Lahat ng Kabanata ng No Longer Yours, Ex Husband: Kabanata 231 - Kabanata 240

[Unknown POV]“You didn’t have to come,” the man in the black jacket says, pulling a cigarette from his lips—not that he was smoking in the first place.Some men just love to pretend, I guess.“I need to be sure,” I tell him as I step out of the car, my gaze lifting to the hospital building. “You’re sure they’re here?”“Absolutely,” he says with confidence. “I was the one who called 911.”“You did?” I snap my head toward him, frowning at his audacity. I’m paying him to do the job, not to think. “And why the hell would you do that? I strictly asked for a crash, not a damn rescue.”“But you did say you didn’t want them to die.” He arches a brow, like he knows so much better than me.I roll my eyes. “Well, I couldn’t have cared less either way. I only said that so you wouldn’t screw it up. Killing someone brings a lot more heat than just getting them hurt. And in my personal opinion, men fall apart under pressure.”“Well, not me, clearly,” he shrugs, and I somehow resist the overwhelming

[Vivienne]I end up staying by Harvey’s side thorughout the night.Afraid that strange woman would show up again.I don’t know why she bothered me so much. She might have been a visitor ending up in the wrong room, something Molly suggested when I shared the incident with her. But something inside me doesn’t have faith in that reasoning.Something was weird about her. The way she ran off. In the hurry that she was in.Who was she? And what was she doing in Harvey’s room?“Vivienne?” A weak voice enters my ears, and I jerk up from my barely-there sleep, only to find Harvey gazing at me with his soft eyes.“Hey,” I lean forward, holding his hand as he tries to reach. “How are you feeling now? I should better call the doctor—”“Where is she?” he cuts me off, blinking lazily, as if still trying to force his brain to focus.He must be talking about the woman with him during the crash.“She’s fine now. In fact, I was about to check up on her once you woke up.”He sighs, closing his eyes and

[Vivienne]Once the doctors and the nurse leave, I don’t even have to wait for the doors to close.Rosita is already breaking into an explanation.“I can explain,” she says while I continue to stare at her in pure disbelief.“And how would you do that?” I ask after a moment of silence.I’m still standing where I was, still unable to wrap my head around whatever just happened.She breathes out a sigh, glancing over my shoulder as if making sure no one else walks in.“Something happened after you left last night, and I—”“And you decided to hide your real identity?”“No. That’s not why I—”I shake my head. “Please, then help me explain. What are you so afraid of? Why would you give them my name instead of yours?”She sighs once again, but this time she looks more exhausted than before. “I had to. And I will explain everything once you calm down and give me a chance to say my piece.”———————[Caden]I’m busy discussing a serious matter with the head of finance when Betty Adam, my assista

[Vivienne] After one hell of a day, Axel and I finally make it home. As always, he yells for his favorite aunt—Anna. “I’m home! I’m home! Anna, where are you? I have so much to tell you!” Anna—the one person who has been with me through thick and thin, who has fought her own battles, escaping an addicted and abusive father to build a safe life for herself and her little brother—comes running. Her smile is as bright as the sun. Anna barely has time to respond before Axel throws himself into her arms, his little hands gripping her tightly. “You won’t believe what happened today!” Anna laughs, ruffling his hair. “Oh? What happened?” He pulls back, dramatically placing his hands on his hips. “First, Mommy was late—again.” He shoots me a pointed look my way, probably because I haven’t moved from my place. “Well, tell me something I don’t know,” she winks at me before shifting her attention back to my little, adorable boy. “And what else?” Axel launches into a rapid retelling of

[Vivienne]Somehow, Rosita manages to convince me to attend the infamous masquerade ball.And God knows, after cutting myself off from this world of parties and social events, making a comeback like this feels weirdly uncomfortable as fuck.Anyway, I take a deep breath, giving myself a little TED Talk—just go in there and have some, I don’t know… fun?I shake my head and turn to the driver. “Stay close. I have a feeling I might be back early.”Stepping out of the car, I look up at the massive Oriental building.I’ve attended a few galas here before—by before, I mean back when I was in my teens, dragged along by my parents. But looking at it now, it feels like a different world entirely.Clutching the invitation, I move toward the entrance.The moment I step inside, the atmosphere swallows me whole.Velvet drapes, gilded walls, and the shimmer of crystal masks catching the light—everything screams wealth and secrecy.Masked guests drift past in elaborate gowns and tailored suits, their