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Chapter 28
Last Updated:
2025-01-28 15:39:47
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After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 29
Emily’s POVThe brisk winter air nipped at my cheeks as Emma and I wandered through the bustling streets of downtown, the golden glow of shop windows casting fleeting warmth on our path. She had insisted on window shopping, her idea of distracting me from the storm of emotions swirling within me after visiting my father. The streets were alive with laughter, conversations, and the clink of teacups from nearby cafés. It was a world so full of life and light that I almost forgot the weight on my shoulders. Almost.“Emily, look at this!” Emma exclaimed, tugging at my arm as she gestured toward a hat in one of the shop windows. “You’d look so chic in this!”I gave her a faint smile. “Maybe, but I’d feel more like I was wearing a birdcage on my head.”She burst out laughing, and I couldn’t help but join her, the sound of our mirth cutting through the cold air. For a moment, it was easy to pretend that life wasn’t so complicated.That was until we stepped into the cozy embrace of a nearby
Last Updated : 2025-01-30After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 30
Emily’s POVDuring the day, I helped run my family’s restaurant, finding a rare sense of happiness while at night I was part-timing at the bar Emma worked. She pitched the job to me, and I aced the interview thanks to my stint in a bar after high school. In just a week, she became the closest thing to a best friend. My past had made me wary of friendships, but Emma’s bright smile and no-nonsense attitude gave me hope.“You’re starting again,” Emma teased without looking up, a mischievous grin playing on her lips.“Am I?” I shot back, feigning innocence.“Daydreaming.” Emma teased, pouring the shimmering liquid into a frosted glass. “Look, if I had half your charm, I’d have men tripping over themselves just to order another round. You could probably have three boyfriends by noon if you wanted.”I rolled my eyes, laughing softly. “One is more than enough to deal with, thank you.”She arched a brow but didn’t press further. The truth was, Damian had been on my mind more than I cared to ad
Last Updated : 2025-02-10After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 31
Emily’s POVI took a deep breath, my fingers clenching into fists on my knees as I sat in the middle of them. “What if we hosted a special dining event at the restaurant? Something new, something fresh.”“We could showcase our traditional dishes, mix them up with fusion recipes, and pair them with cocktails I’ve learned from Emma. We invite food critics, bloggers, TikTok influencers, people I know from food magazines and dad’s connections from the travel industry.”I leaned forward, my pulse quickening with excitement. “If it works, we could gain more exposure, attract new customers, maybe even get some collaboration offers.”My father sighed, setting his tea down. “That sounds like a lot of work.”“It will be,” I admitted. “But we need something to push us forward, right? We’re doing better, but we can’t just sit, and hope things will change. We have to make them change.”Lola perked up. “It could be cool. I mean, people love those fancy, exclusive food events. If we market it right,
Last Updated : 2025-02-10After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 32
Emily’s POVThe bar thrived with its usual energy, laughter spilling through the air, glasses clinking against polished wood, and the hum of conversation blending with the distant melody of the live band. But tonight, I barely noticed any of it. My mind was elsewhere—on Savor the Night, on the dishes I was perfecting, on the future I was determined to carve out for myself and my family.My mind was solely focused on creating and everything else seemed to fade away as I bustled around the kitchen. The weight of my failed marriage, the years I had spent trying to be someone I wasn’t, no longer lingered in my mind. Rediscovering my passion for food forced me to face myself - it challenged me, pushed me, made me realize that I wasn’t weak. I wasn’t just Louis’s ex-wife. I was Emily. I was a damn good chef.I had spent the past week refining the menu for Savor the Night, testing bold new flavors, bringing fresh twists to our family’s traditional dishes. Every plate was a piece of me, a stor
Last Updated : 2025-02-10After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 33
“I can explain everything,” he assured, glancing around the bar. “When do you get off?”“Two, it’s a bar,” I responded, looking him up and down. He was clearly shaken. “What is going on? Why are you here?”“It’s a long story.”Just then, Emma came over, eyeing us both curiously. She looked around the bar, which was still lively but slowing down, most people lingering, drunk and chatting entirely too loudly.“What’s wrong?” she asked, glancing at Damien.“I honestly don’t know,” I grumbled, shaking my head. I then turned to restock the coolers and Emma stopped me, smiling."Go on, Emily," she said over the hum of conversation and the clink of glasses. "You’ve done enough for tonight. I’ll close up."I hesitated, looking up at the clock behind the bar. It was still an hour until closing. “Are you sure? It’s still so busy.”She rolled her eyes, tossing a towel over her shoulder. “Emily, you’ve been on your feet all day. I’ve got this. Besides, I think you two should talk – he looks anxio
