he recalled something. "That wouldn't be necessary," He said. "But if you do see him, make sure to request a discharge date for me.

"Of course." Bill nodded his head. "I'll do that right away." He said and hurried out of the room, leaving Gabriel alone was again.

Was alone, Gabriel raised the key chain Leonica had given him.

Forget-me-not, he thought, admiring his favorite flower which had been carved into a silver keychain.

A smile bloomed across his lips when remembering that it was Ashley who has given him.

with yet another sigh, the male looked towards his window, watching as the sun descended on the city below, causing the sky to mix with beautiful shades of orange, pink and blue.

As he stared at the scenery, one thought flashed in his mind; he wanted his memories back. Both the bad one and the good ones, he wanted them back.

He didn't know when he would remember, but one thing was for certain, Gabriel didn't intend on stopping until his memories were fully back, even if that meant he'd have to ask Leonica for her help.

But even that, he saw nothing wrong with it.

Leonica, despite the hot head she put up for him from tto time, seemed like a nice person. He had no doubts that she was a good mother and had done her part as a parent.

And him, well, he couldn't even tell how many mistakes he has made or how many people he has hurt in the past, so who was he to judge his ex-wife? He had no clue about his own life, but that didn't stop him from hoping, perhaps the next tthey meet, he'd know the full truth and would be able to apologize properly, for whatever it is he seemed to have done to her.

Perhaps, with that, he can be on his way to fixing things, regaining his memories and having the right to see his son.

Gabriel, for sreason, telt a sudden surge of determination rush through him. He didn't know when it will happen, but he was certain, his memories will return.

And then, he'll know Everything Leonica sat in the parking lot of the supposed restaurant she was meant to meet Owen and his manager, but had arrived way earlier than their planned meeting time, The main culprit of this, was of course Gabriel. He and his damned questions. Leonica had cursed at him one third of the way here, the rest she had spent in silence, listening to music and thinking about what he had asked of her and how she would break the entire thing down to Ashley.

In the end, she couldn't cup with a solution. Which was reasonable as it wasn't everyday one would expect to have to explain to her child that his father had lost his memory With a sigh, Leonica leaned against the chair and closed her eyes.

Just thinking about everything was making ber exhausted.

But then again, thinking and complaining over the matter wasn't going to help her sort anything out.

She opened her eyes after the thought and reached for her phone.

She unlocked the screen, tapped on the call log and looked for the contact name, Ashley.

After the incident with Angelina, she had gotten the little one a phone, nothing fancy, just something she could use and keep communication with him in event something like that repeated itself.

She had a few minutes to spare before the meeting and Owen's company car didn't seem to be anywhere in the vicinity, so Leonica dialed the number and walted for the ringing tone.

Seconds later, Ashley's voice filled the empty space in the car.

"Hi mom!" He happily greeted, and even though Leonica couldn't see his face, she was certain her little one was smiling brightly.

"Hi sweetle," Leonica greeted back. "How was school today? "Boring, as always. He replied and she could hear the sound of him moving, followed by a few muffled words before he spoke again." I'm waiting at the play ground, so are you gonna pickup or is nanny Grace gonna do it?" "Actually, about that_" "No... you're cancelling again?" He guessed and his tone changed drastically.

10 "Sweetie, I promise it's the last time. After today, no more cancelling, no more work. I promise." "That's what you said the last time." Ashley argued and she could almost see the pout forming on his lips. "You always cancel. I'm sure daddy wouldn't cancel if he was here." Now that, hit close to home.

"Ashley," She started, sighing "We've talked about this. Your dad is in no condition to take care of you now- "I know, but I still want to see him." He argued. "I'm not asking to stay with him. Just a visit, that's all. I want to see him." "I know, but..." ""Please mom?" He pleaded.

Leonica didn't reply immediately. She had to think carefully. She had already made her decision about whether or not he'd get to see his father, but she couldn't just tell him like that She knew before taking him to see Gabriel, she needed to seat down and talk things over with him, in the simplest and easiest manner for his brain to understand.

So, she did the best thing she could. "Ashley, how about this; I'll have Anastasia pick you up and then later in the day, we'll have a little chat after I pick you up. We can go somewhere nice, like the park and have a talk about everything, then we'll go home. How's that?" There was silence on the other end, so Leonica continued "Just the the two of us. Okay?" ...Fine." He hesitantly answered.

Leonica smiled a bit after knowing that she was getting through to him, "That's my boy." She praised. Up head, her eyes caught a familiar vehicle pulling into the parking lot and she instantly recognized it as the one Owen used.

It wasn't long be before his manager, Alistair, stepped out and rushed to open the back door for Owen.

"Alright sweetie, I'll be calling you a bit later, so until then, don't be too hard on your Aunty. And no playing with strangers "Olcay mom." He answered.

"And Ashley," She called again, and be hummed. "I love you." "Love you too, mommy" He replied and Leonica felt her heart swell.

With the call ending, Leonica put the phone into her purse and exited the car, locking the door as she walked towards Owen "Owen, hey." She greeted, catching both male's attention, who stopped and waited until she had reached their sides.

