Getting Back His ‘Dead’ Wife novel Chapter 1

Chapter 1

When my husband-Kendrick Salter, the richest man in Houston-fell hard for some broke college girl, I didn’t fight it.

I just signed the divorce papers, packed up, a left the country.

I ended up in a quiet little seaside town. Opened a small flower shop.

Made real friends. Started dating someone kind.

Eventually I said yes to marriage, got pregnant, and started building the family I’d always wanted.

One random afternoon an old friend from Houston burst through the door.

Stopped dead when he saw me behind the counter.

“You’re… alive?”

His voice cracked. “Why the hell didn’t you go back? Kendrick’s been looking for you for years. He’s lost his damn mind!”

I didn’t even blink.

Just raised my left hand. The simple gold band caught the sunlight.

“But I’m married now. And we have a kid.”

The shop went dead quiet.

My friend’s face drained of color.

He swallowed hard, then glanced toward the door.

I followed his eyes.

Kendrick stood there.

Tailored suit. Still ridiculously handsome.

Eyes locked on me like nothing else existed.

0.00%

12.06

Chapter 1

I remembered everything in a flash.

Year three of our marriage.

He sat me down and said it straight:

He’d fallen in love with a college girl named Lavinia Guthrie.

288 Pouchers

Asked for a divorce. Offered to walk away with everything.

thing-left me every penny, every property,

I lost it.

Cried until I couldn’t breathe.

Threw things. Begged on my knees. Threw away every shred of dignity just to hear him say he still loved me.

He only looked at me with pity.

“Matilda… I’m sorry. I don’t love you anymore.”

I went a little crazy.

Stormed onto her campus. Screamed in front of everyone that she was a homewrecker who’d ruined my life.

She lost it too.

Ran me over with her car.

I woke up in ICU. Body broken. Blood everywhere.

All I could think was: *I want her in prison. I want her to rot.*

Kendrick flew back in the middle of the night.

Fell to his knees by my bed.

“Tilda, please. Please drop the charges. She’s so young. She’s got her whole life ahead

I won’t divorce you. From now on I’ll be home every night. I’ll make it up to you. I swear.”

Watching him beg-for her-felt like someone was carving my heart out with a dull knife.

But I still loved him so much it hurt.

27.66%

12:07

Chapter 1

So I gave him what he wanted.

Dropped everything. Let Lavinia walk free.

For three whole years he played the perfect husband.

Came home on time.

Remembered every little thing I liked.

Made me hot chocolate when my period hit. Held me through nightmares.

Everyone said he’d changed. Reformed.

I believed it.

Until that night at dinner.

288 Vouchers

Some creep was harassing our waitress. Kendrick lost his temper-stepped in like the hero he always was.

When the waitress turned around, my blood went cold.

Lavinia.

He reached into his pocket. Pulled out a business card.

Handed it to her.

“Find this man. He’ll give you an easy, decent job.”

Lavinia looked at him with those big, teary eyes.

Flicked the card away.

“Ken… we’re in love. Why can’t we just be together?”

She started crying-full, heartbreaking sobs.

Kendrick’s face twisted. Pain. Conflict.

“You think I’m not miserable?

But this is the only way to keep you safe.

Lavi… be good. Take care of yourself.”

58.57%

12:07

Chapter 1

The second he turned to leave-

She lunged.

Kissed him.

I stood frozen behind the potted plants.

Watched his Adam’s apple bob as he fought himself for half a second.

Then he cupped the back of her head.

Kissed her back.

Deep. Hungry. Like he’d been starving for years.

I thought I’d gone numb three years ago.

Thought nothing could hurt like that first betrayal.

I was wrong.

The pain came roaring back-sharp, fresh, just as bad as day one.

Looking at the love and hunger in his eyes…

I realized those three years I’d clung to?

They were a joke.

A pretty lie I told myself so I could keep breathing.

83.98%

125 Mouchers

12.07