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08- We couldn't hold it together
Last Updated:
2025-02-02 19:56:18
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After Divorcing My Ex-husband, I Returned And Shined 09- I’m so good at chess
Audrey’s pov.The hours passed, and I tried to settle into the rhythm of the house. The housekeeper came by shortly after, showing me Amelia’s daily schedule. She went to school every weekday, followed by a few extracurricular activities, and then some quiet time before dinner. It was all neatly written out, and I was meant to follow it exactly.I wasn’t sure what to make of it. Every single detail was planned for Amelia, but it felt like she was being treated more like a project than a child.Still, I pushed my thoughts aside. I wasn’t here to question everything. I was here to help.Around three o'clock, the doorbell rang, and a housekeeper answered it. A few moments later, the sound of footsteps echoed through the hallway, and I turned to see Amelia enter the room.The moment her eyes landed on me, her face lit up.“Audrey!” she exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement. She bounded over to me, her tiny hands pulling at my sleeves as she smiled up at me. “You’re here!”I laughed
Last Updated : 2025-02-02After Divorcing My Ex-husband, I Returned And Shined 10- This wasn’t about Amelia.
Michell povI sat in silence for a long while after she left.Ms. Taylor had nerves. That much was clear. Most people folded under pressure, especially when faced with authority they knew they couldn’t challenge. But she had stood there, unwavering, defending her choices as if she had the right to.She didn’t.And yet, I found myself neither irritated nor impressed.Curious, maybe.I turned my attention back to my notes. Amelia’s routine was structured down to the minute—a necessity, not an overcorrection. Audrey saw it as rigid. She saw room for adjustment.She was wrong.But that didn’t mean she was useless.For now, I would let her believe she was doing well.She had two months to prove herself.And I intended to test her every step of the way.***A week later.The morning was quiet, just the way I preferred it. I adjusted the cuffs of my suit as I descended the staircase, mentally running through my schedule for the day. My time was accounted for—meetings, calls, decisions th
Last Updated : 2025-02-03After Divorcing My Ex-husband, I Returned And Shined 11- He's back in the country
Michell povI sat in my office, fingers tapping against the desk, my mind elsewhere. The house was quiet now, but I knew Amelia had just returned from school. The thought alone eased the tension in my shoulders, though I would never say it aloud. A soft knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. “Come in,” I said. The door cracked open, and Amelia peeked inside, her small hands gripping the frame. “Daddy?”My chest warmed at the sight of her. “Come here, sweetheart.”She grinned and hurried inside, her steps light as she approached my desk. I pulled her onto my lap, smoothing a stray curl from her face. “How was school?” I asked. “I got another A in math!” she beamed. “And we learned about planets today! Did you know Jupiter has 92 moons?”“Impressive,” I murmured, genuinely pleased. “You’re getting smarter every day.”She giggled, leaning her head against my chest. These were the moments I held onto—the ones where she still let me be her father, not just the man who ma
Last Updated : 2025-02-04After Divorcing My Ex-husband, I Returned And Shined 12- One strike down, Four left
Audrey povThe sharp bang of something slamming against a hard surface made me jump.I froze, my hands gripping the edge of the book I had been flipping through absentmindedly. The sound had come from down the hall—Michell’s office.My heartbeat quickened.It wasn’t unusual for him to be harsh, cold, or demanding, but that… that had been different. It wasn’t controlled. It wasn’t calculated.It was anger.Real, unfiltered, dangerous anger.I hesitated before stepping toward the door. I had no business prying, but something in my gut told me this wasn’t about me.Or Amelia.Something else had set him off. Something bigger.Just then, Amelia appeared, looking as lost as me, “What is that sound?” she asked.I quickly put on a smile and took her little hand, “Nothing, probably from the television.”***My mind drifted to his warning.One strike down. Four left. I couldn’t afford another mistake. Mr Garcia had made that crystal clear, and the last thing I wanted was to give him a reas
Last Updated : 2025-02-05After Divorcing My Ex-husband, I Returned And Shined 13- Her personal life wasn't my concern
