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CHAPTER 11

Penulis: Vivi Anne
last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-01-14 18:30:10

OLIVIA’S POV

The moment my eyes locked with Lucas’, I knew the night was over even if I told Austin I was fine. I tried to focus on Austin, his laughter, the dessert in front of me—but none of it could drown out the storm brewing inside. I’d been doing fine until Lucas walked in, his presence a stark reminder of the life I’d left behind. And then, seeing her, Amelia, by his side—it felt like someone had ripped open an old wound.

“Liv?” Austin’s voice broke through my thoughts.

I blinked and forced a weak smile. “I’m fine.”

“You don’t look fine.” His green eyes were full of concern, his hand reaching across the table to touch mine gently. “Do you want to leave?”

I hesitated, glancing toward Lucas. He was still standing near the entrance, his gaze fixed on me like he was trying to figure out my next move. My stomach churned.

“Yes,” I said softly, pushing my chair back. “Let’s go.”

Austin stood immediately, ever the gentleman, and reached for my coat. But just as I was slipping it on, I
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  • DEAR EX-HUSBAND, YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ME BACK   CHAPTER 12

    OLIVIA’S POVThe buzzing sound of my alarm woke me, but I didn’t rush to get out of bed. It was Saturday, and for once, I didn’t have anywhere to be. I let out a sigh of relief, stretching lazily before grabbing my phone from the nightstand. No missed calls, no urgent emails. Good.I decided to spend the day at home, catching up on some reading and finishing the project I’d been working on all week. After a quick shower, I made myself a cup of coffee and curled up on the couch with a book, losing myself in its pages.The hours slipped by, and by the time I finished my work, the sun was dipping low in the sky. My stomach growled, reminding me that I’d barely eaten all day. Remembering that Father had invited me to dinner, I headed upstairs to freshen up.After a long bath, I chose a simple yet elegant dress and let my hair fall loosely around my shoulders. I didn’t bother with much makeup—Father didn’t care about appearances as long as I showed up on time.When I entered the dining roo

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-14
  • DEAR EX-HUSBAND, YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ME BACK   Chapter 13

    Lucas’ POVEarlier That Day“You better not bail out on us tonight, Lucas,” James said, his voice firm through the video call. He was sitting at his desk, adjusting his tie like the ever-serious older cousin he was.“I won’t,” I replied, leaning back in my chair.“You’ve been avoiding us for weeks,” Matt chimed in. My younger brother, perpetually laid-back, was sprawled across his couch, sipping a soda. “It’s not just about hanging out. We’re celebrating tonight—Dad’s big deal, remember?“I know,” I said, exhaling.“You should be proud,” James added, his tone softening. “It’s not every day our family secures a deal like this. We’re going to toast to the company, to Dad, and to you, Lucas. You played a big role in this.”Matt grinned. “Exactly. No sulking. We’re meeting at the bar downtown. Nine sharp. Be there.”“I’ll be there,” I said, more firmly this time.Matt raised an eyebrow. “Good. We’re not taking excuses tonight. It’s time to celebrate, man.”“See you there,” James said befo

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-16
  • DEAR EX-HUSBAND, YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ME BACK   Chapter 14

    OLIVIA’S POV“Olivia! Look who decided to finally grace us with her presence!” James called out as soon as he saw me walking toward them. His grin stretched from ear to ear, his voice loud enough to turn a few heads in the bar.“Hey, James,” I greeted, managing a small smile.Before I could say more, he pulled me into a tight hug, his familiar cologne instantly bringing back memories of family gatherings and Sunday dinners.“You’ve been avoiding us,” he said lightly, though his tone held a hint of accusation.“Not intentionally,” I lied, stepping back as Matt, Lucas’s younger brother, approached with his own welcoming hug.“We’ve missed you, Liv,” Matt said softly. His expression was more subdued than James's, his voice tinged with a quiet sadness. “We couldn’t believe it when Lucas told us about the divorce.”I stiffened slightly but forced another smile. “It’s nice to see you both,” I said, hoping to steer the conversation to safer ground.Lucas stood a few steps away, leaning casua

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-16
  • DEAR EX-HUSBAND, YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ME BACK   Chapter 15

