Rise of the Formidable Ex-wife (Lucia and Alex) novel Chapter 53

< Chapter 53

Blood stained his shirt. Not his dioda. !yiers, A sophomore with a mourn that nad finally pusnea nim too far.

He replayed it over and over Five words. Five words that shattered him.

“Your mother is a gold–digging whore who left you for money.”

His fist moved before thought arrived. Before reason could intervene. Before he could stop himself. Fury had taken control, a wildfire igniting years of pain, anger, betrayal.

And now he sat here. Alone. Hands shaking from adrenaline, from rage, from grief, from everything he had carried since the anniversary party. Since the day Mom left. Since everything fell apart.

The door opened and Margaret stepped in. Designer bag slung perfectly, hair flawless, face carefully arranged in concern that did not reach her eyes. The predator in human form. Behind her, Mrs. Chen, the principal, and Tyler’s mother, all looking serious, disappointed, ready to judge.

“Lucas,” Mrs. Chen said, voice soft but firm. “This is unlike you. In three years at this school, no disciplinary issues. No fights. No outbursts. What happened today?”

Lucas stared at his hands. Swollen, split, proof of violence, proof that he had broken his own rules. Proof that the world had broken him.

Margaret stepped forward, voice dripping accusation. “He attacked Tyler without provocation. Just flew into a rage. Unacceptable. Lucas must be punished. Severely. He needs to understand that violence is not tolerated.”

Lucas wanted to scream. He wanted to tell them everything. He wanted to shout the truth, but the words were poison. Could not escape. Could not be said without Margaret twisting them.

Mrs. Chen looked to him, calm but probing. “Did you attack Tyler without reason?”

Lucas clenched his jaw. “He said something.”

“What did he say?” Mrs. Chen asked, patient.

Lucas shook his head. Could not. Would not repeat the words. Could not give them more power.

“It doesn’t matter what he said,” Margaret interjected sharply. “Words don’t justify hitting someone. Lucas must control himself. Must face consequences. Must learn.”

Lucas’s chest burned. Margaret did not care. Not about the words. Not about him. Only about herself, her image, her control. Everything she touched, she tried to poison.

Mrs. Rodriguez, Tyler’s mother, cleared her throat. “Tyler admitted he provoked Lucas. He insulted your mother. Deliberately. Hurtfully. I don’t condone fighting, but I understand Lucas’s reaction.”

Margaret’s face hardened. “That does not excuse violence. He is fifteen, almost sixteen. Old enough to control himself. Old enough to walk away. Old enough to behave.”

Lucas’s mind reeled. Margaret had no idea. No understanding. She never had. She never would. She had never loved, never protected, never cared. She had only judged, blamed, crushed.

“Have you asked why Lucas might be struggling with his temper?” Mrs. Chen pressed gently. “This is not like him. Something must be happening. Something is wrong.”

“Nothing is happening,” Margaret said quickly. Too quickly. “He’s just being a teenager. Testing limits. Rebellious. It’s nothing serious.”

Mrs. Chen’s look said she did not believe her. And neither did Lucas.

“Lucas,” she said directly, eyes kind but firm, “is everything okay at home?”

That question landed like a hammer. Every memory of Margaret’s cruelty, Marco’s silence, Mom’s absence came rushing in. He swallowed, tried to speak, but words caught in his throat.

“Everything’s fine,” he said finally. Flat. Lifeless. A lie that made his stomach twist.

Mrs. Chen and Mrs. Rodriguez exchanged glances. They saw the lie. They knew.

Mrs. Rodriguez’s voice was gentle, cautious. “When Mrs. Hart was Lucas’s mother and guardian, he was exemplary. Top arades. respectful, kind. Everyone admired how she raised him. She was present. Always involved. Always there for her

Chapter 53

“I am not saying you aren’t trying,” Mrs. Rodriguez replied. Her tone implied everything. “I’m observing that Lucas has changed. Children struggle with divorce, new family dynamics, losing a parent.”

Margaret snapped. “He did not lose a parent! His mother chose to leave! She abandoned them! That is not my fault.” “Mrs. Hart was present,” Mrs. Chen said, firmer now. “She atterided conferences, school events. She knew every teacher, every subject, every friend. She was present in a way most parents never are.”

The past tense was sharp. Was, Used to be. Not anymore.

“And now she is gone,” Margaret said, cold and harsh. “Now I am here. Dealing with children who don’t respect authority, who fight, who make me look bad. Lucas is acting out. It is your fault, Tyler’s mother, for encouraging the blame.”

Lucas felt rage coil in his stomach. Every word was poison, every gesture deliberate. Margaret was relentless. She never saw him as a boy. Not as a son. Only as a target, a weapon, a reflection of what she wanted to destroy.

“Since this is his first offense,” Mrs. Chen said carefully, “and given provocation and his record, we will allow this as a warning. Detention for the week, required counseling. No suspension. No permanent record.”

Lucas should have felt relief. Should have felt gratitude. But he felt hollow. Empty. Broken.

Margaret hissed, “Too lenient! He must face real consequences! He must understand!”

Mrs. Rodriguez leaned forward. “He needs support, not just punishment. He needs someone who can guide him through the anger, not just blame him.”

Margaret snapped, “Enough! Lucas, come with me now. You embarrassed me. You humiliated me. You must be punished. Grounded. No phone. No computer. Nothing. You will obey me!”

She grabbed his arm, hard, pulling him down the hall. He did not resist. He had no strength left. Her cruelty was familiar now, a constant weight on his chest, squeezing until he could barely breathe.

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