Last Updated : 2025-02-11After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 34
Emily's POVDamian’s entire demeanor shifted the second he saw her. His face hardened, his knuckles whitening on the wheel before he exhaled sharply and opened the door. I followed, stepping out into the cool night air, my stomach twisting with unease."Charlotte," Damian said, his voice low, wary. "What are you doing here?"Charlotte ignored him. Instead, her sharp brown eyes landed on me, assessing, unyielding. She was beautiful, but her expression made it clear she wasn’t here to exchange pleasantries."This is her?" she asked, like I was some kind of stain on her designer shoes.My spine stiffened, and I lifted my chin. "Excuse me?"She let out a humorless laugh before turning back to Damian, her perfectly manicured nails digging into her crossed arms. "Are you even aware of the damage you're doing to yourself? Do you have any idea what you’re throwing away?"Damian sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Charlotte, I don’t need this right now.""No, you never need it, do you?"
Last Updated : 2025-02-11After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 35
Emily's POVThe scene in the kitchen buzzed with energy, like a pot of stew just beginning to boil. I glanced at the clock, my heart racing as I wiped my hands on my apron. Tonight was the night. A famous food blogger named Nathan Park was on his way to our restaurant, ready to discover the hidden gem that was our restaurant. He specialized in this.He was a renowned food critic and influencer with millions of viewers on YouTube and a popular food blog that highlighted up and coming restaurants, often labeled hidden gems. Of course, after he reviewed them, they weren’t so hidden, but this is the exact exposure I wanted for my family. I could already hear the hum of anticipation beyond the kitchen door as the bar staff hustled to set the mood. This was my shot, the chance to highlight my family’s passion and our determination to bring our past culinary experiences to more people.As I arranged garnishes on plates with trembling fingers, the sound of raised voices filtered through the
Last Updated : 2025-02-12After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 36
Emily's POVThe music swirled around us, the singer hitting a high, thrilling note that sent the crowd into a roar of excitement. I walked over to Nathan’s table, holding my creation—a chili hot dog. The soft, crusted bread cradled a lavishly seasoned sausage, topped with green bell peppers, scallions, crunchy radishes, spicy jalapeño slices, and finished off with a generous drizzle of my special sauce and melting cheese.Nathan sat with his legs wide on the stool, his signature slouch evident in his worn t-shirt and ripped jeans. Tattoos with intricate designs snaked down his shoulders, giving him the appearance of someone who belonged in an energized fight club, not sitting here as a professional food critic. His grin spread when I approached, and he glanced up as I set the plate down, taking a seat beside him. His table was already piled high with a variety of snacks, appetizers, and dishes—it was almost comical to think this muscular frame could take on so much food.“Feeling the
Last Updated : 2025-02-13
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After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 115
Barrett’s POVThe next morning, I sat in my leather recliner, nursing a secund cup of black coffee, and staring out over the manicured estate. Thoughts of the approaching date churned in my mind, and I found myself… restless. Seventy. The big seven-zero. The number itself tasted both bitter and regal on my tongue. I had not planned to celebrate, not publicly anyway. But as the morning wore on, I began to feel something stir in my chest. A small fire. A whisper of sentimentality. Perhaps, I thought, a modest gathering with those closest to me would not be entirely foolish.I reached for the landline beside me, its polished brass and ivory buttons still more satisfying than any of these cursed smartphones. I dialed Charles’ office number and waited.“Father,” Charles answered, his voice clipped, professional. Always the executive, even for me.“I hope I’m not interrupting your hostile takeover of a rival firm,” I said, smirking to myself.“You’re lucky I find your sarcasm charming, Fath
After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 114