    OLIVIA’S POVThe glow of the morning light wavered through my curtains, stirring me awake. I stretched lazily, savoring the quiet before my day officially began. My phone buzzed on the nightstand, and I reached for it, squinting at the screen. It was a text message from Austin. “Hey, I’m so sorry, Liv. I had to travel back urgently for business. I hate that I’ll miss Nexus Global’s anniversary celebration. Promise I’ll make it up to you.’I sighed, staring at the message for a moment before typing a quick reply.“No worries, Austin. Safe travels.”Austin always seemed to have something pulling him away. I understood, of course—his work demanded a lot of him, just as mine did of me—but it didn’t stop the sting of disappointment from settling in my chest. Nexus Global’s third anniversary was a big milestone. It felt strange to think he wouldn’t be there.A sharp knock on my door pulled me from my thoughts. “Come in,” I called, sitting up in bed.One of the housemaids stepped in, a smal

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-18
  • DEAR EX-HUSBAND, YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ME BACK   Chapter 16

    Olivia’s POV“Everything’s set for tomorrow, ma’am,” my secretary, Clara, said as she stood by my desk. Her clipboard was clutched tightly in her hands, her brow furrowed with concentration.“Run me through the details one more time,” I said, glancing up from my laptop. I’d been working nonstop the last two days, determined to keep my focus entirely on Nexus Global’s anniversary and, more importantly, away from Lucas.Clara nodded, flipping through her notes. “The event will start at 7 p.m. sharp. The ballroom is fully prepped—decorations, seating arrangements, and catering are finalized. The media has been briefed, and our PR team has confirmed attendance from key stakeholders and partners. The guest list is double-checked, and the commemorative speeches are scheduled for 8 p.m.”“And the presentation slides?” I asked, leaning back in my chair.“They’re ready,” Clara said confidently. “I’ve already sent them to the AV team for testing.”“Perfect,” I said with a nod. “And the staff un

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-18
  • DEAR EX-HUSBAND, YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ME BACK   Chapter 17

    Olivia’s POVI gripped the steering wheel so tightly that my knuckles turned white, the tension in my chest refusing to ease. The confrontation with Lucas replayed in my mind, each word cutting deeper than I wanted to admit. How could he accuse me of something like that? After everything…I took a deep breath, forcing myself to focus on the road. By the time I pulled into the driveway, the sky had shifted to a soft orange hue, the sun setting behind the sprawling estate. I parked the car and stepped out, the cool evening air brushing against my skin as I walked towards the house.Ethan was standing by the main door, scrolling through his phone. His head lifted as he heard my footsteps, a warm smile breaking across his face. “Hey, Liv.”“Hi,” I said curtly, brushing past him.Before I could make it inside, he grabbed my arm gently but firmly, pulling me back to face him. “Don’t let Lucas get to you,” he said, his voice calm yet resolute. “It’s obvious you guys got into an argument or s

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-20
  • DEAR EX-HUSBAND, YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ME BACK   Chapter 18

    Olivia’s POVThe day had finally arrived—Nexus Global’s third anniversary. This milestone wasn’t just about celebrating the company’s success; it was also a moment of personal triumph for me. Every ounce of my little effort, every sleepless night within the past few days, and every challenge I overcame had led to this day.Standing in front of my mirror, I took a deep breath as I admired my reflection. The navy-blue gown I had chosen hugged my figure perfectly. It was elegant and sophisticated without being overly flashy—just how I liked it. My curls fell naturally around my shoulders, soft and bouncy, and the heels I had been eagerly waiting to wear completed the look. I felt ready to face whatever came my way today.Descending the stairs, I found Ethan waiting for me in the living room, scrolling through his phone. He looked dashing in a sleek black tuxedo, his tie impeccably knotted. The moment he saw me, he put his phone down and stood up, a playful grin spreading across his face.

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-20
  • DEAR EX-HUSBAND, YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ME BACK   Chapter 19

    Lucas' POVI couldn’t take my eyes off her. Olivia was breathtaking tonight, and no matter how hard I tried to focus on anything else, my gaze kept drifting back to her. The navy blue dress she wore perfectly hugged her curves, leaving nothing to the imagination. Her hair fell in loose curls, framing her face and highlighting the soft glow of her skin. She walked with such grace and confidence that it was almost as if she owned the entire room.But I wasn’t the only one captivated. Everyone noticed her tonight. The board members, the guests, even the waitstaff—all eyes were on her. Yet, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy every time someone else admired her. She wasn’t mine anymore, and I had no right to feel this way.“Lucas.”Amelia’s voice cut through my thoughts like a knife. I turned to face her, trying to mask my irritation.“Why are you staring at her like that?” she asked, her tone sharp.“I wasn’t staring,” I replied flatly, though we both knew it was a lie.“Yes, you

