After The Divorce

He reached out and grabbed the pen, shoving it in her limp fingers. Melanie held the pen, hesitating as she hovered over the line. Part of her wanted to resist, to not make it so easy for Hardin after his betrayal. But deep down, she knew prolonging things would only cause more pain. "You don't deserve to be celebrated, Hardin. You're nothing but a liar and a cheat," she spat out. She scrawled her name quickly in the vacant lines before she lost her nerve, throwing the pen down in disgust. Natalia clapped her hands with glee. "Oh wonderful! Let's go celebrate your freedom and also continue your birthday celebration, babe." Melanie struggled to tear her eyes away from Hardin as his lips met Natalia’s in a passionate kiss. Once they left, she ran a bath and sank into the scalding water, sobbing violently. She had loved this man with all of her heart, even before he married her. Was their entire marriage a whole lie? The next morning, Melanie woke with a pounding headache, her

Melanie stared at Natalia in disbelief. "You can't be serious. I will never be your maid." Natalia laughed coldly. "Why? Because you think you're above it? Please. Do not forget where you came from." She stepped even closer, gaze raking over Melanie calculatingly. "Or have you forgotten? Your mother was a simple maid when my father picked her up, wasn't she?" Anger flooded Melanie at the jab at her late mother. "My mother worked hard as a waitress - it was honest work providing for me. Besides, your father is my father too."Natalia waved her hand dismissively. "Waitress, maid, potato, potahto, it's all the same." Melanie turned helplessly to Hardin. "Please, tell me you won't allow this."Hardin watched her impassively, his hazel eyes showing nothing. "Our marriage is dissolved, Melanie. You have no right to be here anymore.""How can you be so cold?" she whispered in despair. “I do not know you to be a troublemaker Melanie,” he looked at her coldly. “You have to leave right no

Back at Marshall Corp. The secretary, Gina, had put off a particular conversation with Hardin for weeks but knew she couldn't delay it any longer. Her stomach was in knots just thinking about breaking the news to him. Hardin was an intimidating boss, always stern and unrelenting in his demands. Gina feared how he would react to what she had to say. She heard the elevator ding, signaling Hardin's arrival on their floor. His long strides could be heard down the hall as he approached his office. Gina slowly got up from her desk and walked over to meet him. "Good evening, Mr. Greene. Do you have a minute? There's something I need to discuss with you," Gina said, trying to keep her voice even. Hardin glanced at her impatiently as he unlocked his office door. "Make it quick, Gina. I have a lot of work to get through tonight." She hesitantly followed him into his spacious office. Hardin tossed his briefcase onto the leather couch and turned to face her, crossing his arms expectantly.

Hardin sighed as he wrapped up the video call with some investors. Leaning back in his chair, he rubbed tired eyes and rolled his stiff shoulders from sitting hunched over his laptop all afternoon. As CEO of Marshall Corp, the work was never done.He booted up his computer one last time to check some proposals and reports before leaving the office. As it loaded, his eyes scanned the daily news feeds automatically popping up. Then something made him pause and do a double take.Squinting closer at the screen, he rubbed his eyes in disbelief. There, on the front page of the Seattle Times website, was a photo that couldn't possibly be real. But it was unmistakably her face!His ex-wife stared back at him from beneath a headline that sent his mind spinning: "Acclaimed Interior Designer Melanie Marshall Returns to Seattle After 5 Years." He could hear his heart beating loudly against his rib cage as he clicked through to the full article with shaking hands. It was really her. Paragraphs

Luca's jaw twitched, clearly fighting the urge to argue with his elderly grandfather in public. Finally he sighed tersely."All right, Grandpa. I'll check my schedule and see if I have an opening to show Melanie and the children a few residential options in town around tomorrow afternoon."Damon chuckled deeply. "Excellent! No need to be so sour, Luca. I'm sure this will be good business." He turned back to Melanie warmly. "Please, let me know if any home catches your fancy. I want you all to be comfortable during your stay."Melanie chuckled. "You’ve been too kind, sir." She paused, realizing she didn't know his name. "I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name earlier...""Damon. Grandpa Damon to these rascals," he replied fondly, ruffling the twins' hair. "A pleasure to meet you properly, Melanie.""Likewise, Grandpa Damon.” She glanced at Luca."And I appreciate you taking the time as well, Luca. It means a great deal."“Yeah you’re welcome,” Luca replied swiftly, giving her that intense