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26-Rule three: Don't get attached.
Last Updated:
2025-02-12 04:25:01
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After Divorcing My Ex-husband, I Returned And Shined 27- That’ll be the last time you question me. Understood?
Michell pov Her skin was impossibly soft. Like silk warmed by the sun. The contact was fleeting—just a brush of her arm against mine as we moved in the kitchen. It shouldn’t have meant anything, but for some reason, it did. It sent a sharp, unwelcome sensation up my arm, something dangerously close to heat. A slow burn that settled in my chest, unwanted and unshakable. I stilled for a fraction of a second. So did she. Her breath caught, her lips parting just slightly. But before either of us could acknowledge it, before I could convince myself that I had imagined the way her skin felt against mine, I stepped back. “Sorry,” I muttered. For a second, it looked like she wanted to argue. But instead, her lips pressed together, and she shook her head. I didn’t wait for her response. I was already turning on my heel, leaving the kitchen before I made the mistake of brushing against her again. I took the stairs two at a time, my frustration mounting with every ste
Last Updated : 2025-02-13After Divorcing My Ex-husband, I Returned And Shined 28- Mr. Michell Garcia isn’t mine to want
Audrey povI couldn’t sleep. The house was silent, wrapped in the kind of stillness that made thoughts louder, and heavier. I had Amelia to bed. I lay in bed staring at the ceiling, my mind restless, tangled in things I didn’t want to admit were bothering me. It should have been relief I felt. The trial was over. Harold had lost. I was free. But instead, there was this… tension. A tension in my chest that hadn’t lifted, no matter how many times I reminded myself that I was finally done with him. Maybe it was exhaustion. Or maybe it was something else—something I didn’t want to name yet. My fingers traced the edge of the blanket, my mind drifting to earlier in the kitchen. To Mr. Garcia. To the way our arms had grazed, the way his skin had felt against mine—warm, firm, solid. It was ridiculous that I even remembered it. It had been a second, a fleeting touch. And yet, my body had noticed. A shiver ran down my spine, and I turned onto my side, gripping the pillow a li
Last Updated : 2025-02-13After Divorcing My Ex-husband, I Returned And Shined 29- Did he? Because I don’t remember Amelia being the one on trial
AUDREY POV After Mr. Garcia left, I turned my full attention to Amelia. It was easier to focus on her—to drown myself in the structure of our daily routine rather than dwell on things I had no business thinking about. We started the morning with her coloring books, an activity that always kept her happily occupied for a good hour. She sat cross-legged on the living room floor, her tiny hands gripping her crayons as she carefully colored inside the lines. “Audrey, what’s your favorite color?” she asked suddenly, peering up at me with those big brown eyes. I smiled, settling beside her. “Hmm… I like green.” She wrinkled her nose. “Like broccoli?” I laughed. “Not exactly. More like… the color of the trees outside. Fresh and bright.” Amelia hummed in thought, then grabbed a green crayon and started coloring the dress of the princess on her page. “I think I like pink. And purple. And yellow.” “So, all the colors?” She giggled. “Not brown. Brown is boring.” I gasped dram
Last Updated : 2025-02-14After Divorcing My Ex-husband, I Returned And Shined 30- I don’t recall hiring you to give restaurant recommendations to random men
Michell povThe morning was crisp, the kind of rare weekend morning that almost made me feel like I had the luxury of slowing down. Almost. Amelia had been buzzing with energy since she woke up, running around the house in her pajamas, demanding to know if we could go out today. I had already decided to take her for a walk, get her out of the house for a bit. Ms. Taylor had no choice but to come along. Not that she complained. But I noticed things. And this morning, I noticed that she had been limping more than usual. At first, I told myself I was imagining it. Maybe it was the way she moved, the way she shifted while standing at the kitchen counter. I knew she limped, but today was too obvious.But when she thought no one was looking, I saw the way her posture tensed when she took a step, the way she subtly tried to mask the discomfort in her expression. She was in pain or discomfort. And she hadn’t said a damn thing about it. I wasn’t used to people who didn’t
Last Updated : 2025-02-14After Divorcing My Ex-husband, I Returned And Shined 31- A difficult, frustrating, unreasonably attractive employer
Audrey povMy hands curled into fists as I walked ahead, my steps sharp and deliberate.Unbelievable.Of all the things I had expected from today, getting interrogated for something as harmless as giving a brunch recommendation was not on the list.I could still hear Mr. Garcia’s words in my head. “It wasn’t professional.”Professional.Right.Because professionalism clearly included him acting like some possessive, overbearing—I exhaled sharply, forcing my irritation down as I reached Amelia.She looked up from where she was crouched, gathering small rocks in her hands. “Audrey! Look, I found a heart-shaped one!”I smiled despite myself, kneeling beside her. “You did? Let me see.”She eagerly placed it in my palm. It was more oval than heart-shaped, but I wasn’t about to ruin her excitement.“It’s beautiful,” I told her.She beamed, then peeked over my shoulder. “Where’s Daddy?”Good question.I didn’t look back as I answered, “He’s coming.”I felt him approaching before I saw him.
Last Updated : 2025-02-15After Divorcing My Ex-husband, I Returned And Shined 32- Daddy, can we have hot chocolate when we get home?
Michell povI was pouring myself a cup of coffee when Ms. Taylor walked into the kitchen. She was dressed simply—jeans, a fitted sweater—but there was something different about her today. She looked well-rested, for one. And she wasn’t moving as stiffly as yesterday. The only reason I knew that was because I had noticed. Unfortunately. She walked to the fridge, grabbed a bottle of water, and then, as if she had just remembered something, turned to face me. Her lips pressed together for a second before she exhaled. “Thanks.” I arched a brow over my coffee. “For what?” “For the ointment,” she said stiffly. “I appreciate it.” I took a slow sip, letting her words settle. I hadn’t expected her to acknowledge it—at least not this quickly. Ms. Taylor was stubborn, almost irritatingly so, and I figured she’d rather suffer than admit she needed help. But here she was. Saying thank you. I set my coffee down. “I didn’t do it for you.” Her brows furrowed. “Sorry?” I lean
Last Updated : 2025-02-15After Divorcing My Ex-husband, I Returned And Shined 33- Maybe stop lying to yourself
Michell pov. The next morning, I was at my desk, skimming through reports when my phone buzzed. I ignored it at first, but it vibrated again—insistent. I sighed, reaching for it, and when I saw the name flashing on the screen, my brows lifted in surprise. Ethan Brooks. I answered immediately. “What's up, mate?” A deep chuckle came through the line. “Guess who’s back?” We had spoken just last night. Not once did he mention he was flying back. “You’re kidding me.” Miss me already?" “You were in another country eight hours ago,” I said, leaning back in my chair. “What the hell?” “Change of plans. Got in late last night.” “And you didn’t think to mention that?” “Figured I’d surprise you.” His tone was light, but I knew him well enough to sense something else beneath it. Still, I wasn’t about to dig into it over the phone. “You’re an asshole,” I muttered, but I was already reaching for my keys. He laughed. “I take it you wanna see me, then?” “Shut up.” “Great. Meet m
Last Updated : 2025-02-16After Divorcing My Ex-husband, I Returned And Shined 34- Tell me to stop.
MICHELL POV I exhaled sharply, shaking my head as I reached for my glass again. This conversation was heading somewhere I didn’t want it to. The last thing I needed was Ethan dissecting my feelings—or lack thereof—about Audrey. So, I changed the topic. “So,” I leaned back against the couch, swirling the whiskey in my glass, “remember that time we almost got arrested in Miami?” Ethan burst into laughter, the kind that shook his shoulders and had him nearly spilling his drink. “Which time? You gotta be specific, man.” I smirked. “The jet ski incident.” He groaned, running a hand through his hair. “Oh, hell no. I still have nightmares about that cop chasing us down the pier.” “You were the idiot who thought we could outmaneuver a police boat.” “Hey, in my defense, we almost did.” I snorted. “Almost doesn’t count.” We fell into easy conversation after that, talking about old times—stupid stunts, reckless nights, the kind of shit we could only pull off back then. Ethan
Last Updated : 2025-02-16
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After Divorcing My Ex-husband, I Returned And Shined 99- You’re the best ballerina ever!
AUDREY POVThe five of us stood side by side on the stage, our breaths shallow, our hearts racing. The lights were blinding, heating my skin, but nothing compared to the pounding of my chest. The murmurs of the audience were a distant hum in my ears. All I could focus on was the panel of judges in front of us, their expressions unreadable as they looked down at the results in their hands. I clenched my fists to keep them from shaking. The lead judge, a distinguished man with graying temples and sharp, observant eyes, leaned into the microphone. His voice, smooth but authoritative, filled the silence. “Before we announce the results, we want to take a moment to acknowledge each of you. What you’ve accomplished here is beyond commendable. This stage is not for the weak-hearted, and every single one of you has proven why you deserve to be here. Winning or not, this is only the beginning.”The words should have comforted me, but all they did was tighten the coil of tension in my st
After Divorcing My Ex-husband, I Returned And Shined 98- The judges have their winner
AUDREY POVThe air inside the practice room was thick with focus, each contestant absorbed in their own world of preparation. The faint echo of footsteps, the occasional murmurs of dance instructors correcting postures, the sharp exhale of a dancer landing a difficult move—it all blended together in a quiet symphony of tension. I rolled my shoulders and took a deep breath, stretching my legs as I prepared my body for what lay ahead.My mind was clear. No more overthinking. No more obsessing over Gina. Just me, my body, and the dance. Elena stood nearby, arms crossed, her sharp gaze watching my every movement. “How do you feel?” she asked. I exhaled, feeling the steadiness in my bones. “Good.” She nodded. “Then hold onto that.” I continued my warm-up, rolling through my ankles, stretching out my arms, steadying my breath. No excessive training. No pushing beyond my limit. Just enough to keep me grounded. Then, I felt it—the shift in energy, the presence approaching me befo
After Divorcing My Ex-husband, I Returned And Shined 97- You're gonna be amazing
AUDREY POVI couldn’t breathe. The moment my name was called as the fifth contestant, relief flooded me, but it was short-lived. I barely made it. From second place to fifth. The humiliation burned in my chest, and I could feel the weight of it pressing down on me. I had messed up. Completely. Even when I tried to redeem myself on stage, it was useless. My body had refused to cooperate, my movements stiff, my mind fogged with frustration. And now, I stood here, barely holding on to a spot in the final round. The judges’ words still echoed in my head. “You were second last time, Miss Taylor. What happened? Are you alright?”“We can only hope you come back stronger in two days.”Two days. That was all I had to fix everything. But what was I even fixing? I had trained tirelessly, pushed myself beyond my limits, yet I still failed. What more could I possibly do? I could feel eyes on me as we were dismissed, but I didn't stop to look at anyone. My feet carried me to the dressin
After Divorcing My Ex-husband, I Returned And Shined 96- I was a disaster
AUDREY POVI exhaled slowly, my fingers gripping the edge of my seat as the announcer’s voice filled the hall again. “Contestant number7, Maya Roberts.”Maya, a tall, dark-haired girl with striking green eyes, stepped onto the stage with an air of quiet confidence. Her instructor whispered something to her before she nodded and took her position. The music began, slow and haunting, and Maya moved like water—smooth, controlled, every motion blending into the next without hesitation. She had an effortless grace, the kind that made it look easy, though I knew it wasn’t. I studied her carefully. Her lines were impeccable, her spins sharp but elegant. The way she floated across the stage made it clear she had years of discipline in her body. She wasn’t just good—she was mesmerizing. Elena leaned in slightly. “She has excellent control,” she murmured, “but her expressions are lacking. She’s focusing too much on technique, not enough on storytelling.” I nodded, noting how Maya’s
After Divorcing My Ex-husband, I Returned And Shined 95- One performance down
MICHELL POVI leaned back on the couch, a book in my hands, but I wasn’t reading. The words blurred together, meaningless against the backdrop of laughter filling the room. They all came back to the living area. Amelia was perched on his lap, giggling uncontrollably as he tickled her sides. Audrey sat beside them, curled up comfortably, her eyes bright with amusement. They looked like a picture of easy familiarity. And I didn’t know what to make of it. Audrey had grown attached to him—maybe too attached. I wasn’t surprised. Ethan had a way of making himself welcome in people’s lives, slipping in like he belonged there.And somehow, over the past few days, he had done just that. He had visited four days ago, and since then, I’d caught them talking more, laughing more. It shouldn’t bother me. But it did. Not surprisingly, I was jealous. Ethan grinned at Audrey. “So, how’s training going, superstar?” Audrey rolled her eyes at the nickname, but there was a smile tugging at
After Divorcing My Ex-husband, I Returned And Shined 94- Shut up and eat your cookies
AUDREY POVA week and six days.The exhaustion seeped into my bones, a dull ache spreading through my muscles as I sank onto the couch. My breath came in slow, measured exhales, my body heavy from another brutal training session. I wouldn’t lie—I had pushed myself beyond my limits these past days. I had forced Elena to teach me every move she could recall, determined to absorb every ounce of technique I had seen Gina execute. It wasn’t enough for me to match her—I had to surpass her. Tomorrow. Tomorrow, I would prove it. I pressed my fingers to my temple, my body screaming for rest, but before I could surrender to the exhaustion, I heard footsteps. Michell. He walked in, his presence as sharp and commanding as ever, but there was something different in his eyes when they met mine—something unreadable, yet piercing.Without a word, he sat beside me. The space between us felt small, charged. Then, in a low, measured voice, he spoke. “I got a report from Mrs. Vasquez toda
After Divorcing My Ex-husband, I Returned And Shined 93- Audrey, be careful.
AUDREY POVAs soon as Michell walked out the door, the air in the room shifted. It was subtle—like the lingering warmth from a fire that had just been extinguished. I let out a breath I hadn’t even realized I was holding, my fingers curling around my cup. “Don’t just focus on outshining her. Focus on being better than you were yesterday.”His words echoed in my mind, sinking deeper than I expected them to. I wasn’t intimidated by Gina. …Was I? I stared at the smooth surface of my coffee, watching the faint ripples from where I had stirred it earlier. I had worked so hard to get here. I had clawed my way through pain, rejection, and doubt. I had sacrificed everything to dance. And yet— I could still hear the way Gina’s name was whispered through the crowd last night. The way their eyes followed her, expectant. The way she moved, like she knew she belonged on that stage. I gritted my teeth. No. I wouldn’t let self-doubt creep in. Not now. I pushed my chair back,
After Divorcing My Ex-husband, I Returned And Shined 92- She’s determined. Stubborn. Relentless
MICHELL POVI shut the door behind me, locking out the world. I could feel the heat of the call against my chest before I even answered.Private Number.The only calls I received from a private number were from one person—the investigator I had hired.I exhaled sharply, then finally pressed the phone to my ear. “Talk.”The investigator didn’t waste time. “I got into the accident records like you asked.” His voice was low, deliberate. “And you were right.”My fingers curled around the edge of my desk.“The official report claimed it was a brake failure,” he continued. “The car lost control, spun off the road, and crashed into the ravine. But here’s the thing—there was no real investigation. Everything was rushed. Too clean. Too perfect.”My throat felt tight.I had read that report a hundred times. Had memorized every line.Faulty brakes. Instant impact. No survivors.But I never believed it. Not for a second.“Go on.”There was a pause, like he was choosing his words carefully. “There
After Divorcing My Ex-husband, I Returned And Shined 91- I need to take this.
AUDREY POV.Victor was gone. I stood still, my fingers tracing the smooth edges of the photograph he had given me. It was perfect. A frozen moment in time—my body suspended mid-air, arms outstretched, strength and grace woven into a single movement. My throat tightened. Victor had always been unreadable, distant in ways I couldn’t quite decipher, but this… this was thoughtful. Meaningful. A part of me wanted to hold onto that moment, but I could feel their stares—Lisa’s expectant smirk, Amelia’s bubbling excitement, Michell’s unreadable yet intense gaze. And Ethan… I swallowed, my fingers curling slightly around the picture before tucking it away. Trevor suddenly clapped his hands together, breaking the silence. “Alright, now that we’ve had our sentimental moment—food? Because I’m starving.” Lisa rolled her eyes. “You’re always starving.” He grinned. “Yeah, and?” A small chuckle slipped past my lips despite everything. The tension eased just a little, the moment bec
