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Chapter 102
Last Updated:
2025-04-16 18:49:21
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After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 103
Maya's POVLouis could never compare to him. The thought ate at me, gnawed at my insides. Louis, who had abandoned me for her. Louis, who had left me for Emily. I had spent so long convincing myself that the plan was going to work, that it was going to be perfect, and now all of it was crumbling in front of me, just as it always did.I couldn’t hold it in any longer. The frustration, the jealousy, the rage—all of it bubbled over and I let out a sharp, guttural cry. The sound filled the room, so loud and so raw that it startled Lucy. She took a step back, her face paling.“Sorry,” I whispered, my voice shaky. “I didn’t mean to scare you.” I forced the words out, knowing they didn’t sound convincing at all. But I had to pretend. I had to pretend I wasn’t a mess, that everything was fine, even as the world around me slowly cracked apart.Lucy stood there, motionless, her expression unreadable. She nodded stiffly, not saying anything else. I could see the hesitation in her eyes, the uneas
Last Updated : 2025-04-16After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 104
Maya's POVLyla’s face softened just slightly, but there was still uncertainty there. She didn’t quite buy it. Not fully. But I had already made up my mind. She didn’t need to know the details—she didn’t need to know anything—because whatever I did next, it would be on my terms. Not Damian’s. Not anyone else’s.The wedding, the company, the shares, everything had to be mine. And no one—not even Damian—was going to ruin it for me. Not again.I was finished being anyone’s second choice. Finished being overlooked. This time, I would be the one holding the reins.“Let’s go,” I said, brushing past her. “We can’t waste any more time here.”We headed back to the reception, the sounds of laughter and music filling the air as we entered the ballroom. The guests were still milling about, some still sipping champagne, others chatting with that air of giddy delight. But as I walked back into the center of it all, it felt like I was standing on a stage, the spotlight burning down on me. The perfec
Last Updated : 2025-04-16After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 105
Barrett’s POV The morning light bled slowly through the gauzy curtains of my bedroom, casting long golden lines across the marble floor. I opened my eyes and stared up at the intricately carved ceiling that I had looked at every morning for the past thirty years.The same ceiling, the same bed, but the man lying in it was no longer the same. I could feel it in my bones, in my chest, in the way my breath no longer filled my lungs without effort.The doctors had been gentle, almost apologetic, as they delivered the prognosis. I had nodded quietly, thanked them, and dismissed them. This was not something the world could know yet. Not while my name still adorned the masthead of Augustus International. Not while the company’s future rested on the fragile scaffolding of image and confidence.I sat up slowly, clutching the armrest of the bed with the precision of a man who had lived long enough to understand the dignity of struggle. The nurse, a capable young man named Jeremy, was already b
Last Updated : 2025-04-18After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 106
Barrett’s POV And with that, we stepped out of the car, the city rising above us like a colossus waiting for orders. The lobby smelled like expensive marble and ambition. I could feel the reverence as soon as I stepped through the revolving glass doors. I did not rush. I never rushed. When you commanded respect, time bowed to you, not the other way around. The security guards at the front, clad in their tailored navy uniforms, straightened the moment they saw me. A few nodded. One even tipped his cap. “Mr. Augustus,” one murmured, eyes flicking to the earpiece at his temple, no doubt whispering up the chain that the lion had entered the den. Good. Let Charles squirm in his chair a little longer. Let him wonder why I was here without warning. I passed the first floor’s reception with a slight smile. The younger of the two receptionists nearly spilled her coffee when she realized who I was. “Good morning, sir!” she squeaked, flustered. “Good morning, sweetheart. Try not to faint. I’
Last Updated : 2025-04-18After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 107
Barrett’s POVThe phone call had gone better than expected. Emily had answered after three rings, her voice a delicate mix of confusion and caution, but the moment she realized it was me—Barrett Augustus—her tone shifted to something more respectful. I could hear the hesitation behind her words, the hesitation of a woman who had been burned too many times, who had learned the hard way that even well-dressed men with deep pockets carried knives behind their backs. But I was not calling to hurt her. No, I had far more interesting things in mind.I told her I wanted to take her somewhere important, somewhere that mattered to me, and she agreed without pressing too much. That pleased me. A young woman with enough intuition to know when not to push an old lion too hard. She insisted, however, that once our little errand was over, I would join her at her restaurant for tea and pastries. Tea and pastries. The very idea of it made me laugh, but there was something endearing about her. She did
Last Updated : 2025-04-18After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 108
Barrett’s POVOnce they were gone, I called Tom, who had wisely waited downstairs in the car, no doubt reading the paper or texting his wife about what groceries to pick up on the way home.“Tom,” I said, “it’s time. We’re going to Emily’s restaurant to pick her up.”He chuckled on the other end. “That was quick, sir. Thought you’d be stuck there all afternoon.”“It does not take long to make people uneasy,” I said with a laugh, lighting one final cigar before snuffing it out prematurely. “Sometimes all you have to do is show up.”I stepped out from my office and walked through the executive corridor with purpose, nodding politely at those who dared look me in the eye. I was not a ghost of the past. I was still the storm that shook the windows. I took the elevator back down, passing floor after floor of carefully polished egos and glass walls, watching my reflection in the silver doors. There he was—Barrett Augustus, still in control, still calling the shots.The lobby greeted me with
