The Ex-Wife He Can’t Have novel Chapter 1

Jillian Jarrett never expected to catch her husband cheating at a banquet.

Killian Quincy stood tall and straight in a crisp white shirt and tailored black trousers, his broad shoulders and narrow waist cutting a striking figure. With his sharp brow and prominent nose, a faint, cynical curve to his thin lips made the aura around him feel as cold as frost.

The woman beside him wore a red slip dress, Killian's black suit jacket draped casually over her shoulders. Her long, brown wavy hair cascaded down, looking effortlessly glamorous and sophisticated.

Four-year-old Connor Quincy stood between them, holding each of their hands.

"Dad, Sylvia, the banquet is about to start. Let's go in."

Jillian's mind went completely blank; she hadn't expected her son to be here too.

She opened her mouth to call out his name, but her throat felt as though it were stuffed with cotton, rendering her utterly speechless.

As if sensing her gaze, Connor turned his head, his eyes cutting through the noisy crowd to land squarely on her.

Jillian gripped her fingers so tightly her knuckles turned white, a faint glimmer of hope rising in her chest.

The hostess followed Connor's gaze and asked warily, "Con, why is she staring at you? Do you know her?"

Connor lowered his head, his voice very light. "I don't know her."

The hostess frowned in displeasure.

"Who brought her in? Why is she staring at our VIP guests?"

"I don't know. Probably someone's nanny," another person chimed in.

"Go see what's going on," the hostess instructed a staff member, shooting Jillian a look of sheer disgust.

Killian noticed the commotion and turned his head, locking eyes with her.

His indifferent gaze swept over her without a hint of embarrassment at being caught, nor did he show any intention of explaining himself. Instead, he placed a hand on the red-gowned woman's back and guided her away.

It was as if he deliberately wanted to shield her from Jillian's sight.

A staff member approached Jillian. "Ma'am, please show your invitation, or I will have to ask you to leave."

Overwhelmed by a wave of inadequacy, Jillian lowered her head, her fingers nervously twisting the hem of her jacket.

Daniel Langley had originally offered to provide a gown for her, but she had declined, afraid she wouldn't look good in it.

She had left the house wearing only an oversized women's jacket and jeans, looking completely out of place in the glamorous, star-studded banquet hall.

"She's with me," Daniel said, stepping forward and handing over his invitation.

"My apologies, Mr. Langley," the staff member nodded respectfully before turning away.

"What happened?" Daniel asked.

Jillian shook her head.

The way he looked at that woman held a tender, lingering affection reserved only for lovers.

It was a look she had never once seen directed at her.

Five years ago, when she showed up at his door heavily pregnant, Killian was forced to sign the marriage papers with her.

In his mind, this marriage was nothing but her calculated scheme.

He despised her to the core.

For the past five years, Jillian had clung to the hope that he would eventually fall in love with her, while simultaneously agonizing over whether he had other women on the side.

She never thought her worst nightmare would unfold right before her eyes.

Jillian originally thought she would handle it well, but she couldn't explain why she felt so devastated.

A suffocating wave of despair washed over her, making her feel as though she were dying.

When she returned to The Yale Residences, Killian and their son weren't home yet.

Jillian kept her head down as she changed her shoes. The industry event had ended quite early, so the three of them probably had other plans.

Looking up, she caught Mrs. Zeller sneaking a bite of the Beluga caviar.

A flicker of panic crossed Mrs. Zeller's face, but she quickly regained her composure.