"Leonica," Owen was the first to greet her back, with a hug that she eased into with a simple chuckle.

The next greeting was by Alistair, who offered her his hand, all the while scolding Owen about how he cared so little about his image as an idol.

"Do you know what type of scandals would break out if someone were to take a picture of you two hugging?" He questioned in a tone befitting that of a lecturer.

"What type of scandal?" Owen asked, almost too innocently for Alistair's liking With a sigh, the manager pinched the bridge of his nose, mumbling underneath his breath. "I'm already dealing with one problem. because of your recklessness, can't you be considerate for once." "Did you say something, manager?" Owen asked.

"No, not at all, Ms. Romero, shall we head in?" Alistair asked as he turned his attention to Leonica who nodded.

As they walked in, Owen settled beside Leonica, standing as close to her as possible and gently hooking his pinky finger around hers.

"How are you doing, Leo?" He whispered.

"Fine," She replied, allowing the small physical contact, but keeping their hands hidden.

Owen wasn't satisfied by her answer. "Really?" "Mim, I'm fine. Just a bit stressed." She answered again, offering him a genuine smile "Wanna talk about it?" He offered.

Leonica shook her head. "Not now, perhaps another time.

"Well, alright. If you're sure." Owen said, and gave her hand a squeeze, Leonica's eyes glanced up at the male beside her, and for a split second, she wondered how he could act so carefree like they hadn't ended things on a bad note the last the called her out to the cafe. Perhaps he couldn't bring himself to feel angry or awkward around her because they had know each other for quite stime? Or maybe because... he had feelings for her? Shaking the thoughts off ber mind, she decided not to dwell on the matter and instead, allowed herself to ease into the comfortable feeling that the male was bringing They didn't talk much, just a few comments here and there about the decor as they stepped into the restaurant and had the waitress take them to their reserved suite. Once they were inside, seated with food and drink served, Alistair's expression becserious "The reason why I has requested this meeting be set up is because of Owen's recent predicament." Owen's predicament? Leonica thought and glazed at the male seated beside her. He had a nonchalant smile on his face, which only grew when she started at him.

"Which is?" Leonica asked.

Alistair cleared his throat. "Owen was spotted a few days ago, in a café with you. And as usual, it didn't take the media long to make a scandal out of the whole thing. However, the company took care of it all before it had becsomething global, but that didn't restrict a few of his fans from seeing the news." "Oh, "Leonica muttered as she casted pee gaze downwards. She hadn't been aware of this.

"It's nothing," Owen spoke up, trying to reassure her as he gently places his hand over hers. "It's not nothing." Alistair argued, "Your career, the one you've built for so many years, the one I've spent the last three years building is at risk, all because of that." He pointed at Owen's hand on Leonica's "And that damned speech you released " Owen chuckled and withdrew his hand. "Don't tellyou're still salty over that, manager." "Of course, I'm salty, Owen! You went ahead and released the speech I warned you against releasing. And now," He paused and turned towards Leonica. "No offense Ms. Homero "When she slowly nodded her head, he continued. "You're flaunting your personal feelings like your fans don't even exist" Owens Medicament "Manager, calm down." Owen ordered, and for once, his tone sounded different. Almost authoritative.

Leonica's brows furrowed a bit at the change.

"Don't tellto calm down!" Alistair hissed and slammed his palm against the table. "I'm only worried for you, and now I've got the board breathing down my neck. All because you couldn't curtail your feelings right. Do you really have no respect for the job you do?" "Okay, hold on," Leonica finally spoke up, raising her hand to gain the attention she needed. "This is looking more like an argument than a meeting to me," She pointed out. "If this is what is going to be happening, then tell me, I'll gladly take my leave, if not, let's get down to the real matter at hand." She said in an authoritative tone.

"You're right," Alistair agreed and took a deep breath. "I apologize for my rudeness." "It's alright." Leonica accepted his apology and settled her hands on the table. "Now, can you explain what this meeting is about? In simpler terms, please." Alistair nodded his head. "Of course," He said, letting a moment pass, in which he glanced from Owen to Leonica, before he spoke.

The Higher ups at SG entertainment have demanded that Owen set things right and off all contact with you, else his contract will be terminated instantly." No, They're Trying To Control Him! Alistair's words had taken a good couple of minutes before it sank into the heads of both individuals present "What?" Leonica was the first to question, finding what he had just said utterly ridiculous.

"What the hell do you mean cut contact with Leonica or have my contract terminated? Owen joined in, showing anger as he had been kept in the dark with the recent developments.

Sure, he had been scolded once or twice about the speech he released, had his pay cut for an advert or two, but he was cool with that, at least if that was what it took to reduce the public pressure on Leonica, he didn't mind.

But right now, the higher ups demands was too unreasonable.

Asking him to pick between Leonica .O O and his job. They wouldn't dare put those options on the table if they knew that Leonica was the reason why he was who he was today. She had shaped the star that was keeping their damned company afloat, yet they dare do what they were doing Just the sheer thought of their demands alone angered Owen.

