Ex-Husband, You Don't Own me

“You can go.” Luke kept his eyes on the papers as Miller and Warry left. The door clicked shut behind them, but he did not reach for his pen. Yesterday, Dexie had refused to sign. Today, she had returned the agreement with terms that gave him everything and left her with nothing. He read her signature again. The writing was firm. She had not crossed anything out or left part of the agreement unsigned. Even the stock transfer was complete. Luke gave a cold scoff and pushed the papers aside. There had to be a reason. Perhaps she thought refusing his money would make him feel guilty. Perhaps she expected him to call and ask what she wanted. He picked up the file he had been reading before Miller arrived. After a few lines, he realized he had taken in none of it. Luke started again, pressing a finger against the page to hold his place. Still, his thoughts returned to the same words. As soon as possible. Dexie had always wanted more time. More time to talk, more time together, mo

“Isn’t that a waste of time?” Luke asked with a cold laugh. “I thought you wanted to spend all your time with me.” Dexie looked up at him. He was standing close, his expression hard. Once, a remark like that would have embarrassed her. She would have searched for an answer that let him know she loved him without giving him another reason to mock her. Now she simply shrugged. “You’re right. I was blind, and I wasted too much time on you. I should use the time I have left more wisely.” Warry stared at her from behind Luke. Dexie noticed his surprise, but she did not explain herself. He had seen enough of their marriage to know how she used to behave. She could understand why hearing her speak this way would shock him. A whisper rose from the employees nearby. “Mrs. Dawson really wants a divorce?” “And she’s the one pushing for it?” Dexie kept her eyes on Luke, though she could still hear them. “Why would she divorce someone like Mr. Dawson?” “Do you think it’s because of Mrs.

Luke had kept her waiting twice in one day. Dexie sat in her car outside the Civil Affairs Office, staring at the entrance. She had already told Warry to get her an exact time if Luke could not come today. She had ended the call without knowing Luke had taken the phone just before she hung up. Now there was nothing to do but wait again. Dexie checked the time, then put her phone aside. He had sent a lawyer to ask for a divorce. He had offered a generous settlement to make her agree. Yet now that she had signed, he seemed unable to finish what he had started. She did not understand him. But she would not mistake his delay for love. She had made enough excuses for him in her previous life. Whatever his reason was, she no longer wanted to spend hours trying to guess it. Sooner or later, they would complete the divorce. For now, she had something more important to do. Dexie started the car and headed home. Her phone rang along the way. She answered through the car’s speaker. “

“Look at what you’ve done. Is this how you repay your mother after everything she’s done for you?” Rodel pointed at Dexie, his voice growing louder. She remained seated on the sofa. “Repay her?” Dexie looked from Sarry to Roxane. “I haven’t even asked them to return everything the Hansley family has spent on them. Why are you already asking me to repay them?” Sarry’s face stiffened. Dexie noticed, but she did not soften her words. They had spent years accepting her trust and the comfort that came with belonging to the Hansley household. Now her father was demanding gratitude because she had stopped being pleasant. Her gaze settled on Roxane. “Besides, she looks so weak. Aren’t you afraid that if I really started paying people back, she might get exactly what she deserves?” “Dexie Hansley!” Rodel stepped toward her. His hand rose. Dexie saw the movement and straightened, but before he could strike, a voice came from the entrance. “What’s going on?” Rodel froze. Everyone

Dexie coughed, nearly choking on her coffee as Luke’s words sank in. Her eyes widened, momentarily betraying her disbelief. Even she hadn’t expected him to side with her so directly, especially after the cold frown he’d been wearing just moments earlier.Across the room, Roger’s face froze. His thunderous anger faltered, replaced by awkward confusion.Susan’s practiced smile stiffened, a crack forming in her carefully built facade. And Regina, who had been seconds away from another pitiful outburst, looked as if someone had slapped her across the face. Her eyes darted between Luke and Dexie, wide with disbelief.Luke leaned back in his chair, his posture deceptively casual, but his sharp gaze swept the room like a blade.“Strict is good,” he added lightly, the corners of his mouth curling faintly. “But not when you’re punishing someone for telling the truth.”Roger’s mouth opened, ready to argue—only to snap shut again. For once, words escaped him. In front of Luke, the head of the Hux