Rise of the Formidable Ex-wife (Lucia and Alex) novel Chapter 138

Chapter 138

“Monica’s bedroom door was closed when Lucia and Alexander reached the top of the stairs, but the sound of crying came

through the wood Soft, broken sobs that made Lucia’s chest ache.

Lucia knocked gently. “Monica Sweetheart, can we come in?”

The crying stopped for a moment. Then came a small, shaky voice. “Is he gone?”

“He’s gone, baby. He left”

The door opened a crack. Monica’s face appeared, red and swollen from tears. Pler eyes were wide with fear, darting past Lucia and Alexander as if she expected Marco to suddenly appear behind them.

“Are you sure?” The whisper came barely audible.

I’m sure. Alexander watched him drive away. He’s not coming back tonight.”

nica opened the door wider, and Lucia saw that Lena was sitting on the bed behind her, holding Monica’s hand. Both

looked terrified, their faces pale and drawn.

la stepped into the room and

1. Monica’s whole body sho

He’s going to make me go b

“No, he’s not.” Lucia stroke

“You heard him. He said

“He can say whatever

Monica pulled back if I have to live the

Lucia cupped M you with ever environmen

“He’s my

“Ther

you

Monica into her arms. Her daughter pollapsed against her, the sobs returning full

gers clutching at Lucia’s shirt like she was afraid to let go.

rds came muffled against Lucia’s shoulder. “He’s going to take me away from you.”

r, feeling how thin her daughter had become. “I won’t let that happen.”

le said he’d take me back by force.”

ot taking you anywhere.”

a face filled with panic. “But what if he does? What if a judge makes me go back? What

hands, forcing her daughter to meet her eyes. “Listen to me. Really listen. I will fight for go to court. I will hire the best lawyers. I will show every judge in this state what kind of You are not going back to that house.”

ght say I have to live with him.”

or medical records. We’ll show them the evidence of neglect. We’ll show them what happened to

s voice came fierce, protective. “No judge is going to send you back to a place where you hurt

believe me? What if they think I’m making it up?”

ward, his presence calm and steady. “Monica, look at me.”

ightened eyes to him.

1. We have documentation. We have photographs. We have witness statements from your siblings. We We need to prove that you weren’t safe there.”

ey too. He has lawyers.”

r

er ones.” Alexander’s voice came firm but gentle. “And more importantly, we have the truth. Your father can wyers in the world, but he can’t change the facts.”

ed between Lucia and Alexander, her lower lip trembling. “I don’t want to go back. I can’t go back there.” Lucia pulled her close again. “I promise you, baby. You won’t.”

home od up from the bed, her own eyes bright with unshed tears. “We won’t let him take you, Monica. This is your

reached out with one hand, and Lena took it, squeezing tight. “I’m scared.”

w you are.” Lucia kissed the top of Monica’s head. “But you’re safe here. We’re all going to protect you.”

if he comes back tonight? What if h

ear in Monica’s voice was so re

ed their daughter so badly

nade a decision. “The

eyes widened.

not leavin

abs me while I’m sleeping?”

throat tighten. This was what Marco had done. He’d

bedroom.

Chapter 138

Alexander nodded in agreement. “And I’ll have security do extra rounds tonight. Nobody is getting through those gates.”

San! slap too?” bena’s question came quiet but hopeful Like a sleepover?”

Monica looked at Lena with something like gratitude. “You want to?”

“Of course I do. You’re my sister now. Sisters stick together”

Lucia felt warmth spread through her chest despite the fear and anger still churning there. Lena had embraced Monica so completely, so naturally. There was no jealousy, no resentment. Just pure acceptance and love.

“A family sleepover it is.” Alexander’s mouth coxxyed into a small smile. “I’ll go get some extra blankets and pillows.

As Alexander left the room, Lucia guided Monica back to the bed. The three of them sat together, Monica in the middle, Lena and Lucia on either side.

“I heard everything he said.” Monica’s voice came small, asharned. “I tried not to listen, but his voice was so loud. He was yelling at you.”

“I know, sweetheart. I’m sorry you had to hear that.”

“He said you kidnapped me. He said you attacked Margaret.” Monica looked up at Lucia with worried eyes. “Did you really hurt her?”

Lucia took a breath, choosing her words carefully. “Margaret tried to stop me from bringing you home. We fought. I defended myself and I protected you.”

“She’s saying you beat her up for no reason.”

“Margaret is lying. Just like your father is lying.” Lucia’s voice came steady, calm. “They’re trying to make themselves look like victims so that I look like the bad person.”

“But you’re not the bad person. You came to save me.”

“I know that. You know that. And soon, everyone else will know that too.”