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-20

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  • DEAR EX-HUSBAND, YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ME BACK   CHAPTER 132

    Olivia's POV The office was quiet, the hum of the day winding down as I stood at my desk, stacking files and shutting down my laptop. My heart was a tangle of guilt, longing, and a fragile hope I couldn’t name, caught between Lucas’s pull and Austin’s steady care within the past few weeks.I rubbed my eyes, exhaustion seeping into my bones, when my phone buzzed, Austin’s name lighting up the screen. A small smile tugged at my lips, his reliability a quiet comfort in the chaos.“Hey,” I answered, my voice soft, tinged with weariness but warmed by his call. “You checking up on me again?”His chuckle was low, grounding, a sound that eased the knot in my chest. “Always,” he said, his tone light but laced with concern. “You done? Ready to head home? I can swing by.”I glanced at the clock—nearly five, the office emptying out—and nodded, even though he couldn’t see me. “Yeah, I’m just finishing up,” I said, my voice steadier now, a flicker of relief at the thought of him waiting for

  • DEAR EX-HUSBAND, YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ME BACK   CHAPTER 131

    Lucas's POV The weight of the past weeks clung to me like a second skin, a relentless burden of accusations, betrayals, and the constant threat of losing everything I’d built. My office, once a sanctuary of control, felt like a battlefield, littered with the fallout of Amelia’s outburst, the press’s relentless scrutiny, and the plummeting stock prices that mocked my every effort to salvage my reputation. My chest was a knot of frustration, exhaustion and sleepless nights.I’d been hounding the police daily, my calls and visits a desperate attempt to force them to act, to find the source of the false story that had painted me as a murderer. Each time, they’d met me with barely concealed irritation, their eyes narrowing when they challenged my alibi to the press, their voices dripping with skepticism.“You told the world you were working late with Ms. Holmes,” one detective had snapped last week, his tone sharp, his arms crossed as he leaned across his desk. “But your story’s got h

  • DEAR EX-HUSBAND, YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ME BACK   CHAPTER 130

    Olivia's POV My screams tore through the air, raw and desperate, as I lunged toward Austin, my voice breaking with every plea. “Stop, Austin! Please, stop!” Tears streamed down my cheeks, my heart pounding with a mix of horror and fear as I watched him pummel Ryan’s father, his fists a blur of rage, blood staining the pavement beneath them. Richard’s face was a mess, his movements weak, his groans fading, and Austin’s fury showed no sign of slowing. My legs trembled, my chest heaving as I grabbed at Austin’s arm, my fingers slipping against his tense muscles, my voice a choked sob. “Enough! You’re going to kill him!”Finally, my words—or maybe my touch—broke through. Austin froze, his fist raised, his chest heaving, his face twisted with a rage that slowly melted into shock. He dropped his arm, stumbling back, his eyes wide as he looked from Richard’s bloodied form to me, his breath ragged. My tears fell faster now, my body shaking as I stood there, the violence of the moment

  • DEAR EX-HUSBAND, YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ME BACK   CHAPTER 129

    Olivia's PovThe morning sun beamed through the kitchen window, casting a warm glow over the breakfast table, but my heart was still heavy, tangled in the aftermath of yesterday’s chaos. Austin’s quiet defense of me—they swirled in my mind, a relentless storm of guilt, longing, and fear that kept me awake most of the night. My coffee sat untouched, cooling in its mug, as I stared at the table, my fingers tracing the grain of the wood, trying to anchor myself in the present. Austin’s confession—“I’m starting to fall for you”—echoed in my chest, a tender ache that clashed with the pull I still felt toward Lucas, making every breath feel like a battle. I wanted to be grateful, to lean into his care, but my heart was a mess, and I didn’t know how to untangle it.Austin appeared in the doorway, his presence steady but cautious, his eyes searching mine with a concern that made my throat tighten. “Olivia,” he said, his voice gentle but firm, breaking through my haze, “I’ve been thinkin

  • DEAR EX-HUSBAND, YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ME BACK   CHAPTER 128

