All Chapters of After the Divorce, My Ex Husband Came Crawling Back: Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

The shift was immediate."Oh my God…""That's wonderful.""How far along?"But another voice cut in, sharper. "Wait. Didn't Maxwell just get divorced?"All eyes shifted to Molly."And now there's already a baby?""Three years of marriage and no children..." one of them murmured.Another leaned in. "Maybe that was the problem."A soft hum of agreement went round the group."Some men want legacy.""And if they don't get it...""They move on."Linda didn't interrupt or correct any of the murmurs, she just let it settle. Her hands were still tight on the club, then she smiled modestly. "It's still early."Her eyes returned to Molly. "As a mother, I'm sure you understand why I'd want things handled properly."Molly's gaze sharpened, there it was, her motive.Linda continued, her voice careful now. "I'm not here to create problems. I'm here to avoid them.” She sighed as she continued. “All I want is for both families to be on the same page." She swallowed again. "For the sake of the child."

"You're pregnant," he repeated slowly."Yes.""And you didn't think to mention it?"Selene's hands twisted together in her lap. "You just got divorced. Your father doesn't like me. I didn't want to... I didn't want to use my joy to make things harder for you."Her voice broke slightly."I thought if I told you, it would feel like I was trapping you, and I didn't want that."Maxwell's jaw worked as his eyes went dark and unreadable.Selene turned toward him fully now, tears streaming down her face."I'm sorry," she whispered. "Baby, I'm so sorry. I should have told you. I just... I didn't know what to do."Linda reached over, squeezing her daughter's hand, as Daniel looked appropriately somber.Andrew was still grinning.Molly watched it all play out, in a calm and assessing manner, before she spoke. "Well."Everyone looked at her."I suppose congratulations are in order."The words landed carefully, not warm or cold, but just in a factual acceptable way.Maxwell's head turned toward h

Maxwell sits in the living room with the lights off, a glass of whiskey in his hand. The television is on, muted, images moving across the screen.The house used to feel different when Ariana was here. It used to feel warm and lived in. Now it just feels empty.The sound of heels clicking against the floor pulls him out of his thoughts.Selene walks in, drops her handbag on the couch like she owns the place. She looks around, her lips pressing into a thin line."You're sitting in the dark again."Maxwell doesn't answer. Just looks at her like an uninvited intrusion.She walks over and flips the light switch. The brightness makes him squint."You need to stop doing this," she says, plopping onto the couch across from him. "It's depressing."Maxwell takes a slow sip. "You should've called before coming."Selene crosses her legs. "I don't need permission to come here."He says nothing, but his jaw is working, anger flashing across his face.She leans forward. "You haven't been answering

Maxwell's eyes drift to the dining table across the room. It was empty, clean and untouched, which was quite unusual as it's now the new norm.A memory flickers in his head.Ariana sits at that same table three years ago, waiting for him to come home. She'd cooked dinner. He remembers the smell when he walked in. Something warm. She'd spent hours preparing.He'd been late again. She didn't complain, she just smiled and warmed the food."You didn't have to wait," he'd said, loosening his tie."I wanted to."He'd sat down without thanking her. He just ate, as she watched him the entire time, asking small questions about his day.He barely answered. But she kept trying, always trying.The memory drifts away.Maxwell stands and walks toward the kitchen. He opens the fridge to find it empty except for a few bottles of water and leftover takeout he hasn't touched.Ariana used to keep it stocked with fresh vegetables, fruits, ingredients for meals he never asked for but always found ready wh

A week later, Maxwell misses the Blackbridge meeting.His phone has been ringing all morning, and he ignores it.By noon, Jonathan shows up at his office.Maxwell's assistant tries to stop him. "He's not taking visitors…"Jonathan walks past her and opens the door.Maxwell looks up from his desk, irritated. "I'm busy."Jonathan closes the door behind him. "You missed the meeting.""I know." Irritation bleeds into his voice."That's the second one this month."Maxwell leans back in his chair. "Who's counting?"Jonathan doesn't sit. Just stands there with his arms crossed. "You look like shit.""Thanks.""I'm serious."Maxwell's eyes cut to him. "What do you want, Jonathan?""I want to know what's going on with you.""Nothing." His brows draw together."Bullshit."Maxwell gets up and pours himself a drink. "When did you become my shrink?"Jonathan watches him carefully. "People are asking questions." He pauses. "The kind you don't want them asking."That makes Maxwell laugh out loud. "E