All Chapters of DIVORCED Back To Claim What’s Mine : Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Lydia stared at the clinic's sterile white ceiling, a predatory smirk playing on her lips. The gala was only seven days away, and the walls were closing in. Charlie was haunted by a "ghost" child, and Elara was hovering like a vulture over their assets.She needed a shield. She needed a golden ticket."Is it done, Dr. Aris?" Lydia asked, her voice cold and demanding as she sat up, smoothing her silk skirt.The doctor, a man whose medical ethics had dissolved years ago under the weight of gambling debts, wiped sweat from his brow. He held a modified lab report and a stolen ultrasound image from a patient who actually was six weeks pregnant."The records are synchronized with the hospital mainframe, Lydia," Dr. Aris whispered, his eyes darting to the door. "If Charlie Vane calls for a verification, my office will confirm it. You are officially six weeks pregnant with the Vane heir."Lydia reached into her designer bag and pulled out a thick envelope. She tossed it onto the exam table. "

I leaned back in my chair, watching the digital ticker for Vance Corp turn a bloody shade of red. Sarah was pacing the floor, her heels clicking a nervous rhythm against the hardwood. She stopped abruptly, leaning over my desk with a look of genuine concern."Elara, we’re five days out from the Gala," Sarah said, her voice dropping to a low, serious hum. "The city is buzzing. Charlie is parading Lydia around like she’s carrying the Messiah. Don’t you think you need a man someone with real weight to accompany you? You can't just walk in there as a 'ghost' anymore. You need a shield."I looked up at her, a slow, predatory smile spreading across my face. "I’ve already handled it, Sarah. I called him this morning. He’s flying in from London. He’ll be here in two days."Sarah froze, her eyes widening in realization. "Wait... you don't mean... Tyler?""Exactly," I whispered."Damn, Elara!" Sarah breathed, falling back into a chair as if her legs had given out. "Tyler Vane? Charlie’s eldest

The penthouse was bathed in the warm, amber glow of a hundred designer candles. Lydia had orchestrated the perfect scene silk pillows, chilled non alcoholic cider, and a small, silver-wrapped box sitting on the center of the coffee table.Charlie walked in, his shoulders slumped, the image of the boy from the ice cream shop still burning behind his eyelids. He looked like a man who had spent the day fighting ghosts."Charlie, darling," Lydia purred, gliding toward him. She took his briefcase and tossed it onto a chair, pulling him toward the sofa. "You look like you've seen a spirit. Sit. Drink. I told you I had good news for you, my love.”"I'm tired, Lydia. Whatever it is just”"Open it," she interrupted, her eyes sparkling with a terrifying, manufactured joy.Charlie sighed and reached for the silver box. His fingers fumbled with the ribbon. He pulled the lid back, and his heart stopped. Inside, resting on a bed of white velvet, was a pair of tiny, hand-knitted blue booties and th

The penthouse was quiet, the only sound the soft hum of the city's evening traffic far below. Leo was sitting on the plush carpet, his brow furrowed in concentration as he clicked together a complex Lego skyscraper.The front door clicked open. Leo didn't even look up at first, but then he caught a scent the familiar, grounding aroma of sandalwood and expensive tobacco."Daddy!"Leo scrambled to his feet, his face lighting up with a radiance I hadn't seen since we left London. He didn't just walk; he sprinted across the room. Tyler Vane dropped his leather briefcase, the heavy thud echoing against the marble, and knelt on the floor just in time to catch the boy in a massive, crushing hug."There he is," Tyler grunted, his voice thick with a genuine warmth he saved for no one else in the world. "My little architect. Did you finish the tower yet, or were you waiting for me to help with the heavy lifting?""I waited! I needed the blue pieces from your suitcase," Leo chirped, pulling back

The Grand Ballroom was a fortress of gold leaf and predatory elite. I walked through the gilded doors alone, my midnight-blue gown trailing behind me like a shadow of the woman I used to be. Tyler was still at the private terminal, ensuring the digital kill-switch was ready to execute the Vane accounts. For now, I was the bait. And the vipers were starving.I hadn't made it ten feet into the room before Silas and Beatrice flanked me, their hands like iron claws on my shoulders. They dragged me toward the center of the dance floor, where the light of the massive crystal chandelier could expose every inch of my "shame.""You goddemned bitch!" Silas hissed, his breath smelling of expensive scotch and pure malice. "Who the f**k gave you an invitation? This gala is for the elite, not for bastards and homeless sluts who crawl back into town to beg!" Don’t come and ruin this opportunity for us Lydia stepped forward, her white silk dress stretched over her supposedly "miracle" womb. She look