After Divorce Billionaire Ex Found Me Pregnant (Leonica and Gabriel)

The introduction party ended on a grand note and everyone who was invited went home happy and content. "Leonica, thank you once again." Benjamin gently patted his daughter's back as she saw him off. "Anytime father," She offered him a smile before turning to her mother and hugging the woman.

"Come visit us sometime," Cassandra said as she squeezed Leonica hard before pulling back and holding both of her shoulders. "That place is still your home even though that child now lives there."

Leonica smiled. "Of course, mother." She bade both her parents goodbye, waiting until their car had driven off before she turned to address Irene who had been watching her with a smug look. "You have a habit of popping up in the most unexpected places." She regarded her from head to toe, noticing that Meredith was not by her side as usual.

The poor maid probably couldn't stand her after all the rubbish she heard Irene spout.

"What do you want Irene?"Property © NôvelDrama.Org.

Irene chuckled, amused. "How can you act like this? Did you not hear what father said?"

Father, Leonica clicked her tongue, so Irene now addressed him that way.

"That he's going to include your name among his successor's list? Well yes, I did and congratulations." She replied indifferently, crossing her arms as she scanned her so called half sister from head to toe. "If that's all you have to say, then let me ask you one question. Why did reveal your existence as MY father's daughter?"

"What, do you believe only you deserve a happy family? So because of that I should have kept my mouth shut?" She mirrored Leonica's stance, except hers had more pride and arrogance while Leonica's own had a calm and collected demeanor. "Pardon?"

"Everything you've had up until now, has been provided by father. The company, your connections heck, even your ex husband. You're only where you are today because our father helped you." She chuckled, her gaze turning condescending. "And you think you're better than me? You're just an ungrateful bitch who thinks she's entitled to everything because she's his real child."

"I am who I am today because father provided everything for me?" Leonica couldn't help but chuckle. She found it funny how Irene believed that her father had provided all she has today.

Sure, he had given her the company, but she didn't get it handed to her on a silver platter. She worked hard and proved herself worthy of seating in the president seat and even then, it had been taken from her. Had she not bought it with HER money, Romero Empire would be singing a different song.

"Oh Irene, your humor still amazes me up till this point," Leonica taunted, but just as quickly as her smile had appeared, it disappeared, leaving a more serious and menacing expression across her face. "But don't kid yourself. I got everything I have today by my own hand and nothing more. So if you think for a second that because father agreed to put your name on his list of successors, you've become a threat to me, you're wrong."

Irene tightened her jaw. "Is that so?" She asked in a challenging tone.

"It is." Came Leonica's answer as her driver finally pulled up behind her, holding the door open for her. Just before she stepped in, she looked above her shoulder, regarding Irene one last time. "Know your place Irene Rosewood. This isn't a fantasy world where an illegitimate child like you gets to play heroine and steal the spotlight from the protagonist."

Leonica stepped into the car, slamming the door shut as her driver, without having to be told, drove off.

And just as Leonica's car disappeared from view, the smug expression Irene had on, dropped and a scowl etched it's way on her face.

"She really thinks she's superior." She grumbled, clenching her fists. "Just you wait, I'll make you beg at my feet after stripping away everything you love."

Pulling out her phone, she called someone, when they answered, she instructed. "I'll pay you any amount, all I need you to do is dig up dirt on someone for me." Her source on the other end must have agreed because instantly, her lip twitched up into a satisfied smirk. "Leonica Romero, that's the name."

"Mommy!" Ashley rushed into his mother's arm as soon as she had returned home.

"Hi sweetie," Leonica cooed, wrapping her arms around the boy, peppering his cheeks with kisses. "Were you a good boy while mommy was away?"

Ashley nodded. "Yeah. Grace had me do my homework after which we watched cartoon together all afternoon."

Leonica made a surprised face. "Did you now?"

"Uh-huh." Came Ashley's answer in between giggles as his mother returned him to the floor and Grace stepped out of the kitchen.

