Rise of the Formidable Ex-wife (Lucia and Alex) novel Chapter 174

Chapter 174

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Chapter 174

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The dining room filled with the smell of garlic and herbs as Mrs. Chen brought out the last dish. Pasta with roasted vegetables, fresh bread still warm from the oven, and a salad that looked like it belonged in a magazine. The table stretched long enough to seat twelve, but the six of them clustered at one end, chairs pulled close together like they couldn’t bear too much distance between them.

Lucia watched as her family settled into their seats. This had become their ritual over the past weeks. Dinner together every night, no phones allowed, no distractions. Just the six of them talking about their days. Sharing the good and the bad. Being present with each other in a way they’d never been allowed before.

“Okay.” Alexander set down his water glass and looked around the table. “Who wants to go first tonight?”

Lena’s hand shot up immediately, bouncing in her seat like she was six instead of fourteen. Her face glowed with excitement, cheeks flushed and eyes bright.

“Me! I want to go first!”

Lucia smiled despite the heaviness she’d been carrying since Ria’s breakdown earlier. Watching Lena’s enthusiasm was like watching sunshine break through clouds.

“Go ahead, sweetheart.” Alexander gestured for her to continue.

“So you know how I’ve been working on that watercolor series for my portfolio?” Lena leaned forward, hands gesturing wildly as she spoke. “The one with the different seasons? Well, today Mrs. Anderson pulled me aside after class and she said my technique has improved so much. She said the way I’m blending colors now shows real maturity.”

“That’s wonderful!” Lucia reached across to squeeze Lena’s hand. “You’ve been working so hard on those.”

“But that’s not even the best part.” Lena practically vibrated with excitement. “She asked if I wanted to submit three pieces to my work the youth exhibition at the city art museum. The one that professional artists and gallery owners come to. She said is good enough to be seen by people who actually matter in the art world.”

Monica gasped, fork clattering against her plate. “Lena, that’s incredible!”

“I know!” Lena’s grin was so wide it looked like her face might split. “I couldn’t believe it when she said it. I mean, I’ve always loved art, but I never thought I was good enough for something like that.”

“You’re more than good enough.” Alexander’s voice came warm with pride. “Your talent is remarkable, and the fact that you’re being recognized for it is wonderful.”

Γ

Lena ducked her head, embarrassed but pleased. “I’m going to submit the autumn piece, the one with the trees losing their leaves. And the winter one with the frozen pond. And I think maybe the spring one with the flowers coming through the

snow.”

“The spring one is my favorite.” Monica spoke softly. “It reminds me of us. Coming back to life after everything.”

The words hung in the air for a moment, heavy with meaning. Lena reached over and took Monica’s hand, squeezing tight.

“That’s exactly what I was thinking when I painted it.” Lena’s voice came quieter now. “About how we survived the winter and made it to spring.”

Lucia felt her throat tighten. Her daughters holding hands across the dinner table, understanding each other in ways that went deeper than words. This was what family was supposed to be. What it had never been in that other house.

“Monica?” Alexander’s gentle prompt brought everyone’s attention to the youngest. “Do you want to share next?”

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Monica set down her fork carefully, her hands trembling slightly. She’d been quiet during Lena’s story, a small smile on her face but her eyes distant. Now everyone was looking at her and Lucia could see the internal struggle playing out across her daughter’s features.

“I finished something today too.” Monica’s voice came barely above a whisper. “A self-portrait for art therapy.”

“Can you tell us about it?” Lucia kept her tone soft, not pushing but offering space.

Monica took a breath, her fingers twisting together in her lap. “Dr. Williams asked me to paint how I see myself now. Not how I used to see myself in that house, but how I see myself today.”

“What did you paint?” Ria leaned forward, genuinely curious.

“I painted myself standing in front of a mirror.” Monica’s words came slowly, carefully. “But instead of seeing just me, I painted all the pieces that make me who I am. The scars on my arms, but also flowers growing from them. My face looking tired but also peaceful. And behind me in the reflection, I painted all of you. Because I realized I can’t see myself without seeing the people who helped me become who I am now.”

Lucia’s eyes filled with tears. She watched Monica’s face as she spoke, saw the way her daughter’s expression shifted from vulnerable to determined. This was healing. This was what it looked like when someone put themselves back together piece by piece.

“Dr. Williams cried when she saw it.” Monica’s voice cracked. “She said it was one of the most powerful representations of recovery she’d ever seen. She asked if she could photograph it to show other patients who are struggling. To show them what’s possible.”

“What did you tell her?” Alexander asked gently.

“I said yes.” Monica looked up, meeting their eyes one by one. “Because if my pain can help someone else heal, then maybe it wasn’t all for nothing. Maybe all those nights I spent hurting myself can become something that saves someone else from doing the same thing.”

Lucas reached across the table and grabbed his sister’s hand./You’re the bravest person I know.”

Monica’s laugh came watery but genuine. “I’m not brave. I’m just tired of being broken.”

“Being tired of being broken is what makes you brave.” Ria spoke firmly. “Deciding to heal even when it’s hard, that’s the definition of courage.”

Lucia wanted to pull Monica into her arms and never let go. Wanted to protect her from every painful thing in the world. But she knew that wasn’t what her daughter needed. What Monica needed was exactly what she was getting. Space to heal at

r her own pace, surrounded by people who loved her unconditionally.

“Ria?” Alexander turned his attention to the eldest. “Your turn.”

Ria shifted in her seat, a small smile playing at her lips. “Something happened at school today that reminded me why we made that video.”

Everyone went still. The video. The thing that had started this whole new chapter of their lives. The thing that had exposed them to the world and brought threats down on their heads.

“There’s a girl in my design class. Sarah. She’s really talented but she’s been missing a lot lately. Today she came in with bruises on her arms. The kind you get when someone grabs you too hard.” Ria’s jaw tightened. “Everyone else pretended not to notice. But I couldn’t. Not after everything.”

“What did you do?” Lucia asked, though she thought she already knew.

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waited until elass ended and I asked if she was okay. She tried to brush it off, said she was clumsy. But I told her I understood if she didn’t want to talk to me. I just wanted her to know that if she ever needed someone who understood, I was there.” Ria’s voice grew stronger. “And then I did something maybe I shouldn’t have. I told her about us. About what we went through. About how we got out.”

“Ria.” Lucia breathed.

“I know we’re supposed to be careful. I know there are people who want to hurt us. But I looked at this girl and I saw Monica a year ago. I saw myself. And I couldn’t just walk away.”

“What happened?” Lucas leaned forward.

“She started crying right there in the hallway. And then she told me everything. Her stepfather has been hurting her for months. Her mother doesn’t believe her. She’s been thinking about running away, about hurting herself, about all the things we thought about when we felt trapped.” Ria’s eyes were bright with unshed tears. “So I gave her my number I told her she could call me anytime. And I gave her the number for the abuse hotline that Mom called when she found out about us.”

Lucia felt something crack open in her chest. Pride mixed with fear mixed with love so intense it hurt to breathe.

“You did the right thing.” Alexander spoke with absolute certainty. “That girl needed to know she wasn’t alone. You gave her hope”

“But what if she tells someone? What if it gets back to our father somehow?” Ria’s worry came through despite her conviction.

“Then we deal with it.” Lucia reached across to take Ria’s hand. “But you can’t stop helping people because you’re afraid. That would mean letting your father win even after we escaped.”

Ria nodded, blinking back tears. “I just keep thinking about how many kids are out there right now living what we lived. How many Monicas are cutting themselves in bathrooms. How many Lucas’s are getting hit by their fathers. How many Rias are being told they’re not good enough.”

“Which is actually perfect timing for what your mother and wanted to share tonight.” Alexander glanced at Lucia, a question in his eyes. She nodded.

“We’ve been talking about starting something.” Lucia began, her voice steady despite the emotion churning inside her. “A foundation. One that helps children who are being abused or neglected.”

Lucas sat up straighter. “A foundation? Like a charity?”

“More than just a charity.” Alexander took over. “We want to create resources for kids who need help getting out of bad situations. Legal support, safe houses, therapy, education. Everything we were lucky enough to have access to because of money and connections.”

“We don’t want other children to have to wait for someone to rescue them.” Lucia continued. “We want to give them the tools to rescue themselves. And give their parents the support they need to protect their kids.”

Monica’s hand flew to her mouth. “You’re doing this because of us?”

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