Lahat ng Kabanata ng After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back: Kabanata 21 - Kabanata 30

Emily's POVThe dim glow of the flickering neon sign outside the bar cast long shadows across the near-empty room. The coldness of the place wasn’t just physical—it seeped into my bones, wrapping around me like an unwelcome shroud. I sat slumped in the corner, nursing a half-empty bottle of whiskey that I’d convinced myself would help me unwind. Instead, it only made the edges of my world blur into a dark and distorted haze.The bitter liquid burned as it slid down my throat, but it didn’t warm me. I stared at the amber ripples in my glass, my reflection distorted and unrecognizable. My mind swirled with every regret, every misstep. The room around me seemed to grow smaller, the silence louder. It was as if the world had shrunk to just me, my failures, and the suffocating weight of isolation.The alcohol churned in my stomach, threatening to revolt, but I kept drinking. The brave front I’d put on for so long was cracking, revealing the raw, trembling fear underneath. I pulled my coat t

Emily‘s povI stood frozen for a moment after I uttered the words, “I’ll think about it.” The room felt heavy, as though my own uncertainty had filled it. Damian's eyes searched mine, a faint glimmer of hope lingering in their depths, but he didn’t press me. He made one hell of a case.“I’m well-educated, have no bad habits, and I would never betray you. You can be sure about that. I take loyalty very seriously.” Damian’s words were steady and confident, a reflection of his composed demeanor.Damian was everything anyone could hope for in a man—kind, empathetic, and the picture of respectability. His every action seemed deliberate, rooted in a deep sense of integrity. Yet, I couldn’t understand why someone like him would want to be with me. My life was a mess. I was a divorcee, reeling from betrayal, and all he’d seen of me was my most vulnerable, broken self.As perfect as Damian seemed, my heart wasn’t ready. The timing felt off, like the universe had decided to test me just as I was

Maya’s POVThe soft glow of candlelight flickered against the bedroom walls as I nestled against Louis’s chest, savoring the quiet intimacy of the moment. His arm rested possessively around my waist, and for once, the world outside felt distant and unimportant. Just as my fingers traced lazy patterns along his collarbone, his phone buzzed insistently on the nightstand.I stiffened. Who would dare intrude on our time together?Louis sighed, his breath warm against my hair. He reached for the phone, casting a brief, apologetic glance my way. I craned my neck to catch the name on the screen, my heart sinking when I saw it.Emily.Of course, it had to be her. That woman was like a ghost that refused to be exorcised from our lives. Louis hesitated, his thumb hovering over the screen. For a brief, delicious moment, I thought he might ignore it. But then, to my dismay, he answered.“Emily,” he said, his tone tinged with impatience. “What is it? Don’t call me like this. Maya might misunderst

Lucy’s POVMaya’s family home was just as I’d expected—squat, with a sagging fence, chipped paint, and a yard barely clinging to life. “Mrs. Whitmore,” Lyla, Maya’s mother, greeted us with a disarming smile. Her golden locks were gathered in a delicate bun, and a modest purple gem sparkled at her neck. Though her dress was plain, it was clean and well-kept.“Mrs. Evans,” I replied, my voice smooth and composed. “Thank you for having us.”Lyla inclined her head graciously but didn’t smile. “It’s my pleasure.”There was a quiet dignity in her bearing that caught me off guard. I had expected subservience, an almost eager deference from a woman of her station. But Lyla stood poised, her gaze steady as she regarded me.As Louis exchanged pleasantries with her, my attention drifted across the street. Emily was in her yard, tending to her vegetable garden. She looked up, her gaze fixed on us with an air of calm detachment, as though she had all the time in the world.A prick of embarrassmen

Emily’s POVDuring the day, I helped run my family’s restaurant, finding a rare sense of happiness while at night I was part-timing at the bar Emma worked. She pitched the job to me, and I aced the interview thanks to my stint in a bar after high school. In just a week, she became the closest thing to a best friend. My past had made me wary of friendships, but Emma’s bright smile and no-nonsense attitude gave me hope.“You’re starting again,” Emma teased without looking up, a mischievous grin playing on her lips.“Am I?” I shot back, feigning innocence.“Daydreaming.” Emma teased, pouring the shimmering liquid into a frosted glass. “Look, if I had half your charm, I’d have men tripping over themselves just to order another round. You could probably have three boyfriends by noon if you wanted.”I rolled my eyes, laughing softly. “One is more than enough to deal with, thank you.”She arched a brow but didn’t press further. The truth was, Damian had been on my mind more than I cared to ad