Semua Bab No Longer Yours, Ex Husband: Bab 131 - Bab 140

[Vivienne]“Oh my God, this is going to be so much fun!” Rosita giggles, cupping her hands over her mouth to stifle the sound, but it’s a failed attempt.I’m already regretting this. “I don’t feel like it’s going to be fun at all.”“Oh, come on, are you kidding me? We’re going to raid a man’s house and tape him to a chair. This is as fun as it gets! Man, I always wanted to do that to Micah. You remember that bastard who broke up with me for that slutty Victoria, right? Shit. I wish I’d met Ruby before. I could’ve used some sweet revenge myself. I would’ve loved to glue him to the toilet seat, ‘cause that’s what he fucking deserves.” She spits it all out in one breath, huffing afterward.I turn to look at this new version of Rosita I’ve never seen before. “Are you okay? What happened to ‘moving on is the best payback to your haters’ and all that?”Rosita waves a hand dismissively, her eyes gleaming with that drunken enthusiasm that’s starting to worry me. “Oh, come on, Viv. That was th

[Caden]I kiss her.I kiss her until I grab her by the hips and heave her on the table.I guide her long legs to wrap around me while I bend her backward, kissing her until we both can’t breathe.By the time I pull away, we both are panting, hard. She glares at me as if she has reached a new level of hatred for me, and I gaze into her eyes, trying to understand why is it so hard to resist her.This is insane. I have always practiced a great amount of patience around her. I have resisted her even when it killed me to stay away. But now, when I don’t have any right on her, when she says she feels nothing for me, it feels like something inside me has changed. I can’t seem to imagine her with someone else. I can’t seem to entertain even the thought of her being with someone else.I frown.But before she raises her hand to slap me—again—I grab her wrist and pin her behind her back.She squirms. “Let go of me, Caden. Right this second. Or I swear to God—”I kiss her one more time, stealing

Content Warning: This chapter contains themes of abuse, domestic violence, substance use, and trauma. Reader discretion is advised.———[Vivienne]I glance back at Sunny, watching her sleep peacefully. Looking at her now, you’d never guess the hell she went through. She looks like any other woman—like you or me. But knowing how the men in her life treated her, there’s a strange anger burning inside me, seething under my skin.I hate it. I hate that this is the reality we live in today. It happens so often around us that sometimes we don’t even realize how messed up it all is.I look over at the other woman on the couch next to Sunny. “What about her?”“Elle?” Ruby asks, just to be sure.I nod, remembering her name from last night. She’s the one who picked the lock.“She was abused by one of her teachers in high school. When she tried to report it, the principal turned it around and accused her. To shut her up, they gave her failing grades and kicked her out, claiming she didn’t deserv

[Caden]“I just got the call, sir. Mr. Halest has already made it to the restaurant. What should I tell them?” Betty asks.I glance at my wristwatch. It’s going to take at least fifteen minutes to get there. “Tell them I’m stuck in traffic. I’ll be there in twenty.”“Right, sir.”The call disconnects as the elevator doors open to the ground floor. I walk out of the building and head for my car, already waiting.But before I can reach it, a man steps into view, moving with all the time and grace in the world, leaning back against my car.My mood immediately sours, not that it’s been good to begin with.He folds his arms and smiles. “Long time no see, Caden. Did you miss me?”I stop in my tracks, staring him down. “It’s funny you think I have that kind of time.”He chuckles, ignoring the edge in my voice. “Oh, come on. A little time for friends and family? Only a heartless man would say that.”I don’t even have the energy to roll my eyes. “Take your crap somewhere else. I have somewhere

[Vivienne]I don’t know what to say.Part of me wants to leap at the opportunity, to embrace the challenge and prove him right. But another part feels like it’s about to drown in the sheer enormity of it all.The truth is, I don’t want to disappoint him—not like I did when I chose Caden over everything he made me believe in.“Dad, can you give me some time? I promise I’ll think about it.”He smiles understandingly. “Of course, darling. Take all the time you want. Get back to me whenever you think you’re ready.”Just then, Justine, the maid, knocks on the door and calls us down for dinner. When we enter the dining room, I can see that Mom has outdone herself; the table is set with an elegant spread that looks almost too beautiful to eat.“Wow, Mom, this looks incredible,” I say, genuinely impressed.She beams at the compliment, her earlier mood swings seemingly forgotten. “Thank you, sweetheart! I thought we could celebrate your return home.”Dad pulls out my chair, and I take a seat.