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Chapter 23
Last Updated:
2025-01-21 10:49:14
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After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 24
Emily‘s povI stood frozen for a moment after I uttered the words, “I’ll think about it.” The room felt heavy, as though my own uncertainty had filled it. Damian's eyes searched mine, a faint glimmer of hope lingering in their depths, but he didn’t press me. He made one hell of a case.“I’m well-educated, have no bad habits, and I would never betray you. You can be sure about that. I take loyalty very seriously.” Damian’s words were steady and confident, a reflection of his composed demeanor.Damian was everything anyone could hope for in a man—kind, empathetic, and the picture of respectability. His every action seemed deliberate, rooted in a deep sense of integrity. Yet, I couldn’t understand why someone like him would want to be with me. My life was a mess. I was a divorcee, reeling from betrayal, and all he’d seen of me was my most vulnerable, broken self.As perfect as Damian seemed, my heart wasn’t ready. The timing felt off, like the universe had decided to test me just as I was
Last Updated : 2025-01-22After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 25
Emily‘s POVThe hospital corridors smelled of antiseptic, sharp and sterile, as I walked briskly toward my father’s room. My heart felt like a stone in my chest, heavy and cold. I hadn’t slept since the news came in, my mind caught between worry for my father and the mess my life had become. The fluorescent lights above flickered slightly, adding to my unease. I paused at the door, steadying myself before pushing it open.Inside, my mother sat in a chair beside my father’s bed. Her hands were clasped tightly, her face pale with worry, but her eyes lit up when she saw me."Emily," she said softly, rising to meet me. "He’s awake. He’s weak, but the doctors think he’s stable now."A rush of relief swept over me, momentarily lightening the weight on my shoulders. I stepped closer to the bed. My father, once strong and proud, now looked frail against the stark white of the hospital linens. His skin was pale, his cheeks sunken, but his eyes flickered open when he heard my voice."Emily…" His
Last Updated : 2025-01-24After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 26
Maya’s POVThe soft glow of candlelight flickered against the bedroom walls as I nestled against Louis’s chest, savoring the quiet intimacy of the moment. His arm rested possessively around my waist, and for once, the world outside felt distant and unimportant. Just as my fingers traced lazy patterns along his collarbone, his phone buzzed insistently on the nightstand.I stiffened. Who would dare intrude on our time together?Louis sighed, his breath warm against my hair. He reached for the phone, casting a brief, apologetic glance my way. I craned my neck to catch the name on the screen, my heart sinking when I saw it.Emily.Of course, it had to be her. That woman was like a ghost that refused to be exorcised from our lives. Louis hesitated, his thumb hovering over the screen. For a brief, delicious moment, I thought he might ignore it. But then, to my dismay, he answered.“Emily,” he said, his tone tinged with impatience. “What is it? Don’t call me like this. Maya might misunderst
Last Updated : 2025-01-25After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 27
Damian’s POVI stood in front of my closet, staring at the rows of neatly pressed shirts and perfectly matched ties, as though they held the secret to tonight's success. Dinner with Emily. Just the thought of her name was enough to send a flutter of nerves through my chest. It wasn’t a date, at least not officially, but it felt monumental, like the start of something I didn’t quite dare to name yet.Formal attire seemed too stiff, too calculated, as though I were attending a business meeting. Casual felt careless, disrespectful even, as if I weren’t taking her seriously. In the end, I chose a crisp white button-down shirt and dark slacks, a balance between effort and ease. The reflection staring back at me in the mirror looked composed, but inside, I felt anything but.As I drove to Emily’s house, my thoughts raced. Memories from our childhood at the children’s home flooded back, unbidden and vivid. Back then, she had been the light in a dim, uncertain world. Her laughter could chase
Last Updated : 2025-01-27After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 28
Lucy’s POVMaya’s family home was just as I’d expected—squat, with a sagging fence, chipped paint, and a yard barely clinging to life. “Mrs. Whitmore,” Lyla, Maya’s mother, greeted us with a disarming smile. Her golden locks were gathered in a delicate bun, and a modest purple gem sparkled at her neck. Though her dress was plain, it was clean and well-kept.“Mrs. Evans,” I replied, my voice smooth and composed. “Thank you for having us.”Lyla inclined her head graciously but didn’t smile. “It’s my pleasure.”There was a quiet dignity in her bearing that caught me off guard. I had expected subservience, an almost eager deference from a woman of her station. But Lyla stood poised, her gaze steady as she regarded me.As Louis exchanged pleasantries with her, my attention drifted across the street. Emily was in her yard, tending to her vegetable garden. She looked up, her gaze fixed on us with an air of calm detachment, as though she had all the time in the world.A prick of embarrassmen
Last Updated : 2025-01-28After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 29
Emily’s POVThe brisk winter air nipped at my cheeks as Emma and I wandered through the bustling streets of downtown, the golden glow of shop windows casting fleeting warmth on our path. She had insisted on window shopping, her idea of distracting me from the storm of emotions swirling within me after visiting my father. The streets were alive with laughter, conversations, and the clink of teacups from nearby cafés. It was a world so full of life and light that I almost forgot the weight on my shoulders. Almost.“Emily, look at this!” Emma exclaimed, tugging at my arm as she gestured toward a hat in one of the shop windows. “You’d look so chic in this!”I gave her a faint smile. “Maybe, but I’d feel more like I was wearing a birdcage on my head.”She burst out laughing, and I couldn’t help but join her, the sound of our mirth cutting through the cold air. For a moment, it was easy to pretend that life wasn’t so complicated.That was until we stepped into the cozy embrace of a nearby
