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CHAPTER EIGHTY-FIVE: SOMEONE HAS TO GO.
Last Updated:
2025-03-14 04:44:49
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THE WIFE YOU LEFT CHAPTER ONE: NOT ROSES BUT DIVORCE PAPERS.
AVERY'S POV:Today was the day. The day everything I’d sacrificed for—three years of isolation, shame, and clinging to hope—would finally be worth it. Today, Chase and I will be together again. I’d imagined it a thousand times, practically willed it into existence. He’d be there waiting, holding roses, his face soft and full of the love I’d convinced myself still lived beneath the hurt and resentment. It had to be there. He would be my reward for enduring it all.The warden’s voice cut through the waiting room. “Mrs. Avery Grayson!” Her voice loudly pulled me back from my daze. “That’s me,” I blurted, jumping to my feet, my heart doing a little twirl dance. Today was the day I left behind everything—the concrete walls, the metal bars, the fluorescent lights, and that dull ache that had taken residence in my bones. I’d already showered, fixed my hair, and even put on a little makeup that one of the guards had snuck me. I wanted to look perfect. He’d appreciate the effort; he’d see tha
Last Updated : 2024-11-02THE WIFE YOU LEFT CHAPTER TWO: A BROKEN HOMECOMING.
AVERY'S POV:I felt an overwhelming urge to storm into the house, to confront Chase and demand answers for this chaos. But my feet barely took a step before I was abruptly halted. The sudden loss of momentum left me reeling, like a door slammed shut in my face. This was my house. I should be treated with reverence and respect as Mrs. Grayson. Not being handled as a nobody – invisible, insignificant, and utterly powerless.The guard shoved me into a room, dark and suffocating, as if it was meant to close around me like a vice. The rough edges of the doorframe scraped against my arms, but I didn’t flinch. I barely felt it. I could only stand there, swallowing down bile, my heart beating out some useless plea that this was all a nightmare.But it wasn’t. Chase had left me rotting in that prison, only to serve me divorce papers on the day of my release. As if that wasn’t enough, the invitation to his wedding—his wedding to my own sister—had been tucked right beside them like a sick joke.
Last Updated : 2024-11-02THE WIFE YOU LEFT CHAPTER THREE: WITHERED PETALS.
AXEL’S POV:Business was good—no, it was flawless. My name alone struck fear wherever it was spoken, and respect was a currency I never ran short of. In every boardroom, back alley, and underground circuit, I was Axel Blackwood: a god among men, ruthless and unyielding. Just the way I liked it.But there was still an itch I couldn’t scratch. The kind that sank deep, an ache gnawing at my insides every time I closed my eyes. Revenge. I’d returned to finish what had started years ago, blood debts left unpaid. I was patient, though. I’d learned to savor it—blood, sweat, and tears from everyone who’d ever dared to cross me.Yet, today, the taste of satisfaction had dulled. I’d spent most of my day distracted, my focus slipping. Sea, my six-year-old daughter, had seemed out of sorts, her usual bright chatter dimmed. She’d stood in the doorway of my office, pouting in that way only she could.“Daddy, you’re always working,” she said, her voice tiny and cracked. “I need someone who can actua
Last Updated : 2024-11-02THE WIFE YOU LEFT CHAPTER FOUR: THE COPPER EYES.
