The Unwanted Wife's Return (Ex-Husband Wants Me Back) novel Chapter 355

MARL’S POV: 

I leaned back in my chair. “Tell me more about this friend of yours.” 

Hotch’s expression softened. His eyes drifted toward the window, and something flickered across his face, something that looked almost like longing. 

“She was my junior in law school. Same year, different class. We studied together, worked on cases together, spent late nights in the library together.” He paused. “She was the smartest person I ever met. Could have done anything. Could have been anything. But she fell in love with the wrong man and threw it all away.” 

“The wrong man?” 

“Alistair Vane.” 

The name landed in the room like a stone dropped into still water. I kept my face neutral, but my pulse quickened. 

“Vane,” I repeated. “The tech guy? The one who’s always in the news with that actress?” 

“That’s him.” Hotch’s jaw tightened. “He married my friend years ago, and she gave up everything for him. Her career, her independence, her sense of self. And now he’s thrown her aside for someone else. Dragging out the divorce. Making sure no one will take her case.” 

“And you want to help her?” 

“I want to help her because I owe her.” He paused. “And because watching her suffer like this, it makes me sick.” 

I studied him for a long moment. I had never seen Hotch like this before. He was always calm, collected, the kind of man who never let his emotions show. But right now, there was something raw in his eyes, something vulnerable. 

“Who is she?” I asked. 

Hotch shook his head. “I’ll introduce you when we meet. She’s agreed to see us tomorrow.” 

“You didn’t tell me her name.” 

“I didn’t think it mattered.” He stood up, straightening his tie. “You’re either in or you’re out. What’s it going to be?” 

I hesitated. 

The smart thing would be to say no. I had my own work to do, my own search to continue. I had already wasted too much time on distractions. But something about this, about the way Hotch spoke about her, about the desperation in his voice, made me curious. 

“Fine,” I said. “I’ll help. But I’m not doing this for free.” 

“You’ll get paid.” 

“That’s not what I meant.” 

Hotch raised an eyebrow. “Then what?” 

I leaned forward, my elbows on the desk. “If I’m going to work on this case, I want to meet her first. Before we sign anything I need to see what I’m dealing with.” 

Hotch nodded slowly. “That’s fair. I’ll set up a meeting. Tomorrow. A café near the office.” 

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify