All Chapters of Not His Wife Anymore: Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

65 Chapters

Chapter 42– Recovery Room

Naya felt like vomiting,Naya woke to the sharp sting of antiseptic and the steady beep of a machine somewhere close. Her throat burned, dry and raw, and her chest felt heavy, like she’d swallowed smoke all over again.The ceiling above her was plain white, the kind that buzzed faintly with bad fluorescent lights. She turned her head and winced and the world tilted. A nurse in pale blue scrubs loomed beside her bed, arms crossed. “You’re awake,” the nurse said, not kindly.“Lucky me,” Naya croaked, voice rasping.The nurse’s mouth flattened. “You were reckless. You should have followed evacuation orders.”“I didn’t choose to get trapped in a bathroom,” she snapped, though the words came out weaker than she wanted.“Still.” The nurse made a note on her clipboard. “You put yourself and others at risk. And Mr. Cole—”Naya’s head lifted slightly. “Zipper?”The nurse’s frown deepened. “—Mr. Cole disobeyed direct orders to re-enter the building. His behavior was disruptive and dangerous. A

Last Updated : 2025-09-09

Chapter 43: The Secret Pact

The laundry room smelled like bleach and damp cotton, the hum of the old dryers echoing in the tiled walls. Naya hesitated in the doorway, clutching her blanket around her shoulders.Then she spotted him.Zipper leaned against a dryer, a half-burnt cigarette dangling from his fingers though it wasn’t lit. His head lifted, slow and lazy, when he heard the door.“Well, well,” he drawled, mouth curving. “Sleeping Beauty finally broke out.”Naya rolled her eyes, but relief washed over her so strong her knees felt weak. “You almost got yourself banned because of me.”He shrugged, flicking the cigarette into the trash. “Worth it.”Her throat tightened. She crossed her arms, hiding the shake in her hands. “You didn’t have to.”“I know.” His gaze softened, less sharp than usual. “That’s why I did.”Silence stretched between them, broken only by the hum of machines. She shifted on her feet, suddenly too aware of her hospital gown peeking from under the blanket.“Why here?” she asked, nodding a

Last Updated : 2025-09-09

Chapter 44 – Adrian’s Trap

The visit room was too bright. The staff always kept the fluorescent lights harsh, maybe to remind people there was no place to hide. Naya sat in the hard chair, hands folded in her lap, trying to keep her breathing steady. She had asked not to see him. They hadn’t cared.The door buzzed, and then Adrian stepped in. His suit jacket was crisp, tie knotted perfectly, like he’d just stepped out of a boardroom. He even smelled expensive, the faint cologne drifting across the room.“Naya,” he said softly, as though he actually cared.She stiffened. “What do you want?”He sat across from her, placing his phone face-down on the table. “I came to check on you. See how you’re doing.”Her laugh was short, bitter. “Concern from you? That’s rich.”He leaned forward, elbows on the table. “You look tired. Thinner.” His tone was almost sympathetic, but his eyes… his eyes had that same sharp gleam she remembered. A predator sizing her up.“I’m fine,” she snapped. “Better than you think.”“Really?” H

Last Updated : 2025-09-09

Chapter 45– Masks & Mirrors

The ward still smelled faintly of smoke. Even though staff had scrubbed the floors and aired out the rooms, the smell still remained, like ash in the corners. Halloween was over, but the bonfire gone wrong left its mark stricter rules, locked doors, nurses patrolling more often.Patients felt it too. Meals were quieter, but sharper. People snapped at each other over trays, over chairs, over nothing at all. Every sound seemed louder now. Every look lingered longer.Naya hated it.She sat in a circle of hard plastic chairs in the therapy room, arms crossed, foot tapping against the tile. A small hand mirror rested on her lap, the cheap plastic frame a dull beige.Elise, the therapist, clapped her hands once. “All right, today we’re trying something different. A mirror exercise. Each of you will take a moment, look at your reflection, and describe who you see. Not just appearance, but feelings, fears, strengths. Honesty is the goal.”A groan rolled around the circle. Someone muttered, “

Last Updated : 2025-09-09

Chapter 46– Steamy Moment

The ward had gone quiet hours ago. Only the buzz of fluorescent lights and the distant shuffle of a nurse’s shoes broke the silence.Naya slipped down the hallway barefoot, her paper-thin slippers gripped in one hand. She’d learned the pattern of the night staff by now, when they turned corners, when they leaned too long at the nurses’ station, when their voices dipped in gossip. She moved like a shadow, heart pounding but steady.At the bend near the laundry chute, a shape detached itself from the wall.“Boo.”Her breath caught. “Zipper—”“Relax,” he whispered, smirk curving his mouth. “You almost jumped out of your skin.”She swatted his arm, more relief than anger. “You can’t just—god, you’re impossible.”“Not impossible. Unpredictable.” He leaned closer, lowering his voice. “There’s a difference.”They moved together, silent steps through the dim hallway until they reached one of the blind corners near a locked supply closet. It was darker here, the only light coming from a bulb t

