DEAR EX-HUSBAND, YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ME BACK

OLIVIA'S POVThe restaurant was brimming with conversation and the occasional clink of glasses. Soft jazz music played in the background, adding a classy outlook to the already sophisticated environment. I sat across from my elder brother, Ethan, who had just finished his third glass of wine and was now swirling the remnants around the glass.“It’s been years, Olivia,” Ethan began, his tone laced with that familiar sarcasm he seemed to carry around.“Years?” I stared at him and chuckled. “It’s not even been two months!”“But I’ve missed my baby sis,” He whined on.“And I’ve missed you too,” I admitted, a huge smile forming across my lips.Ethan called a waiter who was passing and ordered another bottle of wine.“So…Lucas?” He stared at me. “How is he doing?”I sighed, setting my fork down on my half-eaten plate of pasta. My marriage with Lucas had been a bit shaky in recent weeks but I was not bothered. Lucas loved me but he had been very busy with business meetings recently.“He’s fi

OLIVIA'S POVThe drive back home was long. I sat in the back of the black SUV, staring out the window, lost in my thoughts. My heart felt like it had been shattered into a thousand pieces, scattered and forgotten. I couldn’t seem to shake off the image of Lucas and that whore from my mind, their laughter ringing in my ears, the betrayal so fresh that it burned like a hot, relentless fire. But the further we drove, the more distant the pain felt, like a shadow being pushed back by the light.When the familiar, sprawling gates of the Richards mansion finally came into view, I couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. I had spent twenty-three years of my life here, growing up in this grand estate, surrounded by luxury and comfort. And now, it felt like the only place that could offer me some bit of peace, even if I didn’t feel like I deserved it.The black SUVs slowed as they approached the grand entrance, the sleek marble pillars and towering arches of the mansion standing before me.

OLIVIA'S POVHow could father be so insensitive? How could he set me up with the very man he knew betrayed me? My pulse quickened, and for a brief moment, it was like time had rewound. The memories of betrayal, of heartbreak, came rushing back, leaving me momentarily frozen in my seat.“Keep it together,” Ethan’s voice hissed next to me. He leaned in, his tone low and sharp. “You’re the CEO now. Don’t let him rattle you.”I couldn’t respond. My gaze was locked on Lucas as he sauntered into the room, exuding the same infuriating confidence he always had. His tailored navy suit fit him perfectly, the silver cufflinks catching the light as he adjusted his tie. He barely glanced around the room. He didn’t even acknowledge me.That, more than anything, sent a spike of anger through me. After everything, he dared to act as if I didn’t exist? My fingers tightened around the pen I was holding, and I forced myself to inhale deeply, to calm the storm brewing within me.Lucas set down his brie

OLIVIA’S POVAs I pushed open the door to my office, my breath caught in my throat. There he was, sitting in one of the chairs across from my desk, his posture casual but his eyes anything but Lucas Preston.I stopped in my tracks, gripping the edge of the door tightly for a moment before forcing myself to exhale. I would not let him rattle me. Not again.Straightening my blazer, I walked past him without a word and made my way to my desk. The weight of his gaze bore into me, but I refused to acknowledge it.I had barely reached my chair when he picked up my nameplate, running his fingers across the engraved letters as if testing their authenticity.“Olivia Smith,” he said, his voice low and deliberate. He turned the nameplate over in his hands before placing it back on the desk in front of me. “We need to talk.”I sat down, leaning back in my chair, and crossed my arms over my chest. “We have nothing to talk about, Mr Preston."His jaw tightened, and his eyes flashed with something I

OLIVIA’S POV The sunlight streaming through my window woke me before my alarm could. For a moment, I lay there, staring at the ceiling, gathering my thoughts. Another day, another chance to prove Father wrong. With that determination surging through me, I sprang out of bed and headed straight for the shower. The warm water cascading over my skin was invigorating, washing away the lingering exhaustion from yesterday. I chose a black pair of tailored pants and a floral blouse—something professional yet elegant. Pulling my hair into a sleek ponytail, I applied light makeup, just enough to highlight my features. I looked at myself in the mirror, and my lips curled in a smile. You’ve got this, Olivia. I grabbed my bag and headed downstairs. As I descended the grand staircase, the sound of laughter echoed through the hall. Father’s deep chuckle, Ethan’s familiar laugh, and a third voice—warm yet unfamiliar—floated up to me. I frowned slightly, curiosity piqued. When I entered the dinin