The Ex-Wife's Empire: When She Stopped Begging And Started Conquering

The plane had landed quite some time earlier when Samira Lowell finally walked out of the Goldland airport. Night had already settled in, and the clock had passed nine. The day carried special meaning. It was her birthday.

When she switched on her phone, the screen immediately filled with messages from friends and coworkers. Greetings poured in one after another. Yet among all those messages, one absence stood out. Declan Whitmore, her husband, hadn't sent anything. The smile on her face disappeared at once.

By the time Samira arrived at the villa, it was already well past ten. Maribel, the housekeeper, looked startled when she opened the door and saw her standing there.

"Mrs. Whitmore! But... what brings you here?"

"Where are Declan and Kylie?" Samira asked in a firm voice.

"Mr. Whitmore hasn't come back yet, and Miss Kylie is in her room," Maribel explained. "She's quietly playing."

Samira said nothing more. She handed her luggage to Maribel and went straight upstairs.

Through the slightly open bedroom door, she saw her daughter already dressed in pajamas. Kylie sat at her small table and focused completely on what she was doing. She was so absorbed that she didn't notice her mother's presence.

"Kylie?" Samira whispered.

The little girl lifted her head. Her bright eyes sparkled as a wide smile spread across her face.

"Mom!"

She rushed forward and wrapped her arms around Samira for a brief moment. Almost right away, she pulled back and returned to what she was doing.

"Mom, I'm busy..."

Two months had passed since Samira last saw her. That quick hug did nothing to ease the ache she had carried all this time. Still, seeing how excited Kylie looked, Samira held back and didn't want to interrupt her joy.

"Kylie, are you making a shell necklace?" Samira asked softly.

"Yes!" Kylie answered with pride. "It's for Mrs. Sloane's birthday next week. Dad and I collected these shells together, and we polished them ourselves. Look at them. Aren't they shiny?"

Samira felt her throat tighten. Meanwhile, Kylie kept talking, completely energized.

"Dad also ordered other gifts for Mrs. Sloane. And tomorrow..."

Samira interrupted her without meaning to.

"Kylie... do you know what day it was today?"

"Huh? What?" Kylie muttered. Then she frowned slightly. "Oh, Mom, wait. I placed the bead in the wrong spot..."

Her response drifted into silence. Samira stood there without moving and watched her daughter, who never looked up again. After a moment, Samira quietly turned and walked out of the room, a heavy weight settling in her chest.

When she reached the downstairs hall, Maribel noticed the sadness in her eyes.

"Mrs. Whitmore, I spoke with sir earlier," Maribel said gently. "He mentioned that he's very busy tonight and suggested that you get some rest."

"I understand," Samira replied softly.

Still, Kylie's words kept echoing in her mind. Acting on a sudden impulse, Samira pulled out her phone and dialed Declan's number. The line rang for a long time before he finally