All Chapters of After The Vows: Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

130 Chapters

My kids deserve better

Chapter 71Drew looked at me as my laughter became louder, like I had gone crazy.And maybe I was.Who wouldn’t go crazy hearing that the man she was once married to for two freaking years, a marriage that didn’t have a single blissful moment. ended up being the same man she had been trying so hard to remember… just so she could give her kids a father?I shook my head in disbelief again.I dragged my fingers through my hair in frustration, pulling it slightly, hoping this was a nightmare I could wake up from.“Alia…” Drew finally said, his voice low. “I know how all of this looks, but please… we can get past this. Priscy said…”I raised my hand immediately, signaling him to stop.“Priscy…” I repeated, my voice shaking. “I need to confirm it with her myself.”I wiped the tears from my eyes with the back of my hand. My hands were trembling badly as I reached for my phone.Priscy had given me her card earlier.My fingers fumbled as I dialed her number, almost pressing the wrong digits tw

The man I was .

Chapter 72Drew’s POVEvery part of me wanted to run after Alia.My legs even moved at first, like my body hadn’t gotten the message yet. Like it still believed I had a right to go after her, to grab her arm again, to stop her from walking away like that.But I didn’t.I just stood there, watching her push the gate open.Her body was shaking badly from the cold, her steps unsteady, but she didn’t stop.My eyes didn’t leave her. Not even for a second.Not until she was completely out of sight.“I’m the reason she looks like that…” I muttered under my breath, my voice barely audible.The rain kept falling hard, soaking through my clothes, dripping down my face, sliding down my neck.I should have been cold.But I wasn’t.My chest felt too tight for me to notice anything else.You’re better off forgotten in my memory than being my reality.Those were Alia’s words to me.And they broke me more than I could even admit.Those words meant I should have stayed buried in the past.Not someone

Chapter 73-Too much to handle

Alia's pov I held Harry’s jacket together tightly around me. I was still shaking, not as badly as before, but my body was deeply soaked, water still dripping from my clothes onto the car seat.“Sorry… I’m making a mess of your car,” I said weakly to Harry, my voice barely audible.“Alia, it’s fine,” he replied quickly, his eyes still fixed on the road. “I’ll drive faster so you can get home and change before you catch a cold.”“Thank you, Harry…” I whispered, closing my eyes slowly.Harry had called at the right time.I was still walking under the rain, confused, not knowing where I was going or what I was even doing, when my phone rang. It rang several times, but I didn’t pick up. When I finally did, it was Harry.I couldn’t even say anything to him.I just kept crying.Within minutes, his car had arrived to pick me up.I knew he had so many questions to ask me, but even till now, he hadn’t said a word about why I was walking under the rain like a stray cat.I didn’t even know how I

Holding it Together

Chapter 74I stood in front of the mirror for a while after dressing up. My hair was still a bit damp, falling over my shoulders, and my face looked… tired.Not just tired.I felt drained, like everything in me had been pulled out and left empty.I wanted nothing more than to lie in my bed and shut my mind off, but Alice was cooking for me, I hadn’t seen my kids today, and Harry was still waiting downstairs.Get yourself together, Alia, I whispered under my breath.I couldn’t afford to break down or look weak right now. No one could know what Drew had said to me… not now.I took a deep breath and walked out of the room.Downstairs, Harry was sitting, eyes glued to the TV.He looked up the moment he noticed me, and his expression softened immediately.“You’re all dried up now… did you catch a cold?” he asked his eyes filled with concern.“No,” I shook my head, glancing around. I could hear Alice moving in the kitchen.I walked over and sat on the couch, keeping a small distance between

I'm being followed

Chapter 75I didn’t go to work today. I woke up knowing I couldn’t get myself to go into that office after all that happened yesterday.My mum and Alice had asked why. I told them I took a break.I can still remember how shocked they were when I told them I was now working with Drew, but after explaining how it would affect my company if I didn’t, they understood and never mentioned it again… until this morning when they realized I wasn’t getting ready like usual.For now, I’ll have to keep what Drew said from them. I don’t even know how they would react to it. Until I figure things out, it stays a secret.I didn’t need anyone pressuring me on what to do right now.I was alone. Alice had taken the kids to the dentist, and my mum had some errands to run, leaving just me.And my thoughts… they were eating me up. It felt like the walls were closing in on me.If I stayed in this house all day, I would lose my mind.My hands tightened around my bag.“I’m going to the park…” I muttered to m