Last Updated : 2025-09-09

Chapter 47 – The Transfer

The morning bell hadn’t even finished buzzing before the knock came.Naya sat up in her narrow bed, the blanket pooled around her waist. She already knew it wasn’t a nurse with meds. Knocks like that always carried bad news.The door swung open. Two staff members stepped in, both wearing stiff expressions. One held a clipboard, the other a set of keys that jingled like cuffs.“Naya,” the woman said flatly. “Get dressed. You’re being transferred.”Her chest clenched, but she forced her face blank. “Transferred? What, did I win a vacation?”The man didn’t smile. “Stricter ward. Behavioral concerns.”Her mouth went dry. She pulled her blanket tighter around herself like armor. “Concerns? You mean—what? That I breathe too loud? That I don’t clap when you tell me to?”The woman sighed. “You’ve been volatile. Noncompliant. Last night’s incident was the final—”“Final straw?” Naya cut in, swinging her legs over the edge of the bed. Her voice came out sharp, steady, even though her insides sh

Last Updated : 2025-09-09

Chapter 48– The Court Call

They gave her clothes that didn’t belong to her.A navy blouse that hung too loose, sleeves swallowing her wrists. Black slacks that bunched awkwardly at her ankles. She kept tugging the waistband like it might fall down at any moment.Naya stared at her reflection in the small mirror above the infirmary sink. The jumpsuit had been bad, but at least it was honest. This? This looked like a costume.Her throat tightened. Why now? Why like this?A knock on the door snapped her out of it.Marcus Hart stepped inside without waiting for her answer. Immaculate suit. Calm face. That same aura that screamed control.“You’re ready,” he said.She crossed her arms, even though the blouse swallowed her. “I don’t even know what I’m being ready for. You still haven’t told me.”“You’ll be appearing in court today,” he replied smoothly. “Pre-trial hearing. We don’t waste time.”Her stomach flipped. “Pre-trial? I thought that wasn’t scheduled for weeks.”“Schedules change,” Marcus said, setting his bri

Last Updated : 2025-09-09

Chapter 49– The Revelation

The courtroom smelled like varnish and nerves.Naya sat stiff at the defense table, palms flat against the wood. Her heart thudded loud enough she was sure people could hear it. Her new blouse clung to her back with sweat, and the too-big slacks bunched under her knees.She tried not to look, but her eyes swept the gallery anyway.There they were.Adrian in his crisp suit, leaning back like he owned the air. Daniel beside him, gaze down at his phone, too proud to even meet her eyes. And Chloe — Chloe with perfect hair and that smug smile aimed directly at her.Naya’s throat tightened. She gripped the edge of the table, nails digging into the wood.Then Adrian winked.Her stomach dropped. Monster.The bailiff’s voice cut through. “All rise for the Honorable Judge Avery.”Everyone stood. The judge strode in, robes flowing, stern eyes sweeping the room. Naya’s knees shook under her, but she forced herself to stand tall, chin high, just like Marcus had told her.“Please be seated.”Chairs

Last Updated : 2025-09-09

Chapter 50--The Defense

The courtroom buzzed faintly with whispers. Reporters filled the benches, pens poised, cameras lowered but waiting. Naya sat at the defense table, palms slick, her breath uneven. She hadn’t slept, and every nerve in her body was lit like a live wire.Beside her, Zipper leaned back in his chair like this was some casual performance, one arm draped along the backrest. He had his tie loose again, that damn cocky grin flickering at the edge of his mouth as if he was enjoying this.The bailiff called, “Witness, please step forward.”Daniel walked to the stand. He looked polished, polished enough that Naya’s stomach twisted. Hair slicked back, tailored suit, not a trace of guilt on his face. He held himself like a victim, chin high, lips pressed in a saintly frown.Zipper stood smoothly, papers in one hand.“Mr. Daniels,” he began. “Or do you prefer Daniel? I can’t quite remember, because I’ve heard your name spoken a lot in the last few weeks.”Daniel blinked. “Daniel is fine.”“Good,” Zi

Last Updated : 2025-09-09

Chapter 51– Almost There

NayaThe private conference room was small, windowless, and smelled faintly of stale coffee. A plastic clock ticked too loud on the wall.Naya sat on the edge of the chair, arms folded tight across her chest. Her heart still hadn’t slowed since the recess had been called. She could still feel the way Zipper had sliced through Chloe on the stand, his sarcasm hitting like knives. It had left her reeling almost as much as the jury.The door clicked shut. Zipper strolled in, jacket unbuttoned, tie hanging loose around his neck like he hadn’t noticed or didn’t care. He dropped a folder on the table with a slap, then leaned against the edge, too close.“You’re staring,” he said, one eyebrow cocked.She jolted. “I am not.”“Sure. You’re just burning holes through my skull for fun.”Naya shot to her feet. “You lied to me.”His grin faltered, something sharper flashing across his face. “About what, princess?”“About everything.” She gestured wildly at him, her voice echoing in the cramped room

Last Updated : 2025-09-10

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