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

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

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, “

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

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

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