All Chapters of Don’t Mess with My Ex-Wife: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

On my thirty-fifth birthday, I booked a table at a French restaurant in Manhattan that accepted reservations only from established clients.The manager answered the phone himself.The moment he heard my last name, he offered to close the second floor and let our security team inspect it beforehand.“That won’t be necessary,” I said. “It’s just a family dinner.”There was a brief silence.Apparently, few people described a gathering of the Bellandis as just a family dinner.My husband, Adrian, had taken over the family three years earlier.He owned shipping companies, warehouses, and real estate. He also had interests and connections that would never appear on an official balance sheet.Some people in New York hated him. Others feared him.But during that phone call, all I wanted was a table for my husband and son.Ethan loved Maine lobster.Adrian had mentioned a 1982 Chateau Lafite a few weeks earlier.As for what I liked, I found myself staring at the menu long after I should have kn

The estate’s iron gates closed slowly in my rearview mirror.I didn’t go straight to Audrey’s office.First, I parked in the underground garage of a department store and called her.I wasn’t trying to stage an escape.For the first time, I simply needed to be certain that a conversation was truly mine to have.After hearing me out, Audrey asked me to come to her Midtown office.She had never done business for the Bellandis.She knew my mother. She had known me before I was married.The draft divorce agreement lay open on her desk again.This time, there was a checklist beside it.“The marriage, your personal assets, your son, and any formal positions you hold on behalf of the family need to be handled separately.”I looked at her.“Even the events and charitable committees?”“If your name is still on the paperwork, we need to understand what that means.”For years, I had managed the Bellandis’ charitable foundation, assistance for members’ families, and some of their public events.I w

Vivian came on my second day in the hospital.She brought flowers and a printed copy of the project materials.The bodyguard outside my room raised a hand to stop her.She gave her name and said I was expecting her.He still reached for his phone to ask permission.I saw them through the doorway and pressed the call button for a nurse.“She’s my visitor.”The nurse glanced outside.“The patient decides who’s allowed to visit.”The bodyguard stood there for a moment before finally stepping aside.Vivian came in without commenting.She simply set down the flowers and asked, “Are you up for talking for ten minutes? If you’re not feeling well, we can do this another time.”“I’m up for it.”She opened my analysis.“Why did you flag this cost?”I pushed myself upright and explained my reasoning.We were on the third issue when Adrian walked in carrying food.He frowned at the documents spread between us.“She needs rest.”Vivian closed the folder.“That’s why I asked her first.”Adrian looke

I ordered breakfast and ate beside the window.An entire plate of eggs, without interruption.When the server came to clear it, she asked whether I wanted more coffee.“Yes, please.”I couldn’t remember the last time I had finished a meal without answering a complaint about seating arrangements or explaining why Adrian had canceled on someone.That morning, he suspended my supplementary card.The bank notification arrived while I was reading Vivian’s project materials.Less than two minutes later, his message followed.If you insist on leaving, take some time to calm down. Family accounts shouldn’t cover these expenses.I sent Audrey screenshots.Keep the records, she replied. Don’t sign anything you don’t understand just to restore a card.Half an hour later, Adrian called again.This time, I answered.“Your card stopped working?”His voice was gentler, as though he had already offered a generous compromise.“Where are you? I’ll send Marco.”“At a hotel.”“Which hotel?”“Contact Audre

At Audrey’s office the next day, leaving became a series of specific decisions.She asked me to identify the source of each asset, check the accounts, and describe what I wanted for Ethan.Another list covered my public responsibilities.Charity events. Family assistance contacts. Board appearances made in my name. Documents I had signed.“You’re leaving a marriage,” she said. “Not setting fire to your entire history. We verify what needs verifying and hand over what needs handing over.”I nodded.“Don’t accept someone else’s liability because you’re desperate to be finished.”When we reached the finances, I said I didn’t want to fight for years.“You don’t have to fight every possible battle. But know what belongs to him and what already belongs to you. Giving away your own property doesn’t make leaving more dignified.”She moved another sheet toward me.“And no compensation with an unclear source or unclear conditions. You don’t need a new entanglement to end the old one.”I kept my