The Unwanted Wife's Return (Ex-Husband Wants Me Back) novel Chapter 50

Already Married 

3RD POV: 

Elijah stepped in first wearing a black tuxedo with a crisp white shirt, no tie, just that deliberate rebellion that made him stand out. Janet followed beside him, her hand loosely looped through his arm, a practiced smile on her lips. She was dressed in a scarlet gown that clung to her body, hair cascading down her back in styled waves. 

The crowd buzzed instantly with murmurs, nods, admiration. They looked perfect. Too perfect. 

Lucas muttered, “Oh no… oh no, no, no don’t look.” 

But Hannah already had. 

Her heart clenched for some reason she couldn’t understand. Elijah’s gaze was already sweeping the crowd when it landed on her. For a heartbeat, everything the chatter, the music, the clinking glasses went silent in her ears as soon as their eyes locked. 

He froze too. His expression didn’t falter, but something behind his eyes shifted a flicker of recognition, guilt, longing, something unspoken. Janet noticed, of course she did. She stiffened, her smile faltering for a second before she quickly recovered. 

“Well, that’s our cue to get more champagne,” Lucas whispered, tugging lightly at Hannah’s arm. 

Hannah nodded quickly breaking the eye contact between them. 

What is wrong with me? She thought to herself. 

Mrs. Kareem excused herself to welcome him, and soon Elijah was surrounded by the city’s most powerful businessmen, politicians, and women who admired power the way moths admired flame. 

Lucas guided Hannah toward the cocktail area. “Breathe,” he said softly. “You’re fine. You look divine. Remember, this is your night too. You designed half the dresses in this room.” 

“I know,” she whispered. “I just didn’t expect-” 

“To see him here tonight with you sister who you know he has been with and been parading about with?” Lucas finished bluntly. “Yeah. Fun surprise.” 

She smiled faintly, but it didn’t reach her eyes. 

A few minutes later, Mrs. Kareem’s daughters rejoined them, giggling as they recounted compliments about their dresses. One of them leaned in with conspiratorial excitement. “Oh, Miss Hannah, you should’ve seen when Elijah and Janet walked in. The photographers nearly tripped over each other. They look so good together. Everyone’s wondering when they’re getting married.” 

Hannah nodded at the information and smiling at the fact that Janet didn’t even want him in the first place. Lucas shifted uncomfortably beside her, about to intervene, but it was too late. 

The girl waved her champagne flute toward the other side of the room. “You know, he’s like, the most handsome man here. And she well she’s practically glowing. Don’t you think, Miss Hannah?” 

Hannah smiled politely, staring at the couple from across the room and wondering why they kept asking for her input. “Yes. They… look well.” 

But before anyone could reply, the Governor’s wife called for attention. “Everyone, may I have your ears for a moment! Let’s welcome our dear friend, Elijah Martinez, who has come such a long way tonight to be with us!” 

Applause broke out, cameras flashing. 

Elijah stepped forward, buttoning his jacket. He was calm, collected the kind of man who had learned how to command a room with silence. Janet stood beside him, smiling like she’d already rehearsed her future as his wife. 

He thanked the Governor graciously, then turned toward the crowd with a charming grin. “It’s an honor to celebrate such a remarkable man’s birthday,” he began smoothly. His voice was rich, confident, almost magnetic. He paused briefly as his eyes once again found Hannah in the crowd. 

Lucas noticed. So did Janet. 

Then came the moment that froze the air. 

A reporter, too bold for his own good, called from the side, “Mr. Martinez, everyone’s been wondering, when’s the wedding? Miss Jones, any dates planned?” 

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