    Lucas's pov I stood frozen, my heart pounding, my breath shallow as I processed the sight of her—Amelia, the woman who’d always wielded her pride like a weapon, now stripped bare, her ego shattered in a way I’d never imagined possible. My chest tightened, a surge of surprise mingling with the anger still burning from her slap, her accusations, the public spectacle she’d turned our lives into. The press was gone, their cameras silenced for now, but the weight of their lenses lingered, a reminder of the chaos she’d unleashed, the chaos I’d fueled with my own choice.I should’ve felt triumphant, seeing her humbled, but instead, a hollow ache settled in my gut, a mix of guilt and exhaustion that made my shoulders sag. Her desperation was real, her tears a mirror of the pain I’d caused, but it didn’t erase the fury still simmering inside me. She’d pushed me too far—her rage, her accusations about Olivia, the way she’d humiliated us both in front of the world. Yet here she was, beggin

  • DEAR EX-HUSBAND, YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ME BACK   CHAPTER 127

    Lucas's povThe sting of Amelia’s slap burned across my cheek, a sharp, searing shock that snapped my head to the side and left my ears ringing. I stood frozen at the base of the podium stairs, my heart pounding, my mind reeling as the press conference hall buzzed with the chaos of her outburst. The cameras flashed like a swarm of fireflies, their relentless clicks a reminder of the vultures circling, ready to feast on this fresh scandal. My chest tightened, a mix of shock, anger, and dread flooding through me as I registered Amelia’s face—twisted with fury, her eyes blazing with a venom that made my stomach churn. Before I could even process the pain, her voice erupted, shrill and piercing, cutting through the murmurs of the crowd like a blade.“You didn’t come home for two days!” she screamed, her hands flailing, her words dripping with accusation. “You’ve been cheating with your ex, haven’t you? With Olivia!”Her words hit like a punch, stealing the air from my lungs, my heart

  • DEAR EX-HUSBAND, YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ME BACK   CHAPTER 126

    Olivia's pov Austin’s confession hung in the air like a fragile thread, his words—“I’m starting to fall for you”—settling into my chest with a weight that was both startling and strangely familiar. I sat frozen in the café booth, my hands clasped tightly in my lap, my heart a frantic drumbeat as I processed what he’d said. I wasn’t shocked—not entirely. Deep down, I’d suspected it, a quiet whisper in the back of my mind that no one could be as kind, as steadfast, as Austin had been without some hidden feeling driving it. Nobody signed up to be a husband on paper, to weather my chaos and stand by me through it all, without something more attached. Yet hearing it aloud, raw and unguarded, sent a tremor through me, a mix of warmth, guilt, and fear that made my throat tighten and my eyes sting with unshed tears.I looked at him, his face open, vulnerable, his eyes searching mine for a reaction, and my chest ached with a tenderness I hadn’t expected. Austin—steady, caring Austin—had

  • DEAR EX-HUSBAND, YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ME BACK   CHAPTER 125

    Olivia's povAmelia’s departure left a hollow echo in the corridors my office, her heels clicking away into the distance, her silence a victory I hadn’t expected but didn’t fully trust. My words—“I’ll marry him again… fight for full custody”—hung in the air like smoke, bold and reckless, their weight settling into my chest with a mix of triumph and dread. My heart pounded, my hands trembling as I stood there, the morning air sharp against my flushed skin. I’d faced her down, held my ground, but the fire of my defiance was already fading, replaced by a gnawing guilt that twisted my stomach. What had I done? Threatening to take Lucas back, to tear apart their family—it wasn’t me, not really, but the words had spilled out, fueled by her venom and my own tangled longing for a past I couldn’t reclaim. I took a shaky breath, my legs unsteady, and forced myself toward my desk, desperate to bury the encounter in work, to escape the storm of emotions threatening to drown me.I settled at

  • DEAR EX-HUSBAND, YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ME BACK   CHAPTER 124

    Olivia's POV The morning sun was barely cresting the horizon as I pulled into the company parking lot, the engine’s hum fading into a heavy silence that matched the turmoil churning inside me. My hands lingered on the steering wheel, knuckles pale from gripping it too tightly, as if holding on could steady the storm of emotions still raging from last night. Austin’s words—“I didn’t ask you to care for me”—echoed in my head, each syllable a fresh wound, laced with guilt and regret that burned hotter with every replay. My eyes stung, gritty from tears and sleeplessness, my chest a tight knot of anger, shame, and a longing for Lucas I couldn’t shake, no matter how hard I tried. I took a shaky breath, willing myself to focus, to bury it all and face the day, but the weight of it clung to me, heavy and unrelenting.I pushed open the car door, the cool morning air hitting my face like a slap, and stepped out, my heels clicking against the asphalt. That’s when I saw her—Amelia, standin

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