Barrett’s POVThe morning sun filtered through the heavy drapes of my suite, casting golden beams over the thick Persian rugs and polished mahogany furniture. I had just finished a satisfying breakfast of poached eggs, grilled asparagus, and a piece of toast slathered with just enough marmalade to remind me of Madelin’s old habit of sneaking sugar into everything. I was reclined in my massage chair, the mechanical hum of the rollers easing into my lower back as I sipped a small glass of tomato juice. My slippers were warm, my robe wrapped perfectly around me, and for a brief, fleeting moment, I allowed myself the luxury of peace.Then came the knock.It was not sharp or aggressive, but steady, insistent. I assumed it was Becky, my nurse, coming to check my vitals and shuffle me off to the pool where I would wade like a disoriented walrus through lukewarm water in the name of cardio. I did not mind. At my age, movement was a celebration, not a punishment.“Come in,” I called, not turni
After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 113
Emily’s POVThe house was silent, that comforting kind of quiet that settles just before twilight. I had dimmed the lights in the kitchen and lit the candles I kept tucked away for special occasions, letting them cast soft, flickering shadows across the table. The scent of roasted garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh basil danced through the air, blending with the heady sweetness of the vanilla candle near the door. Damian had texted me an hour ago to say he was finally headed home after a brutal day at the hospital. I could almost hear the exhaustion in his message.He had been working late all week, dealing with a string of emergency surgeries and difficult patients. I had seen it in the shadows under his eyes and the way his voice sometimes trailed off mid-thought. I hated seeing him that way. So tonight, I decided, was just for him.The table was set with our mismatched plates and the fancy cloth napkins we never used. A bottle of Chianti stood like a soldier at attention beside
After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 112
Emily’s POVThe smell of garlic, rosemary, and lemon zest lingered in the air as I stirred the sauce gently in the pan, the soft clink of the wooden spoon against metal filling the silence between bursts of laughter. Damian sat on a stool near the island, slicing up bright heirloom tomatoes for the salad, his sleeves rolled up, forearms dusted with a trace of sea salt. There was something sweetly ridiculous about how domestic we’d become. Just last week I was navigating legal documents and emotionally charged confrontations, and now, I was arguing with this man—this impossibly handsome, frustrating, tender man—about how thick tomato slices should be.“Thicker, Damian. They fall apart when they’re paper-thin. What is this, a salad or carpaccio?” I teased, shaking my head.He looked up at me with mock offense, eyes sparkling with humor. “Excuse you, this is art. Not everything needs to be manhandled into submission.”I flicked a little water at him from the edge of my fingers and he gas
After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 111
Barrett’s POVThe afternoon light filtered in through the tall windows of Emily’s restaurant, casting a soft golden hue across the crisp white tablecloth and delicately arranged tea set before me. I leaned back slightly in my chair, cigar long extinguished, the aroma of fresh herbs and warm fruit filling the air. Emily moved with the grace of a dancer, placing platters of vibrant foods before Tom and me, her smile glowing with sincerity and quiet confidence. It was a different kind of strength than I was used to — not forged in boardrooms or battles, but grown in the soft, persistent soil of daily intention and care. A strength you could eat, I thought, marveling at the spread before us.“I wanted to do something special,” she said as she settled into the chair across from me. “This is part of something I’ve been dreaming up — a lifestyle brand built around nutrition, mindfulness, and family. Something real. I’ve spent so long building something for myself, and now… I want to build so
After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 110
Barrett’s POVTom turned the wheel smoothly, his gloved hands steady on the leather steering wheel as the car pulled up in front of Emily’s restaurant. The warm amber glow of the morning sun bathed the little bistro’s façade, catching the edge of its elegant signage and making the gold lettering sparkle. It was half-past ten, a peaceful hour before the doors opened to the bustle of brunch service. I reached for my phone, preparing to dial Emily and let her know we had arrived, when the front door of the restaurant swung open.There she was. Bright-eyed and graceful, waving as she stepped into the sun with a smile that could make a bitter man sweet. I rolled down the window and gave her a gentleman’s wave, the kind I had perfected over the decades. There was charm in that wave, intention too. I always made a show of things. She crossed the sidewalk quickly, her steps light and full of purpose, and Tom, ever the reliable footman, was already out of the car and opening the door before sh
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
