Rise of the Formidable Ex-wife (Lucia and Alex) novel Chapter 158

Chapter 158-

Chapter 158

Lucia woke up to find Alexander already standing by the bedroom window, staring out at the sunrise. The first day after the courthouse hearing had been heavy with tension, all of them walking on eggshells while waiting for the judge’s decision that would come in two days.

“You didn’t sleep much.” Lucia moved to stand beside him.

“Neither did you.” Alexander wrapped his arms around her from behind. “I heard you pacing at three in the morning.”

Through the window, they could see the sprawling grounds of their estate, the perfectly manicured gardens bathed in golden morning light. It was beautiful, peaceful, but the tranquility felt fragile somehow, as if it could be shattered at any

moment.

“The children are suffering.” Lucia’s whisper came broken. “Monica barely spoke at dinner last night. Lucas has been clenching his jaw so tight I’m worried he’ll crack his teeth. And Ria keeps asking if I think we’ll win, like she needs constant

reassurance.”

“Lena’s been having nightmares.” Alexander added quietly. “She woke up crying last night, terrified that she would lose her siblings.”

They stood in silence for a moment, holding each other while the weight of two days from now pressed down on them.

“We need to get out of this house.” Alexander spoke suddenly. “All of us. We can’t spend another day sitting around waiting and worrying.”

Lucia turned in his arms. “What do you have in mind?”

“Remember that place by the lake where we went on our third date? The one with the huge oak tree and the meadow full of wildflowers?”

“Riverside Lake.” Lucia smiled for the first time in days. “You said it was your favorite spot in the world.”

“It still is. What do you say we pack a picnic and take the kids there? No phones, no lawyers, no talk about court hearings. Just our family being together.”

An hour later, the kitchen buzzed with activity as all six family members worked together to prepare their outdoor feast. The atmosphere was lighter already, the simple act of focusing on sandwiches and snacks providing a welcome distraction from their worries.

“I’m making my famous chocolate chip cookies.” Lena announced, flour dusting her apron as she surfed the batter. “Dad always says they’re better than any bakery.”

“Can I help?” Monica asked, hovering nearby. She had been quiet since yesterday, but the prospect of cooking seemed to spark something in her.

“Of course! You can be my official taste-tester.” Lena grinned, handing her a spoon with cookie dough.

At the counter, Lucas and Alexander worked on cutting fruit and vegetables, their movements synchronized like they had been cooking together for years instead of weeks.

“Remember to cut the apples thin.” Alexander instructed. “Your mom likes them that way in her sandwiches.”

“How do you remember details like that?” Lucas asked, genuinely curious.

“When you love someone, you pay attention to the little things that make them happy.” Alexander’s response came simple.

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Ha looked up from arranging drinks in the cooler. “Our father never remembered things like that about Mom. He barely knew how she liked her coffee.

The comment hung in the air for a moment, a reminder of the past that still haunted them. But instead of dwelling on it, Lucia moved to Ria’s side.

“That’s his loss.” Her words came gentle. Alexander sees me in ways your biological father never bothered to look.”

“I’m glad you found each other.” Ria leaned against her mother’s shoulder. “Even if it happened in such a terrible way.”

Two hours later, they arrived at Riverside Lake. The drive had been filled with music and laughter as they played silly car games and sang along to songs on the radio. For those precious moments, they felt like any normal family heading out for a day of fun.

The lake stretched out before them like a mirror, reflecting the clear blue sky and the surrounding trees that were just beginning to show their autumn colors. The famous oak tree Alexander had mentioned stood at the edge of the meadow, its massive trunk and sprawling branches creating a perfect canopy of shade.

“This is beautiful.” Monica breathed, spinning in a circle with her arms outstretched. “It feels like something from a fairy tale.”

“That’s exactly what I thought the first time I came here.” Alexander began to unload their picnic supplies from the car. “I was twelve years old, and my grandfather brought me fishing. I told him it was magical, and he said magic exists wherever families gather to love each other.”

They spread blankets under the oak tree and arranged their feast in the dappled sunlight. The simple meal somehow tasted better outdoors. Sandwiches made with care, fresh fruit that sparkled with moisture, and Lena’s cookies that were indeed perfect.

“Can we go swimming later?” Lena asked, looking out at the clear water of the lake.

“We didn’t bring swimsuits.” Lucia pointed out.

“So? We can swim in our clothes.” Lucas suggested with a grin. “When’s the last time any of us did something completely spontaneous?”