Last Updated : 2025-01-30After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 30
Emily’s POVDuring the day, I helped run my family’s restaurant, finding a rare sense of happiness while at night I was part-timing at the bar Emma worked. She pitched the job to me, and I aced the interview thanks to my stint in a bar after high school. In just a week, she became the closest thing to a best friend. My past had made me wary of friendships, but Emma’s bright smile and no-nonsense attitude gave me hope.“You’re starting again,” Emma teased without looking up, a mischievous grin playing on her lips.“Am I?” I shot back, feigning innocence.“Daydreaming.” Emma teased, pouring the shimmering liquid into a frosted glass. “Look, if I had half your charm, I’d have men tripping over themselves just to order another round. You could probably have three boyfriends by noon if you wanted.”I rolled my eyes, laughing softly. “One is more than enough to deal with, thank you.”She arched a brow but didn’t press further. The truth was, Damian had been on my mind more than I cared to ad
Last Updated : 2025-02-10After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 31
Emily’s POVI took a deep breath, my fingers clenching into fists on my knees as I sat in the middle of them. “What if we hosted a special dining event at the restaurant? Something new, something fresh.”“We could showcase our traditional dishes, mix them up with fusion recipes, and pair them with cocktails I’ve learned from Emma. We invite food critics, bloggers, TikTok influencers, people I know from food magazines and dad’s connections from the travel industry.”I leaned forward, my pulse quickening with excitement. “If it works, we could gain more exposure, attract new customers, maybe even get some collaboration offers.”My father sighed, setting his tea down. “That sounds like a lot of work.”“It will be,” I admitted. “But we need something to push us forward, right? We’re doing better, but we can’t just sit, and hope things will change. We have to make them change.”Lola perked up. “It could be cool. I mean, people love those fancy, exclusive food events. If we market it right,
Last Updated : 2025-02-10
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After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 130
Madelin’s POVThe restaurant was dimly lit, all shadows and soft music, the kind of place where lovers leaned in too close and secrets were whispered into wine glasses. I sat in the farthest booth, hidden beneath the brim of a wide hat and a veil that shimmered like mist. The staff didn’t question me. Money has a way of silencing curiosity. I had slipped out of the estate days ago, or was it longer? Time meant very little to me now. The days bled together, foggy and slow, like honey dripping from a broken jar. No one noticed I was gone. Or perhaps they did, and they just didn’t care.Then, through the clink of glasses and the low hum of conversation, I saw them. Charles, Maya, and Lyla. The triumvirate of my former life, sitting under golden lights like a scene from a dream I’d never been invited into. Maya was radiant, her hand protectively resting over her rounded stomach, smiling, laughing, receiving every doting glance from Charles like she had earned them. Lyla looked different—w
After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 129
Maya’s POVThe day was warm and beautiful, and the sun was casting soft shadows across the polished table where I sat across from my mother. Lyla. My mother, my enigma, my constant contradiction. She looked so elegant in that pale lilac silk blouse, her wrists adorned with delicate bangles that clinked gently every time she lifted her wine glass. Her hair was swept back with effortless grace, a loose bun that framed her face with that familiar softness I remembered from childhood. There was something different about her that afternoon. She looked… peaceful, resolved. It unnerved me.I had just finished opening the latest round of extravagant gifts that had arrived since my induction into The Salvare Society. A Baccarat crystal rattle. A limited-edition baby carriage from some obscure Italian designer. Tiny hand-stitched gowns made of French lace. Silver spoons with my child’s initials already engraved. The rich did not simply give—they performed. And I had become their stage."Can you
After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 128
Barrett’s POVThe car was silent, tense like a drawn wire ready to snap. I sat between Maya and Charlotte, a wall of expensive cologne, perfume, and pride keeping us all in separate orbits. Neither of them looked at each other, and frankly, I preferred it that way. Maya, in a sleek dark emerald gown, her baby bump delicately concealed but not hidden, stared out the window with a smirk that didn’t reach her eyes. Charlotte, resplendent in a tailored navy-blue suit dress that reeked of polished ambition, kept her gaze fixed straight ahead, her jaw tight, her fingers twisting the strap of her clutch. I could feel it—the storm of resentment between them swirling like a hurricane against the glass. But I said nothing.They were going to be introduced to the Salvare Society tonight whether they liked it or not. It had taken long enough. My hand tightened around the handle of my cane. This wasn’t about who deserved it more. It wasn’t even about them. It was about legacy. It was about preserv
After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 127
