Todos los capítulos de Ex-husband, I'm No Longer Your Substitute : Capítulo 11 - Capítulo 20

Ava's POV The courthouse doors swung open and the heat outside hit me right away. It felt heavy as it stuck to my skin.Derek walked beside me, holding the envelope with our marriage license like it was just another business deal for him. A knot formed in my chest as I stared at it. I had just gotten married to Derek Lancaster, a man who seemed to be more dangerous than he looked. “It's official now,” Derek said and my heart slammed against my ribs as if I didn't already know. Hearing it from him directly made my chest tighten even more. I had just opened a door I couldn't close for a whole damn year no matter what happened. “Yes, it is,” my voice sounded low as I bobbed my head, avoiding his gaze. It still felt unreal. Just yesterday, I was a divorcee and in less than twenty-four hours, I was already married to my ex-husband's greatest enemy. What would Williams and his family think of me if they found out? Derek wasn't only Williams' enemy, but also his parents’. I knew how

Ava's POV “Are you sure it's a good idea?” Freya asked me for the umpteenth time, her brows drawn together in that way that told me she was dying to snatch my phone away from me. I nodded. “Of course, it is,” I let out a soft smile as my thumb hovered over the post button of the video I had made. With a tap, the video went live on my social media page. Since everyone now believed I married Williams for his money— one he never had when I met him. Then, I won't try to convince them or rewrite the truth for them to see. Let them think whatever they want and choke on it. News of my marriage to Derek Lancaster would be out sooner or later. I could just drop a spark now and let them burn with curiosity. So they'd know I had nothing to hide and no matter how hurtful their opinions are, I don't care anymore. I've stopped caring about what others think of me the moment Williams and his mistress tried to drag me through the mud. My silence wasn't a weakness. It was a strategy. A proud s

Ava's POV The drive to Derek's villa was silent, though I couldn't stop thinking about his words earlier. A family dinner? I wasn't sure I was ready for that. But when he asked me, I couldn't turn him down for some unknown reason. I let out a long sigh and he glanced at me, his jaw tight. “I'm okay,” I said in a rush, shaking my head while my hands shot up in weak protest. A flicker of something unreadable crossed his features before he turned his gaze back to the road. My mind began to spiral with different thoughts, second-guessing my decision and doubting if I was doing the right thing. But I quickly pushed down every thought as the car moved into a huge estate. My breath caught as the tall gates opened to a wide driveway that curved like something out of a movie. When the car finally rolled to a stop and the door was opened for me to step out, my mouth parted in awe. The mansion before me was massive and breathtaking. It had wide glass windows that caught

Ava's POV The air in the dining room shifted the moment Derek and I stepped in, his hand wrapped tightly around my waist. Heads turned, eyes widened, and mouths hung open in shock and disbelief. Williams, Mr. Anderson, Olivia, Wendy— Williams' mother. They all looked like they had seen a ghost.The silence that followed my appearance with Derek in the dining room was a vacuum. I curved my lips into a triumphant smile, even though my heart threatened to burst out of my chest. This family! I hated every member of it. I don't want to be around them. They were nothing but predators who looked for prey to feed on. William's face twisted with shock, rage and something else I couldn't quite place. Mr. Anderson’s shock was quickly masked with a blank expression. Typical of him. He was always like that— masking his expression. And Wendy? Her face became pale as if she was going to combust under the weight of her anger. Olivia’s face was a mixture of confusion, fury and shock. Perfect!

Ava's POVThe car ride back to the villa was suffocating. Derek's knuckles were white as he gripped the steering wheel, his jaw clenched so tight I thought it might crack The silence between us was heavy, pressing down on my chest like a weight I couldn't shake off.I wanted to ask what Williams had meant by his question. What was Derek hiding? But the fury radiating off him was enough to keep my mouth shut. Every muscle in his body was tense. My mind kept replaying the scene at the dining table. The way Williams had started that question with such malice in his tone. The way Anderson had slammed his palm on the table to stop him from finishing. And the way Derek had frozen, his entire body trembling with rage.Whatever Williams was about to reveal, it was something deeply personal. Something painful enough to make Derek lose his composure for the first time since I'd met him.I stole a glance at him from the corner of my eye. His dark grey eyes were fixed on the road ahead as though