“I’ve never done anything spontaneous.” Monica admitted quietly. “In my old life, everything had to be planned and approved and perfect.”

“Well, today we’re going to change that.” Alexander declared, standing up and pulling off his shoes and socks. “Who’s brave enough to jump in a lake fully clothed?”

Within minutes, all six of them were wading into the surprisingly warm water, laughing as their clothes clung to their bodies and their hair got soaked. Monica shrieked with delight as Lena splashed her, and Ria dunked Lucas underwater when he wasn’t paying attention.

Alexander caught Lucia around the waist and spun her in the shallow water, both of them laughing like teenagers instead of adults facing a custody battle that could destroy their family.

“This is perfect.” Lucia gasped, water dripping from her hair. “This moment, right here, is absolutely perfect.”

After their impromptu swim, they lay on the blankets in the warm sunshine, letting their clothes dry while they watched clouds drift overhead.

“I spy something that starts with ‘F. Lena initiated the childhood game.

“Family” Monica spoke immediately, not even looking around for other options.

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That’s exactly right Lena smiled. “Your turn.

They played games, told stories, and shared memories both old and new. Lucas talked about his plans for college and how excited he was to study close to home. Ria described her latest design project and how proud she was of her internship application. Monica showed them sketches in her art journal, pointing out how her drawings had changed since living with

them.

As the afternoon wore on, they built a small fire near the shore and roasted marshmallows for s’mores. The sticky sweetness and the smoke from the fire created a sensory memory that Lucia knew she would treasure forever, regardless of what happened in two days.

“Can I say something?” Monica asked quietly as they watched the flames dance in the growing dusk.

Everyone turned to look at her, noting the serious expression on her young face.

“Whatever happens in court in two days, I want you all to know that these past weeks with our family have been the happiest of my life. If I have to go back to living with Marco and Margaret, I’ll never forget what it felt like to be truly loved.”

“Monica…” Lucia started, but her daughter held up a hand.

“Please let me finish. I used to think I was broken, that there was something wrong with me that made me unlovable. But you all showed me that wasn’t true. You showed me what real family looks like.”

2

Tears glistened in the firelight on Monica’s cheeks, but her voice remained steady.

“Lena, you taught me what it means to have a sister who actually cares about me. Ria, you protected me and stood up for me when no one else would. Lucas, you showed me that brothers can be gentle and kind instead of mean and distant.”

She looked at Alexander and Lucia last. “And Mom and Dad, you saved my life. Not just by taking me away from that house, but by teaching me that I deserve love and happiness and safety.”/

The circle around the fire was completely silent except for the crackling of burning wood and the gentle lapping of water against the shore.

“No matter what happens in two days.” Monica continued. “I will always be your daughter, and you will always be my real parents. The ones who chose me when I couldn’t choose myself.”

One by one, they all moved closer until they were huddled together on one blanket, arms wrapped around each other in a protective circle.

“We’re not going to lose you.” Ria whispered fiercely. “Any of you, This family is forever.”

“Forever.” Lena agreed, squeezing Monica’s hand.

“Forever.” Lucas echoed, his voice thick with emotion.

“Forever and always.” Alexander spoke firmly, looking each of his children in the eyes.

“Forever and always.” Lucia repeated, pulling them all closer.

As darkness fell around them and the stars began to appear overhead, they sat together by their little fire, talking softly and simply being present with each other. The worries about the court decision in two days seemed far away, replaced by the warmth of their love and the strength of their bond.

Whatever the judge decided, whatever Marco and Margaret tried to do to them, they had this moment. They had each other. They had proved that love could overcome the worst circumstances and create something beautiful and lasting.

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The lire Turned lower as the night grew deeper, but none of them wanted to leave. This perfect day, this magical place, this feeting of being completely safe and loved. They wanted to hold onto it for as long as possible.

Because in two days, everything might change.

But tonight, they were together, they were whole, and they were home wherever they were, as long as they had each other.

The lake reflected the stars like scattered diamonds, and in the distance, an ow! called softly through the darkness. Their little family sat wrapped in blankets and love, facing an uncertain future but certain of one thing.

They would face it together, no matter what came next.

Yet even as Lucia held her children close, feeling their warmth and hearing their laughter fade into peaceful breathing, a cold fear settled in her stomach.

What if this was their last night as a complete family?

What if the judge sided with Marco?

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