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Chapter 8
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2024-12-19 10:07:50
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After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 9
Emily’ POVLouis carried me through the door, his arms tight around me as if he were afraid I'd shatter. The sight of everything looking so normal while my entire life was falling apart was jarring. But there was something more. The house was too clean, especially around the TV. This wasn’t how I had left it.I wrenched out of his grasp, stumbling. "This isn’t right!" I shouted, pointing at the TV. “Where’s the video?”Louis moved closer, his hand reaching out to stroke my cheek in an attempt to calm me. "Emily," he said, his voice too soft, instantly grating on my nerves, "you’re tired. You’ve been through a lot. Just sit down, okay?”But I pushed him away, unable to shake the terrible feeling of violation and insecurity. "No, Louis! Somebody’s been here—someone messed with the TV!” I screeched, my voice rising as my thoughts spiraled. “Where is the video?” I was grasping at straws—it felt like everything was slipping through my fingers, and the more I tried to hold on, the faster it
Last Updated : 2024-12-19After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 10
Emily’s POVMy body was heavy, weighed down as if submerged in a thick, dark tide. The faint creak of the door barely registered and I wanted to see who it was. My mind screamed to react, to open my eyes, to ask who was there, but my body refused to obey. I was trapped in my own skin, helpless.Footsteps shuffled closer, deliberate and slow. A shadow fell across me, and I felt the invasive grip of fingers prying my mouth open. The bitter taste of something vile flooded my tongue, and I gagged, my throat spasming against the intrusion. My stomach churned violently, sending sharp, agonizing waves of pain rippling through my body.Panic surged, cutting through the fog of sedation. A damp, warm sensation spread beneath me, and I knew something was wrong—terribly wrong. I wanted to cry out, to fight back, to see the face of whoever was doing this, but darkness dragged me under once more.***"Emily!"Louis’s voice pierced through the haze, shaking me roughly by the shoulders. My head lolle
Last Updated : 2024-12-19After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 11
Louis’ POVI leaned back in my office chair, the weight of the day pressing down on me like iron. The room was silent, save for the faint ticking of the clock on the wall, yet my mind was anything but. Papers lay scattered across my desk, reports begging for attention, but I couldn’t focus. Not with Emily’s image burned into my mind—frail, pale, and accusing.I’d thrown myself into work, burying the turmoil of home life. It wasn’t enough. The moments of peace, of distraction, weren’t coming, leaving me to face the bitter truth: Emily and I were beyond broken. The warmth we once shared, the laughter, the love—it had all curdled into something rotten, bloodstained.“Louis?” A soft voice broke the silence, pulling me from my thoughts. I glanced up to find Maya standing in the doorway, her hands resting lightly on her rounded belly. She looked vulnerable, her usual confident demeanor replaced with something hesitant.“Yes?” My tone was clipped, though not intentionally. I was simply too t
Last Updated : 2024-12-19After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 12
Emily’s POVLouis sat stiffly behind his desk, his expression carefully composed, though the tightness in his jaw betrayed the tension simmering beneath the surface. His usual aura of control seemed slightly frayed as his eyes flicked from me to Maya and back again."Emily," he began, his voice low. "Let's not do this here.""Why is she still here, Louis?" I demanded, pointing an accusatory finger at Maya. "You told me she was transferred. What is she doing here?"Before Louis could respond, Maya gracefully interjected, holding her belly like it was a delicate treasure. Her calm demeanor only fanned the flames of my rage."Louis," she said, her voice soft, "Maybe I should explain things to Emily." She turned to me, her expression almost pitying, but her words were knives concealed in velvet. "Emily, once my baby is born, I’ll leave. You don’t have to worry about anything. I’m not trying to interfere."She was pure malice rolled in sugar, easier to swallow for those around her - it was
Last Updated : 2024-12-19After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 13
Emily’s POVMaya's sobs echoed off the walls of Louis's office, a pitiful soundtrack to her manipulations. I watched her through narrowed eyes, my stomach churning with disgust."I just want to do what's right," she wailed, cradling her belly dramatically. "Emily, please, stop blaming me for everything. I'm not the enemy here!"I had heard enough. “Oh, spare me the theatrics,” I snapped, my voice cold. “You’ve been the enemy since the moment you wormed your way into my life pretending to be my friend.”Louis glanced between us, clearly uncomfortable, but when he moved to speak, Maya beat him to it.“I was just trying to help,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “I never wanted this to happen.”Her lies grated against my already frayed nerves. I had to get out before I said—or did—something I couldn’t take back. Spinning on my heel, I marched toward the door.“Emily, wait!” Louis’s voice followed me, but I didn’t stop.Behind me, I heard the faint rustling of fabric and Maya’s voice,
Last Updated : 2024-12-19After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 14
Emily’s POVLouis’s face paled as he rushed past me, his eyes fixed on Maya’s shuddering form at the bottom of the stairs. He knelt beside her, his hands trembling as he cradled her carefully. Maya let out a piercing wail, clutching her stomach.“My baby… my baby!” she sobbed, tears streaming down her face.I froze at the top of the stairs, my heart pounding in my chest. The hallway was deathly quiet, save for Maya’s cries. The accusing stares of their coworkers burned into me like fire.One of them, a man with a stern face, turned to me. “What happened?”“She—she fell,” I stammered, gesturing wildly. “I didn’t touch her! She moved back on her own!”But their expressions didn’t soften. If anything, their gazes grew colder, filled with disbelief.“You expect us to believe that?” a woman muttered, her voice laced with disdain. “After that altercation… the whole office could hear…”“I’m telling the truth!” I snapped, panic creeping into my voice. “It wasn’t me!”Louis looked up sharply,
Last Updated : 2024-12-19After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 15
Emily’s POVI wandered aimlessly through the hospital’s stark, sterile hallways, the bright fluorescent lights above doing nothing to warm the chill that seemed to settle in my bones. My footsteps echoed softly against the linoleum floor, but my mind was louder—filled with painful memories and questions that wouldn’t stop haunting me.How had it come to this? Maya had turned my life into a nightmare. I felt like a marionette, my strings tangled by her manipulative fingers. I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think. I stopped near a window, clutching my phone tightly. Desperation clawed at me, and I thumbed through my contacts, searching for comfort. But the screen mocked me with its emptiness.Maya. That woman had meticulously isolated me from everyone I once called a friend. Each subtle word, each whispered doubt, had slowly chipped away at my relationships until there was nothing left but her false friendship. How had I not realized it until now?My finger hovered over my mother’s number.
