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CHAPTER 7
Last Updated:
2025-01-03 16:37:42
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DEAR EX-HUSBAND, YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ME BACK CHAPTER 8
OLIVIA’S POVThe moment Lucas left, the weight I’d been holding on my shoulders crashed down, and I sank back into my chair. My breath came in shaky bursts as I stared blankly at the nameplate on my desk. His words played over and over in my mind, cutting deeper with each repetition."Are you really the gold digger everyone thinks you are?"I didn’t even realize when the tears started falling. They were hot and fast, slipping down my cheeks despite my best efforts to hold them back. My hands trembled as I covered my face, letting the sobs escape quietly.It was just my first day at work, and already it felt like I was drowning. It wasn’t the pressure of the job—that I could handle. It was him. Lucas. Seeing him again, hearing his voice, and feeling his judgment.And the worst part? I still loved him.I hated myself for it, for the way my heart betrayed me every time I looked at him. After everything he’d done, after all the pain, I should have moved on. But deep down, I hadn
Last Updated : 2025-01-09DEAR EX-HUSBAND, YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ME BACK CHAPTER 9
OLIVIA’S POVThe sunlight streaming through my window woke me before my alarm could. For a moment, I lay there, staring at the ceiling, gathering my thoughts. Another day, another chance to prove Father wrong.With that determination surging through me, I sprang out of bed and headed straight for the shower. The warm water cascading over my skin was invigorating, washing away the lingering exhaustion from yesterday.I chose a black pair of tailored pants and a floral blouse—something professional yet elegant. Pulling my hair into a sleek ponytail, I applied light makeup, just enough to highlight my features. I looked at myself in the mirror, and my lips curled in a smile.You’ve got this, Olivia.I grabbed my bag and headed downstairs. As I descended the grand staircase, the sound of laughter echoed through the hall. Father’s deep chuckle, Ethan’s familiar laugh, and a third voice—warm yet unfamiliar—floated up to me. I frowned slightly, curiosity piqued.When I entered the dining roo
Last Updated : 2025-01-10DEAR EX-HUSBAND, YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ME BACK CHAPTER 10
OLIVIA’S POVThe knock on my office door was sharp, deliberate, and far too familiar. I didn’t have to look up to know who it was.“Come in,” I said, keeping my voice steady.The door opened, and Lucas stepped in, his presence dominating the room. His jaw was set, and his dark eyes burned with intensity.“We need to talk,” he said, closing the door behind him.I sighed, leaning back in my chair. “I thought we said everything we needed to say. What else do you want, Lucas Preston?.”“Now Austin?” he asked, cutting straight to the point.I blinked, caught off guard by his directness. “Austin is none of your business.”His brows furrowed, and he crossed the room, stopping just short of my desk. “The way he hugged you this morning didn’t look like nothing. Are you with him now?”“Seriously?” I scoffed, folding my arms. “You’re interrogating me about who I spend time with? You have no right, Lucas.”His jaw tightened, and his fists clenched at his sides. “First Ethan, now Austin. What’s ne
Last Updated : 2025-01-12DEAR EX-HUSBAND, YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ME BACK CHAPTER 11
OLIVIA’S POVThe 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
Last Updated : 2025-01-14DEAR 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
Last Updated : 2025-01-14DEAR 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
Last Updated : 2025-01-16DEAR 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
Last Updated : 2025-01-16DEAR 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
Last Updated : 2025-01-18
Latest chapter
DEAR EX-HUSBAND, YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ME BACK Chapter 36
