All Chapters of Divorce and Regret: Chasing My Famous Lawyer Ex-Wife: Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

Natalie’s POVThe drive was quiet.No music, no small talk, just the sound of the AC and Brandon’s fingers tapping the steering wheel like they were working out an argument.“You don’t have to come,” he said finally.“You already asked,” I said. “And I already said yes.”“If it gets weird, we leave.”“It’s a party. It’s always weird.”That got me the smallest smile before we pulled into Nathan’s venue.It wasn’t just big... it was showy. Marble floors, glass walls, chandeliers the size of my old apartment. Inside was a flood of black suits and designer gowns. I spotted faces I’d only ever seen on business channels or the news... CEOs, board members, and a senator or two.If Nathan really invited this lineup, his network wasn’t small.A hostess guided us to the main room. Cameras flashed for someone behind us. Brandon placed a hand at the small of my back, gentle, steering me through the crowd. He introduced me a few times as “our legal counsel” and “the one who fixed our last disast

Natalie’s POVOur eyes met. I scanned his face... cold, unreadable, with no hint he was planning to answer me.“Fine,” I muttered. He just took my arm and started walking, like we were late for something we weren’t. He didn’t say a word until we got to the car. And then… nothing again. Just the sound of the engine and the occasional blinker click. I sat there, arms crossed, waiting for him to at least ask what Nathan had said. He didn’t.Fine. I could play quietly too. But my brain didn’t get the memo.Why was Nathan even there that night… And why was he the one who shot Brandon?If he really had nothing to do with it, how did he show up at the perfect time, like he knew exactly when it would happen?And what does he know about me? The way he talks, it’s like he’s got my entire identity on file and could drop it like a bomb anytime he feels like it. No warning and no mercy.I have a million questions, and I could’ve almost gotten the answers… but the second I felt the truth creeping

Brandon’s POVI’ve been irritable lately. Seeing Nathan and Natalie standing so close had felt like getting punched in the gut. It was the same feeling I’d had years ago when I learned my father had another illegitimate son.Nathan has always been the golden one. Even when we were kids, my father would watch him like he was some long-lost heir who’d finally come to save the family name.At the banquet, it had been the same scene all over again. Father applauding Nathan like his arrival was the best thing that had ever happened to this family. I could still hear the words, as sharp as the crystal glass he’d been holding.“You’re nowhere near as good as Nathan.”It wasn’t new, but it still burned.And now… Natalie.Last night, in that hallway, I’d walked in on her standing far too close to him. They weren’t touching, but they didn’t have to be. The look on her face, like she actually listened to him was enough. It was the same kind of attention I’d been trying to get from her for w

Natalie’s POVI shot her a look. “Eat your food.”But even as I said it, my mind was already spinning. Why was he here? Was it a coincidence… or did he know I’d ignored his message and decided to make a point?And if it was intentional… what exactly was that point supposed to be?Every time I reached for my glass or picked up my fork, I could feel his eyes on me. It was like trying to eat with a camera pointed at your face.Emma sighed and set down her fork. “Okay, I can’t eat like this. He’s basically breathing in our direction.”“Then stop noticing him,” I muttered.She raised her brows. “Oh, so you’re not noticing him?”I stabbed my lettuce. “I’m eating.”She leaned closer, her voice low. “He’s really looking.”I didn’t glance over. “Right.”She raised a brow. “You sure you don’t want to go say something? Or throw your water in his face? I can hold your bag.”That almost got a smile out of me, but I shook my head. “Not worth the laundry bill.”Emma gave it another few minutes, the

Brandon’s POVThe clink of glasses cut through the low hum of Matthew’s bar.Lucas raised his beer. “To old friends.”Matthew grinned and tapped his glass against ours. I managed a small smile, even though my mood was already at rock bottom.I wasn’t here for nostalgia. I came because I needed to forget... things had gotten messy lately, and I needed a break.The first round went down quick. We started with random talk, dumb things we did as kids, and the kind of stories that made Matthew laugh until his shoulders shook. I let them chat while I took my time with my drink.Lucas was the first to switch gears. “So… Emma’s still mad at me.”Matthew leaned an elbow on the counter. “Still? What did you do this time?”Lucas shrugged, looking more smug than sorry. “She cut me off for a while, but I think I know why. She used to like this senior guy.”He took a slow sip before going on. “So one time, I made sure to show up right in front of him. You know, just to make a point.”I arched a b