(Bella’s POV)The soft melody of a live orchestra drifted through the grand ballroom, replacing the quiet chatter of business discussions. Crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead while executives, investors, celebrities, and influential families mingled with glasses of champagne in their hands. The atmosphere became elegant, sophisticated, and filled with laughter until the master of ceremonies stepped onto the stage.“Ladies and gentlemen,” he announced with a bright smile, "thank you all for joining us today. Before we continue with the rest of the day, we'd like to invite every couple onto the dance floor for our traditional gala dance.”Applause echoed across the room.I instinctively looked at Aiden.He was already looking at me.No, I shake my head at him, I don't even feel like dancing. A mischievous smile spread across his handsome face before he stood from his chair and stretched his hand toward me with an exaggerated flourish."My beautiful girlfriend," he said, executing

(Bella's POV)When the song reached its climax, Aiden suddenly dipped me backward without warning.A gasp swept through the ballroom.Camera flashes exploded around us.“Aiden!” I whispered through my laughter, clinging to his shoulder. “You absolute maniac. Warn a girl next time!”He slowly pulled me upright again, looking far too pleased with himself. “What? You looked amazing. The photographers needed content. I provided content. You’re welcome, my love.”“You planned that.” I shake my head at him.“I absolutely did. I’ve been waiting all night for the perfect moment to make you look like a movie heroine and myself like a slightly overconfident supporting character.”“Show-off.” I scoffed at him.“You looked amazing. Say it again and I’ll buy you dessert later.” he whispered and blew me a kiss.I shook my head, trying not to laugh anymore. “You’re the worst best friend in the history of best friends.”“And yet still the only one currently dipping you in public. Rankings are subject

(Luke’s POV)“Of course I'll marry you,” Bella said, her voice trembling with emotion as she smiled down at Aiden.The words echoed through the ballroom.For a brief second everything around me went silent. The applause that erupted after her answer sounded distant, almost as if I were underwater. Guests rose from their seats, cheering and congratulating them while cameras flashed relentlessly around the newly engaged couple.I couldn’t hear any of it. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t even blink.My eyes remained fixed on Bella as Aiden gently slipped the diamond ring onto her finger—the same finger that had once worn my wedding ring.A painful lump formed in my throat.It has been five years since she walked out of my life, yet seeing another man place a ring on her finger hurt just as much as the day I watched her leave. Maybe even more. Because this time it felt final.I had always believed there would be another chance. Another conversation. Another opportunity to tell her how

(Luke’s POV)I couldn’t take it anymore. The air in the living room had grown thick, heavy with the weight of everything left unsaid, everything I had been swallowing for five years. Every breath felt like it scraped against the raw edges inside my chest. I stood up so abruptly the chair scraped hard against the floor. My hands were already trembling. I walked straight to the washroom without looking at anyone, without answering the concerned glance I could feel on my back. The door shut behind me with a soft click that somehow sounded final.I braced both hands on the cold porcelain of the sink and stared at my own reflection. The man looking back at me looked wrecked—eyes red-rimmed, jaw locked so tight it ached, a single tear already tracking down one cheek before I could stop it. I hated that tear. I hated how easily it came whenever the thought of her slipped past the walls I had spent half a decade building.Just as the door shut behind me, it opened again. Serena stepped

(Luke’s POV)I wished I could tell her that I had wanted divorce for longer than I was willing to admit. That no amount of time or effort or shared history would ever make me stop loving the woman who left. That we could never work, not really, no matter how many years we stacked on top of the original crack.But the words stayed locked behind my teeth.Part of me still didn’t know how to let go of Serena. She had been my constant when everything else collapsed. She had been kind when I was broken. And another, colder part of me whispered the practical fear I hated myself for even thinking: that she might outsmart me in a courtroom, that she could take half of everything I had built, that the life I had carefully constructed could be carved up and handed over. And deeper than that fear was the simple, human reluctance to hurt her any more than I already was.So I stood there in the small bathroom with the fluorescent light buzzing softly overhead, her tears soaking into my shirt,

(Bella’s POV)By the time the business gala finally came to an end, my cheeks ached from smiling. The kind of deep, muscle-deep ache that comes from holding an expression that no longer belongs to you. I had lost count of how many businessmen, celebrities, and investors had approached us throughout the night, offering congratulations on our “engagement.” Every few minutes another pair of eyes would light up with excitement, another hand would reach for a photograph, another glass would be raised in a toast to our supposed future. The words “beautiful couple” and “perfect match” floated around us like perfume—sweet, expensive, and completely false.It was exhausting in a way that went beyond tired feet or sore cheeks. It was the exhaustion of performing a life that wasn’t mine.The moment we stepped out of the lobby into the cooler night air, I kicked off my heels with a quiet, almost desperate sigh of relief. The concrete felt blessedly solid under my bare feet.“Oh, thank God.”

All Chapters of MY EX-HUSBAND WATCHED ME FALL IN LOVE: Chapter 31 - Chapter 36

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