Charles’s POVI stepped out of the car, cane in hand, my breath fogging in the cool air. The facility was just as pristine and peaceful as always, with its manicured gardens and soft music playing behind the glass walls. A place designed for tranquility. For forgetting. For hiding people too delicate for the real world. I paid for that illusion, month after month. My name on the donation plaques ensured discretion, ensured comfort. But it could never bring back time.I walked slowly, every step measured, every inhale deliberate. I had postponed this visit for weeks, maybe months if I were honest. There was always a reason not to come. A meeting. A dinner. A fabricated emergency. I had buried myself in the rituals of my empire, pretending I had no ghosts left to face. But they lived here. She lived here. And I was out of excuses.The nurse greeted me at the door. A young girl with a polite smile and eyes that were far too curious for my liking.“She’s in the solarium,” she said, motion
After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 126
Barrett's POVI had heard the shouting. Not unusual in this house, no. Emotions ran high, and the Barrett mansion had always been a place where drama echoed off the marble floors like thunder. But this—this was different. This wasn’t the irritated bickering of cooks or the clipped tones of Charlotte talking on the phone. This was raw. Violent. Human. I sat up straighter in my chair, the fine wood creaking beneath me, and tilted my head, trying to catch more. But by the time I reached the hallway, adjusting my robe and gripping my cane with one steady hand, everything had fallen silent.The lights down the corridor flickered briefly as I stepped into the hallway. And then I saw Alfred, the butler, coming up from the west wing, his face pale, his hands shaking slightly in their white gloves.“Where is Charles?” I asked sharply, my voice cutting through the silence.“Gone, sir,” Alfred said quickly. “He rushed Mrs. Lyla to the hospital. She… there was an accident. She fell. She hit her h
After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 125
Charles’s POVLyla’s voice sliced through the stillness of our bedroom like a jagged piece of glass, sharp and trembling, trembling not just with rage but with years of swallowed tears and disappointment. I could barely look at her, but I couldn’t look away either. Her eyes, red-rimmed and glistening, stared straight into me, as though she could see the rot beneath my composed surface. My tablet was still in my hands, but my fingers had gone numb, and the glowing screen now felt obscene in the face of her heartbreak.“I just want my daughter to live with dignity!” she cried out, each word unraveling like a stitch pulled too tight. “Without guilt, without feeling like she doesn’t belong!”I flinched. There it was. The thing I had been pretending didn’t exist for years now. The truth. Ugly, bleeding, and long overdue. I stared at her, silent, pinned to the mattress by the weight of my own cowardice. My mouth opened, but nothing came out. How could it? I didn’t have the right to defend m
After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 124
Lyla’s POVMaya turned, holding a plush white bear with a satin bow. “Still nothing?”“No,” I said, blinking back the sting in my eyes. “It’s fine. He’s probably just busy.”“With what?” she snapped. “Charlotte’s endless parade of guilt? That woman could turn a sunny day into a funeral. I swear, if she says one more thing about how he ruined her childhood, I will personally frame every photo of you raising Damian and make her eat them.”I laughed, despite the tightness in my chest. “She just misses her mother. And Charles... he carries that guilt like a stone.”“He uses it as a shield,” Maya muttered. “To push you out.”We went back to the mansion just before five. Maya excused herself for a nap, her hand resting protectively over her belly. I watched her walk away down the long corridor, her robe trailing like a queen’s train, and I felt a sudden ache so deep I nearly staggered. I had done everything for this family. I had been the glue, the thread, the silence between their shouts.
After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 123
Lyla’s POVThe moment the doors closed, Maya turned on me like a storm. “I hate seeing you like this—like some kind of servant in the Barretts' house. You do things out of kindness, and they just don’t get it. They don’t see you. And let’s be honest, you don’t even have a place there—not officially.”The words hit me like a slap. My hands trembled, and before I could stop it, the tears came. Hot, humiliating, relentless tears. I didn’t even wipe them away. I just stood there, crying, whispering, “I’m sorry, Maya. I’m so sorry,” again and again like a broken record.Maya’s anger faltered. Her expression cracked, and she stepped forward, her voice softer now. “Hey. No. No, no, no.” She wrapped her arms around me and pulled me close, one hand stroking my hair the way she used to when I was the strong one and she was just a frightened little girl.“It’s not your fault,” she whispered. “But you can’t keep living like this.”I sobbed into her shoulder, my fingers clutching at the fabric of
After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 122
Lyla’s POVThe morning sun filtered through the gauzy curtains of the garden canopy, spilling soft light across the freshly trimmed hedges and carefully positioned wrought-iron furniture. The air smelled faintly of lilacs and expensive fertilizer, the kind that came in black-and-gold packaging and boasted European soil enhancements. I sat quietly across from Maya at the little round table near the fountain, my hands cupped around a delicate porcelain coffee mug, steam curling into the spring air like the ghosts of my intentions. Maya looked stunning, of course, as she always did—even with her pregnancy making her visibly rounder. She wore that expensive silk robe I had given her, pale blue with gold piping, and her skin glowed like she had been kissed by candlelight. I couldn’t stop staring at her, not because I was jealous, but because she had everything I had once dreamed I’d give to a daughter of my own.“Coffee is perfect today,” she murmured, taking a sip, her voice casual but cl
