Once Cast-Off Wife Now Untouchable Queen novel Chapter 387

Chapter 387 Waiting

“What are you doing out here? You should be resting!”

Brad rushed forward, pulling off his jacket and wrapping it tight around Raine’s shoulders.

Raine’s eyes glistened with tears. “I called you so many times. You didn’t pick up. I thought you weren’t coming.”

Brad’s chest tightened. He drew her close, his voice low and gentle. “I must’ve hit silent by mistake,” he said.

“But listen to me. Wherever you are, I’ll be there. You couldn’t get rid of me even if you tried.”

Raine’s voice came out soft and shaky. “Your mom dropped off your stuff today. She said you should stay here. She said your brother and his wife can handle the Kellers.”

Brad blinked, speechless. “She really said that?”

That was his mom all right.

Throwing him out like last week’s trash.

Inside, the air felt heavy.

Virginia was falling apart. Every time she woke up, she cried until her voice broke. No one could reach her.

Ralph wasn’t doing any better. His freshly dyed hair looked forced, his suit too formal. He stood to greet guests, but his eyes were hollow, like a man made of smoke.

A week had gone by after Tyrone died.

Aella was at work when Tyrone’s aunt called. She asked if Aella wanted to go with Raine to the cemetery for the memorial.

Aella refused.

She had work to do.

Patients in the morning. A science program to film that night.

And deep down, she didn’t want to stand in front of that grave again.

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Chapter 387 Waiting

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Finished

By the time she left the TV station, it was past nine.

The roads were empty, quiet under the dim streetlights. She drove home, the car gliding through the night. As she neared her neighborhood gate, her hands froze on the steering wheel. Tyrone was standing by the roadside. He was holding a small child, waving at her.

Her pulse jumped. Before she could blink, he stepped into the street. The child was still in his

arins.

Her instincts kicked in. She yanked the wheel hard.

A deafening crash tore through the night. Metal screamed against metal. The impact threw her forward.

The car jolted to a stop. Her head hit the window. Her vision blurred. Darkness closed in.

Before she slipped away, flashes of her past life flickered through her mind like shattered glass.

“Relax! You two look like you’re posing for mugshots, not wedding photos!”

Aella blinked. Her heart hammered as she looked around. In front of her, a bright sign read “City Hall Wedding Photoshoot Booth.”

What?

Her mind went blank.

She looked down. A white blouse. Then turned her head.

Tyrone stood beside her. He wore the same shirt. Tyrone?

Her whole body froze. They exchanged a look. Aella’s eyes were filled with disbelief.

She grabbed his wrist, staring at his watch.

The world tilted. She was back.

Back on the day she and Tyrone had gotten married.

“Aella?”

His voice–familiar and calm–sent a jolt through her. She met his eyes. They were deep, steady, cautious.

The photographer groaned. “Are you two doing this or not? I’ve got other couples waiting.”

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Before he finished, Aella shoved Tyrone away and ran.

She ran like she was running from a nightmare.

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Fromaned

This marriage was not happening. Not again.

Behind her, Tyrone stood frozen. His eyes turned red as he watched her disappear through the

door.

Aella burst into her parents‘ home, her chest rising and falling so fast it hurt. The smell of cooking filled the air. Her parents were in the kitchen.

Everything was the same–warm, bright, alive.

Her heart pounded so hard it hurt. It wanted to jump out of her chest.

The wedding had been planned for the end of the month. Tyrone had bought this luxury apartment downtown for her family. A “gift,” he’d called it.

This place was right smack in the city center and was worth more than 11 million.

He’d given her parents a card too, ten thousand dollars every month for “living expenses.” He said her parents were his parents too.

And he’d paid off every last debt the Reids owed.

In the past, he had written down every cent, every favor, every payment–only to throw it all back at her when things crumbled.

Not this time. Her brother was still just a middle schooler. He hadn’t been sent off to that private school Tyrone had chosen.

She still had time. She would return everything and cut all ties. She would not marry him again.

She would not make the same mistake again.

Her mother’s voice snapped her back. “Aella, you’re home already? Where’s Tyrone?”

Her father turned around. “Did you get the marriage license? Let me see it.”

Their faces were younger now–healthy, bright, full of life.

Aella’s eyes stung.

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*Finished

Her mother’s heart was still strong. Her father’s hair still dark.

They were both okay. That alone made her want to cry.

This time, she would take care of them. This time, she wouldn’t let love blind her. This time, she would give her their time.

She led her parents to the couch and stood in front of them.

Her tone turned firm.

“Dad, Mom,” she said quietly, “I’m not marrying Tyrone.”

Miriam and Warren froze, exchanging startled looks.

Miriam’s voice wavered. “Aella, did you two get into a fight?”

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