"it's either you curb contact with Leonica... Ms. Romero," Alistair quickly corrected himself after getting a warning look from his Idol. "Or the higher ups are going to pull the plug on your career." "They can't do that. "Owen states the obvious. Them pulling the plug on his career was impossible because even without their help, he would still be the people's Idol if he decided to start his own entertainment industry His eyes narrowed at the thought. It was a good idea, why hadn't he thought of that until now. "You gotta understand where they're coming from here, Owen," Saying, Alistair sighed and too a gulp from his previously untouched wine. "They're trying to help you." "No, they're trying to control him." Leonica objected with a pointed stare. "And are you, as his manager, just gonna allow them do so?" She asked. From beside her, the ghostly outline of a smalle made it's way across Owen's face as he was happy to see Leonica speaking up for him. Alistair, at Leonica's question, let out a defeated sigh and fell back into his chair, no longer bothering to mind his seating etiquette. And what would you havedo?" He quizzed, glancing between the both of them, silently asking them for answers.

And Answers she tried to find. Seagate Entertainment, Short for SG entertainment or sometimes SGE had it's long line of employees abuse cases, which of course, ended with their side winning after they had the case swept under the rouge

One time, an employee, idol trainee to be precise, had passed away due to the intense diet she had been put on. To say their ways were evikwaslan understatement. Saying that she was cool with Owen working there, would be an even bigger understatement. With an idea fleeting through Leonica's mind, she glanced at Owen.

"I have an idea, but you'll have to work withto achieve this." Her words were returned with a gleaming beam from Owen. "I'm always on tour side, Leo." He said, staring a er a bit more intense zat her a than Leonica would have liked.

"And you?" She questioned Alistair When be remained silent, she added. "As much as I don't want to admit it, your cooperation would mean an awful lot to what I have, so are you in?

Alistair remained silent and sighed at what Leonica had asked. Even though he does Agree to whatever she has planned, he wonders how she's going to take care of the more pressing matter. And now that he was thinking on the topic, he wondered when those two were going to realize that fans are way more scary than people give them credit for. By the tthe meeting had cto a close, the sun has long disappeared, leaving the city of Oslo to bask in the glory of the moonlight and little additional from the stars.

As they exited the restaurant, Leonica had the tto glance at her phone and realized just how late it had become.

The meeting had taken a bit longer than the usual meeting she attended. And not to mention the extra few minutes they had added to the end to discuss their little plan.

Shit, Ashley was definitely going to be pissed with her.

She thought as she quickly sent a message to Anastasia, asking how Ashley was.

(Pissed. I cher reply.

Leonica sighed. Of course he was, and of course Anastasia would use the opportunity to hound her, seeing as Ashley was her godson.

She sighed and pocketed her phone, deciding it was better to talk things over in person rather than on the phone or over a text, Turning to walk to her car, Owen approached her, stopping her...

Ld "Leo," He called, his hand reaching out to stop her from walking away. "Can I drive you home? We haven't had the tto catch up In a while." He said, a small smile hugging on his lips.

Leonica wanted to say yes. She really did, you know, catch up on the past days event like he has suggested, but her thoughts went back. to the meeting they had just concluded or more importantly, the reason for the meeting that had been held The higher ups at SGE were threatening to pull the plug on Owen's career all because he was getting to involved with her. Now until her plan was concluded, she wanted to avoid that happening.

So, with a regretful sigh, she shook her head. "Thanks, but I don't think that's a good idea." Owen's brows furrowed. "Why not?" "Tecause it's what's best for you, Chwen." She said, looking away from his face when his expression becante sour.

it really, though?" He asked, his voice low.

Leonica didn't answer. She didn't have to. The silence was all he needed.

"For now, at least. Please understand Owen his cyes never With a sigh, the male nodded his head and stepped back, giving her enough space to turn around and walk to her car, once leaving her fruntil she had slipped into the car. Only then did he hesitate, but turned around and headed for the car Alistair was waiting for him in After half an hour of driving, Leonica arrived at Anastasia's place and was greeted with a sleeping Ashley and a very much pissed off Anastasia.

"Hey, I'm sorry." She apologized the moment she had stepped into the living room of Anastasia's penthouse.

Anastasia, however, wasn't having it. She raised a finger and pointed at her godson, who was curled up on the couch with a blanket covering his body.

"What happened to the park? Having a talk with him?" She questioned repeating the exact swords Ashley had told her when she had picked him up.

Leonica opened her mouth, wanting to say something to defend herself, but in the end, she closed her lips, realizing that nothing she says would make her actions seem better.

"I'll take this up with you later." Anastasia added upon her silence.

"Thank you for watching him." Leonica said and walked towards the couch, bending over the back and staring at her sleeping son.

Carefully, she moved the strand of hair that had fallen onto his forehead, tucking it behind his ear and placing a gentle kiss on his forehead.

Ashley stirred, his sleep being disturbed by his mother's affectionate gesture. "Mom?" He groaned.

Leonica pulled away and watched as Ashley rubbed the sleep from his eyes and sat up.

"Hi sweetie." She greeted him, moving around the couch and taking a seat beside him.

"You're late." He pointed out, a pout settling on his lips instantly.

"I know," She agreed. "I'm sorry." "And we were supposed to go to the park." "Yeah,"