Mad Love: My Ex-Husband's Second Chance

Celeste Finch stepped out of the shower and sat in front of her vanity, patting on some moisturizer.

The woman in the mirror wore a violet slip nightgown, her long hair cascading over her shoulders, accentuating her sensual, poised allure.

Her fair skin glowed, and her eyes shimmered beguilingly - a paradoxical mix of innocence and mystique that drew anyone's gaze.

Yet there was someone who never looked at her properly.

Today marked the first anniversary of her marriage to Dorian Finch. As usual, the clock on the wall showed past ten, and he still hadn't returned home.

Celeste was used to it by now.

She got ready for bed and lay down.

Bang!

The sound of the front door opening came from downstairs. Dorian was back.

His muffled steps approached and paused at the master bedroom before he glanced through the crack in the partially open door and walked away.

Celeste listened as the footsteps faded and the study door was kicked open.

She sat up, smiling wryly.

They had maintained this living arrangement for an entire year.

She had thought their mutual disinterest wasn't so bad, but now she realized there was no point prolonging a loveless marriage.

She slipped on a robe and headed for the study, knocking on the door.

"Dorian, it's Celeste."

"What is it?"

Dorian's rich, magnetic voice came through the door.

Expressionless, Celeste replied, "I need to talk to you."

A ten-second silence followed before he responded, "Come in."

Celeste pushed the door open.

Dorian was freshly showered. His muscular torso was exposed with a towel wrapped around his waist.

Water dripped from his hair as the crisp, woody scent of his cologne lingered.

Celeste stole a glance. Dorian's chiseled chest and shoulders tapered into a seductive V-line. His eight-pack abs were particularly alluring.

His physique rivaled top models - perhaps even surpassed them.

This was the first time she truly appreciated his body, and despite only a brief look, Celeste found it hard to tear her eyes away.

"I wanted to talk to you too."

Dorian said flatly, snapping Celeste's attention back.

Averting her gaze to hide her awkwardness, Celeste replied, "You first, or shall I?"

Without answering, Dorian cut to the chase.

"Celeste, let's get a divorce."

Although she had come to propose the same thing, hearing the words from Dorian's lips left her momentarily stunned.

Celeste had been prideful since childhood. With her high-powered career, she possessed a commanding presence and aloofness uncharacteristic of her age.

After a few seconds, however, she regained her composure with a smile.

"That's what I wanted to say too. Let's meet at City Hall in the morning."

With that, she turned and left.

Their marriage had been a farcical arrangement. The Atwood and Finch families had been allies for generations, which led to Celeste and Dorian's betrothal as children.

A year ago, Celeste returned to the country at her father's request to marry Dorian.

At the time, she had hoped for a happy life with him.

But on their wedding night, Dorian presented her with a contract for a marriage in name only.

Bewildered, Celeste nonetheless signed, believing time could change Dorian's heart. But as he increasingly neglected her, her feelings froze over.

To force herself to move on, Celeste immersed herself in work at the Atwood Group, letting the busyness numb her heartache as Dorian drifted farther away.

Over this past year, they led separate professional lives.

They left each other alone except for their appearances that required mutual cooperation.

To the outside world, they seemed deeply in love, but only they knew their marriage lacked affection.

Celeste knew Dorian would never love her, for his heart belonged to another woman.

...

That night, Celeste struggled to sleep.

Staring at her raccoon-eyed reflection, she applied eyeshadow and lipstick for the first time to mask her pallid complexion.

She intended to look her radiant best and deprive others of an opportunity to mock her.

Celeste chose a low-cut red dress that flattered her striking beauty. With her alluring make-up, she exuded an enchanting, ethereal sensuality.

Dorian gaped momentarily when she descended the stairs, clearly captivated despite knowing Celeste's beauty.

He had only seen her in natural, minimal makeup before - never this bold, fiery glamor.

The Celeste he had married possessed an understated appeal. After taking over the Atwood Group, her professional style made her appear more mature. But today, Celeste embodied a smoldering temptress.

Dorian stared heatedly for a full minute, his gaze betraying emotions unfamiliar even to himself.

"What, am I that dazzling?" Celeste smiled thinly, aware of his scrutiny.

Dorian said nothing. His eyes coolly returned forward as he grabbed his car keys and headed out.

Celeste followed him to the car.

Having slept poorly the previous night, she closed her eyes once inside.

Her lush lashes, coated with mascara, cast delicate shadows on her lids. But Dorian's gaze lingered hungrily on her smoldering red lips, his throat constricting slightly.

He was startled by his reaction toward his soon-to-be ex-wife.

Flustered, Dorian adjusted his tie.

This marriage had merely been a sacrifice for business interests.

He despised being controlled. He had only agreed due to his grandfather's ultimatum about inheriting the Dynasty Corp.

Now with the Dynasty Corp under his full ownership, Dorian could call the shots.

He could decide his marital status.

Plus, Violet Morland would return soon, and he had promised to marry her one year later. He must divorce Celeste!

Pushing those thoughts aside, Dorian averted his eyes just as Celeste opened hers.

She hadn't actually dozed off. She had merely feigned sleep to avoid the awkwardness.

Dorian's exquisitely chiseled features appeared tense, his imposing presence unchanged since their first meeting a year ago.

Celeste couldn't recall ever seeing him smile.

But it didn't matter anymore.

They were getting a divorce soon.