Till Betrayal Do Us Part: Ex-Husband, Ex-Heartbreak
“Sign the papers, Estella.” Marco’s voice dripped with cold indifferencey as he slid the divorce papers across the table, his gaze locked on Claudia standing smugly by his side. “Did you really think a nobody like you could keep me?”
Estella swallowed her pride, forcing herself to meet his eyes despite the burning humiliation. The family she had fought to belong to had become her greatest enemy.
Claudia smirked, leaning closer. “You should be grateful. Letting you go is the kindest thing we’ve done for you.”
****
When Estella married into the powerful Valdez family, she believed in a love strong enough to conquer any storm. But after years of enduring Marco’s cruelty she’s cast aside, humiliated, and left with a shattered heart.
Yet, when Estella crosses paths with Alejandro, Marco’s ruthless rival. She reclaims her life, finding strength she never knew existed. Together, they plot to dismantle the very family that tore her apart. But revenge is a dangerous game, and as her quest unfolds, she faces betrayal, tragedy, and a conspiracy far deeper than she imagined.
In a world of deceit and broken promises, Estella will discover that survival means more than escaping her past. It means learning to wield her pain as power—and showing those who wronged her that the quietest heart can hide the fiercest storm. But as she edges closer to revenge, a final tragedy strikes, threatening to strip her of everything. Can she rise from the ashes, or will she become a pawn in a game more twisted than love itself?
Will Estella’s journey be one of redemption or destruction? Only time will tell in this gripping saga of betrayal, vengeance, and forbidden love
Read
Chapter: 147: Washed Ashore Third Person POV"Paolo, you're going to scare away all the fish with your complaining!" Maria Ricci swatted her husband's arm, her weathered hand connecting with surprising force for a woman in her sixties.Paolo Ricci scowled, adjusting his faded cap against the morning sun. "Woman, I've been fishing these waters for fifty years. I know what I'm talking about." He gestured toward the dark clouds gathering on the horizon. "Storm's coming. We should head back.""We just got here!" Maria protested, reaching for another piece of bait. "The nets are barely wet."Their small fishing boat rocked gently on the Mediterranean waves, five miles off the coast of their village, Porto Manarola. They'd been married for forty-six years, and every morning for the last twenty—since Paolo's retirement—they'd taken this boat out together."The nets are empty again." Paolo spat over the side of the weathered fishing boat, his leathery face creased with frustration. "Third day this week. Something's wron
Last Updated: 2025-02-21
Chapter: 146: No More HopeAlejandro Three hours later, we're back at the field office. Marco's in surgery, his chances are slim to none. Claudia is in interrogation, and from what I can see through the one-way glass, she’s breaking. Mascara streaks down her tear-streaked face as she sobs her way through her confession to Rivera.I don’t feel satisfaction.I don’t feel anything.Rivera leans in. “It was Marco’s plan, wasn’t it?”Claudia nods frantically. “Yes—yes, all of it. He was obsessed with destroying her and getting revenge on Alejandro.”Rivera pushes harder. “The plane. Tell me all you know about the plane.”Claudia swipes at her wet cheeks, inhaling shakily. “It was Torres—he’s the one who actually did the work. The navigation system, the fail-safe, everything. It was meant to go down over the ocean.”"And Estella De Luca?"Claudia's face crumples and her breath stutters. "We need to know," Rivera's voice carries through the speakers, "was there any possibility of survival?"Claudia hesitates, then
Last Updated: 2025-02-21
Chapter: 145: The Truth Comes Out---The private airfield glows under spotlights. Federal vehicles surround the perimeter. No chances of escape this time."They're still here," Calloway confirms, lowering binoculars. "The jet is on the tarmac. Two subjects moving equipment."I strain to see through the darkness. "Claudia and Marco?""Looks like it.” Calloway confirms. “They've got no idea we're here."Rivera stands nearby, giving the final instructions to the tactical team. “We want them alive. They might be our only chance to find out what really happened to Mrs. De Luca.”I check my own weapon. No one comments on a civilian being armed. The Bureau has long since given up trying to contain me. Some battles aren't worth fighting."Ready?" Rivera asks.I nod. I am beyond ready.The moment we move, the airfield erupts.Engines roar as tactical vehicles tear across the tarmac. Spotlights blind. Megaphones blare out commands.“FBI! HANDS IN THE AIR!”Claudia stops mid-step at the base of the jet’s stairs, her hands shoot
Last Updated: 2025-02-20
Chapter: 144: The Interrogation The motel is a shithole on the edge of town, the kind of place where people come to disappear—sometimes permanently. Yellow crime scene tape flutters in the night breeze, barely keeping the stench of rot and drug inside. Local cops mill around, throwing irritated glances at the federal agents invading their territory.I push past them all. Nobody tries to stop me.The room stinks of cheap whiskey and death. Carlos Ramos lies sprawled on the bed, a gaping hole where the back of his head used to be, blood splattered against the peeling wallpaper. The gun is still clutched in his stiff fingers."Don't touch anything," Rivera warns, too late.I'm already moving, scanning the room. "Where's the note?"A detective points to a plastic evidence bag on the nightstand. Inside, a cheap hotel notepad with three words scrawled in shaky handwriting:I’m sorry, Carlos.I snatch the bag, turning it over in my hands. The ink is smudged, the strokes uneven. Writing under duress. Fear.“Sorry for what?”
