Ex Wife's Collapse After Divorce novel Chapter 10

Chapter 10

“Then what is it?”

A beat of silence.

“It’s Ethan.”

The name landed in the car like a stone dropped into still water.

Damian’s jaw tightened for half a second before he smoothed it away. He leaned closer, lowering his voice.

“Don’t tell me you feel guilty.”

Vivian opened her eyes. She didn’t deny it.

“Viv.” Damian’s tone was earnest, almost incredulous. “You’re his wife. You suspected he was cheating – of course you went to confront him. That’s what any wife would do. Are you supposed to just sit at home and pretend everything’s fine?”

Vivian’s lips parted, but Damian didn’t give her space.

“Even if it turned out to be a misunderstanding – so what? You explain, you clear the air, you move on. That’s normal.” His voice hardened just a touch. “What’s not normal is the way he spoke to you. In front of all those people. Mocking you. Humiliating you. That’s what’s unforgivable.”

Vivian’s jaw tightened. The memory surged back – Ethan’s flat eyes, his quiet, merciless voice dismantling her in front of an audience.

You were worried about your property. That’s all I ever was to you.

Her nails dug into her elbows.

“You’re right,” she said quietly. “You’re right, he was out of line.”

“Exactly.”

“But I still need to smooth things over.” Vivian uncrossed her arms and reached for her phone. “Whatever’s going on with him – whatever this phase is – I need to bring him back down to earth before it gets worse.”

She paused, then added: “I just need to talk to him. Calmly. Remind him what we have.”

Damian’s expression froze for half a second. A muscle in his jaw twitched.

“…Why?”

Vivian looked up. “What do you mean, why?”

“Why do you need to smooth things over?” Damian’s voice was carefully neutral. “You told me you signed the divorce agreement. It’s done.”

Vivian hesitated.

The hesitation told Damian everything.

“Vivian.”

“We signed the agreement,” she said slowly. “But we haven’t filed at the courthouse. It’s not… legally finalized.”

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The air between them changed.

Damian stared at her. His throat worked once. Twice.

“So you’re still married to him.”

“Technically.”

“Technically.”

He repeated the word like it tasted wrong. His fingers curled at his sides – then uncurled. The mask slid back into place. The understanding boyfriend. The supportive partner.

“Okay.” He nodded. Smiled. “Then go ahead. Smooth things over.”

Vivian relaxed slightly.

“He’s angry,” Damian continued, his tone light and reasonable. “I get it. He’s putting on a show. Flexing his ego. It happens. But at the end of the day, you’re Vivian Lockwood. You’re the most important person in his life. All you have to do is lower yourself just a little – show him some softness – and he’ll come running back.”

He reached out and squeezed her hand.

“He always will. Men like him don’t have options, Viv. You are his option.”

Vivian looked at him. Something warm and grateful flickered in her eyes.

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