Ex-husband, Step Aside

SLOANE'S POV

I pulled down the lid of the oven, slipping on my mittens and grabbing the tray of muffins from within. I quickly settled it down on the counter, closing the oven lid with my foot before turning off the espresso machine. 

“The flowers haven't bloomed yet which is weird for this time of the year," I said with a soft sigh as I placed a cup under the muzzle of the machine. "The tulips on the other hand though, they're better.”

I flipped the switch and the espresso machine grunted to life. With a few soft clicks, a rich, dark, creamy shot flowed out of the nozzle and into the cup. I handed Mia the cup and proceeded to pour myself one. 

“And even though I've been taking care of the…” I paused, a small frown forming on my face as I noticed Mia's lost expression. "Mia?”

"Uh, yeah?” she grunted, startled. "What… what's it?" 

“You seem… lost,” I answered, turning off the machine and bringing my steamy cup to my lips. "You haven't been listening to anything I've been saying." I pointed to her cup. “And you didn't even notice your espresso." 

“Oh, yeah," she said with a forced smile as she picked the cup. “Thanks" 

But just as she took a gulp of her drink, she returned her attention back to the front door. She glanced shortly at the clock hung above the counter, before returning her gaze back to the wooden frame, her fingers tapping nervously on the cup. 

“Are you okay?" I pressed, leaning on the counter. "You've glanced at that door and clock like… six times since we sat down.” I clenched my jaws. “Are you expecting someone?" 

"No, no, I'm not,” she replied, her lips pressed into a tight grin. "I'm just a little distracted, that's all—”

Before she could finish talking, the front door swung open and in walked Adrian Cross, my husband. He had his tie hung lazily around his neck and his phone pressed against his ear. He didn't seem to notice us at first, his gaze fixed on the stairs and he folded the sleeves of his shirt. 

“Call the press and tell them about the interview tomorrow,” he said into the phone. “No, don't move until I tell you to." 

He was already halfway up the stairs when he turned to the kitchen. His gaze met mine briefly–cold, detached. He was about to turn back to the stairs when his eyes landed on Mia. 

His demeanor instantly switched. 

A slow charming smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he pulled the phone from his ear and turned back downstairs. “Mia," he called, walking toward us. “I didn't see you there. How have you been?" 

Mia straightened up immediately, adjusting her bangs, the nervousness from earlier instantly melting into… something else. “Hello, Adrian,” she replied, her voice higher now, softer. “I've been good. How have you been? How's work?" 

Adrian chuckled, shrugging. "Well, I’ve been good, work too,” he replied, his gaze briefly flickering toward me, then back to her. "You look… really different today. New hair?" 

"Oh, you noticed,” Mia answered with a soft giggle as she leaned forward on the counter. 

Her blouse fell and her breasts popped out slightly. She laughed again at something he said and they shook. Adrian didn't even try to look away as he held her hand, laughing with her. 

They both acted like I was nothing but a backdrop–unseen, unnecessary. I didn't even try to chime in on whatever they were discussing. I just stood there and stared, disgust filling me. 

“Okay, Mia," he said with a soft chuckle, letting go of her hands. “I have to freshen up now." He turned to me, his tone flat. "I'll be upstairs.”

With that he turned and jogged back up the stairs, putting his phone to his ear as he resumed his call. Once he was gone, Mia pulled out her phone and began typing on it as she smiled to herself. 

I exhaled slowly as I sipped my coffee. “Mia?" I called and she grunted in response. “You care to tell me what that was?" 

“What ‘what’ was?" she asked, her gaze remaining fixed on her screen. 

“That little performance you just put on." 

Mia scoffed, putting her phone down as she turned to me. “What little performance?" she asked, confusion lacing her expression. “I was just greeting your husband." 

“That didn't look like ‘greeting’ to me, Mia,” I said with a raised eyebrow. "Drooling? Maybe. Greeting? Definitely not.”

Mia's expression hardened as she shook her head. “You've got to be kidding–”

"I'm not,” I said curtly, my tone cold and sharp, my expression stoic "I don't want you acting that way around my husband.”

She froze, staring at me as her expression switched from furious to startled. I could tell she wasn't expecting my reply. Her ego got the best of her though and she immediately began to rant. 

“So, I can't even say hello to your husband without getting accused of something?" She shook her head as she picked her purse and slung it over her shoulder. “I’m not going to stand here and let you insult me." 

"Okay,” I replied without a thought. 

She stuck out her middle finger at me as she walked to the door, her heels clicking loudly against the marble floor. I didn't even bother giving a reply to that, and just stood there, sipping my coffee as she opened the door and stormed out. 

Out on the terrace, I could still hear her voice as she screamed profanities at me. “And this is why she has no friends. Always bitching about every little thing.”

I sighed, slowly picking her untouched cup of coffee from the counter. It was still warm. Not too long after, I heard footsteps again–slow and heavy. I turned to see Adrain coming down the stairs, buttoning a clean shirt. His cologne filled the room before he even reached the bottom step. 

“Where are you going?” I asked, my voice quiet. 

He didn't bother looking at me. “It's none of your business," he replied coldly before pausing at the door. “I have a meeting with some clients to attend." He finally turned to me. “I won't be long." 

"And what about dinner?”

“Don't wait up," he replied curtly as he pulled the door open. “Eat without me." 

The door clicked shut behind him and the house fell into silence. I stared down at the muffins I had baked as different thoughts raced through my mind. 

Suddenly, my phone buzzed, jolting me out of my daze. I picked it up and turned the alarm off as I glared at the screen. 

2:30 PM. 

It was time to pick Daisy from school. 

I grabbed my keys and purse, but as I reached for the door, I noticed Adrian’s briefcase still lying on the table.

He never left to work without it.