All Chapters of Chasing His Divorced Wife: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

ELARA'S POV"Sign here, here, and initial here."Damien's voice was as cold as the marble desk between us, like he was closing a business deal rather than ending our marriage. I watched his manicured finger tap each yellow sticky tab marking where my signature would dissolve three years of my life into nothing.I should have felt something. Rage, maybe. Devastation. The kind of emotion that matched the moment. Instead, I felt hollow, like someone had scooped out my insides and left only the shell of who I used to be."Elara? Did you hear me?"I blinked, focusing on his face. Damien looked impeccable as always, his dark hair perfectly styled, his charcoal suit probably worth more than everything I owned. His jaw was tight with impatience, and he kept glancing at his watch. Of course. He had a flight to catch. London waited for no one, certainly not for a wife he'd stopped seeing years ago."I heard you." My voice came out steadier than I expected.I picked up the pen he'd placed precis

ELARA'S POV He stood there in the rain looking lost, like a child who couldn't find his way home. I hated that it affected me. I hated that some traitorous part of me wanted to reach out to him."Three years," I said, my voice shaking. "I spent three years trying to be enough for you. Do you know what that feels like? To live with someone who looks through you like you're invisible?""I'm sorry. I know that's not enough, but—""You're right. It's not enough." I wrapped my arms around myself, suddenly cold despite the jacket I was wearing. "You want to understand? Fine. I'll tell you exactly who you were."Damien's face was pale, water dripping from his hair. He looked nothing like the man I'd signed divorce papers with. That man had been composed, distant, untouchable. This man looked like he was barely holding himself together."When we met, you were different. Warm. Attentive. You pursued me like I was the only person in the world. You asked about my work, my dreams, what made me h

ELARA'S POV "You're distracted again."I looked up from the inventory list I'd been staring at without actually reading. Marcus stood in the doorway of my office, holding two cups of coffee, his expression concerned."Sorry. I'm fine.""You've said you're fine seventeen times in the past two weeks. At this point, it's lost all meaning." He set a cup on my desk and sat down across from me. "Talk to me."Marcus Chen had been my saving grace when I'd arrived in Seattle broken and lost. He'd given me a job at his gallery, then helped me open my own when I was ready. He was kind, patient, and one of the few people who knew the whole truth about my marriage."Damien came here two weeks ago."Marcus's cup stopped halfway to his mouth. "Your ex-husband? The one who—""Yes." I wrapped my hands around the warm coffee cup. "He had a car accident. He has amnesia. He doesn't remember the last five years.""Jesus. Is he okay?""Physically? I think so. Mentally? I don't know." I stared into my coff

ELARA'S POV"You invited him where?"Maya's voice could probably be heard in the next county. I held the phone away from my ear."To the gallery. Tuesday night. You said you wanted to meet him.""I said I wanted to punch him in the face. That's different." Maya paused. "Wait. Are you serious? He's actually coming?""He said he would.""Elara Chen, have you lost your mind?"I sat down on my couch, suddenly exhausted. "Maybe. Probably. I don't know anymore.""What happened at Pike Place? You said you were going to tell him off and be done with it.""I tried. But he just—" I struggled to find the words. "He's different, Maya. Or he seems different. I can't tell if it's real.""Of course he seems different. He doesn't remember being an asshole. That doesn't mean he's changed.""I know.""But you're hoping anyway.""I'm not hoping. I'm just—confused."Maya sighed. "I'm coming over. Have you eaten?""No.""I'm bringing Thai food. Don't argue."She hung up before I could respond.Forty minut

ELARA'S POV"You invited him to Portland."Maya's voice was flat. We sat in my apartment Wednesday night, the remains of Chinese takeout between us."Just for the drive.""Just for the drive. Three hours alone in a car with your ex-husband.""You said I should figure out if he's really changed.""I said you should protect yourself. That's different." Maya set down her wine glass. "What happens when you're stuck in traffic and he says something that reminds you of the old Damien? Or worse, what if he's perfect and you start falling for him again?""I'm not falling for him.""You invited him to Portland.""To talk. That's all."Maya gave me a look that said she didn't believe me. I wasn't sure I believed myself.My phone buzzed. A text from Marcus."Heard you're bringing someone to Portland. Please tell me it's not who I think it is."I showed Maya. She sighed."News travels fast in the art world.""Marcus worries.""Marcus is smart." Maya leaned forward. "Are you sure about this? Reall