Last Updated : 2024-12-19After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 16
Damian’s POVI had always wondered if the memories were real. The children’s home where we’d promised to meet once a year, the bond that had kept us steady when everything else seemed to fall apart—were they as vivid for her as they were for me?When I first saw Emily weeks ago, standing amidst chaos at the scene of an accident, I knew it was her. Her features had matured, but her gaze held the same quiet intensity. Yet I said nothing. Fear of her not remembering, or worse, not wanting to, kept me silent. Seeing her again in the hospital stairway, vulnerable and unraveling, had only strengthened my resolve to help her.But now, sitting across from me in my office, she didn’t seem to recognize me at all. Emily had walked in hesitantly, her eyes darting around the room like she was trying to find a reason to leave. She sat in the chair I gestured to, clasping her hands tightly in her lap. To me this felt like a relief but the conflict of knowing my patient personally, of withholding tha
Last Updated : 2024-12-19
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After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 85
Damian's POVThe restaurant had been packed from the moment the doors opened, the energy electric, the kitchen a well-oiled machine producing dish after dish with precision and perfection. Emily had been in her element, her passion shining through with every plate that left the pass. And now, as the final customers lingered over their desserts and the staff began winding down, she stood at the bar, a champagne flute in hand, her cheeks flushed from the rush of it all.I stood beside her, watching the way her eyes sparkled in the low light. “You should let them close up,” I murmured, swirling the golden liquid in my glass before taking a sip.She turned to me, instantly shaking her head. “I can’t just leave them to do everything. It was a crazy night.”Her assistant manager, a sharp-eyed woman named Lila, overheard and let out an exasperated sigh. “Emily, go. Seriously. We’ve got it under control.”Her sous chef, a burly, no-nonsense guy named Felix, chimed in from across the bar. “We’
After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 84
Damian's POVFrom across the restaurant, I watched Emily’s expression shift as she spoke on the phone in the office. A faint smile tugged at her lips, her features soft, even playfully relaxed. It was a look I recognized but didn’t often see—at least, not when she was with me. With me, she was always guarded, careful, as if some invisible weight rested on her shoulders.The way her fingers curled loosely around the phone, the way her eyes flickered with amusement—it wasn’t just a casual call. She wasn’t just handling business. This was different. This was personal.My fingers absentmindedly traced the edge of my phone. Nathan’s voice echoed in my mind, teasing and knowing, and I could still hear Emily’s casual remark—"a private invitation."Psychology would categorize this as an irrational jealousy response. But at this moment, I had no intention of suppressing it with logic.Sliding my phone into my pocket, I made my way toward the office.She had just ended the call, still staring a
After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 83
Emily's POVEmily barely had time to catch her breath before she was back in the kitchen, calling out to her chefs as they fired up dish after dish. The energy was intoxicating, the air thick with the smell of sizzling meats, fragrant broths, and caramelized garlic. But that night for dinner, with their reservations full, there was something new in the mix.Truffle fried rice.The dish had started as an experiment, a luxurious take on a humble classic, and after Nathan’s viral video, she knew the timing was perfect. A blend of creamy truffle, perfectly fried rice, and a balance of umami-rich flavors that made every bite melt on the tongue. She had tested it, perfected it, and now it was ready to make its grand debut.As soon as the first plates hit the tables, the reaction was immediate. Customers took that first bite and practically melted in their seats. Word spread fast, and soon, orders flooded the kitchen, the dish flying off the line like gold dust. It was a hit.Emily barely co
After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 82
Emily's POVThe kitchen buzzed with energy, the air thick with the scent of sizzling garlic, rich broths, and seared meats. Pans clattered, knives chopped in rhythmic precision, and the steady hum of the lunch rush filled the space. Emily moved with practiced ease, her sleeves rolled up, her hands expertly tossing noodles in a steaming wok. Sweat beaded along her hairline, but she didn’t care. This was her domain, her sanctuary.But then her phone vibrated again. And again. And again.Her brow furrowed as she wiped her hands on a kitchen towel, glancing at the notifications flooding her lock screen. Her heart pounded, her pulse quickening with every new alert.The numbers didn’t lie; Nathan Park’s short video had exploded, racking up thousands of likes, shares, and comments in just a few days. It was everywhere. Food bloggers, influencers, even critics had latched onto it, praising the restaurant’s revival and raving about the dishes.Emily sucked in a breath, pushing through the swin
