All Chapters of When his Ex-wife Returned : Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

Rihanna POVI remembered three things about the night my marriage went to shit. The rain, the sound of my son laughing, and the way my husband smiled at another woman.Rain fell violently against the towering windows of the Sterling mansion as I stepped into the grand foyer, shaking water from my umbrella. The cold inside the house made me wrap my arms around myself, seeking heat from my own body.For five years, I had called this place home. For five years, I had buried myself behind Edrian Sterling while the world praised him for miracles I created with my own hands.I saved the Sterling Group from bankruptcy, rebuilt its reputation from the shadows, and gave up every piece of myself so my husband could stand at the top of New York’s business world like a king.And all I ever wanted in return was a family.I loosened the scarf around my neck and started toward the living room, exhausted from a doctor’s appointment I hadn’t even wanted to attend. Then I heard Ted laugh.My lips almos

Rihanna POVTwo years could change a person completely. Two years ago, I was crying in the New York rain, bleeding emotionally, and watching my son get pulled away by a gold-digging snake. Today, I was sitting in a massive, glass high-rise office in the middle of London, looking down at the city streets like a queen surveying her kingdom.I had completely left my old life behind. Rihanna Taylor was dead, probably still resting at the bottom of the Hudson River in the minds of the public. I was Victoria Taylor now. My long black hair was perfectly styled, my green eyes were sharp, and I was wearing a black designer business suit that cost more than my ex-husband used to spend on his entire monthly country club membership."The final reports just came in from Wall Street, Miss Victoria," my assistant, Sarah, said as she walked into my office. She laid a thick blue folder on my glass desk and tapped it with her pen. "You were completely right about them. The Sterling Group is absolute

Rihanna POV The private jet landed at JFK just before midnight. New York looked exactly the same from above. There were bright lights,the buildings tall, and endless traffic. Yet I barely recognized the city anymore. Two years ago, I had left New York as a broken wife with nothing. Tonight, I returned as Victoria Taylor. The woman who owned eighty percent of the Sterling Group's debt. I stepped off the jet wearing a black suit and leather gloves. Sarah followed behind me, carrying the final documents for tomorrow's meeting. A black SUV waited near the runway. I climbed inside and looked through the tinted window. Then I saw the Sterling Group headquarters. My old workplace, and old nightmare. I stared at the enormous building as we passed. “I used to spend nights in there,” I said quietly. Sarah looked at me and asked me “Do you regret it?” I shook my head, “No.” Then I smiled. “I regret who I did it for.” Sarah stayed quiet. She knew better than to inter

Rihanna POVI stared at the address on my phone for several seconds. The old Sterling guest house stood less than twenty minutes away. I knew every room inside that place. I had cleaned it, decorated it, and once believed it might become mine. That was before Valerie walked through its doors and turned my life upside down. Now someone wanted me there again, alone. Whoever planned this clearly knew exactly where to press.“Sarah,” I said, handing her my phone. “Cancel everything tonight.” She read the message, then looked at me sharply. “You are not seriously going there alone.” I picked up my coat. “I didn't say I was going alone.” Sarah sighed. “You literally said the message told you to come alone.” I smiled. “And I also said I wasn't stupid.” She almost laughed. “Good, because for a second, I was worried.”I called Sylas before leaving the building. He answered immediately. “Tell me you didn't receive another threat.” “I received an invitation.” There was silence. “That sounds wors

Rihanna POVI read the final sentence again, hoping the words would somehow change. They didn't. My marriage had been arranged, and both families had signed something behind my back. Suddenly, five years of my life looked different. The arguments, the pressure, Arthur's strange interest in our marriage, even Alistair's sudden rescue all felt connected. I hated that feeling. I hated not knowing which memories belonged to me and which ones had been carefully planned.“Tell me everything you know,” I said to Sylas. He stood across from my desk, studying the contract. “I don't know everything.” “Then tell me what you know.” He hesitated before pulling out a chair. “Your grandfather started monitoring the Sterling family years before your marriage.” I frowned. “Why?” “Business interests.” “That's too vague.” “Because I don't know the full reason.” I leaned forward. “You're beginning to sound like everyone else.”Sylas gave me a tired look. “You asked me to protect you, not investigate your