Rekindled friendship

Chapter 76“Hello Alia, how are you doing?” Priscy answered.“Hmmmm… I’m fine,” I said quietly, staring at the river as I spoke.“Alia…” she paused, “I have not been myself after last night. Are you mad at me?”“No… no, Priscy. Far from it.” I shook my head slowly. “I’m mad at myself, not you.”“You know what…” her voice softened, “where are you? This is not a conversation we can have over the phone. Are you free? Can I see you?”I let out a small breath, rubbing my forehead.“Of course… I really need company. I’m at the park. Do you want to come over or should we pick somewhere else?”“The park is fine. Just send me the address.”“Okay, I’ll text it to you right away.” I took another sip from my coffee.“I’m waiting. See you soon.” Priscy’s voice sounded excited.The call ended.I lowered the phone slowly, staring at the blank screen for a second before dropping it beside me.Priscy has always been a happy soul. Being around her always lifts my spirit… back then and even now, that’s

Three days of absence

Chapter 77Drew's pov It’s been three days since I broke the news to Alia, and I haven’t seen or heard from her. It was obvious her absence had already given me the answer.I heard a horn blaring, breaking me out of my thoughts.“Oh shit.”The traffic light had turned green and I didn’t even realize it. I looked at my rearview mirror—cars were already piling up behind me, drivers throwing annoyed looks. I quickly pressed the accelerator and drove off.I have lost so much focus these past days. Even when I’m in meetings, when I’m driving… I’m always absent-minded.I parked at the bar Louis had said we should meet at, got out, and started walking in. The bar wasn’t crowded, just a few people here and there, sitting under dim lights, listening to soft jazz as they drank. The faint smell of alcohol and polished wood filled the air.I sighted Louis; he waved, and I headed there.“Wassup, man?” Louis clapped my hand, pulling me into a brief half-hug.“I’m good,” I breathed out and sat, rub

Drew vs Kirah

Chapter 78I wasn’t going to let this slide. This was the third time Kirah had threatened me. I opened the car door and ran after her.“Kirah! Kirah!” I yelled, my voice echoing down the quiet street.I was done with her threats. It was time I put her in her place. She didn’t answer me. She kept walking toward an empty, dark street.I followed her. The street was deserted; the only thing I saw was a cat scavenging from a trash can. I looked ahead,Kirah was gone.“I thought you wanted me out of your sight. Now you’re coming after me” Kirah whispered beside me.”I turned. There she was, leaning casually against a wall, her eyes shining in the dim light.“Kirah,” I said, stepping toward her, “you’re biting off more than you can chew.”She laughed, a sharp, bitter sound. “You’re the one pushing me, Drew. Always shutting me out. You look at me with disgust that same mouth” she pointed to my lips “ that once showered me with praises now curses me. And you expect me not to be hurt?”“Kirah,

The red car

Chapter 79Alia’s POVThese past few days, I’ve been trying to forget everything Drew had said. I focused on my kids and kept myself busy, anything to avoid being alone with my thoughts.The project didn’t stop. I was still working on it, but I just wasn’t present in the office. No meeting had been set by Drew, which made my absence easier. But I wasn’t slacking. I was working hand in hand with the secretary, sending files to her and working on whatever she sent back to me late at night.Some nights I barely slept… and honestly, that felt better than running into Drew in the office.“Mommy, can I get this doll and chocolate?” Luna’s voice pulled me back to reality. I was zoning out again.I looked down at her. She held the doll close to her chest, her eyes wide and pleading. That face… it was always hard for me to say no to.“Baby, you have so many toys, your room is becoming too small to contain them.”“I know… but I love this one. Please, mummy,” she said, hugging it tighter.I let

He took the hit

Chapter 80 “Alia!” I heard Drew scream. Everything happened too fast. One second I was standing there… frozen, staring at the car. Next thing, it was already coming straight at me. I wanted to move, but I couldn’t. I didn’t know if it was shock or fear… but my body refused to respond even when I knew I was in danger. Then suddenly— A strong force hit me.Drew shoved me out of the way. I fell hard to the ground , The car sped past the exact spot I had been standing making a loud screeching sound. My ears rang loudly. I pressed my hands against them. My head was spinning. For a moment… everything went blank. “Ouch…” I felt a sharp pain in my back. It must be from the force when I hit the ground. I blinked slowly, my vision clearing bit by bit as I heard voices. “Mum! Mum, are you okay?” Liam and Luna cried out. They were kneeling beside me, their hands shaking as they held me. I must have scared them badly. “I’m fine… babies, don’t cry,” I said quickly, forcing a small sm

...

6 7 8 9 10

...

SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP