LOGINShare
Chapter 14: The Welcome Party II
Last Updated:
2024-12-10 05:38:30
Related chapters
The Club Star Ex-Wife He Wants Back Chapter 15: Beneath the Surface
Chapter 15Lucas’s POV I should’ve known the night wouldn’t end smoothly. It never does with Mandy. Grandma’s face twisted into a polite but unmistakable grimace when Mandy emerged from the bathroom wearing that ridiculous mini-skirt. My jaw clenched so hard I thought my teeth might crack. What the hell was she thinking? “Mandy, dear,” Grandma began, her tone sharp enough to slice through the murmurs in the room. “This isn’t appropriate for the occasion. What happened to the dress you were wearing earlier?” Mandy’s eyes flitted to mine for a fraction of a second before lowering. Her voice was calm, steady even, which somehow made it worse. “I didn’t mean to cause offense, Grandma. This was all I had.” All she had? That was a lie. Mary had gone out of her way to lend Mandy a perfectly good dress just moments ago. Why she refused to wear it was beyond me. I stepped forward, my voice quieter but no less irritated. “Mandy, we talked about this.” Her gaze lifted to meet mine,
Last Updated : 2024-12-10The Club Star Ex-Wife He Wants Back Chapter 16: The Thin Line
Mandy's POVThe morning light filtered through the curtains, but my chest felt heavy, like a storm cloud had settled over me. I couldn’t stop replaying Lucas’s expression from last night—the tension, the frustration, the way his eyes seemed to drill into me, looking for answers I wasn’t ready to give. Let him wonder. Let him stew in his own questions. I’d made my choice long before we started this arrangement. This wasn’t about him, and it never would be. My focus was on saving Grandma Claire, and once she was safe, I’d walk away from Lucas and everything he represented. Still, there was this tiny, infuriating tug in the back of my mind. The way his voice softened when he spoke to me last night lingered longer than I wanted it to. I shook my head and forced myself to focus. Whatever kindness he tried to show didn’t matter. I wouldn’t let it weaken my resolve. I was pulling my hair into a loose bun when my phone buzzed on the dresser. “Hello?” I answered, pinching the bridge
Last Updated : 2024-12-10The Club Star Ex-Wife He Wants Back Chapter 17: Collision
Lucas's POVThe hum of the club hit me the moment I stepped inside—a dim red glow cast long shadows across the room, while the low chatter, and the heavy bass of music thumping through the walls. I shouldn’t have been here. Hell, I knew it was wrong, especially with Mandy always looking at me like I was some kind of monster when it came to my choices. But I couldn’t stop myself. Suddenly, Ethan clapped a hand on my shoulder as we walked toward a table near the back. “You’ve got it bad, man. I’ve never seen you this hung up on someone.” “It’s not like that,” I muttered, my eyes already scanning the room, scoffs. I didn’t even believe my own words. “Sure,” Ethan said with a smirk, sinking into his chair. The truth was, I didn’t know what it was. This woman—the masked dancer—I couldn’t get her out of my head. She was a puzzle I couldn’t solve, and for some reason, that drove me insane. And not long, the lights dimmed suddenly as the music shifted, my attention snapped to the
Last Updated : 2024-12-10The Club Star Ex-Wife He Wants Back Chapter 18: Shattered Truths
Mandy’s PovAs Lucas forced me into his car, the silence in the air became suffocating as Lucas’s grip on the steering wheel was so tight his knuckles turned white. I sat stiffly in the passenger seat, staring out the window, with my heart pounding in my chest. I could feel his anger radiating off him, and part of me wanted to say something, anything, to break the tension. But the other part—the part that had been living in survival mode for months—kept my lips sealed. But when we were almost halfway home, I couldn’t take it anymore so I broke the silence.“Lucas,” I said softly, testing the waters. “I didn’t mean for you to find out like this.” His jaw tightened, but he didn’t look at me. “Didn’t mean for me to find out at all, you mean.” I flinched at the bitterness in his voice. “I wasn’t trying to lie to you. I needed to survive and it was my only option,"“Your only option?” he repeated, his voice rising. He finally turned his head, his eyes flashing with anger. “You could
Last Updated : 2024-12-10The Club Star Ex-Wife He Wants Back Chapter 19: A Step Toward Healing
