Lahat ng Kabanata ng THE BARREN EX-WIFE WHO CAME BACK: Kabanata 101 - Kabanata 110

VANESSA'S POVNicholas stared at me for what felt like an eternity, his chest heaving, his eyes dark with hunger that made my skin burn.And I didn't know if he wanted me back.Then he moved.His mouth crashed down on mine with devastating force, claiming, possessing, and erasing every thought from my mind except him. His hands gripped my ass, lifting me effortlessly, and my legs wrapped around his waist as he carried me toward the bed.I gasped against his lips when I felt his erection pressing against my bare core through his pants---hard and thick and so much bigger than I'd imagined during all those nights I'd slept on the same bed with him.He slowly laid me down on the silk sheets, his body covering mine, his weight pressing me into the mattress. His mouth moved to my neck, teeth grazing my pulse point, and I arched beneath him with a moan.His hands were everywhere---sliding up my ribs, cupping my breasts, thumbs brushing over my nipples until they peaked painfully. When his mo

VANESSA'S POVI needed to check on Elijah.After everything that had happened yesterday---the accusations, CPS taking him, the hours he'd spent terrified in that facility---I needed to see my son and make sure he was okay.I quickly showered and changed into comfortable clothes, trying not to think about Nicholas naked in his shower. I was trying not to replay the way his hands had felt on my skin. Trying not to remember the way my body had immediately responded to his touch.I walked down the hallway to Elijah's room, my bare feet silent on the plush carpet. When I pushed open his door, I found him still asleep, curled up on his side with his favorite dinosaur plushie clutched to his chest.My heart clenched.He looked so small, so vulnerable. His dark hair was messy against the pillow, his face peaceful in sleep---a sharp difference to the terror I'd seen yesterday when CPS had dragged him away from me.I moved to sit on the edge of his bed, careful not to wake him. My hand reached

SEBASTIAN'S POVTHE NEXT MORNINGI woke with the memory of last night still heavy on my mind. Vanessa had collapsed on my doorstep, broken and desperate.Elijah crying for his mother in that CPS facility.The look on Nicholas's face when he'd seen us together in the car---hurt and betrayal written all over his features.And Isabella. My wife. And also the woman who'd orchestrated the entire nightmare by manipulating our seven-year-old daughter into lying about assault.I'd barely slept, rage and guilt warring inside me until dawn finally broke.Now, I stood outside Maya's bedroom door, my hand moving over the handle as I prepared myself for the conversation I needed to have with my daughter.I pushed open the door and found Maya sitting on her bed, still in her pajamas, her small face pale and drawn. She looked up when I entered, and I saw tears already filling up her eyes."Daddy?" "How was your night?""I—I couldn't sleep, daddy."I walked over and sat on the edge of her bed, and

VANESSA'S POVI stared at my phone, my hand trembling as soon as the call ended from the hospital ended. A nurse had just called to inform me that Grandma Mae was dead.I felt extremely sad.The words from the doctor replayed in my mind, but they didn't feel real."Grandma Mae just passed away..."I couldn't move.Just days ago, she'd been in that hospital bed, smiling at Sebastian and me, believing we were still happily married.My chest tightened with grief so profound it physically hurt.Grandma Mae had been the only member of the Lancaster family who'd ever shown me genuine kindness. When Sebastian's mother had made cruel comments about my middle-class background, Grandma Mae had squeezed my hand under the table. When the other family members had looked at me like I was dirt beneath their expensive shoes, she'd pulled me aside and told me I was exactly where I belonged."You're perfect for my Sebastian," she'd said, cupping my face with her wrinkled hands. "Don't let anyone make y

VANESSA'S POVI couldn't believe my eyes. Trash.Patricia Lancaster had just called me trash.Seven years ago, that word would have destroyed me. Seven years ago, I would have shrunk back, apologized for existing, and fled from her presence with tears running down my face.But I wasn't that woman anymore.Still, my hands trembled slightly as I clasped them in front of me, trying to maintain my composure."Patricia," I began, keeping my voice as polite as possible. "I understand this is a difficult time for the family. I'm just here to support Nicholas through his grief—""Support Nicholas?" Patricia's laugh was cold and sharp. "Is that what you're calling it now? Support?"She moved closer, her heels clicking against the floor with predatory instinct."Let me tell you what I call it, Vanessa," she continued, her voice dripping with venom. "I call it what it is—you're a whore."I actually flinched.The word hit me like a physical blow, even though I'd been expecting cruelty from this