AVERY'S POV:His voice cut through me, sharp and cold, and I didn’t need a second reminder to obey. As Katie, the maid who introduced herself in a low, calm tone, led me down a quiet, lavish hallway, my mind was fixated on one thing: his left eye. The one I could see.Axel Blackwood’s left eye was a smoldering, molten copper—alive with an inner fire that seemed to light up the very air around him. The iris, polished like burnished penny, radiated an intense warmth and depth that made the gaze hypnotic, magnetic. Flecks of gold glinted within that coppery storm, as if shards of sunlight had taken residence there, restless and burning. The cream-toned skin around his eye only served to make its color more striking, like the contrast of fire against pale ember. And his lash, thick and dark, framed his eye like brushstrokes on a masterpiece, accentuating the dangerous gleam within them.As he’d looked at me, his eys had held a glint of mischief, laced with something far darker—command, au
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AXEL’S POV:I leaned back in my office chair, rubbing the part of my chest that still ached like a damn knife wound. No one knew the truth I was harboring along with a dozen other secrets: I was dying. Slowly, and it felt as brutal as anything I’d ever inflicted on my enemies. The doctors broke it to me two months ago—an inexplicable hole in my heart, they said. "Six months left, if you're lucky." Nature, or fate, or karma—whatever it was—finally decided to catch up.It was right after I’d taken care of a bastard and his entire family who’d tried sabotaging one of my shipments. I didn’t feel a damn thing as I strangled him, then ordered my men to take out every breathing thing in his house. There’s no other way to be clear: you cross me, you die. He knew the stakes when he made his choice. Still, something about him and his family felt… strange.But there was no time for questions now, especially with the ticking clock in my chest. It’s what pushed me to find Sea someone to leave her
Last Updated : 2024-11-06THE WIFE YOU LEFT CHAPTER SIX: RUN.
AVERY'S POV:I was done with crying. It felt like a curse had latched onto my life, shadowing every breath I took. Why did everything have to go wrong? Not a moment to breathe, to laugh, or feel free—just an endless stream of pain, betrayal, and torment. Let me take you back to where it all started, to the reason I can’t seem to stop the tears.Growing up, the only warmth I felt came from my father and grandfather. My mother, Lyra Russell, used to be loving—at least, that’s what I was told. But then something changed when I turned two. My father said her love began to fade. I didn't understand it then, but as I grew older, I saw the truth for myself. The moment Astrid, my younger sister, entered the picture, it was as if all the love my mother once had for me shifted to her.That alone was hard, but at least I had my father and grandfather. They were my sanctuary, wrapping me in a love that softened the sharp edges of my mother’s indifference. But even that comfort was ripped away all
Last Updated : 2024-11-06THE WIFE YOU LEFT CHAPTER SEVEN: SPRINT.
AVERY'S POV:Sea's small voice, full of vulnerability, tugged at memories I hadn’t let myself touch in years. Hearing her admit she was afraid of the dark was like looking in a mirror back to my own childhood. I remembered lying in bed, hiding under covers, watching shadows stretch across the walls, and waiting for the sound of my father’s footsteps. He’d read me a story every night, staying until I drifted off. If he left even a second too soon, I’d call out for him, sure that the monsters would sneak in the moment he was gone.I glanced down at Sea, curled up tightly, hugging her teddy bear. Her eyes peeked over its fuzzy head, watching me warily, not trusting but not sending me away either. Slowly, I stepped closer to her bed and lowered myself down, one hand gently resting on her back. Her shoulders were stiff, defensive, but she didn’t pull away.My eyes locked onto the phone nestled next to her pillow, and I knew I had to act. I paused for a moment, collecting my thoughts.“Woul
Last Updated : 2024-11-08THE WIFE YOU LEFT CHAPTER EIGHT: FACE-TO-FACE WITH DIABLO.
AVERY'S POV:The idea hit me like a spark, and suddenly, every cell in my body felt electrified. Could this be my chance? Instead of relaxing into this twisted arrangement, I’d rather be smart and run while I still could. I had no plans to settle into this deceitful life, to play the submissive wife. I had to get out.With my heart pounding, I bolted downstairs, keeping my steps light and quick. Every glance over my shoulder felt like Axel’s eyes might appear in the shadows, tracking my every move. But I didn’t stop. I reached a side door that led outside, and without hesitation, I slipped through, barely closing it behind me before breaking into a run.The night air was sharp and cool, but I barely felt it as I sprinted, following a path that led away from the house. The grounds were enormous, more like an estate than a simple backyard, with sprawling gardens and dense hedges lining the pathways. I thought I could see the edge, some glimpse of freedom, but as I rounded a corner, I st
Last Updated : 2024-11-08
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THE WIFE YOU LEFT CHAPTER EIGHTY-FIVE: SOMEONE HAS TO GO.
AVERY’S POV:When I asked Axel for sex last night, I knew exactly how he shut me down—made me feel like a desperate, needy girl unworthy of his touch. Yet, desperate as I was, I craved him. The next morning, with the first rays of the sun warming my face and an aching reminder between my legs, I rolled over with a triumphant smile. I had decided then: today, I was going to get what I wanted.I reached out, expecting the warmth of the body I had grown used to. Instead, my fingers met nothing but cool sheets. My eyes snapped open. Axel was gone.I told myself he’d just stepped out—maybe to the bathroom, maybe for air. I laid back down, pretending nothing was amiss. But as minutes stretched into an hour and he still hadn’t returned, a cold, unfamiliar dread settled in my gut. Had he woken up disgusted? Had I crossed a line so deep he couldn't face me? I forced myself out of bed—the bed that wasn’t mine—and trudged to the small restroom. The cold water shocked me awake, but it couldn’t
THE WIFE YOU LEFT CHAPTER EIGHTY-FOUR: REASON I DON'T BUY FLOWERS.
AXEL’S POV:Avery saw it. She saw the circle around my heart—something only I had ever been able to see. How the hell was that even possible? Who was she? I stared at her sleeping face, my mind running through every insane possibility. The mysterious woman’s words echoed in my head, but there was no Orion. No grand destiny. Only Avery. Finding out who she truly was—who her biological parents were—was my priority now. Maybe then, I’d get some goddamn answers. But none of that mattered at this moment. Right now, she was in my arms, tangled up in me like she belonged there. Avery’s head rested on my chest, her soft breaths fanning against my skin. I lay face forward, my arms wrapped tightly around her, my hand moving up and down her back in slow, absent strokes. I told myself I wasn’t getting attached, but the way my grip instinctively tightened every time she shifted said otherwise. I didn’t sleep a wink. Not because I couldn’t, but because I didn’t want to. If I closed my e
THE WIFE YOU LEFT CHAPTER EIGHTY-THREE: FLAMING CIRCLE.
AVERY’S POV:Every detail of him—his warmth, the sheen of sweat along his skin, the steady pulse of desire—held me captive.I parted my lips and welcomed him in, My tongue, wet and agile, traced every ridge, beginning its deliberate exploration along his sensitive tip. I swirled it in slow, circular motions, savoring the unique taste of him—a heady blend of salt, musk, and raw desire.Axel cradled my head, tilting it slightly as he explored. His touch was deliberate, as though teaching my body a new language of pleasure.With each flick of his tongue and tender press, he coaxed moans and gasps from deep within me. Though I was inexperienced, his guidance was as clear as his passion.With each slow thrust, it felt as though he was unlocking something deep within meEvery flick of my tongue was measured, teasing, and when I slid my lips further down, I could feel him twitch with anticipation.Axel’s eyes fluttered shut as he exhaled a slow breath.I gagged softly, breath hitching as Axe
THE WIFE YOU LEFT CHAPTER EIGHTY-TWO: THE BEST MILKSHAKE.
AVERY’S POV:I never knew my body could tremble with this kind of pleasure—this raw, unfiltered ecstasy that shattered every wall I’d ever built. Every touch, every gasp was a revelation, unearthing desires so deep they left me breathless. Axel Blackwood was unlike any man I’d ever known. Chase had never touched me like this—his caresses had been clinical, detached, as if I were something to be tolerated. But Axel… Axel was a storm, a wildfire, a force that consumed me whole. I felt every ounce of past pain burn away in the heat of him, replaced by something weightless, intoxicating—something that made me feel free. My limbs still trembled from the aftermath, but my mind—miraculously sharp despite the wine—knew exactly where I was. In his arms. In his bed. And for the first time in forever, I didn’t feel broken. When I finally managed to prop myself up, I searched for him. Through the dim glow of the room, I found his silhouette—lounging in the corner, his body still bare, his
THE WIFE YOU LEFT CHAPTER EIGHTY-ONE: THE BEST JUICE.
AXEL’S POV:I never expected her to jump on me. Yet, as she did, something long-buried clawed its way to the surface—something I had sworn belonged only to Sea’s mother.The past blurred into the present, and I was losing my grip on whatever rules I'd once set for myself. She had no idea what she was doing to me. No clue how dangerous it was for her to awaken this part of me. Now, in this blurred, wine-fueled haze, I found myself hypnotized. I craved her submission, the memory of her body pressed against mine, the thought of being inside her seared into her mind. I needed to be etched into her memory—undeniable, unforgettable.I moved tenderly, my hands working to strip Avery of every barrier. I slid off her suit jacket, letting it fall to the floor, and tugged down her pants until she was left wearing nothing but a white bra, matching thong, and those stiletto heels that accentuated every curve. I reached for her hair, unfastening the clip until the strands tumbled down her bac
THE WIFE YOU LEFT CHAPTER EIGHTY: NEEDY DESIRE.
AVERY'S POV:There was always more to Axel Blackwood. He was a maze of secrets, each one more shocking than the last. But this? This was the mother of them all. Laurent was his father. Chase, his stepbrother and Zora, the witch, his stepmother. Which meant Axel was the true firstborn. The rightful heir to everything Chase thought belonged to him. I wanted to confront him. Badly. And for once, I felt like I actually could. Probably because I was three bottles deep into a very fine wine. Maybe four. My head was fuzzy, my limbs light, and my courage… well, let’s just say it was making some very questionable choices. Ryan didn’t seem to care. He stood in the corner, arms crossed, his gloved hands tucked beneath his sleeves as he watched me with his usual unreadable expression. He had long since stopped trying to take the glass away from me. "Let's go," Axel’s voice disrupted my thinking.I barely had time to blink before Devon was at my side, steadying me before I could make a compl
THE WIFE YOU LEFT CHAPTER SEVENTY-NINE: THE TRUTH ABOUT THE DEAD.
AXEL’S POV:I turned slowly, my eyes narrowing with sorrow and steely determination. "Oh, I almost forgot to mention—the missing piece. Laurent is my father. And Zora... she was the one who orchestrated the plan to have both my mother and me killed."Memories rushed back in, reminding me why I became a kid who grew into an adult haunted by nightmares. "he tailed my mother and me until she found us. Zora paid a truck driver to crash into our lives. She's the reason I lost my eyes. They made it look like an accident, covering up her ways."I detailed everything that happened on my birthday to him. "I survived, but my mother wasn't so lucky. Everyone was against us – my mother was just a low-class maid, and Zora came from a family that was meant to rule. But once I got my resources and money, I dug up all these details and vowed to take down every one of them."Ryan's chest rose and fell with a slow, deliberate breath. His voice was barely above a whisper when he finally spoke as if he w
THE WIFE YOU LEFT CHAPTER SEVENTY-EIGHT: THE FATHER WHO NEVER WAS.
AXEL’S POV:Ryan was there to bitch around.Typical. Yes, I trusted him—hell, he was my second in command. But there were lines, boundaries between what I carried alone and what I shared. Some things rotted better inside me. But lately, keeping him in the dark felt less like protection and more like betrayal. If I shut him out again, I wouldn’t just be undermining his position. I’d be spitting on our friendship.Before he could even part his lips, I cut in. "I know you're about to ask what the hell is going on." Leaning against the wall, arms crossed tight over his chest, Ryan narrowed his eyes like he was staring down a puzzle missing half its pieces. "That's right. Make it make sense, Axel. Why the obsession with the Grayson empire? Why put her in charge? And why the hell risk exposing our intel like that? You know better. Now we’re a damn target." I turned away, walking to the floor-to-ceiling windows. Afternoon sunlight poured through, casting long shadows across the floo
THE WIFE YOU LEFT CHAPTER SEVENTY-SEVEN: SERVING JUSTICE.
The enmity between us was thick enough to choke on—and I could feel every single eye in the room pinned on our collision. My voice cut through the tension like a razor. "You're not my mother. As a matter of fact, I don’t think you’re even a mother. Which mother sleeps with her son-in-law?" My words thundered over the murmurs. "I should've known something was awry all those times you and that radical went on 'business trips.' They were nothing but excuses—a time and place for your adultery. You deserve to be skinned alive and tossed into a hole with the wolves. You’re a filthy whore." Before her venom could settle, she spat back, voice dripping with rage, "Just because some man is in your life, you think you're untouchable? Avery, I'll destroy you." Her threat barely had time to echo when a deep, authoritative voice interceded. "At least you got one thing right—she’s untouchable." I turned slowly toward the source, and there stood Axel. His eyes burned with fury, and his
