บททั้งหมดของ THE BARREN EX-WIFE WHO CAME BACK: บทที่ 111 - บทที่ 120

SEBASTIAN'S POVI stood at the window of the master suite in the west wing, my fingers gripping the glass of scotch so tightly I was surprised it didn't shatter.I couldn't stop thinking about her.Vanessa.My ex-wife.The woman I'd divorced seven years ago, called barren, and thrown away like she meant nothing.Except she hadn't stayed thrown away.She'd come back different. And when I'd seen her again in the foyer less than thirty minutes ago in that perfect dress, I'd felt something hit me like a physical blow.She was gorgeous.No—gorgeous didn't even begin to cover it.Vanessa had always been pretty in a quiet, understated way. Sweet face, nice body, the kind of girl-next-door beauty that didn't demand attention but earned it anyway.But now?Now she was devastating.Her curves had filled out in all the right places. Her breasts—fuck, those breasts—strained against the fabric of her blouse in a way that made my mouth go dry. And when she'd turned to walk away from me, when I'd g

VANESSA'S POVThe silence that followed Patricia's insults to me was suffocating.I felt Nicholas tense beside me, his hand tightening around mine under the table. I could feel the anger radiating off him in waves, could see his jaw clench as he prepared to defend me.But I shook my head slightly—just the tiniest movement that only he would notice."Don't, Nicholas..." I pleaded silently, hoping he'd understand. "Please don't make this worse."Nicholas's eyes slowly met mine, dark with anger, but he understood. His mouth pressed into a hard line, but he stayed quiet, his thumb stroking across my knuckles in silent support.I appreciated him more than words could express in that moment.But Patricia wasn't finished with me."What's wrong, Vanessa?" she asked with false concern, taking a delicate sip of her wine. "You can't defend yourself again? Or are you finally realizing that you don't belong here?"I kept my face carefully neutral, even though every word felt like a knife sliding b

VANESSA'S POVI laid the black dress on my bed, staring at it like it was armor I was preparing to wear into battle. Because that's exactly what this was. A battle.I slipped the gorgeous black gown on, and reached behind my back for the zipper. My fingers fumbled, stretching, and straining. The zipper was positioned at that impossible angle that required either the flexibility of a contortionist or a second pair of hands.After several frustrating attempts, I admitted defeat.I needed help.I stepped out into the hallway, looking for someone—anyone—who could assist me for thirty seconds. As if summoned by my need, two maids appeared at the end of the corridor, one pushing a cleaning cart while the other carried fresh linens."Excuse me," I called out, walking toward them. "I'm sorry to bother you, but could one of you help me with my zipper? It'll only take a moment."The older woman—Eleanor, I'd heard others call her—immediately set down her linens, her face softening with a gentl

VANESSA'S POVThe moment I stepped out of the car, I felt every eye in the parking lot turn toward me.Especially the Lancaster family.Good.Let them look.Let them see that I wasn't the scared, broken woman they'd tried to make me into.I removed my sunglasses, handing them to Thomas without looking back, and started walking toward the entrance.My heels clicked against the pavement with each step—sharp, definite sounds that seemed to echo in the sudden silence that had fallen over the crowd.I could see the shock on their faces.The scandalized expressions.I didn't care.I kept my head high, my shoulders back, my expression calm and serene even though my heart was pounding so hard I thought it might burst through my chest.I was almost to the entrance when two security guards stepped forward, blocking my path."I'm sorry, ma'am," the larger one said, though he didn't sound sorry at all. "We're going to have to ask you to leave."I stopped, looking up at him with what I hoped was p

VANESSA'S POVEverything happened so fast.One moment Sebastian was in my face, screaming at me about his mother.The next, Nicholas's fist was connecting with his jaw in a brutal, bone-crunching punch that sent Sebastian staggering backward."Nicholas!" I gasped, but he wasn't listening.He wasn't listening to anyone.Sebastian recovered quickly, his hand going to his bleeding nose, his eyes blazing with shock and anger."You fucking bastard!" Sebastian lunged at Nicholas, tackling him around the waist.They both went down hard onto the manicured lawn, rolling across the grass in a tangle of expensive black suits and flying fists.Nicholas got on top first, landing another punch to Sebastian's face—this one to his cheekbone—that made the crowd gasp."Stop!" I shouted, moving toward them. "Both of you, stop!"But they weren't stopping.Sebastian managed to throw Nicholas off, rolling them over so he was on top now. His fist connected with Nicholas's ribs, then his jaw, brutal hits tha