Rise of the Formidable Ex-wife (Lucia and Alex) novel Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Chapter 26

The beach house stood on a cliff. White stone. Glass walls. The Mediterranean stretched endless and blue below.

“We’re here,” Alex said as he parked.

Lena jumped out before the car stopped. She ran toward the water, laughing.

Lucia stepped out slowly. The air smelled of salt and sun. Warm wind brushed her face.

She could not remember the last time she had been to a beach. Marco always chose mountains. Ski trips. Business retreats. Places where he could network while calling it family time.

“You okay?” Alex asked.

“It’s beautiful,” she said softly.

Inside, the house felt simple and real. Not like Alex’s main villa. This place had history.

“My parents bought it before they were rich,” Alex said. “They built it slowly. They never sold it. Even when they could afford better.”

“Because it meant something,” Lucia said.

“Yes. It was earned. Not just bought.”

Lena ran back in, already in a swimsuit. “The water is perfect! Come on!”

“Five minutes,” Alex said.

After Lena ran out again, Alex looked at Lucia.

“You don’t have to swim if you don’t want to.”

Lucia understood what he meant. Vulnerable. Exposed.

She thought about the months of training. Her body was lean now. Stronger. Still marked by three pregnancies. A scar from Monica’s emergency surgery.

Marks of love. Marks of loss.

“I’ll swim,” she said.

In the mirror, she studied herself in a black one piece swimsuit. Simple. Modest.

Marco used to comment on her weight. Small remarks disguised as concern.

Maybe skip dessert.

The gym is still open.

Alex had never said a word about her body.

Not once.

She wrapped a towel around herself and walked outside.

The beach was private. Just them and the open sea.

Alex stood at the edge of the water. Swim shorts. Sun on his skin.

He looked at her.

He did not scan her body.

He just smiled.

“Ready?”

She nodded.

The water was cold. It shocked her at first, then felt alive.

A wave hit her waist and she laughed. The sound surprised her.

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Chapter 26

Lena swam toward them. “Race to the rocks!”

Before Lucia answered, Lena was gone.

“She’s fast,” Lucia said.

“She’s determined,” Alex replied. “Come on.”

They swam. Racing. Splashing. Laughing.

Lucia could not remember the last time she played like this. No schedule. No supervision. Just freedom.

Then Monica’s face flashed in her mind. Monica loved the water. Loved learning new strokes.

The joy drained from her chest.

Lucia slowed. Treading water.

“Lucia?” Alex asked.

“I’m okay. Just tired.”

She swam back to shore and sat on the sand, wrapped in her towel.

Alex and Lena kept playing. Their laughter echoed across the water.

They looked like a real family.

The thought hurt.

After a while, they joined her.

“I won,” Lena said proudly.

“You cheated,” Alex said.

“I was strategic,” Lena answered.

Lucia smiled faintly.

They went inside for lunch. After eating, Lena wanted to explore the tide pools.

“You coming?” she asked Lucia.

“In a minute.”

Lena ran off.

Alex sat beside Lucia on the terrace.

“She likes you,” he said.

Lucia looked at him.

“She told me you treat her like a person. Not like something fragile.”

Lucia swallowed. “She is a person.”

“I know. But not everyone sees it.”

Silence settled between them.

Then Alex spoke carefully. “She said this feels like a real family.”

Lucia’s chest tightened.

“I can’t replace her mother,” she said quickly. “And I can’t replace my children. I’m barely holding myself together.”

“I’m not asking you to replace anyone,” Alex said. “She just feels safe. I do too.”

Lucia stared at the sea.

“My son got into Ashford,” she said suddenly.

Alex looked at her. “He did?”

“I saw it online. The school posted it. His dream school. Marco told him they could not afford it.”

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Chapter 26

Her voice shook.

“Meanwhile Margaret spends thousands on Ria’s clothes.”

Alex’s jaw tightened.

“I cannot even call him,” Lucia continued. “They do not answer. It has been months.”

“We finish the plan,” Alex said calmly. “We take back what is yours. We give you the power to help him.”

“And if they still choose him?” she whispered. “If they still believe his lies?”

“Then at least you fought.”

She looked at him. Fear was clear in her eyes.

“I’m scared.”

“I know.”

He stepped closer. Close enough that she could feel his warmth.

“There’s a cove past the rocks,” he said quietly. “It’s peaceful. Want to see it?”

She knew it was not just about the cove.

“Okay.”

They walked along the shore. Lena waved from the tide pools.

At the hidden cove, the water was calm and clear.

Lucia stepped in.

Alex followed.

They stood waist deep, alone.

“I want to kiss you,” Alex said softly. “Only if you want that.”

Lucia’s heart pounded.

“I’m still grieving,” she said. “Still angry.”

“I know.”

She looked at him for a long moment.

“Okay.”

He moved closer. His hands rested gently on her waist.

The kiss was soft. Careful.

Lucia did not break.

She kissed him back.

It was not dramatic. It was not wild.

It was quiet and real.

When they pulled apart, she shook slightly.

“I cannot promise more,” she said.

“I’m not asking for more,” he replied.

They stood there a moment longer, then returned to the beach when Lena called.

That evening, after Lena fell asleep, Lucia sat on the terrace scrolling through her phone.

A notification popped up.

Marco Rossi posted a new update.

Her stomach tightened.

She opened it.

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Chapter 26

A photo.

Marco at a charity gala. Margaret beside him. Ria in a stunning designer gown.

The caption read:

Proud of my beautiful wife and talented daughter. Family is everything. Grateful for loyalty and strength through difficult times.

Below it, a second photo.

Her children.

Smiling.

Lucas holding a certificate.