Lucas's POVI sat on the edge of the couch, elbows on my knees, head in my hands, as Ethan’s voice rang out over the phone, blunt as always. “So let me get this straight,” he said. “You stormed into the club, dragged her out, and then lost your damn mind at her?” “Yeah,” I muttered, already regretting my decision to call him. “That about covers it.” “You’re an idiot.” “Thanks, Ethan. Super helpful.” “No, seriously. What were you thinking? Mandy’s not one of your employees, Lucas. She doesn’t need a boss—she needs a partner, don't be a fool,"That word hit like a sucker punch partner. How had I missed that? Ethan sighed. “Look, man, I get it. You’re used to fixing problems, keeping things under control, making sure nothing spirals out of hand. But Mandy isn’t some situation to manage. She’s a person, Lucas. And instead of trying to understand her, you bulldozed right over her, same way you did to her three years ago,"I leaned back and stared at the ceiling. Damn it. He w
Last Updated : 2024-12-11The Club Star Ex-Wife He Wants Back Chapter 20: A Glimmer of Hope
Lucas’s POVThe house felt emptier than usual that evening and the silence seemed to stretch on endlessly, filling up the space where her laughter, her voice, her very presence used to be. It was hard to remember what it felt like to have Mandy here. Even harder was the reality that, no matter how much I tried to fix things, I still hadn’t figured out how to fix us.I tossed my keys on the kitchen counter and dragged my fingers through my hair, staring at the table where we’d shared meals, arguing, and laughing. That damn mug she always used, the one with the chipped handle, still sat there like a cruel reminder that I’d screwed everything up. I’d spent the entire day digging into her financial situation. The club, the debt, the medical bills—none of it had surprised me, but it stung to see how much she’d been hiding. Mandy had always carried her burdens alone, even when I was right there, a damn fool, too stubborn and too proud to see what was happening right under my nose.Howeve
Last Updated : 2024-12-11The Club Star Ex-Wife He Wants Back Chapter 21: A fragile beginning
Mandy’s POVSitting at the edge of my bed, I stared at the chipped mug in my hands. It was one of those small, stupid things that you don’t realize holds meaning until it’s too late. The faded lettering on it—Queen of Everything—mocked me in the dim light of my room. Grandma Claire had given it to me when I was still in high school, a little reminder to never let anyone make me feel less than I was worth. Back then, it was a joke. Now, it felt like a taunt. Lucas had apologized last night. A real apology, the kind where he didn’t just say the words but looked me in the eye, laid himself bare, and admitted he’d screwed up. It wasn’t something Lucas did often—admit fault, I mean. He was the man who had everything figured out, the one with the answers, the solutions, the damn checklist for how the world should work. But last night, he’d been different. Raw. Real. Vulnerable, even. And I... I didn’t know how to feel about it. I turned the mug over in my hands, my thoughts circ
Last Updated : 2024-12-12The Club Star Ex-Wife He Wants Back Chapter 22: A Quiet Effort
Lucas’s POVI’d spent hours in my office today, looking over everything I could find on Mandy’s financial situation. It wasn’t just the bills or the debts that haunted her. No, it was something deeper—something that clung to her even when she smiled, even when she pretended everything was fine. The weight of it all had been too much for her, and I’d been too blind to see it. I leaned back in my chair, rubbing my face. How the hell had I not seen it before? Mandy had been living like she was carrying the weight of the world, all while I’d been focused on my own damn problems. Her pride, her independence—they had always been part of who she was, but I never stopped to think about what those things might cost her. I thought about the way she’d looked at me the night before—unsure, guarded, but still willing to listen. There was hope in her eyes, but it was fragile, like glass. And I didn’t want to break it. I knew I had a lot of work to do to make up for everything I’d done. But
Last Updated : 2024-12-12
Latest chapter
The Club Star Ex-Wife He Wants Back Chapter 56 : A Dangerous Bargain
Lucas's POVThe thoughts of the flash drive burned a hole in my pocket as I made my way toward Damian’s office. Each step felt heavier than the last, the urgency of the situation pressing down on me. I had the evidence. I had the proof. This was the moment I had been waiting for, the moment where I would confront him and expose the truth. But as I walked, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was stepping into something far darker than I had ever imagined. Not long, I arrived at his building, the sleek, modern structure towering above me, casting a long shadow across the street. I had been here before, but today felt different. However, the elevator ride up to his floor was silent, the hum of the machinery the only sound. When the doors opened, I stepped out into the polished hallway, my mind focused on one thing confronting Damian. His office door was ajar, and I didn’t hesitate to push it open. Damian was sitting behind his desk, as calm and collected as ever. His eyes lifted f
The Club Star Ex-Wife He Wants Back Chapter 55 : So, I Was Right
Lucas povThe weight of Damian’s words was suffocating, lingering in my mind like a poison I couldn’t escape. He had spoken with such calm confidence, as if he knew I was already ensnared in his game. Though, he was right. I didn’t know who I was up against. But I would. I sat at my desk, the dim glow of the lamp illuminating the file in front of me. It was a collection of Damian’s known dealings—business ventures, partnerships, investments—but none of it explained the darkness I sensed beneath the surface. Damian wasn’t just a ruthless businessman or a manipulative relative. He was something far worse. Then, I grabbed my phone, hesitating for only a moment before dialing the number of the private investigator I had hired months ago. “Mr. Lucas,” came the gruff voice on the other end. “What can I do for you?” “I need you to dig deeper into Damian’s past,” I said, my voice steady despite the storm raging inside me. “Everything. Connections, dealings, anyone he’s worked with. L
The Club Star Ex-Wife He Wants Back Chapter 54 : The Unraveling
Mandy's POVThe weight of the envelope Lucas had found still hung in the air, heavy and suffocating. I couldn’t shake the feeling that everything was unraveling faster than I could keep up with. The truth about Damian, the lies, the betrayal—it was all coming to light in a way I wasn’t prepared for.But what unsettled me the most was Lucas. He had always been a man of control, of precision, someone who could calculate every move. But now, as he stood there, holding that envelope with a look of determination in his eyes, I saw a different side of him. A side that was vulnerable, desperate even, to protect Emily and me.I had always known that Lucas cared about Emily—how could he not? But this? This was something deeper. He was willing to burn bridges, to confront the very people who had shaped his life, all for the sake of the little girl who wasn’t even his by blood. It was hard to ignore the emotion that swelled in my chest when I saw him like this, fighting for us.“Are you sure ab
The Club Star Ex-Wife He Wants Back Chapter 53 : The Envelope
Lucas’s POVMy hands were shaking as I held the envelope, the weight of it pressing down on me like a heavy stone. The words on the paper still haunted me: "You can’t protect her forever. She’s mine now."But it wasn’t just the cryptic message that rattled me—it was what came next. As I unfolded the paper, a photograph fell out, slipping from between the folds. I bent down to pick it up, and the sight of it nearly made my heart stop.It was a picture of my elder brother, Thomas. His face was frozen in time, a younger version of him, full of life and promise. But there was something wrong about the picture. Behind him, barely visible in the background, was a figure I didn’t recognize. I stared at the image, my mind racing, as the pieces started to fall into place. My brother had died under mysterious circumstances, and I’d always suspected there was more to the story than what the police had told me. But this... this was something else entirely. I looked at the back of the photograph
The Club Star Ex-Wife He Wants Back Chapter 52 : Protecting Emily
Lucas’s POVNotwithstanding, the tension between Mandy and me was still palpable as we stood in the living room, both of us watching Emily play with her toys on the floor. The weight of the situation hung in the air, a silent understanding between us that things were escalating, and we had no choice but to put aside our differences for her sake. "Lucas, I don’t know what to do anymore," Mandy’s voice was strained, barely above a whisper, but I could hear the panic in it. I didn’t know what to say. There were no words that could make this easier. Emily’s safety was at risk, and that was all that mattered. "We’ll figure this out," I said, my voice steady, but inside, I was anything but calm. Damian’s presence loomed over us like a dark cloud, and every second felt like we were running out of time.Mandy’s eyes met mine, searching for some sign that I wasn’t as lost as I felt. "You don’t get it, do you? I’ve kept Emily safe from all of this for so long, and now… now I have to rely on