OliviaThe boardroom was silent as everyone took their seats. The air was thick with anticipation, the kind of tension you could almost feel physically. I sat at the head of the table, my gaze fixed on Lucas as he prepared to present the figures. The chart he was about to show us would give us all a glimpse into how well Nexus had been doing with its recent investments. It was supposed to be a victory, a moment of pride for the company, especially for Lucas.The projector hummed to life, and the numbers appeared on the screen. Lucas's voice filled the room as he explained how Nexus's little investment had grown. The graph was steady, showing a positive trend. The board members leaned forward, their eyes widening as they saw the results. It was impressive—there was no denying that.But as I watched them react, something inside me stirred. This wasn’t about numbers or growth anymore. It was about me, about Lucas. It was about what I had learned over the past few weeks, what had becom
DEAR EX-HUSBAND, YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ME BACK Chapter 36
Lucas"How? Just how did it happen?" Vivian asked again, her voice filled with disbelief.I exhaled sharply, rubbing the back of my neck. I didn’t know how to answer that question—not in a way that made sense, not in a way that didn’t make my chest tighten."Vivian, it’s… complicated."She raised an eyebrow, clearly not satisfied with that answer, but she didn’t push me further. Instead, she reached down and grabbed Aiden’s hand. "Come on, sweetheart, we need to get going."I nodded, turning back toward the shelves. "Give me a minute. I just need to grab a few more things."I walked a few aisles down, picking up a head of cabbage, though my mind was barely on what I was buying. My thoughts were still tangled in the unexpected reunion, in the way Vivian had looked at me—so full of shock and questions I wasn’t ready to answer.I returned to them at the checkout line, setting my items on the counter. Aiden stood beside his mother, swinging his little legs, humming some tune under
DEAR EX-HUSBAND, YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ME BACK Chapter 35
LucasThe past week had been a slow kind of torture.I had thrown myself into work, hoping it would drown out the thoughts that kept creeping in—thoughts of Olivia, of our last conversation, of the way she had looked at me like she had finally given up on us. I told myself that I had accepted it, that I was moving on, but even as I pulled into the parking lot of Nexus Mall, I knew I was lying to myself.The moment I stepped out of the car, I inhaled deeply, trying to shake the heaviness that had settled in my chest. I was here to restock on essentials—coffee, cereal, and water. Just the basics. Nothing more.As I walked into the mall, the buzz of people moving around barely registered in my mind. I grabbed a shopping cart and started moving down the aisles, picking things up without much thought. Everything felt mechanical—grab, toss, move on. I wasn’t even paying attention to where I was going until—Thud.Something small and fast slammed into me, catching me off guard. Before
DEAR EX-HUSBAND, YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ME BACK Chapter 33
OliviaThe past week had been relentless.I threw myself into work the moment I woke up, filling every spare second with reports, calls, and planning sessions. It was the only way I knew how to cope. If I stopped, even for a second, my thoughts would spiral in directions I didn’t want to go.So I didn’t stop.I focused on Nexus, on regaining control, on proving that I could handle everything that had been thrown my way. I worked late into the nights, reviewing projections, updating strategies, and ensuring that no detail went unnoticed.And yet, no matter how hard I tried, no matter how much I buried myself in my responsibilities, one thought kept creeping in.Had I made the right choice?I clenched my jaw, shaking my head. I didn’t have time for doubts.Letting go of Amelia’s betrayal had been easy in comparison—she wasn’t worth the effort, and the necklace was just an object. But Lucas… Lucas had been harder. Cutting him off completely, refusing to let him back in, had taken
DEAR EX-HUSBAND, YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ME BACK Chapter 32
LucasI barely remembered the drive home. My hands were tight on the steering wheel, my mind spinning with everything Olivia had said. The anger in her voice. The finality in her words.She was done with me.That truth hit harder than I wanted to admit. I should have fought harder, should have explained myself better, but instead, I left. Like a coward.When I pulled up to the mansion, the sight of it made my stomach turn. It was the same house I bought when I got married to Olivia, the same place I had always returned to—but now, it felt suffocating, knowing Mother would be there. I sat in the car for a moment, gripping the wheel, trying to steady my breathing.Then, with a deep breath, I got out and walked inside.The moment I stepped through the doors, my mother’s sharp voice cut through the silence.“Where have you been?”I clenched my jaw, not in the mood for this. “Out.”She was sitting on the couch in the grand living room, her posture perfect, a glass of wine in her h
DEAR EX-HUSBAND, YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ME BACK Chapter 31
Olivia’s POVThe moment the door shut behind Lucas, I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. My hands trembled as I gripped the armrest of my wheelchair, frustration burning beneath my skin. I should have been relieved that he was gone—that I had finally said what needed to be said—but instead, I felt hollow.I told him not to come back. And he left.I stared at the closed door, my thoughts running in circles. Was this really the end? Did I want it to be?A sharp knock interrupted my thoughts. I turned toward the entrance just as the door opened, and Natalya walked in.“I saw Lucas leaving,” she said, closing the door behind her. “You look like you’ve been through hell.”I let out a bitter laugh. “That’s because I have.”Natalya crossed the room and perched on the armrest of the couch, watching me carefully. “Do you want to talk about it?”I hesitated, gripping the wheels of my chair. I wasn’t sure I had the energy to explain everything, but at the same time, I need
DEAR EX-HUSBAND, YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ME BACK Chapter 30
Olivia’s POVThe days following the fight with Lucas passed in a haze of frustration and self-doubt. No matter how much I tried to distract myself, his face—the hurt in his eyes, the anger in his voice—kept resurfacing in my mind. I hated that he had this kind of power over me, that he could stir emotions I wasn’t ready to confront.I was in my home office, reviewing a report Natalya had sent over, when the sound of hushed voices drifted up from the hallway. It was the maids. Normally, I would have ignored it, but something about the tone of their conversation caught my attention.“…I’m just saying, if Mr. Preston really cared about her, wouldn’t he have come back by now?”“Maybe he’s too proud,” another voice replied. “Or maybe she scared him off. You know how intimidating she can be.”My grip on the pen tightened. Intimidating? Scared him off? Who were they to speculate about my relationship—or lack thereof—with Lucas?“Either way, it’s a shame,” the first voice continued. “Th
DEAR EX-HUSBAND, YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ME BACK Chapter 29
Lucas’ POVThe moment I stepped into the house, I could feel the tension clinging to the air like a heavy fog. My chest was tight, my jaw set. The confrontation I’d been replaying in my head on the drive here felt inevitable now, and I wasn’t sure how much restraint I had left.My mother was in the living room, lounging on the cream sofa with a cup of tea in hand. She looked up as I walked in, her face lighting up in a way that made my stomach churn.“Lucas, sweetheart! What a pleasant surprise,” she said warmly, setting her cup down.I didn’t return her smile. “Where’s Amelia?”Her brow furrowed slightly. “She’s upstairs. Why? Did something happen?”“Yes,” I said curtly. “And I need to talk to her. Now.”“Lucas,” my mother said, her voice taking on that warning tone she used whenever she thought I was being unreasonable, “I don’t know what’s got you so upset, but—”“Don’t,” I snapped, cutting her off. “Not this time, Mom.”She pursed her lips, a flicker of irritation crossin
DEAR EX-HUSBAND, YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ME BACK Chapter 28
Olivia’s POVThe sun casted thin lines of light across my bedroom walls. I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, replaying last night’s argument with Lucas over and over in my head. Each time, the scene ended the same way: with him walking out, furious, and my heart feeling like it was caught in a vice.I rolled onto my side and groaned. Why did I have to accuse him?But the necklace was gone, and he had been the only one here. The logic felt airtight last night when I was caught up in anger and fear. Now, in the harsh light of day, doubt crept in. Lucas might have been a liar, even a cheat, but was he really capable of stealing from me?I couldn’t shake the guilt gnawing at my chest. There was only one way to settle this once and for all.Throwing off the covers, I got out of bed and headed for the kitchen, where Marcy, one of the housemaids, was busy wiping down the countertops.“Good morning, Miss Olivia,” she greeted me with her usual chipper tone.I offered a weak smile. “Mo