Michell povI hadn’t meant to stop. I was heading to my study, mind occupied with the day’s mess, when I heard her voice—low, tense, and laced with something I couldn’t quite place. It made me pause. Not because I cared. But because it was… interesting. Ms. Taylor’s tone was different from the one she used with Amelia. Less steady. Strained. Her words weren’t clear, but the emotion was. Frustration. Maybe fear. And something else—something defensive. A lawsuit? I frowned. So she had secrets after all. I should’ve known. Women like her always did. I didn’t stay to hear more. I stepped away, moving down the hall with slow, deliberate steps. My mind turned over what I’d just heard, considering, analyzing—then stopping. Because it didn’t matter. Her personal life wasn’t my concern. She was here for Amelia. Nothing more. I had enough problems without adding hers to the list. Whatever mess she was caught up in, it wasn’t my business. And I intended to k
Last Updated : 2025-02-06After Divorcing My Ex-husband, I Returned And Shined 14- I'd done the opposite
Michell povI sat behind my desk, my fingers steepled as I watched the time tick by. Harold was late. The man had nerve—posting that nonsense and thinking he could get away with it. The headline alone was irritating, but the video? That was calculated. Designed to drag my name through the mud along with Audrey’s. A mistake. One he was about to regret. So he was the ex husband. Little wonder their interaction that night.The door opened. My assistant stepped in, followed closely by Harold. He looked different than I remembered. His suit was expensive, but it didn’t fit right. Like he’d lost weight too fast, or he didn’t have the money to tailor it anymore. Good. I gestured to the chair in front of my desk. “Sit.” He hesitated. Swallowed. Then obeyed. I let the silence stretch. Let him feel it. Finally, I leaned forward, resting my arms on the desk. “You have twenty-four hours.” Harold shifted. “I—” “Not a word.” My voice was calm, but it shut him up instantly.
Last Updated : 2025-02-06After Divorcing My Ex-husband, I Returned And Shined 15- I don't deserve that, but you're welcome
Audrey povI sat on the edge of my bed, gripping my phone so tightly my knuckles ached. The screen was still lit with the lawsuit notice, as if taunting me. Infidelity. The accusation burned, not because it was true, but because it came from the man I had given up everything for. Harold. The man I had fought my mother for, the man I had married against her wishes, the man she had disowned me over. And for what? For a marriage that had cost me my dignity? My peace? My entire life? I stared down at my leg, absently rubbing the scar along my ankle. A permanent reminder of that accident—that shattered the life I had built in one single moment. And Harold? He hadn’t been missing. He had been with her. Two years. I had taken care of his family for two years, believing he was in trouble, believing he needed me. All while he was gallivanting with his mistress. And now, after everything, he wanted to take even more from me?No. If Harold wanted a fight, he would get one. I p
Last Updated : 2025-02-07After Divorcing My Ex-husband, I Returned And Shined 16- At this rate, I won't even last the week
Audrey povI barely slept, but when my alarm rang, I forced myself up. If there was ever a day I needed to be perfect, it was today. One more strike, and I was gone.I went over Amelia’s schedule again, making sure every detail was precise. Breakfast at 8:00 sharp, playtime from 8:30 to 9:00, reading at 9:15—not a single second off. Amelia sat at the table, happily swinging her legs as she munched on her toast. “Audrey, did you know some birds can talk?” I smiled. “I did. Parrots, right?” “Uh-huh! Daddy told me that some of them can even copy voices perfectly.” “That’s true.” I reached for her juice and refilled it. “Do you think Mr. Floppy would make a good talking bunny?” She giggled. “Nooo. Mr. Floppy only talks to me.” I laughed softly. Then footsteps approached. Mr Garcia.He stopped by the dining table, eyes immediately flicking to Amelia’s plate, then to me. “She’s still eating.” I frowned slightly. “She just has a few bites left.” “The schedule says breakfast
Last Updated : 2025-02-07
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After Divorcing My Ex-husband, I Returned And Shined 115- Trap
MICHELL POVThe house felt like a tomb as I stepped through the grand entrance of Ethan’s mansion. The heavy, expensive scent of wood and leather mingled with the taste of anticipation in the air. The night was closing in fast, and I could feel the weight of the plan on my shoulders.I had waited for this moment for weeks. Hell, I had been waiting for this my entire life. To see Viktor finally break. To see the man who thought he could destroy me cower at my feet. But this—this was going to be different.Tonight wasn’t just about catching him; it was about forcing him to own the truth. He had lived with lies for so long, and now it was time for him to face what he had done.Ethan was already there, as planned. The connection between us had always been transactional, but tonight, he was more than just an ally—he was a partner in this.“You ready?” Ethan asked, his voice low, almost sympathetic.I nodded, already feeling the familiar coldness settling into my chest. This wasn’t about s
After Divorcing My Ex-husband, I Returned And Shined 114- You've got it all wrong.