The Club Star Ex-Wife He Wants Back Chapter 51 : A New Threat
Lucas’s POVMeanwhile, on the next day, the weight of the files on my desk felt heavier than usual, and the air in my office seemed thicker as I sifted through the documents. Every page I turned revealed more lies, more betrayals. The deeper I dug into Damian’s involvement in my family’s business, the more it became clear: he had orchestrated so much of the chaos that had plagued my life.I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong—something bigger than just business deals or power struggles. Damian’s reach extended far beyond the boardrooms and into the very heart of my family. He had manipulated everyone, even me. I slammed the folder shut, frustration bubbling up inside me. I had to confront him. I couldn’t let this go any longer. I needed answers, and I needed them now. But I couldn’t do this alone. I had to be smart. Damian was dangerous, and if I was going to take him down, I had to be prepared.Picking up my phone, I dialed a number I had avoided for months. Grandma
The Club Star Ex-Wife He Wants Back Chapter 50 : A Dangerous Revelation
Lucas’s POVThe tension in the air was palpable, the kind that settles in your chest and refuses to let go. It had been days since the argument with Mandy, and though the words had been said, the weight of them still lingered, heavy and unresolved. But there was something else now, something that gnawed at the back of my mind. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something bigger was at play, something that had been lurking in the shadows for far too long.I sat at my desk, the dim light of the office flickering in the late hours of the night. My fingers hovered over the keys of my laptop, but I couldn’t focus on the reports in front of me. My mind kept drifting back to Damian—my half-brother, the one person I could never fully trust. There had always been something about him, something off, but I’d never been able to put my finger on it. Until now.The phone rang, pulling me from my thoughts. I glanced at the caller ID, and my stomach dropped. It was an unknown number. My first instin
The Club Star Ex-Wife He Wants Back Chapter 49: The Growing Rift
Writer’s POVHowever, the air in the room was thick with tension, each word that passed between Lucas and Mandy only adding to the weight. They stood on opposite sides of the living room, both frustrated, both unwilling to back down, yet neither truly understanding the other’s pain. The distance between them wasn’t just physical—it was emotional, and it seemed to grow with each passing day.Lucas’s jaw was clenched as he crossed his arms over his chest. His eyes, usually so calm and collected, now blazed with frustration. "You still don’t trust me, do you?" he asked, his voice low but sharp.Mandy stood near the kitchen counter, her hands gripping the edge as if it were the only thing keeping her grounded. She looked at him, her face a mixture of exhaustion and exasperation. "It’s not about trust, Lucas," she snapped. "It’s about reality. You think everything can be fixed with a smile and a nice gesture, but it’s not that simple. We’ve both made mistakes, and there’s no easy way to
The Club Star Ex-Wife He Wants Back Chapter 47 : The Missing Piece
Lucas’s POVThe letter still clutched in my hand, my heart raced as I paced the living room, the weight of the revelation pressing down on me. Mandy had written it. She had been pregnant, and I had no idea. All these years, I had blamed her for shutting me out, for keeping Emily from me. But now, I understand. I understood the fear, the hesitation, the uncertainty that had driven her decisions. And it hit me hard—too hard.I needed answers. There was no way I could keep going without knowing the full truth. I had to confront Grandma Claire. She was the one who had kept me from Emily, the one who had kept me in the dark for so long. She had to know something more. She had to.I grabbed my coat and stormed out of the apartment, my mind already racing through the possibilities. What had she known? Why hadn’t she told me about Emily? Why had she let me believe that everything was fine when it was anything but?Grandma Claire’s house was quiet when I arrived. The tall, ivy-covered house l
