All Chapters of After the Divorce, My Ex Husband Came Crawling Back: Chapter 141 - Chapter 150

MAXWELLI watch Ariana disappear into the elevator, and even after the doors close, I don't move. My lawyer is saying something beside me, a rundown of the paperwork, the timeline, what comes next, but I'm barely listening. The agreement is better than I expected: expanded time, overnights, more involvement, more opportunities. It's enough, for now, because the twins were never the only reason I wanted this."Mr. Cox?" My lawyer's voice cuts through, and I realize I've been staring at the closed elevator doors for longer than is normal."I heard you," I say, though I didn't, not really.He lets it go, tucking his folder under one arm as we walk toward the exit. Around us, the other lawyers and assistants are already scattering, phones out, calls being made, the machinery of the day resetting itself. I nod along to whatever he's saying about filing deadlines and follow-up paperwork, and none of it sticks.I want Ariana back. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but I want the oppor

ARIANAMrs. Patricia walks over to Maxwell's nanny. "I'll be coming with them tonight, and for the second visit, then subsequent visits will be all you alone."The woman nods. "Mr. Cox explained." She introduces herself. "I'm Mrs. Florence.""I'm Mrs. Patricia."Mrs. Florence smiles and nods. "Good, then you know I'm going to be talking too much." Mrs P says.Mrs. Florence laughs. "I'm all ears."I smile. There's no hostility between them, there doesn't need to be. Mrs. P cares more about the children than about the history between Maxwell and me, and that's one of the reasons I trust her.Maxwell looks at me. "You packed everything?"I glance at the bags. "We did."He smiles at Mrs P. "Thanks."***Mrs. Patricia carries the overnight bag, and Maxwell's nanny carries another. I stand at the doorway, and for a moment nobody moves.Thea looks past me toward the driveway, then back at me, like she's still waiting for the last piece to click into place. "Mommy car too?"I crouch down. "N

ARIANAI remain standing a moment longer before I finally sit across from him.He rests his hands loosely between his knees. "I wanted to talk about the twins' birthday."My stomach tightens. "Their birthday.""I asked Mrs. Pat. It's less than three weeks away."I know. I've been counting the days without meaning to, their third birthday, and still no word from Durrell, some irrational part of me still hoping he'll walk through the door before then and this whole unsettled feeling will just disappear."I'll take care of it," I say. "I'll let you know when to show up."Maxwell's expression shifts, slight but real. "That's it? I get told when to appear?""What do you mean?""The agreement says I get to be actively involved in their lives.""I'm not keeping you from being involved.""It sounds like you're planning the entire thing and giving me a time slot.""Max." I sigh. "This isn't something to argue over.""I'm not arguing over it. It's very simple, you're the one making it feel like

MAXWELLThe man I remember standing inside a Syndicate warehouse, a man whose street name makes grown men lose control of their bladder, and now apparently a respectable corporate consultant. "Go on.""For Ariana Cox, the information on her is straightforward." I wait. "Former wife. Current mother of twins. Businesswoman. Owner of the Wolves. Bindy family connections. Corporate interests. Public appearances.""Anything that links her with Grant?""Nothing direct.""Nothing?""Not in the records we've found."I lean back, and that bothers me more than if there had been something, because people don't simply appear beside Ariana. Not people like Mason Grant. "Wait." I sit straighter. "Read the information on Ariana again.""Former wife. Current mother of twins. Businesswoman. Owner of the Wolves. Bindy family connections…""Stop." My stomach tightens. "Did you say Bindy?""Yes. Bindy." Jonah confirms."You mean the Blackbridge Bindys?" I say in surprise."Yeah. The same ones."I sit ba

###150: Crossing the Line VICTORCharles’s jaw tightens. "You remember what happened the last time.""How could I ever forget.""You almost didn't come home.""I came home.""Because they allowed you to."I don't respond, and Charles studies me for a long moment, his voice dropping when he finally speaks again. "Victor, going back there means breaking the agreement you made with them."There’s a long silence. I look at him, and I don't need to answer, he already knows.I turn toward the door. "Take care of the family while I'm gone.""Victor.""No matter what happens, don't trust Maxwell."Charles stiffens. "He's your son.""He's my son." I turn back. "That doesn't mean I trust him."Charles says nothing."Andrew needs to be prepared to take over as Cox heir, if necessary."His eyes widen. "You're serious.""Completely." I reach for the door, knowing full well what I'm asking, that helping Andrew step into that role means Charles going against everything he walked away from years ago