THE BILLIONAIRE'S EX-CONVICT WIFE

On the other side of the booth, dressed in the plain gray uniform of the prison sat Vanessa Lucas, once the socialite wife of Jacob Wilson now reduced to a convict in the eyes of the world. She didn’t touch the folder. Her gaze sharp despite the dark circles under. Her eyes shifted from the papers to the secretary, Vanessa's lips curved into a faint mocking smile “So this is how it is? Jacob can’t even face me himself?”

The secretary, Bella crossed her arms with a smirk “Why should he? You’re not worth his time anymore and you’ve already ruined his reputation enough as it is. Honestly, Madam you should just be grateful he’s letting you walk away clean.”

Vanessa leaned back in her chair eyes steady “Tell him if he wants this divorce, he’ll have to look me in the eye and say it himself. Otherwise, these papers aren’t worth the ink on them.”

Bella blinked surprised, then scoffed “You’re in no position to make demands. Look around you bars, guards, a prison record. Jacob is a man at the peak of his career and you? You’re rotting here do you really think you can bargain?”

Vanessa’s tone didn’t rise it was calm, cool, cutting “I won’t sign unless he comes. That’s my final word.”

Bella clenched her jaw, she hated the way Vanessa still carried herself like she wasn’t broken “Fine,” she snapped yanking the folder off the table “But don’t fool yourself Jacob doesn’t need you anymore. He has the whole world at his feet and you’re nothing but dead weight.”

Vanessa’s smile widened just slightly “Then let him be the one to tell me that.”

Bella stormed out muttering under her breath about stubborn women who didn’t know when they will lost.

The next day Jacob Wilson himself arrived at the prison. He entered the visitation room with measured strides, his tailored suit radiating wealth and authority.

Vanessa was already seated waiting. Her heart gave a faint involuntary tug at the sight of him but she quickly crushed it down and she schooled her face into indifference as he sat across from her “You wanted me here,” Jacob said, his voice smooth and deliberate “So I came let’s not waste time.” He slid the divorce papers across the table “Sign them. I’ll make sure you’re compensated with ten million dollars deposited into your account. Enough to live comfortably when you’re released.”

Vanessa let out a sharp humorless laugh “Ten million? Is that what our years together are worth to you? A neat number you can transfer from one account to another?”

Jacob’s expression didn’t flicker “Don’t make this sentimental. You and I both know our marriage was crumbling long before this. You’ve never been able to provide support for my career. And now, His eyes swept her uniform with cold disdain “Now you’re in prison. You’re dragging me down Vanessa. I can’t afford dead weight.”

For the first time her composure cracked her eyes hardened, though her voice stayed level “So that’s what I am to you. Dead weight.”

He didn’t deny it “Yes you have held me back long enough this divorce is freedom for both of us.”

The silence prolonged heavily with unspoken words and for a moment, Vanessa thought of all the nights they had spent together, the promises and now all of it was dismissed with a pen and a check.

Finally she picked up the pen, her hand trembling just once before she steadied it and with sharp strokes she signed her name and pushed the papers back to him “There It’s done.”

Jacob glanced at her signature, satisfied “Good. I’ll have my lawyer finalize this immediately.”

But when he reached for the folder, she shoved it back harder, her voice cold “Keep your millions. I don’t need your pity.”

That made him pause his eyes narrowed “Then what do you want?”

Vanessa’s fingers curled into fists “The pendant. The Lucas family heirloom I gave you on our wedding day. Return it to me that’s all I ask.”

Jacob froze for a second his hand brushed the inside of his suit jacket where the pendant still hung from a chain. He hadn’t taken it off not once, though he had told himself countless times it meant nothing but his expression tightened, but he covered it with a cool smile “Fine. I’ll bring it next time. Think if there’s anything you want because tomorrow will be your last chance.”

He stood, gathering the folder. He didn’t look back as he walked toward the door.

Outside Bella who was waiting hurried forward as soon as she saw him “Mr. Wilson, are you alright? Did she give you any trouble?” Jacob adjusted his cuffs with an unreadable face “She signed.”

Bella’s lips curved into a satisfied smile “That’s the best news. Finally you can put her behind you. Honestly, she was never worthy of you sir. Prison suits her better than your side.”

Jacob stopped walking for a moment he stared ahead in silence “Bella am I doing the right thing?” His voice was low almost hesitant.

Bella blinked surprised at the flicker of doubt in his tone then she quickly smoothed her expression “Of course you are, sir Vanessa Lucas is a stain on your name. The world will respect you more without her dragging you down This is the only choice.”

Jacob nodded but his eyes darkened “Right. The only choice.”

Inside, Vanessa sat alone staring at the empty chair where Jacob had been slowly a bitter smile tugged at her lips “So this is it years together and it all comes down to money and contempt.”

Her chest tightened painfully but she forced the feeling down and whispered to herself “I thought i thought after everything he would believe in me. Just a little but clearly, I overestimated my place in his heart.”

Her hand brushed the spot over her chest where the pendant should have been. She had given it to him with her whole heart now it was nothing more than a bargaining chip.

Vanessa closed her eyes briefly she was not here because she had committed a crime rather was here because of a mission one so secret that she could not share with anyone not even him. She had hoped foolishly that Jacob would trust her without explanations.

But as the saying went, when disaster strikes even the closest birds fly apart.

She exhaled slowly “I do not blame him maybe it is better this way.”

The heavy steel door creaked open.

The warden, Briggs stepped in but instead of the usual harshness his posture was straight, his eyes respectful. He saluted “Madam Lucas, the President requests your presence immediately.”

Vanessa’s eyes snapped open sharp once again and her lips curved into a faint smile.