After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 81
Maya's POVI finished the last bite of my dessert, a delicate fruit tart with a buttery crust and just the right amount of sweetness. It had been a perfect evening, just like the ones I had always envisioned for myself—peaceful, luxurious, and completely under my control. No unexpected chaos, no unwanted guests, no one to question me or undermine my authority. This was my home, my life, and I was finally at the center of it all.I picked up my phone again, absentmindedly scrolling through my messages as I sipped on my herbal tea. A new text from my mother, Lyla, caught my attention.Have you considered keeping things simple for the wedding? A smaller venue, something more intimate? No need for extravagance, sweetheart. These things are about the union, not the spectacle.I nearly scoffed aloud. Not the spectacle? What was even the point of a wedding if not to be a spectacle? This was my grand moment, my crowning achievement, the culmination of everything I had worked toward. I had spe
After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 80
Maya's POVMy life was finally perfect.Louis was always busy with work, but that was exactly what I wanted. He was dedicated to the family business, leaving me to enjoy the luxury of our new home, a spacious, pristine sanctuary untouched by chaos. No more bizarre herbs strewn across counters, no more foreign guests parading through the house at all hours, and, most importantly, no more Lucy. I had won.The house was everything I had dreamed of, the kind of place women envied and whispered about over brunch. A classic American two-story home, wrapped in elegant ivory siding, with dark shutters that framed tall, stately windows. The front yard was a masterpiece—symmetrically trimmed hedges, a smooth stone pathway leading up to a grand mahogany door, and a black wrought-iron gate enclosing it all in a picture-perfect vision of stability. No overgrown vines creeping over walls, no bizarre statues cluttering the yard. It was polished, refined, and entirely mine.The backyard was just as f
After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 79
Louis's POVMaya let out a sharp, humorless laugh, eyes widening as she stared at my mother in utter disbelief. “Thanking you?” she spat. “For what? For making me live in this?” She gestured wildly around the room, her hands trembling. “For making my house smell like rotting plants? For forcing me to drink God-knows-what every single day? For making me feel like I am losing my sanity?”Lucy sighed, rolling her eyes slightly, as if Maya were nothing more than a dramatic child throwing a tantrum. “You’re exaggerating,” she said with that same infuriating calmness. “The house isn’t that messy. You young people are just too accustomed to sterile, lifeless spaces. A home should have character. It should be full of life, full of culture. You act as if a few books out of place and a few herbs drying in the air is a disaster.”“A few herbs?” Maya shrieked. “There are piles of them, everywhere! It looks like a witch’s lair! And the books? They’re not even ours! Where do you even get them?” She
After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 78
Louis's POVThe moment my phone rang and I saw Maya’s name flash on the screen, I knew something was wrong. I had been getting ready to leave work, shrugging on my jacket, when I answered. The second I picked up, her voice hit me like a storm, raw, frantic, and nearly breaking apart with rage and frustration."Louis, I can't do this anymore!" she cried, her voice shaking. "I swear to God, I am losing my mind in this house! Your mother is unbearable! She’s always here, always interfering, always treating me like I’m some child who can’t take care of myself! And those—those disgusting concoctions she keeps forcing on me, I can’t take it, Louis, I won’t take it! Do you have any idea what I walked into today? Do you? The house is a disaster! It looks like some kind of apothecary exploded, and the kitchen—Louis, I went into the kitchen, and there were dead bugs in the food. Dead. Bugs!"I gripped my phone tighter, momentarily stunned into silence. My mind should have been focused on Maya,
After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back Chapter 77
Maya's POVI couldn’t take it anymore. My hands were trembling as I clutched my phone, my breath coming in short, ragged gasps. The sheer disgust of what I had just seen, the chaos of this house, the stench that clung to every surface, it was all too much. I swiped at the tears on my cheeks, pressing the call button with shaking fingers. The phone barely rang before Louis picked up."Maya?" His voice was steady, indifferent, as if he hadn’t just left me to drown in this nightmare of a house.I felt my composure shatter the moment I heard his voice. "Louis, I can't do this anymore," I cried, my words tumbling out in a desperate, breathless rush. "I swear to God, I am losing my mind in this house! Your mother—she is unbearable! She is always here, always interfering, always shoving her ridiculous remedies down my throat, and I have had enough!"There was silence on the other end, but I didn’t stop. I couldn’t stop. "She keeps making these disgusting concoctions and insists I drink them.
