Ex Wife's Collapse After Divorce novel Chapter 16

Chapter 16

“Does it matter?”

“Of course it matters!” Vivian’s teeth clenched so hard the tendons in her neck stood out. Fury blazed in her eyes – not at herself, but outward. “Whoever told you is trying to drive a wedge between us. They want us to divorce. Tell me. Who was it?

Ethan’s voice exploded through the hallway.

“Enough!”

Vivian flinched. Her mouth snapped shut. She stared at him, stunned into silence.

“Vivian. Before today, I was your husband. You hid all of this from me – and you think that’s acceptable? Now someone tells me the truth, and your first reaction isn’t guilt. It isn’t shame. It’s anger – that someone dared to let me know?”

He stepped closer. His voice dropped to something quiet and lethal.

“What is going on inside your head? When did your values get this twisted? The woman I married – the girl who used to be soft, who used to curl up next to me and hold my hand – she’s gone. I don’t know who you are anymore.”

He stepped back.

“We’re done. Whatever’s going on in your life – I’ve let it go. I’m not going to dig into it. I don’t care anymore.” “No-” Vivian lunged forward, grabbing his sleeve. Words tumbled out in a desperate rush. “You don’t understand. I brought Damian back to punish him. To get revenge for him leaving me back then. That’s all it was.” “And then- then I found out he had connections. Resources. So I wanted to use him-”

“And what does any of that have to do with me?”

Ethan’s voice was ice.

“That’s between you and him. You want revenge? Go ahead. You want to use him? Be my guest. But leave me out of it. Whatever filthy game you two are playing – it makes me sick.”

He pulled his sleeve free, grabbed his suitcase, and walked.

He didn’t look back.

“Ethan! I told you everything! Why are you still leaving? I said my heart only has you – me? Why?”

Vivian’s voice echoed down the hallway. Helpless. Shattered.

She watched his back disappear around the corner.

why won’t you believe

Her legs gave out. She slid to the floor, back against the doorframe, and buried her face in her hands.

The night air hit his face as he stepped out of the apartment complex.

Ethan stood at the gate, suitcase beside him, and pulled out his phone.

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Headlights cut through the darkness less than three minutes later. A red sports car pulled up to the curb. Aurora stepped out.

He’d texted her before leaving the apartment – asked her to send someone to pick him up. He hadn’t asked her to come personally.

“Young Master.” Aurora circled the car and popped the trunk. A grin tugged at the corner of her mouth. “Does this count as overtime?”

Ethan huffed a short laugh. “No. I told you to send someone. Didn’t say you had to come yourself. This one’s on you.”

Aurora pouted – an expression that looked absurd on the face of Crestwood’s most feared female CEO.

They got in the car.

The drive was short. The sports car pulled up in front of a villa – clean lines, modern architecture, dark hedges lining the driveway.

Aurora killed the engine and went straight for the trunk. She grabbed the suitcase handle and pulled.

It didn’t budge.

She pulled harder. Adjusted her grip. Tried again.

Nothing.

Ethan leaned against the car, watching. The corner of his mouth curved upward.

“What are you smiling at?” Aurora’s face flushed. She shot him a glare. “Did you pack rocks in this thing? It weighs a ton.”

Ethan stepped forward, reached past her, and lifted the suitcase out with one hand.

He extended the handle and started toward the front door.

“It’s late. Head home. Text me when you get there so I know you’re safe.”

“Oh.” Aurora nodded. Quiet. Obedient.

Then she pulled out her phone.

Ethan reached the villa’s front door, fished out a key, and turned the lock.

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