Rise of the Formidable Ex-wife (Lucia and Alex) novel Chapter 90

Chapter 90

Chapter 90

Lucia stood before her bathroom mirror, applying a light coat of lipstick with steady hands. The morning sun streamed through the windows of Alexander’s brownstone, casting golden light across the marble surfaces. Today was the day they would tell the world about their engagement, and despite her calin exterior, her heart raced with anticipation.

“You look beautiful,” Alexander said, appearing in the doorway. He was dressed in a charcoal gray suit that complemented his silver hair, his eyes warm as they met hers in the reflection.

“I look nervous,” Lucia corrected, setting down her lipstick and turning to face him.

“That too,” Alexander smiled, crossing the room to take her hands in his. “But you have nothing to worry about. This is our moment. Our announcement to make.”

Lucia squeezed his fingers, drawing strength from his touch. The 24-carat diamond on her ring finger caught the light, sending rainbows across the bathroom walls. “Are you sure we’re ready for this? Once we announce it publicly, there’s no going back.”

‘I’ve been ready since the day I met you,” Alexander said softly. “The only question is whether you’re ready.”

Lucia llooked into his eyes, seeing the love and certainty there. After months of rebuilding herself, of fighting battles and reclaiming power, she was finally ready to embrace happiness without fear.

‘I’m ready,” she said firmly.

They walked hand in hand to Alexander’s study, where his press secretary Sarah Chen waited with a laptop and several prepared statements. Lena sat curled in one of the leather chairs, her own excitement barely contained.

‘The press release is ready to go out,” Sarah said, looking up from her screen. “I’ve also scheduled interviews with three major lifestyle magazines and prepared responses for the business publications.”

Alexander nodded. “What about social media?”

“I’ve drafted posts for all your platforms,” Sarah replied. “Clean, elegant, focusing on your happiness together. Nothing that gives too much detail about your personal lives.”

Lena bounced slightly in her chair. “Can I post something too? On my own accounts?”

Lucia smiled at her daughter’s enthusiasm. “Of course. This affects you too.”

“I’ve been waiting for this moment for months,” Lena grinned. “Everyone’s going to be so happy for you.”

Sarah looked between Alexander and Lucia. “Are you ready? Once I hit send, this news will be everywhere within the hour.”

Lucia and Alexander exchanged one last look. He raised her hand to his lips and kissed her ring finger, a gesture so tender that Lena sighed happily from her chair.

“Send it,” Lucia said.

Sarah’s fingers flew over the keyboard, and within moments, the engagement announcement was racing across the internet at the speed of light.

The press release was simple but elegant: “Kane Enterprises CEO Alexander Kane and Hart Industries Chairwoman Lucia Smith are pleased to announce their engagement. The couple, who have known each other for several years, plan to marry next month in an intimate ceremony. Both express their excitement about beginning this new chapter together.”

Within minutes, Sarah’s phone began buzzing with notifications. Social media platforms lit up with shares, comments, and reactions as news outlets picked up the story.

“It’s starting,” Sarah said, her eyes scanning multiple screens as responses poured in.

Lena had her own phone out, refreshing various apps and reading comments aloud. “Oh my God, look at this! ‘What a beautiful couple! True love always wins! And this one: ‘She looks so happy! You can see the love in their eyes!””

Lucia leaned over Lena’s shoulder to read the comments herself. The responses were overwhelmingly positive, filled with heart emojis and congratulations from strangers who had somehow become invested in their story.

“Here’s a longer one,” Lena continued, her voice bright with joy. “I’ve been following their story since Lucia became Chairwoman. You can tell this is real love, not like those fake celebrity relationships. They both look genuinely happy. Congratulations to a beautiful family!”

Sarah looked up from her laptop. “The business publications are running with it too. Forbes just posted an article titled’ Power Couple: When Business Strategy Meets Personal Happiness.’ They’re calling it one of the most anticipated weddings in the corporate world.”

Alexander wrapped his arm around Lucia’s waist, pulling her close. “How does it feel to be half of a power couple?”

Chapter 90

“Strange, Lucia admitted. “Dut good strange. Like I’m finally living the life I was meant to have.”

Pen held up her phone screen. “Mom, you have to see this thread. Someone posted photos from Fashion Week where you and Dad first appeared together publicly, and people are analyzing your body language. They’re saying you can see the chemistry even in those first pictures.”

Lucia peered at the screen, seeing photos of herself and Alexander from months ago. Even she could see it now, the way they leaned toward each other, the gentle touches, the looks that lasted a moment too long.

“We weren’t very subtle, were we?” she laughed.

“I’m glad we weren’t,” Alexander said, pressing a kiss to her temple. “I was tired of hiding how I felt about you.”

Sarah’s phone rang, and she answered it quickly. After a brief conversation, she hung up and turned to them with excitement. “That was Good Morning America. They want to do a live interview tomorrow morning about your engagement and your business partnership.”

“National television?” Lucia felt a flutter of nerves.

“You’ll be perfect,” Lena said confidently. “You two are so natural together. People will love seeing how happy you are.”

Alexander squeezed Lucia’s hand. “What do you think? Ready to tell our story to the world?”

Lucia thought about all the battles she had fought to get to this moment. The nights of crying herself to sleep. The days of rebuilding her identity from nothing. The courage it had taken to trust love again.

“Yes,” she said. “I’m ready.”

Sarah made the call to confirm the interview while Lena continued reading comments from social media. The responses kept pouring in, each one more enthusiastic than the last.

“This is my favorite,” Lena said, her voice thick with emotion. “Watching this woman rebuild herself after such public heartbreak has been inspiring. She deserves all the happiness in the world. Alexander Kane is a lucky man, and their daughter is blessed to have them both.’ Look, someone called me your daughter!”

Lucia’s eyes filled with tears. “You are my daughter. In every way that matters.”

The afternoon passed in a blur of phone calls, interview requests, and social media monitoring. Magazine editors wanted photo shoots. Television producers requested appearances. Wedding planners offered their services.

But through it all, Lucia felt a sense of peace she hadn’t experienced in years. This wasn’t the desperate grab for attention that characterized her former life. This was genuine celebration of authentic love.

As evening approached, they gathered in the garden for a quiet dinner, just the three of them. Candles flickered on the table while fairy lights twinkled in the trees around them.

“Read us some more comments,” Alexander said to Lena as they shared dessert.

Lena scrolled through her phone, her face glowing in the screen’s light. “Here’s a good one: ‘This is what real love looks like. Two people who complement each other and clearly adore that beautiful daughter. Goals!”

She continued reading: “I love that they’re not rushing into some huge celebrity wedding. An intimate ceremony shows they care more about their commitment than the spectacle.’ And this one: ‘The way he looks at her ip every photo melts my heart. You can tell he’s loved her forever.””

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Lucia reached across the table to take Alexander’s hand. “They’re right, you know. You have loved me for a long time.”

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