Semua Bab HER EX-HUSBAND’S OBSESSION : Bab 21 - Bab 30

Just as Lila was still about to figure out what was going on, Daniel’s secretary Tina walked in with a stack of documents.“Mrs. Coleman. I didn’t see you walk in,” Tina said, her eyes widening in surprise. She glanced between Lila and Alexander, clearly sensing the tension in the room. “Is everything okay?”Alexander’s smile didn’t waver. He leaned casually against the desk, his eyes still locked on Lila with a mix of amusement and interest. “Mrs Coleman?”The title felt in her ears like poison. The fake name she had given him that night, “Ella” now felt like a childish lie exposed in the harshest light. She stood there, mortified, her cheeks burning as the reality of the situation crashed over her. The man she had spent a passionate, reckless night with was in her husband’s position. Nothing made sense. Tina quickly excused herself, closing the door behind her with a soft click, leaving the two of them alone.Alexander’s smile widened, his grey eyes sparkling with recognition. “El

Lila got out of the elevator feeling more proud of herself than ever. The slap she had just landed on Daniel’s face was causing her hand to hurt. But oh, it was a sweet pain.She was about to turn toward the exit when she saw Sophia walking toward her, carrying two large grocery bags.Her postpartum belly prominent under a loose white top. She looked tired but radiant, her blonde hair tied back in a casual ponytail.Their eyes met almost immediately and Sophia froze. Lila was the last person she had expected to see. The shock was visible on her face. Sophia froze mid-step. The grocery bags slipped slightly in her hands as her face drained of color. Real terror flashed in her eyes.The kind of fear that came from knowing you were face-to-face with the woman whose life you had helped destroy. The woman whose husband and child you had stolen.Lila stopped a few feet away, her posture straight, her gaze cold and unflinching. For the first time in weeks, she felt the upper hand. She was

Lila raised an eyebrow, a small, surprised smile tugging at her lips. “Older? That’s not even your type. You’ve always gone for the young, creative minds. Like that poet you dated in college.”Sonia laughed softly, a little sheepish. “I know. I used to say older men are too set and serious in their own way. But Marcus is different. He’s confident, and he makes me feel safe. He’s in his late forties, but he doesn’t act like it. He’s adventurous, thoughtful, and he listens to me. I didn’t expect to fall for someone like him, but here we are.”Lila nodded, genuinely happy for her friend. “As long as he treats you right, that’s all that matters. I’m glad you found someone who makes you happy. You deserve it.”Sonia smiled, her eyes warm. “Thanks, babe. I was worried you’d think I was crazy for dating someone older. But he’s good for me. Really good.”Before the sun rose the following morning. She has spent the night at Sonia’s.The apartment was quiet. Sonia was still asleep. Daniel’s mes

Lila’s brow furrowed. “What does that have to do with anything?”“Everything,” Alexander said. “Daniel is expected to make an appearance. He’s been using these events to keep up the image of still being in control. If you show up publicly, confidently and on my arm or simply as yourself, it sends a message. That you’re not hiding. That the narrative is no longer his to control.”Lila stared at him. The idea of walking into a room full of people who had watched her marriage collapse in real time made her stomach turn.But the strategic part of her mind recognized the power in it.“You want me to walk into that event and face all of them,” she said slowly.“I want you to walk in and show them that you’re still standing,” Alexander replied. “Daniel thrives on the appearance of strength. Take that from him, and he starts to unravel. Plus I have a special surprise planned out.”Lila’s fingers tightened around her water glass. The memory of the anniversary gala, the public humiliation, the

Sophia’s face had gone pale. The way Alexander had addressed her — Mrs. Coleman — hung in the air like a quiet accusation. She looked at Daniel, then at Lila, the carefully maintained composure beginning to fracture.Lila remained silent, letting the moment work. She could feel the balance of the conversation shift the moment Alexander arrived. His presence alone was enough to strip away some of the control Daniel had been clinging to.Alexander’s voice remained polite, but there was an unmistakable edge beneath it. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything important.”Daniel’s jaw flexed. “Not at all.”Alexander stood close enough to Lila that the positioning was impossible to ignore, even if he had not yet spoken her name.His eyes moved over her then — not in a rushed or obvious way, but with quiet, deliberate attention. He took in the clean lines of the dress, the way it settled against her frame.There was appreciation in his gaze, restrained but unmistakable. She looked like a godd