LOGINShare
Chapter 21: A fragile beginning
Last Updated:
2024-12-12 04:38:32
Related chapters
The 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 : 2024-12-12The Club Star Ex-Wife He Wants Back Chapter 23: Unspoken Struggles
Mandy’s POVI shouldn’t have been surprised, but I was. It was a quiet Monday morning when I walked into the club and saw the look on Dan’s face. He didn’t even have to say anything—his expression said it all. I knew the moment I’d been informed about my canceled performances, the ripple effects were inevitable. I hadn’t expected it to be this bad, but there it was. “Mandy,” Dan started, his voice cold, even though I’d worked for him for over two years. “Can you explain to me why you’re not following through on your contract? The club needs you. You know that.” Hearing this, I stood there for a moment, trying to steady my nerves. My hands had started shaking, and I hated that. I hated feeling so out of control. The last thing I wanted to do was disappoint anyone—especially not Dan, who had always been fair with me. But the truth was, I couldn’t go on like this. “I know,” I said, my voice quieter than I intended. “It’s just... I need a break. Things have been rough lately. I’m
Last Updated : 2024-12-12The Club Star Ex-Wife He Wants Back Chapter 24: The Past Uncovered
Lucas’s POVThe truth was, I hadn’t expected the last few weeks to be this hard. I had hoped—naively, maybe—that all the damage I’d done would somehow fade away, that time and a few apologies would be enough to rebuild what I’d broken. But Mandy wasn’t something that could just be fixed with a few words. She was complicated, layered with history and pain, and a part of me had always known I’d have to dig deeper if I wanted to truly understand her.I had made up my mind a while ago that I was going to make things right, not just for the sake of getting back together, but for her—for her peace of mind. She’d let me in, little by little, but there were still pieces of her that I hadn’t touched, parts of her past that she kept hidden. However, one night, as I sat at my desk at home, sorting through a mix of emails, paperwork, and random thoughts, a thought crossed my mind. Grandma Claire. Maybe Grandma Claire held the key to understanding Mandy better despite her being my grandmother.
Last Updated : 2024-12-12The Club Star Ex-Wife He Wants Back Chapter 25: Bridges of Hope
Mandy’s POVI sat on the edge of my bed, staring at the phone in my hand. The screen was lit up, but I didn’t touch it. I hadn’t called Emily in what felt like weeks. I missed her voice—her laughter, her little jokes, the way she’d say “I love you” before hanging up, like it was the most natural thing in the world. I knew I should call her, but something inside me held me back. There were too many things I was hiding from her. Too many things I didn’t want her to worry about. But today, I couldn’t ignore it any longer. I needed to hear her. I needed to feel that connection, that bond I’d built with her over the years. So, I finally tapped my phone screen and selected Wendy's name from my contacts, waiting for the call to connect. I didn’t know what I’d say once Emily answered, but the thought of hearing her voice was enough to push past the hesitation.When Wendy picked up, it was as if a weight I hadn’t realized I’d been carrying lifted off my chest."Hi Wendy, sorry for disturb
Last Updated : 2024-12-12The Club Star Ex-Wife He Wants Back Chapter 26: Truths and Consequences
Mandy’s POVI sat at the kitchen table, my fingers running over the edges of the letter, the words blurring together in front of me. It was a letter from the club’s manager, something about my canceled performances and some backdoor deal that had been made to cover my financial losses. The numbers were high, too high for someone who had been in my shoes for the past few months. It was generous, but it felt wrong.I hadn’t asked for this. I hadn’t wanted it. It felt like someone had swept in and fixed things for me without asking if I needed them fixed at all.The realization hit me like a cold wave, one that I couldn’t ignore Lucas. He had done this. He had found a way to fix my mess, just like he always tried to do—whether I wanted him to or not. Part of me wanted to be grateful. Hell, it was hard not to be, considering how close I’d been to losing everything. But the other part of me felt suffocated by his actions, trapped in this constant cycle where I was always the one needin
Last Updated : 2024-12-12The Club Star Ex-Wife He Wants Back Chapter 27: Patience in progress
Lucas’s POVIt had been weeks since that conversation with Mandy. I’d spent most of those weeks walking on eggshells, trying not to overstep, trying to be more patient, more understanding. But what I’d learned in all that time was that patience wasn’t something I was particularly good at. I was used to getting what I wanted, to making things happen with a push, with influence, with money. But none of that worked with Mandy despite knowing her all my life. She wasn’t like everyone else. She was stubborn, but not in the way I was. She wasn’t built to rely on anyone, not even me.I leaned back in the chair in my office, staring out the window. The view was the same—tall buildings, busy streets—but today, it felt different. More distant.Maybe because I wasn’t feeling as in control as I usually did. The business, my life, everything had always been about control. But Mandy, she wasn’t someone I could control, and that had been a hard lesson for me to learn.I picked up the phone, about
Last Updated : 2024-12-12The Club Star Ex-Wife He Wants Back Chapter 28: Shadows of the Past