Last Updated : 2025-04-18After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 109
Barrett’s POVI opened my mouth to decline, but my stomach betrayed me with a traitorous growl. Tom chuckled and patted his own gut."I haven’t eaten breakfast," he admitted sheepishly. "Wouldn’t say no to something light.""Then it’s settled," Emily said with a delighted nod. "Come inside. I’ll whip something up quickly before the restaurant opens."Inside, the space was warm and inviting. Clean wood, exposed brick, and the scent of cinnamon and espresso hung in the air. She led us to a corner booth and told us to make ourselves comfortable before disappearing behind the kitchen doors.I leaned back against the leather banquette and glanced around, noting the framed photos, handwritten menus, and stacks of mismatched ceramic cups. It had charm. Real charm. Not that fabricated kind the decorators installed into million-dollar spaces with rustic beams from fake barns in Vermont.A few minutes later, Emily returned carrying two plates and two steaming mugs of coffee."Spinach, egg, and
Last Updated : 2025-04-18After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 1
Emily's POVI was packing my husband's suitcase and found a box of used condoms in the pocket.I open the box and find only four condoms even though the box says it's a pack of six. A wave of nausea washes over me as I sink onto the floor in disbelief - I'm afraid of what this means. Ten years of good, solid marriage. We’d gotten comfortable, perhaps too comfortable, but still, I thought we had true love. Louis wouldn’t throw it all away on some random business trip, right?“Babe? I’m home!” Louis’ voice rang through the house, smooth and confident, like it always did. I shoved the box back into the suitcase pocket with shaking hands, snapped the zipper shut, and forced myself to stand.I met him in the foyer, where he dropped his briefcase and smiled, that wide, boyish grin that once made me weak in the knees. “Hey, there’s my girl.” He pulled me into his arms, and I stiffened before I could stop myself. His cologne, the one I’d picked for him years ago, smelled cloying now—familiar
Last Updated : 2024-12-18
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After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 109
Barrett’s POVI opened my mouth to decline, but my stomach betrayed me with a traitorous growl. Tom chuckled and patted his own gut."I haven’t eaten breakfast," he admitted sheepishly. "Wouldn’t say no to something light.""Then it’s settled," Emily said with a delighted nod. "Come inside. I’ll whip something up quickly before the restaurant opens."Inside, the space was warm and inviting. Clean wood, exposed brick, and the scent of cinnamon and espresso hung in the air. She led us to a corner booth and told us to make ourselves comfortable before disappearing behind the kitchen doors.I leaned back against the leather banquette and glanced around, noting the framed photos, handwritten menus, and stacks of mismatched ceramic cups. It had charm. Real charm. Not that fabricated kind the decorators installed into million-dollar spaces with rustic beams from fake barns in Vermont.A few minutes later, Emily returned carrying two plates and two steaming mugs of coffee."Spinach, egg, and
After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 108
Barrett’s POVOnce they were gone, I called Tom, who had wisely waited downstairs in the car, no doubt reading the paper or texting his wife about what groceries to pick up on the way home.“Tom,” I said, “it’s time. We’re going to Emily’s restaurant to pick her up.”He chuckled on the other end. “That was quick, sir. Thought you’d be stuck there all afternoon.”“It does not take long to make people uneasy,” I said with a laugh, lighting one final cigar before snuffing it out prematurely. “Sometimes all you have to do is show up.”I stepped out from my office and walked through the executive corridor with purpose, nodding politely at those who dared look me in the eye. I was not a ghost of the past. I was still the storm that shook the windows. I took the elevator back down, passing floor after floor of carefully polished egos and glass walls, watching my reflection in the silver doors. There he was—Barrett Augustus, still in control, still calling the shots.The lobby greeted me with
After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 107
Barrett’s POVThe phone call had gone better than expected. Emily had answered after three rings, her voice a delicate mix of confusion and caution, but the moment she realized it was me—Barrett Augustus—her tone shifted to something more respectful. I could hear the hesitation behind her words, the hesitation of a woman who had been burned too many times, who had learned the hard way that even well-dressed men with deep pockets carried knives behind their backs. But I was not calling to hurt her. No, I had far more interesting things in mind.I told her I wanted to take her somewhere important, somewhere that mattered to me, and she agreed without pressing too much. That pleased me. A young woman with enough intuition to know when not to push an old lion too hard. She insisted, however, that once our little errand was over, I would join her at her restaurant for tea and pastries. Tea and pastries. The very idea of it made me laugh, but there was something endearing about her. She did
After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 106
