All Chapters of Too Late To Want Me Back, Ex-Husband!: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

ELARAThe boardroom of the Lindays company was a miniature version of the one in my father’s company, but I was not here to make comparisons but to dish back what I’ve been given. The look on Shawn’s face… there was a time I would have given anything to have him look at me like that, but now I find it terribly disgusting. The others in the room looked rather confused, including Maxwell, Shawn’s grandfather, and Linda. Well, who could blame them? I had no business being here, even if I had the Viking’s name, but I am S.N., and Shawn had invited me himself.“Apologies for my lateness. I was held up in a business meeting...” The lie left my lips smoothly, as I walked properly into the room, followed closely by Ben and Jake. I could feel the eyes of every shareholder on me, tracking my every move. “Please wait outside…” I said to my guards, and they nod respectfully, shutting the door after them. But really, I had intentionally let them walk in with me— a power play, just as I had i

ELARA“And I’m not joking, Elara…” “Kneeling won’t change a thing, Shawn. Get up.” I mused, feigning pity.Shawn shook his head and stayed on his knees, making his mother gasp in a mixture of shock and utter disbelief. Maxwell, however, remained mute, actually looking spaced out, as if he weren't even in the room with us. He looked like a man frantically calculating losses and consequences—a better man, really, than Shawn, who was currently ranting rubbish, trying to build castles on clouds.“Elara… it took a while, but I’ve realized this feeling holding my heart captive… I love you.” I saw the thread of sincerity in his eyes, but what did I know? This male had lied to me countless times in the past. Why should I believe him now? Worse, he had plotted the demise of my little more than pristine reputation. He had plotted my total ruin. And now, he wanted me to believe that he loved me? He must have really thought I was stupid.“Elara, for years I’ve resented you, yes, I am aware…

SHAWN“So, you were truly sleeping with her best friend. What is her name again? Miranda?” Grandpa Max asked, his voice eerily calm as we sat on the well-curated furniture in the living room of the Lindays mansion. I opened my mouth to defend myself, to negate the accusation, but then I remembered the pictures and the videos we had all seen in that boardroom. I clamped my mouth shut and waited for my grandfather’s judgment. My mother was with us too, though she seemed less prone to even speak. She was still reeling from the revelations of the day—most of all, the truth about my wife. My ex-wife. I gritted my teeth in sharp, physical pain. Ex-wife. How did I get here? “Shawn, you really don’t want to get me riled up now. Speak.” I nodded slowly. “Yes, Gramps. I…” I couldn't help it? Was looking for an escape from a bitter marriage? But wasn't I the one who had made it bitter, cold?I realized it then, remembering the time I had slapped her, the times my family had abused her v

SHAWN“What do you mean I can’t come? It’s a black-tie event, it will be suspicious if you come alone to the event. People will think you unstable, yet sulking over the rumors that are blowing over the socials… who will want to do business with you then?” I shut my eyes, my jaw tightening until my teeth ached, my hand clamping the phone so tight that it was a miracle the gadget didn’t break under the pressure. Even as I bottled down the urge to tell Miranda off for reminding me of the recent predicament, my mind went off to the news circling the media recently—news that came with the picture of my Elara in a big-shot restaurant with Killian. They looked sickeningly intimate, with that motherfucker’s finger trailing her jaw in a way that made my vision swim. My blood boiled even now as the image that had refused to leave my head replayed itself in a loop, a blade twisting in my gut.And worse is the release of our divorce finalizing on the socials, laid out for the whole world to m

ELARA“He will burst a vein if he continues glaring at us like that—that, and having his eyes getting popped out of their sockets.” Julian pointed out just barely a minute after we had taken our allotted VIP seats in the gathering, seats that afforded us a good view of the host of the elite that had gathered for this year’s gala. I didn't need to look back to know exactly who he was talking about; I could feel Shawn’s gaze like a hot, desperate branding iron on the back of my neck.“That will surely be a sight to behold; I for one would like that…” Liam muttered, his voice a dangerous rumble. He picked up the heavy, gold-embossed brochure from the table, his eyes scanning the schedule of the event with bored precision as waiters hurried around and toward our table, their movements frantic as they tried to make sure we were comfortable. I was sure that a lot of the elites would be wondering why we were given this high table, apart from being Vikings. Well, they would be knowing so