"Welcome home, Madame." The caretaker greeted.

"Hello Grace. Thank you for looking after Ashley once again."

"Most certainly. How was your night?"

"Exhausting," Came Leonica's answer as she sank into one of the couches, not bother to change out of the dress she was in. "No matter how many times I go to these parties, I can never get used to them.". "Would you like something to drink, madam?"

"Please."

Grace went back into the kitchen and not long later, she came out with a cup of hot chocolate.

"Here," She offered the cup and Leonica took it with a thanks, taking a sip from it while noticing how Grace lingered nearby.

"Is there something you want to discuss with me, Grace?" She asked at last.

I.ne

The caretaker tentatively stepped closer, fiddling with the tips of her finger. "Forgive me for asking, but while watching tv shows with Ashley happened to come across the speech Mr. Romero was giving at today's party and..."

The rest of her words trailed off as Leonica placed her cup down. "You couldn't help but wonder if all father said was true, yes?" A nod from the caretaker answered her question. Leonica sighed. "It's true, Irene Rosewood is not part of our family."

"Don't look so worried," Leonica added as she stood up, briefly stretching. "I have everything understand control."

Yeah? That was the exact same thing she said four months ago when they sat in her room and discussed the topic of her messy love life, Grace thought with worried eyes.

She also claimed to have that one under control, yet till this day, the caretaker was a hundred percent sure that Leonica had not found it in herself to fully open her heart up to Owen. "Now tell me, did anyone visit while I was away?"

"No. Ah, but there was a parcel drop off for you." Grace rushed to where she had dropped the small brown box, while Leonica watched her in confusion.

A parcel? She wasn't expecting one.

Seconds later, the maid returned with a small box that had been neatly wrapped. The sender, was unknown?

Leonica stared at the box for a minute, wondering who could have sent her something like this, when suddenly, her mind went to one particular person. Owen.

Could it be him?

Quickly, she took the box and tore it open, eyes widening when she saw the prettiest red gown, complete with a pair of high heels.

This, it had to be Owen. Her suspicion was confirmed when she called the blonde and the first thing he said was.

"Did you get it?"

"It's beautiful," Leonica said with a smile. "But what is it for?"

"My shot is wrapping up in a few days, remember that dinner you offered we get?"

"Yeah?" Leonica was suddenly grinning from ear to ear at this and Grace found the sight quite amusing. Perhaps she had been wrong.

"I'm going to be a bit selfish and switch it up a bit."

"Switch up a bit?" She asked.

"Yeah, but it's going to be a secret. Do you trust me, luce mia."

She did. "I won't have agreed to be your fiancée if I didn't?"

She could sense Owen grinning because of her answer. "It's settled then. I'll see you in Saturday, love."

"I'll be waiting." And just like that, the call was over and Leonica had a bright smile across her face.

"So, it's from Mr. Lee I assume?" Grace asked.

"Yes. Please put it away for me, would you?"

Grace nodded and picked the dress, sneaking a peak at it one last time before covering the book. "He has a keen eye, the dress is pretty, just like it's owner."

"Thank you Grace, but you're not getting a salary raise." Leonica teased and the older woman could only shake her head.

"You read far too deep into people's actions, Madame. It was a simple compliment."

"Uh-huh." Was all the young woman said before her phone started ringing and the ID caller read Arvan.

Leonica's brows dipped. It was unusual for him to call this late.

"Arvan, hey," She answered the phone, pressing it to her ear while she unbuckled her heels, giving her toes the much needed relief they craved. "Is everything alright." "Hey Leonica. Yeah, everything's okay. I just...need to speak to you."

"Oh," Although she was slightly taken aback by his words, her eyes found the clock hung on her wall. "Ah, well it's already late, would it be alright to discuss whatever it is over the phone?" en

"No," There was a pause. "I'm in front of your house, please come outside Leonica."