Barrett’s POV And with that, we stepped out of the car, the city rising above us like a colossus waiting for orders. The lobby smelled like expensive marble and ambition. I could feel the reverence as soon as I stepped through the revolving glass doors. I did not rush. I never rushed. When you commanded respect, time bowed to you, not the other way around. The security guards at the front, clad in their tailored navy uniforms, straightened the moment they saw me. A few nodded. One even tipped his cap. “Mr. Augustus,” one murmured, eyes flicking to the earpiece at his temple, no doubt whispering up the chain that the lion had entered the den. Good. Let Charles squirm in his chair a little longer. Let him wonder why I was here without warning. I passed the first floor’s reception with a slight smile. The younger of the two receptionists nearly spilled her coffee when she realized who I was. “Good morning, sir!” she squeaked, flustered. “Good morning, sweetheart. Try not to faint. I’
After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 105
Barrett’s POV The morning light bled slowly through the gauzy curtains of my bedroom, casting long golden lines across the marble floor. I opened my eyes and stared up at the intricately carved ceiling that I had looked at every morning for the past thirty years.The same ceiling, the same bed, but the man lying in it was no longer the same. I could feel it in my bones, in my chest, in the way my breath no longer filled my lungs without effort.The doctors had been gentle, almost apologetic, as they delivered the prognosis. I had nodded quietly, thanked them, and dismissed them. This was not something the world could know yet. Not while my name still adorned the masthead of Augustus International. Not while the company’s future rested on the fragile scaffolding of image and confidence.I sat up slowly, clutching the armrest of the bed with the precision of a man who had lived long enough to understand the dignity of struggle. The nurse, a capable young man named Jeremy, was already b
After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 104
Maya's POVLyla’s face softened just slightly, but there was still uncertainty there. She didn’t quite buy it. Not fully. But I had already made up my mind. She didn’t need to know the details—she didn’t need to know anything—because whatever I did next, it would be on my terms. Not Damian’s. Not anyone else’s.The wedding, the company, the shares, everything had to be mine. And no one—not even Damian—was going to ruin it for me. Not again.I was finished being anyone’s second choice. Finished being overlooked. This time, I would be the one holding the reins.“Let’s go,” I said, brushing past her. “We can’t waste any more time here.”We headed back to the reception, the sounds of laughter and music filling the air as we entered the ballroom. The guests were still milling about, some still sipping champagne, others chatting with that air of giddy delight. But as I walked back into the center of it all, it felt like I was standing on a stage, the spotlight burning down on me. The perfec
After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 103
Maya's POVLouis could never compare to him. The thought ate at me, gnawed at my insides. Louis, who had abandoned me for her. Louis, who had left me for Emily. I had spent so long convincing myself that the plan was going to work, that it was going to be perfect, and now all of it was crumbling in front of me, just as it always did.I couldn’t hold it in any longer. The frustration, the jealousy, the rage—all of it bubbled over and I let out a sharp, guttural cry. The sound filled the room, so loud and so raw that it startled Lucy. She took a step back, her face paling.“Sorry,” I whispered, my voice shaky. “I didn’t mean to scare you.” I forced the words out, knowing they didn’t sound convincing at all. But I had to pretend. I had to pretend I wasn’t a mess, that everything was fine, even as the world around me slowly cracked apart.Lucy stood there, motionless, her expression unreadable. She nodded stiffly, not saying anything else. I could see the hesitation in her eyes, the uneas
After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 102
Maya's POVI had gone into the house to fix my makeup, to change into my final outfit, to make sure everything was perfect, but all I could hear was the murmur of voices around the house. Their conversations floated up through the walls, drifting into my space, unsolicited, unwanted. Talking about the wedding, how lovely it was, how bold, how scandalous. They were all so predictable, weren’t they? People talking, gossiping, pretending they had something meaningful to say. They had no idea what it cost me to be here, what it had taken to arrange every detail to perfection. They had no clue how much of this wedding was a grand performance—mine—and that performance wasn’t for their entertainment. It was for Emily’s ruin.The frustration bubbled inside me as I applied another layer of mascara, the brush a little too harsh, the strokes a little too forceful. I didn’t care. None of them deserved my restraint. None of them deserved to see the carefully constructed mask that I usually wore. I
After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 101
Damian's POV“You know,” she said between bites, her voice tinged with playfulness, “I could elevate all of this with just a few ingredients. A touch of garlic on the fries, a little drizzle of something spicy on the hotdog, maybe a bit of balsamic on the ice cream.”I stared at her, blinking. “You are a genius.”Her face flushed a little, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. She looked down, suddenly shy. “It’s just a thought.”“No,” I insisted, my voice soft but firm. “You are a genius. You have this way of seeing the world differently, of making everything better, more vibrant. It’s one of the things I’ve always admired about you.”Her blush deepened, but she didn’t pull away. Instead, she met my gaze, her eyes searching mine for something I couldn’t quite place. Whatever it was, I hoped she’d find it there.I leaned back in my chair, looking at her with a teasing glint in my eyes. “You know, we should get you something nice. You deserve it.”She raised an eyebrow, looking s