Last Updated: 2025-02-20
Chapter: 143: A LeadThe church is packed. Black designer suits and dresses. Photographers lining the street. I ignore them all, striding through the doors in jeans and a rumpled shirt, a month's worth of beard on my face.The service has already started. A priest drones on about loss and heaven. Empty words over an empty casket.Every head turns when I walk in. Whispers ripple through the crowd. The great Alejandro De Luca, finally broken.I don't give a fuck what they think."Mr. De Luca," the male agent says, extending his hand. I ignore it. He cleared his throat “ I am Agent Calloway and this is my partner Agent Rivera.”"You're taking a chunk of my time. Talk."They exchange glances. "We should discuss this privately."I push past them to a small building outside the church. They follow, closing the door behind them."We have reason to believe Marco Valdez was involved in sabotaging your wife's plane," Calloway says.My blood runs cold, then hot. "Tell me something I don't already know.""We found of
Last Updated: 2025-02-19
Chapter: 142: The Fall of Alejandro de LucaAlejandro One Month LaterI slam my fist into the wall, pain shooting up my arm. I welcome it. Anything to feel something other than this fucking hole in my chest.The TV drones on in the background, some society reporter standing outside the church where they're burying a goddamn empty casket. _"...the tragic death of Estella De Luca has shocked the business world. Sources close to the family say her husband, billionaire Alejandro De Luca, is too overcome with grief to attend today's service..."_I grab the remote and hurl it at the screen. Glass shatters, sparks fly. The sudden silence is almost worse.Someone knocks. I ignore it.The door opens anyway. Raúl. "Boss," he says quietly, stepping over broken furniture. My office looks like a war zone. "The funeral's starting. People are asking where you are."I don't turn to face him. My eyes remain fixed on the city skyline through floor-to-ceiling windows. Somewhere out there, she's alive. I feel it in my fucking bones."Let them
Last Updated: 2025-02-19
Chapter: Chapter 25: Dangerous GamesElleStanding at the entrance to the VIP section, scanning the crowd with laser-focused intensity. Even from across the room, I could feel the force of his anger radiating like heat waves.The moment his eyes locked on mine, everything else faded away. The music, the crowd, Noah – all of it disappeared, leaving only Adrian's burning gaze. He didn't move, didn't blink, just stared with a cold fury that made my skin prickle.Then, without warning, he turned and began cutting through the crowd – straight toward me."You okay?" Noah asked, noticing my sudden tension. "You look like you've seen a ghost.""Worse," I muttered. "My husband."Noah's eyes widened. "Husband? I didn't—""It's complicated," I interrupted, already calculating escape routes. But Adrian was moving too quickly, his tall frame and determined stride parting the crowd effortlessly."Elle." Adrian's voice sliced through the club noise as he reached us, low and dangerously controlled. He didn't acknowledge Noah, didn't eve
Last Updated: 2025-02-21
Chapter: Chapter 24: Playing with FireElleWe danced through two more tracks, laughing as Sophia demonstrated moves that should probably be illegal in public. I matched her as best I could, surprised by how good it felt to just exist in my body without worrying who was watching or judging.I nudged at Sophia when I noticed her – a woman with honey-blonde hair and a polished appearance that screamed old money, watching Sophia with obvious interest from the edge of the dance floor. Unlike the bros who'd approached earlier, there was something genuine in her gaze, an appreciation rather than entitlement.She eventually made her way over, her movements graceful and confident. "Mind if I join you? I love this song."Sophia's eyes lit up. "Not at all."The woman – Kai, as she introduced herself – slipped into our circle with an easy elegance. Soon, the three of us were dancing together, but I didn't miss the lingering glances exchanged between Sophia and Kai.Within minutes, her hands were on Sophia's hips, guiding them in a rh
Last Updated: 2025-02-21