Mandy's POVThe apartment was quiet, the kind of quiet that felt deliberate. Lucas sat across from me on the couch, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp, like he was trying to read me without overstepping. For once, he wasn’t trying to fix anything. He wasn’t offering solutions or apologies or declarations of how much he’d changed. He was just... there. It was strange, this version of Lucas. Softer. Patient. It made me nervous, like I was waiting for the other shoe to drop. But at the same time, I couldn’t help but feel myself relax, just a little. We talked about nothing in particular—work, the weather and somehow the conversation drifted to the past, and we ended up laughing about a memory I hadn’t thought of in years. It was one of those rare moments when things between us had been easy, uncomplicated. I mean, I didn’t realize how much I’d missed that. “I’ll grab us some tea,” Lucas said, standing and heading to the kitchen. So, I nodded and watched him go. The silence
Last Updated : 2025-01-01The Club Star Ex-Wife He Wants Back Chapter 29 : Frustration and Helplessness
Lucas’s POVDriving myself away from Mandy's apartment, the city lights blurred into streaks of gold and white as the weight of the evening pressed heavily on my chest. My hands gripped the steering wheel, tighter than necessary, but I couldn’t seem to loosen them. My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts—frustration, confusion, and a gnawing helplessness that refused to let go. "What went wrong?" I wondered to myself.One minute, Mandy and I were laughing, sharing a moment that felt almost normal, almost like the way things used to be. And then—just like that—everything shattered. She froze, her face turned pale and her eyes became distant, like she wasn’t even in the room anymore. I’d seen fear before, but not like this. This was something deeper, something that reached into the darkest parts of her. And I had no idea how to help. I replayed the moment over and over in my head, searching for the trigger, the thing that had sent her spiraling. But nothing stood out. Was it someth
Last Updated : 2025-01-01
Latest chapter
The Club Star Ex-Wife He Wants Back Chapter 76 : The Connection Uncovered
Mandy’s POVI sat across from Lucas, the weight of everything pressing down on my chest. The tension between us was thick, more suffocating than I had anticipated. Ever since we learned that Horizon Enterprises was tied to my past, the air felt different. I could feel Lucas’s eyes on me, the same intensity I had seen when he was dealing with the threats to his business. But this time, it wasn’t just about the company. It was about me.“Are you sure about this?” I asked, my voice trembling despite my best efforts to remain composed. “I mean, this... this whole thing, this connection to my past, it could be a lot more than you think.”Lucas didn’t respond immediately. He was always so calm under pressure, but I could tell he was wrestling with his own thoughts. His jaw tightened, and his eyes flickered with a mix of frustration and determination. I had seen that look before. And right now, I was the one standing in his way.“I’ve been digging into Horizon Enterprises,” he said, his v
The Club Star Ex-Wife He Wants Back Chapter 75 : The New Threat
Lucas’s POVThe morning after Mandy’s conversation with her distant sister, Rebecca, the air in our house felt different. It was heavier, charged with the weight of the past that had suddenly resurfaced, and the uncertainty of what was to come. Mandy had spent the night processing everything, and I could see the tension in her eyes. She was trying to keep it together, but I knew she was struggling. I, on the other hand, was trying to keep my mind off of everything that had happened. But life didn’t give me that luxury. I had been sitting in my office for hours, going through reports and emails, trying to focus on the numbers and figures that usually kept my mind occupied. But the more I tried to concentrate, the more my thoughts kept drifting back to Mandy, to her past, and to the mess that Rebecca had dropped into our lives. It was frustrating, but I couldn’t let it distract me for long. I had a business to run, and the company wasn’t going to wait for me to sort out my pers
The Club Star Ex-Wife He Wants Back Chapter 74 : Unexpected Visitors
Mandy’s POVJust when I thought life was finally beginning to settle down, when I could breathe without the constant weight of worry on my chest, the universe decided to throw me another curveball. The day had started like any other. Lucas and I had spent the morning talking about our plans for the future—our family, our life together, the dreams we had for Emily. We were in a good place, finally. I couldn’t remember the last time I felt this at peace, like the storm had passed and the calm had settled in. But then, as the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the living room, the doorbell rang. I was curled up on the couch, Emily playing at my feet, and Lucas was in the kitchen, preparing dinner. It was a rare, quiet evening, and I didn’t expect anyone. The doorbell rang again, more insistently this time. I looked up, my heart skipping a beat for no reason I could explain. I stood up slowly, walking toward the door with a feeling of unease settling in my stomach. When
The Club Star Ex-Wife He Wants Back Chapter 73 : The Proposal
