All Chapters of FROM SCUMBAG EX TO SCUMBAG HUSBAND: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Elara's POVI stepped out of the bedroom wearing a simple blue dress that made me feel confident without trying too hard. My hair fell in soft waves down my back, and I felt ready to face whatever this day would bring.The mansion was so huge that I wasn't even sure which direction to go. The hallways seemed to stretch on forever, with doors leading to rooms I couldn't even imagine. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling every few feet, casting rainbow patterns on the white marble walls.A young maid appeared beside me as if from nowhere, wearing a crisp black uniform with a white apron."Good morning, ma'am," she said with a warm smile. "I'm Sarah. Let me escort you to the dining room before you get lost in this big house."I smiled back at her gratefully. "Thank you, Sarah. I was just wondering how I'd find my way around."She giggled softly as we walked. "Don't worry, ma'am. It took me three weeks to stop getting lost when I first started working here. The mansion has sixty-eigh

Elara's POVI stormed back into the mansion through the grand entrance, my heels clicking angrily against the marble floor. The driver's words were still ringing in my ears like a slap across the face."The boss said not to drive you out, ma'am."My hands were clenched into tight fists at my sides. I could feel my face burning with embarrassment and rage. How dare he treat me like some kind of prisoner!Sarah appeared immediately, probably hearing my angry footsteps echoing through the hallway."Ma'am? Is everything alright?" she asked, her eyes wide with concern."Where is Killian?" I demanded, not bothering to hide my fury."Mr. Killian is in his study, ma'am. He just concluded a video meeting few minutes ago.""Take me there. Now."Sarah looked nervous. "Ma'am, Mr. Killian doesn't usually like to be disturbed when he's working...""I don't care what he likes," I snapped. "Take me to his study right now.""Yes, ma'am," she said quickly, clearly sensing that I was not in the mood to

Killian's POVI stood in the main living room, watching Elara disappear around the corner. Her words kept echoing in my head like a broken record."You're a much better actor than Adrian ever was."What the hell did that mean?I slid my hands into my pocket and walked to the window, staring out at the perfectly manicured gardens. Something had changed in her during our argument. The fire in her eyes had been replaced by something colder. More distant.It bothered me more than it should have.My phone buzzed in my pocket. Marcus, my head of security."Talk to me," I answered without looking away from the window."Sir, we've got updates on Adrian. He's been meeting with someone regularly. Different locations each time, very careful about being followed."I turned away from the window, my jaw tightening. "Who?""Still working on identifying the contact. But yesterday our guy got close enough to overhear part of their conversation at that coffee shop on Fifth Street.""And?""They're plan

Elara's POVThe phone rang at exactly seven in the morning, cutting through the silence of our bedroom like a knife. I groaned and rolled over, burying my face in the pillow.Killian was already up, sitting on the edge of the bed in his workout clothes. He glanced at my phone screen and his jaw tightened."It's your grandfather," he said, handing me the phone.My stomach dropped. Don Rafael never called this early unless something was wrong. Or unless he wanted something.I sat up and pressed the phone to my ear. "Good morning, Grandfather.""Elara, my dear." His voice was warm but commanding, the way it always was when he had business to discuss. "How are you settling into married life?""It's fine, Grandfather. Everything is... fine.""Good, good. And how is your husband treating you?"I looked at Killian, who was pretending not to listen while lacing up his running shoes. "He's very... attentive.""Excellent. Now, I'm calling because the board members have been asking questions. Th

Elara's POVI was sitting at my new desk, staring at a stack of contracts that might as well have been written in another language, when my office door swung open without a knock.Killian walked in like he owned the place. Which, technically, he did."We have a press conference," he said, not bothering with hello or how are you settling in. His tie was perfectly straight again, his hair back to its usual perfect style. No sign of our awkward elevator moment from this morning.I set down my pen and looked up at him. "What kind of press conference?""Your grandfather arranged it. Something about making our marriage look more genuine in the media." He walked closer to my desk, his hands in his pockets. "Apparently the business partners need reassurance that this merger is solid."My stomach twisted. "What does that have to do with us?""Everything. We're the face of this partnership now." He pulled out his phone and checked the time. "Also, we're announcing a major product launch. The pr