MICHELL POVIt was deliberate. The word Ferrum slipped from my lips, almost as if it was a song. I couldn't help myself.I let it hum under my breath as I walked past Viktor. I watched as his back stiffened, his fingers pausing mid-air like he had been struck by lightning. Ferrum.It wasn’t just the name of the Brotherhood anymore; it was a key. A key to everything hidden beneath the surface. And I was determined to turn the lock.I could see his breath catch in his chest. His gaze shot up to me, but he said nothing. A flicker of panic passed over his face before he quickly masked it, like a guilty man trying to hide his tracks. But I saw. I always saw. I walked slowly, deliberately, like I had all the time in the world, watching Viktor’s muscles tense in real-time as he tried to ignore the way his skin crawled.It didn’t take long before the mask slipped again. He cleared his throat, shifting in his seat, looking for an excuse to leave. But I wasn’t about to let him off the hook t
After Divorcing My Ex-husband, I Returned And Shined 113- I don't want more bad blood in the family
MICHELL POVI swallowed, reading it over again. Ferrum. It felt like a punch to the gut, the name slithering into my mind and pulling me deeper into the shadowy world I’d been avoiding. But I couldn’t let Audrey see it. Not yet. I locked the phone and set it back on the table, trying to shake off the unease that had settled in my stomach.“What’s wrong?” Audrey’s voice was soft, her eyes flicking up from the pages of her book, sensing the change in the air. I forced a smile, trying to mask the tension. “Just more work. My father… he wants me to help with a big deal, involving some new technology. Thalyon, I think it’s called.” She blinked, clearly interested but not pressing. “That sounds important.”I nodded, keeping my tone light. “It is. I just need to make sure everything goes smoothly.”She seemed satisfied with the answer and didn’t pry further, which was both a relief and a reminder of just how much I couldn’t share with her. Audrey was a part of my world I wanted to protec
After Divorcing My Ex-husband, I Returned And Shined 112- Ferrum
MICHELL POVThe smell of leather and cedarwood greeted me as I stepped into Father’s penthouse.It was colder than usual.Not the kind of cold that came from overworked air-conditioning, but the quiet, metallic kind—the one that pressed into your skin, coiled around your bones, and whispered, “Don’t forget why you’re here.”I didn’t.The chessboard from yesterday still sat untouched on the coffee table, pieces frozen mid-game. A metaphor, maybe. Or a warning.The moment the elevator doors slid open, I knew I was walking into something calculated.I adjusted my cufflinks as I walked down the marble hallway, each step echoing faintly, measured like the beat of a war drum. The double doors to the conference room were slightly ajar. I pushed the door open.The conference room in my father’s penthouse was always too cold—sleek marble floors, floor-to-ceiling windows that opened up to the skyline.Victor was already seated at the far end of the sleek, obsidian table, one ankle crossed ove
After Divorcing My Ex-husband, I Returned And Shined 111- Audrey is worried.
MICHELL POVIt had been ten minutes since Victor left.Ten minutes since he’d gone to “change.” Ten minutes since the farce began.I drained the last of my scotch, set the glass down with a soft clink, and stood. The amber liquid still burned at the back of my throat, but it did little to quell the deeper fire simmering beneath my skin.The corridors of the penthouse were dim, and quiet, like the house itself was holding its breath.As I turned down the west hallway, voices drifted into earshot. One of them clipped and curt.Victor.“…Are you sure no one’s been in there?”Rose’s warm, familiar tone answered with calm certainty. “Only Mr. Michell, sir. He stepped in days ago.”I reached the edge of the corridor just as their eyes met mine.Rose, flustered, dipped her head. “Excuse me.” She vanished down the hall without waiting for permission.Victor and I stood there. No words. Just the low hum of air conditioning and the kind of silence that didn't beg to be broken—it dared you to.
