The unwanted wife’s unexpected comeback

Chapter 13:

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That song - its melody, its heartfelt lyrics, the soulful voice behind it - had captivated the world in an instant. Thanks to that song, Lilliana became an overnight sensation.

For a moment, it seemed like she was just beginning her rise to stardom. But who could have predicted that it would be the peak of her fame? Since then, her career has stagnated and she has taken a backseat.

With an indifferent look, Caden said, “You’ll find out soon enough.”

Wasting no time, Alicia tried to arrange a meeting with Joshua to finalize the divorce.

It was hours before Joshua finally responded,

"I'll see you tonight at nine. Let's talk at home."

At nine o'clock at night, Alicia returned to the marital home.

As soon as I opened the door, I found something unexpected.

A pair of women's shoes lay carelessly in the entrance, as if the landlady had kicked them off in a fit of rage. Alice's gaze darted into the room.

A man's suit and a woman's dress were scattered messily on the floor, suggesting that something intimate had happened not long ago. His eyes moved upward and fell on the partially open door of the second-floor bedroom.

From inside, she could hear the sound of labored breathing, undoubtedly Joshua's.

Alice smiled with satisfaction, not losing sight of the irony of the situation.

“Amazing,” she thought wryly. “Just a couple of months pregnant and already back to such reckless abandonment.”

Moments later, her phone rang with a message from Joshua.

"Where are you?

Alice exhaled deeply, preparing herself for what was coming, and went back inside.

Joshua was already waiting in the living room, sitting as if nothing had happened.

His eyes, still glassy with the remnants of desire, scanned her with a calculated air, as if gauging her reaction.

“Where’s that bag you always carry?” His voice was sharp, his eyes narrowed as he studied Alicia.

Alice hesitated for a moment, not knowing what game she was playing at. Then she calmly took the ring out of her bag and showed it to him.

"Let's sign the agreement."

He said evenly, getting straight to the point,

"I don't want anything more than what I brought to this marriage. You can have everything else."

His expression darkened, a storm gathering behind his eyes.

“Nothing at all?” His laugh was bitter, full of disdain. “Stop acting so important, Alice.”

But his firm stance only seemed to fuel his anger.This text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.

«Before we got married, you gave me everything you could. Now, for two years, you haven't worked a single day, living off of me. Are you sure you can bear to lose this comfortable life after the divorce?

“Live off of you?” Alice's lips curved into an almost mocking smile. “What exactly have you given me these past two years?”

It was true that he had "enjoyed" a meager monthly allowance and the occasional thoughtless gift.

But even the jewels she once treasured had probably been discarded first by Lilliana.

Fortunately, Alice had not lost her way completely after getting married. She had worked here and there, saving some money. She was not as helpless as I thought.

Not wanting to waste any more breath, Alice picked up the pen and, with a firm hand, quickly signed on the dotted line.

He didn't hesitate or think twice.

Then he slid the papers across the table toward Joshua with a firmness that made the air between them feel heavy.

“Go ahead,” he said calmly. “Sign it. “I know someone is waiting for you upstairs.”

Joshua's lips twisted into a cruel smile.

“Jealous, aren’t you?” His voice dripped with mockery. “Her skills far surpass yours. Even though she’s pregnant, she knows exactly how to keep me satisfied.”

But Alice didn't flinch. The disgust she had felt for him had long since settled deep within her, overshadowing any sting his words might have caused. She shrugged, her voice light.

"Well, you're so lucky. Congratulations."

He clenched his jaw and fists until his knuckles turned white.

He grabbed the pen and signed with a cold look, the sound of the pen scratching the paper threatening to tear it. Then he practically dropped the pen on the floor.

“Alice,” he growled, “don't come crying to me later.”

Alicia looked down at the signed agreement, her heart feeling light for the first time in years. It was as if a huge weight had been lifted off her shoulders, setting her free.

She stared at Joshua. The tenderness she once felt for him was gone; what they had once shared now seemed like a distant, fleeting dream.

“Don't worry,” he said quietly, his tone determined. “I won't worry.

His voice, though devoid of malice, pierced her heart more deeply than any insult.

Joshua felt a painful tightness in his chest.

The sting of his words cut deep, like an ice-coated dagger. Alice rose to leave.

But Joshua jumped to his feet, his hand instinctively gripping Alicia's wrist.

"Alice, wait!"

His voice caught in his throat as his eyes fell on the slight hickey on her neck, hidden beneath the collar. The confusion that had gripped him moments before disappeared, replaced by a fierce, unrelenting anger.

“What the hell is that?” he asked, his tone accusatory. “Have you slept with someone?”

Alice let go of her wrist, her expression icy.

"You've known me too long to ask more intelligent questions than that," he said, his words filled with silent disdain.

His response ignited the rage already boiling inside her.

Joshua's eyes darkened and he grabbed her shoulders, pulling her tightly against him. He grabbed her face in his hands and squeezed, as if he could force the truth out of her.

“Who?” I have hissed. “Who have you slept with and since when?”

Revulsion twisted Alice's features and she pushed him away.

"You have no right to ask about my private life," she snapped, her voice cold as winter. "Let me go!"

Joshua mocked, his temper dangerous.

"Now it makes sense. That's why you're so eager to divorce me: you've already tried someone else."

His anger turned into something darker, his voice deep and venomous as he roughly ripped at his clothes.

"If you wanted more, you could have come to me. I'm more than capable of satisfying you, too."

Alice, her patience exhausted, slapped him across the face. The sharp crack of the slap hung in the air.

Joshua's world spun, not from the force of the blow, but from the shock. He had never been slapped by a woman before, and now the rage that boiled within him roared uncontrollably.

The thought of Alice in the arms of another man poisoned his mind, driving him to the brink of madness.

She was his.

It had always been his.

With a guttural growl, he pushed her back onto the couch, his fingers ripping off her robe as his intentions turned vicious.

At that moment, Liliana's voice rang out from upstairs.

"Joshua, what the hell do you think you're doing?"

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