Monica was quiet for a moment, her fingers picking at the bandages on her arms. “What did he mean when he said you could keep me if you divorced Alexander and went back to him?”

Lucia felt anger spike through her again. “He’s trying to manipulate me. He thinks he can use you as a bargaining chip to get what he wants.”

“What does he want?”

“He wants his old life back. The one where he had control over everything and everyone.”

“Are you going to do it?” Monica’s voice wavered. “Are you going to go back to him so I can stay here?”

“No.” The word came immediate and absolute. “I’m not going back to your father. Not for any reason.”

“But then he’ll take me away.”

“He’ll try. But he’ll fail.” Lucia turned Monica to face her fully. “Listen to me carefully. I am not choosing between you and Alexander. I am choosing both of you. I am choosing this family. I am choosing safety and love and health. Your father doesn’t get to make those kinds of demands anymore.”

“He sounded so angry. Like he really meant it when he said he’d make you pay.”

r

“He probably did mean it. But that doesn’t mean he can actually do anything.” Lucia brushed a strand of hair from Monica’s face. “Your father is desperate. He’s lost everything because of his own choices, and now he’s lashing out at everyone around him.”

Lena leaned her head on Monica’s shoulder. “My dad won’t let anything happen to you. He’s really protective.”

“He seems nice.” Monica’s voice came tentative. “Is he really okay with me being here? I mean, I’m not his daughter.” “You are now.” Lena lifted her head to look at Monica. “Dad doesn’t do things halfway. If he says you’re family, you’re family Alexander returned with an armful of blankets and pillows. “Who’s ready for the most comfortable sleepover in history?” Despite everything, Monica managed a tiny smile. “You don’t have to do all this.”

“I know.” Alexander started arranging blankets on the floor beside the bed. “But I want to. You’ve been through something traumatic tonight. Nobody should have to face that alone.”

Lucia watched as Alexander created a cozy nest of pillows and blankets on the carpet. He moved with quiet efficiency, making sure everything was perfect. This man who had every reason to resent Marco’s children had instead welcomed them with open arms.

“Mom?” Monica’s voice pulled Lucia’s attention back. “What if the nightmares come back?”

Chapter 138

“Then I’ll be right here I’!! wake you up I’ll remind you where you are.”

#used to merrnightmares every night at Dad’s house. About you. About losing you forever” Lucia’s heart broke all over again. “I’m so sorry, baby. I’m so sorry I let things get that bad.”

“It wasn’t your fault. Dad kept saying it was, but it wasn’t ” Monica’s eyes filled with fresh tears. “He said you abandoned us because you were selfish. He said you chose Alexander over your own children. But that’s not true, is it?”

“No, sweetheart. It’s not true. I made mistakes. I let my hurt feelings keep me from fighting for you when I should have. But I never stopped loving you. Not for one second”

“I wanted to call you so many times. But I was scared you wouldn’t answer. And then when you didn’t come get me from school, I thought you really didn’t love me anymore.”

“That was the worst mistake I ever made.” Lucia’s voice cracked. “I should have come. I should have put my pride aside and come when you needed me.”

“You came eventually. That’s what matters.” Monica wiped her eyes. “You came when Ria and Lucas told you how bad it was.”

Lena settled onto the nest of blankets on the floor. “This is actually kind of fon. Like camping.”

Alexander sat down beside his daughter, his back against the bed frame. “When’s the last time you went camping, Lena?”

“Never. But I’ve seen it in movies.”

The light conversation helped ease some of the tension in the room. Monica’s breathing started to slow, her body gradually relaxing against Lucia’s side.

“Will you tell me a story?” Monica’s request came soft, childlike. “Like you used to when I was little?”

Lucia felt tears prick her eyes. “Of course I will, baby. What kind of story do you want?”

“The one about the princess who saved herself.”

“I remember that one.” Lucia settled back against the headboard, wrapping her arm around Monica. “Once upon a time, there was a princess who lived in a tower…”

As Lucia’s voice filled the room with the familiar story, she felt Monica’s body grow heavier against her side. Lena had curled up on the floor with a pillow clutched to her chest, her eyes already drifting closed. Alexander sat watch like a guardian, his presence a solid comfort.

This was family. Not perfect, not traditional, but real and fierce and protective.

Outside, the night pressed against the windows. Somewhere out there, Marco was plotting his next move, planning his revenge, preparing for battle.

But in this room, surrounded by people who loved her, Monica was safe.

For tonight, at least, that was enough.

Though Lucia knew in her bones that tomorrow would bring new threats, new fights, new fears. Marco had promised he’d make her pay. And

men with nothing left to lose were capable of terrible things.

But she’d deal with tomorrow when it came.

Right now, her daughter needed her. And Lucia wasn’t going anywhere.

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