After Divorcing My Ex-husband, I Returned And Shined 110- Checkmate
MICHELL POV.The afternoon sunlight bled through my office window, a gold-tinged warmth that didn’t reach the ice tightening in my chest.My phone buzzed.Father.I let it ring once before answering. “Yes?”“Come to the estate,” he said without preamble. “Victor’s here.”I stood slowly. “Why?”There was a pause. “Because I asked him to be. And I want you both present.”He hung up.I stared at the silent phone for a beat, jaw locked. Then I grabbed my jacket and left.By the time I stepped into the drawing room of the estate, the sun had begun to crawl lower behind the tall arched windows, casting long shadows over the polished floor. The silence of the room was only broken by the quiet ticking of the grandfather clock—the kind of silence that didn’t soothe, only stretched tension taut like a wire.I found him in the sitting room, legs crossed like he belonged there, his blazer casually draped over the side of the armchair. His fingers tapped lightly against his glass of scotch. He w
After Divorcing My Ex-husband, I Returned And Shined 109- What do you mean? I’m not following you, Hector
MICHELL POVHer hand was small in mine, but steady—warm in a way that grounded me, even as a dozen thoughts clawed at the back of my mind. I opened the car door for her, waiting until she was settled before circling to the driver’s side.Silence stretched between us at first, thick and laced with all the things we weren’t saying.I started the engine and pulled away from the curb.The city hummed outside the windows—cars, lights, a world that kept spinning even as mine felt like it was winding tighter, piece by piece.I glanced at her.Audrey stared out the window, her arms crossed, her profile lit softly by the dash lights. I could see the tension in her shoulders. The way she was trying to breathe through it.“Sorry you had to see that,” she said suddenly, her voice low.I kept my eyes on the road, jaw tight. “Don’t apologize. He had no right.”“He’s been following me. For weeks now,” she muttered. “I didn’t want to stress you out more than you already are.”That made me glance at
After Divorcing My Ex-husband, I Returned And Shined 108- I’m whatever she needs me to be
AUDREY POVThe faint echo of pointe shoes tapping against the polished studio floor filled the air, rhythmic and sharp like raindrops on a quiet street. I watched my students from across the room, arms folded, hearts quietly swelling as they moved—some clumsily, some gracefully—but all of them were trying. That was what mattered. That was always what mattered.It had been a good week. No, a great one.Just two days ago, I sat behind the velvet-draped judge’s panel at one of the biggest ballet competitions in the country. Me—a judge. I still caught myself blinking in disbelief sometimes. If someone had told the Audrey from years ago that this would be her life... she probably would’ve laughed and danced away.A soft smile tugged at my lips as I corrected a young girl’s posture with a gentle nudge of her shoulder. “Lift your chin, Elina. You’re a star, not a shadow. Let them see you.”She nodded with wide eyes, absorbing every word like gospel. That was what I loved about teaching—see
After Divorcing My Ex-husband, I Returned And Shined 107- Let’s make him slip.
MICHELL POV.FIVE DAYS LATER.I leaned back in my seat, the scent of aged whiskey and the faint sting of cigar smoke clinging to the air of Ethan’s house. Floor-to-ceiling windows cast a panoramic view of the city, the neon glow of streetlights stretching into the distance. Ethan sat across from me, rolling his glass between his fingers, his usual smirk in place. “Your girl really did it, huh?” he mused, shaking his head. “From a competitor to a damn judge at one of the biggest ballet competitions. That’s wild.” I took a slow sip of my drink, the amber liquid burning a path down my throat. “Not wild. Earned.” Ethan chuckled, lifting a brow. “Look at you. Almost sounded proud there.” I shot him a look, but he only laughed. “Come on, man. Admit it,” he pressed. “Audrey worked her ass off, and now the whole world is watching. You can’t tell me you don’t feel something about that.” I exhaled through my nose, glancing at the ice swirling in my glass. Feel something? I felt eve
