All Chapters of The Perfect Wife Walked Away: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Alice’s POV“I don’t want my mommy anymore. I wish Aunt Lily could be my new mommy.”That was my daughter’s five older birthday wish.I overheard those devastating words the moment I pushed the front door open. I froze in the shadow of the entryway, still wet from the rain. With a ragged gasp, my breath caught in my throat. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.Inside the paper bag I carried was the ballet dress Camilla had been talking about for weeks — the limited ‘Swan Lake’ edition. I’d driven to three different boutiques before finally finding it, in the display window of a small shop on the west side of town.From my other arm hung a strawberry shortcake from a bakery that required a three‑week preorder. I had tried so hard to make her birthday special, she meant so much to me.I quietly moved to the entrance to the dining room.Camilla sat at the table, wearing the cute little princess dress I’d sewn for her myself. Three late nights, needle pricks on my fingers, tiny pearls

Alice’s POV“If you want some sleepwear, Lily,” David said, in the tone he used for minor inconveniences at work, “I’ll have my assistant send some over tomorrow. Tell me what you like. La Perla? Agent Provocateur?”He named the brands smoothly — luxury, lingerie, sexy — like a man who’d placed those orders before. But not for me.I stared at him. I almost laughed. In fact, I did — just barely — my mouth twisting into something that probably looked worse than crying.“You know I don’t wear those brands,” I said quietly. My voice shook, despite me trying to steady it.“Then tell me what you do wear,” he asked in irritated tones. My persistence was costing him patience he didn’t have to spare. “It’s just a robe, Alice. Is this really worth arguing over, right now? It’s getting late. Camilla is asleep, do you want to wake her?”Right on cue, Lily stepped in, her voice light as a feather — and perfectly weighted.“David, please don’t.”She turned toward me, eyes earnest, wide with feigned

Alice’s POVI found myself melting into David’s embrace, the fragrant male scent of him still teasing my senses. I realised how highly strung I had been feeling, running on raw tension since Lily had arrived and upset the balance of my world.What harm was a little human comfort under these circumstances, I asked, as I pressed myself against him?He nuzzled my hair, then my neck, before giving me a featherlight kiss on the tip of my nose and another one brushing my lips. He paused. Looking into my eyes; he actually looked at me!“Come on, Alice,” he urged as he quietly led me to the guest bedroom.Once inside, he closed the door behind us. The bed had been made up and a solitary bedside lamp threw a muted glow where it stood on the nightstand. The dimly lit room was our own private little world – just David and I; and a rising anticipation.Like it once used to be, for us.He stroked my cheek and trailed a teasing fingertip along my bottom lip then dropped his hand to caress my throat

Alice’s POVThe moment the words were out, the air seemed to drain from around us. Everything went unnaturally still. Silent.I stood at the top of the stairs, back straight, body tensed. Facing him down. David. The man I have loved for so many years.The look on his face was almost fascinating — shock, disbelief, then something close to denial. He had never imagined this version of me.Not the woman who had spent six years being agreeable, quiet, perfectly playing the role of Mrs. Newcombe. Not the obliging wife who smoothed over discomfort, and swallowed disappointment like it was part of the marriage contract.He never expected me to step out of that polished shell and say the word divorce, out loud.The three of us froze, suspended in a silence so thick it smothered reaction.Then, “Alice, have you lost your mind?” David scoffed, his voice full of that familiar tone — superior, authoritative, condescending. As if he had just heard a pathetic joke.“Divorce? Do you have any idea wh

Alice’s POVIt felt like being struck by lightning. I stood there in shock, my voice breaking apart completely.“You think I’m making it up? You think I’m… putting on an act?” I whispered.“Isn’t that exactly what this is?” David took a step closer with the quiet authority of someone used to being right.He didn’t raise his voice. He didn’t touch me. That restraint, so polished, so gentlemanly — was what made it suffocating.He said calmly, “Six years, Alice. In six years of marriage, aside from Camilla, you’ve never once shown interest in having another child.”He paused, eyes sharp. “And now — on the very day after Lily comes back, the moment you feel threatened — you’re suddenly pregnant?”A faint, humorless smile crossed his expression. “This kind of jealousy-driven fabrication,” he said, not bothering to hide his irritation, “is disappointing. Even from you.”I snapped, shaking with rage. “David Newcombe, you bastard! This isn’t a fabrication. I’m not being dramatic!”“That’s eno