Mandy’s POV It was morning and I woke up to the sound of soft footsteps, the kind that only Emily’s little feet could make. The sun had barely risen, but there was already a sense of excitement in the air. I could feel it, even before I opened my eyes. “Mama, wake up!” Emily’s voice was full of joy, and I couldn’t help but smile as I stretched under the covers. I opened my eyes to find her standing beside the bed, her hands clasped together as if she were holding onto something important. She was wearing the biggest grin, her little face glowing with excitement. “Good morning, sweetie,” I murmured, my voice still heavy with sleep. “Guess what? Daddy says we’re going somewhere special today!” She bounced on her toes, unable to contain her enthusiasm. I sat up, my curiosity piqued. “Oh, really? Where are we going?” “I don’t know, but it’s a surprise!” she said, giggling. I couldn’t help but laugh. It was rare that Emily kept a secret, especially when it involved somethin
The Club Star Ex-Wife He Wants Back Chapter 72 : A New Beginning
Lucas’s POVThe soft hum of the city outside was a constant reminder of the world I’d been part of for so long. But lately, everything felt different. The meetings, the deals, the endless grind—it all felt distant, as if I were looking at it from the outside. I sat at my desk, staring at the stacks of paperwork that had once consumed me. But now, they felt like a weight I didn’t want to carry anymore. I’d spent so much of my life focused on building an empire, on ensuring my success, that I had neglected the most important things—my family, my values, and my integrity. Taking a deep breath, I pushed the papers aside. The lessons I’d learned over the past few months had been hard-earned, but they had changed me. Damian, Mary, the lies, the betrayals—it all had been a wake-up call. And now, I am determined to do better. I had already taken the first steps. I’d begun to clean up my business practices, ensuring that everything was above board. The company was now under the scruti
The Club Star Ex-Wife He Wants Back Chapter 71 : Picking Up the Pieces
Mandy’s POVUpon our arrival back home from the terminal, the house felt quieter than usual. Not the eerie, tension-laden silence we’d been living in for months, but a peaceful calm that seemed almost foreign. Damian was in custody, Mary was gone, and for the first time, I felt like we could finally relax. With that, Lucas sat on the couch, his head rested in his hands. He looked exhausted but relieved, as if the weight of the world had finally been lifted from his shoulders. And as I stood in the doorway for a moment, just watching him, we had been through so much, and yet, here we were, still standing. “Hey,” I said softly, stepping into the room as he looked up, his eyes meeting mine. “Hey.” he replied, as a soft smile followed.Then, I sat down beside him as the space between us felt smaller than it had in a long time. And at that moment, neither of us spoke through the silence. It wasn't uncomfortable, but it was rather heavy with unspoken words. “Are you okay?” I finally
The Club Star Ex-Wife He Wants Back Chapter 70 : Mary's downfall
Mandy’s POVThe morning after Damian’s arrest, the air in our home felt lighter, as if an invisible weight had been lifted. Lucas was in the kitchen making pancakes for Emily, who giggled as he flipped them with exaggerated flair. Gosh, I finally allowed myself to breathe. But peace is a fragile thing. My phone buzzed on the counter, shattering the moment. The message was from an unknown number, but the content was unmistakable."You think you’ve won? Watch your back.”My stomach churned upon reading it and I knew there was only one person who could have sent this—Mary. So, I turned to Lucas, my voice steady despite the storm brewing inside me. “She’s not done.” He frowned, setting the spatula down. “Who?” “Mary,” I said, holding up my phone. “She’s trying to make a run for it. And she’s still threatening us.” Lucas’s jaw tightened, his calm demeanor replaced with a fierce protectiveness. “She won’t get far. Not this time.” With that, we quickly made arrangements for a
The Club Star Ex-Wife He Wants Back Chapter 69 : A Line Drawn in the Sand
Lucas’s POVThe night air was heavy, the kind that seemed to cling to your skin and make it hard to breathe. Mandy sat beside me in the car, her jaw tight and her hands clasped together in her lap. She hadn’t said much since we got the anonymous message, and I couldn’t blame her. I’d dragged her into this mess—into my mess. And now we were driving straight toward the man who’d been a shadow over my life for far too long. “We don’t have to do this,” I said quietly, my grip tightening on the steering wheel. She turned to me, her eyes sharp and unwavering. “Yes, we do. This ends tonight, Lucas. For Emily's sake.” Her determination was like a lifeline, pulling me out of my spiraling thoughts. I nodded, focusing on the road ahead. However, the address led us to an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of town. It was the kind of place where secrets were born and lives unraveled. And as we pulled up, I spotted Ethan’s car parked nearby. He is my friend and he insisted on coming, h
The Club Star Ex-Wife He Wants Back Chapter 68 : His honesty
Mandy’s POVThe house was quiet, save for the faint hum of the heater kicking in. Lucas sat on the couch, his phone gripped tightly in his hands, his face a mask of tension. My earlier question hung in the air like a storm cloud. “Who sent this?” I asked again, my voice firmer this time. He didn’t look up, but I saw the way his jaw tightened, the way his shoulders stiffened. Whatever he was holding back, it was big. My heart pounded as I crossed the room and sat beside him. “Lucas,” I pressed, my tone soft but unyielding. “Talk to me.” He exhaled sharply, finally setting his phone down on the coffee table. His hands raked through his hair, leaving it even messier than before. “It’s from....," He paused as a quick sigh escaped from him as he continued immediately. " It's from someone who knows Damian,” he said, his voice low. "Damian?" I quipped. "Is that why the message stated, “You can’t hide forever. The truth will come out.”"What are you hiding again, Lucas, what truth