Chapter: Chapter 23: Girls' Night IIElleSix hours later, we'd worked our way through three movies, two bottles of wine, and a truly impressive amount of Thai food."You know what we should do?" Sophia slurred slightly, twirling a strand of her perfect blonde hair. "We should go out.""Out?" I blinked at her. "Like, outside?""Yes, genius. To a club. With music. And men who aren't your husband." She wiggled her eyebrows. "You can make him jealous.""That's the worst idea I've ever heard.""Which means it's the best. Come on." She pulled me up. "My dad just bought into that new place downtown. We can get the VIP section.""I'm married, remember?""And? It's not like you're dead." She dragged me toward her bedroom. "He's actually..." I stopped myself. Weirdly protective of a man who had me under house arrest. "Nevermind.""Exactly." She flung open her closet doors, revealing a boutique's worth of dresses. "Now, let's find something that'll make every man in that club lose his damn mind."Common sense said to refuse. Go b
Last Updated: 2025-02-20
Chapter: Chapter 22: Girls' NightElleI sidestepped Tom who waited by the car. "And fuck his rules."I flagged down a taxi instead, ignoring Tom's concerned calls. The driver raised an eyebrow as I slid into the backseat, makeup streaked down my face."Rough day?""You have no idea." I rattled off Sophia's address, already fumbling for my phone.It rang twice before she picked up. "Elle? Is that actually you calling me? Did hell freeze over?"Just the sound of her voice made my shoulders drop. "Hey, Soph.""Oh shit." The teasing tone vanished. "What happened? Are you okay?"I swallowed hard. "Not really. Can I crash at your place?""Already pulling out the ice cream. Mint chocolate chip still your crisis flavor?"A laugh bubbled up despite everything. "God, I love you.""I know. Now get your ass over here."The taxi pulled up to Sophia's building twenty minutes later – one of those sleek high-rises with doormen who knew you by name and carried your groceries. The polar opposite of Adrian's old-money mansion with its
Last Updated: 2025-02-20
Chapter: Chapter 21: UnwelcomeElleMy heels clicked against the scuffed floor as I headed for the stairs. The elevator had been "temporarily out of order" for months - another casualty of tight budgets.Second floor. Third. Fourth.Each step brought back memories. Me doing homework in the break room while Mom worked late. The Christmas we decorated the lab with paper chains because we couldn't afford real decorations. Her teaching me to use a microscope, her voice gentle as she explained how something so small could change everything.Just like the cancer cells that nearly killed me at twelve.I paused outside her office, stomach churning. The frosted glass still had that crack in the corner from when I'd slammed the door too hard after another fight when I was in high school. Back then, she'd been furious about me choosing art over science.Now? Now I'd done something far worse.Sarah's desk was empty - Mom's secretary was probably at lunch. Just as well - I didn't need an audience for this.The daily schedule o
Last Updated: 2025-02-20
Chapter: Chapter 20: The Last Place I Should Be GoingElle The next morning, I wanted to die. Not literally. But close enough."Fuck," I groaned, rolling over to bury my face in the pillow. Memories from last night crashed through my hangover – the closet, the clothes, Adrian's hands on my waist...I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, willing the memories of last night to disappear.They didn’t.Nope. Every single humiliating detail was still burned into my brain."Oh god." I shot up, then immediately regretted it as my head spun. I'd yelled at him, got in his face like some drunk, jealous girlfriend demanding answers. In his own house. About his secret designer clothes closet.Perfect. Just perfect.I groaned, dragging a pillow over my face.I bet he regretted everything.Regretted marrying me. Regretted letting me into his house. Hell, maybe regretted even looking at me that first night."He must think I'm insane." I stumbled to the bathroom, avoiding my reflection. "Completely, totally insane."I looked exactly like what I was – a
Last Updated: 2025-02-18
LOGIN
