His Ex-Wife Came Back-Stronger

~ Chloe ~

My husband didn't love me. He didn't hate me either.

What he felt for me was worse... nothing.

A nothingness I'd gotten used to. One I'd decided to adapt with.

Until the night that changed it all.

And it started when the car came to a halt.

A guard moved to open my husband, Dale Beldson's side of the car, and I watched him emerge, revealing that full six foot four figure I'd fallen for.

What everyone had fallen for.

It was kind of hard to not drool over such a well built man.

He was the nation's most handsome man after all, physically built to perfection.

Shoulders and chest carved like crystals. Blue eyes that shone brighter than ever, then with his dark blonde hair combed and sleeked marvelously, he defined hot.

'Hot' that I fell in love with.

Love that began the moment I got to high school at fifteen, him being a senior in his final year.

Five years passed, and I couldn't stop gawking every time I got to see him.

So you must imagine how blissed out I'd have been when he approached me on my twentieth birthday, asking to marry him because he needed a wife to secure his CEO position.

Then, it had seemed perfect, but now... after two years in, with us barely speaking to each other and sex that felt like an emotionless ritual, I could say my fantasy was dying.

Still, I held onto the hope that if out of all the females that had a crush on him, he chose me, then there would still be something in there.

Some feelings he had for me, hidden somewhere, deep down.

And every day, he hadn't proven me right nor wrong.

He barely spoke to me on a daily basis.

But today, something felt off.

I got out of the car, trying to study him.

His jaw was too tight, shoulders squared more than it normally would, eyes cold and distant.

He even had a frown on.

Normally, I was used to him being cold (because, what billionaire isn't), but that afternoon, it was different.

"Is everything alright?" I had to ask once I was beside him.

Only to be greeted with a deeper frown, before he started towards the mansion.

What was wrong with him?

Still, I didn't bother re-asking.

Instead, just rushed to catch up with him for the family dinner.

His family I hated totally.

They were like thorns in my paths.

Most of them disliked me, and they were sure to not hide it.

All because of one person. One annoying person.

"Dale!" That annoyingly sweet voice greeted the second we were in, her five foot six figure rushing to throw her arms around his neck.

And Dale, even more annoyingly, allowed her, returning the supposed hug.

His shoulders even as much as relaxed a little.

Seriously?

"You're here early." He said in that deep tone of his that I still loved.

Even when he was here, lovingly hugging someone who was meant to be 'just friend'.

"Hmm. I wanted to see Amber." She pulled away, then turned to me, her smile growing. "Chloe, you look nice."

I had to draw in a breath of patience. "Thanks Nora."

Nora Clint was probably the synonym of a nightmare.

If frustrating was a person, then it'd be her.

She was very great at masking her love for Dale in front of him, but when it came to me, she was very blunt with her insults.

But I could barely do anything, because apart from being a millionaire's daughter and the sister to my elder sister's boyfriend, she was also Dale's childhood friend and his family's perfect choice for him.

All in all, she was favored every time.

My name on her mouth brought Dale's frown once again.

"Come on, let's get going." Without glancing at me, he just began strutting off.

"Dal-" I was going to once again try to catch up, when Nora snatched my hand, halting me, the smile and pretend-friend phase dropping faster than ever.

"I don't see why you still attend these dinners when it's obvious you're not invited." She sneered. "Even Dale doesn't want you here."

"That's not true." I yanked my hand free, glaring at her. "He's just in a bad mood. Probably because of work," it didn't have to be because of me, right?

She burst out laughing like that was the most ridiculous thing ever.

"Whatever you want to think," then she stepped forward, "but you should know also that today will mark your last day in this house."

Her smile was back, while I stood confused.

"Alright then Chloe, see you later." She then walked away.

As I moved to the dining hall, I found myself fidgeting with my dress.

What had she meant by today was my last day?

What was she planning?

It probably shouldn't have bothered me knowing how Nora was, but it did, because I had a feeling, she just might be right.

Especially as I entered the hall to find Dale whispering to his father, but the moment I stepped in, they paused and Dale's cold stare landed on me.

I couldn't shake off the feeling that his bad mood wasn't about work... but about me.

I could feel all eyes on me the moment I took a seat on the dining table, Dale beside me and Nora on his other side.

The glares from his family was unmissable.

One would think I'd stolen the most valuable thing from them with how they always addressed me.

It was only his dad, Finn, and Dale's youngest sister, Tina, who didn't bother with one.

They both didn't hate me, they just didn't care.

Like Dale.

But the rest let their hatred very evident.

"Let's eat." Finn spoke sternly, enough to let their eyes drift from me for a second.

Just a second.

"That might have been a lot easier if this filth wasn't sitting with us." Sophie, his younger sister of four years huffed, hurling a glare my way.

Well, here come the unnecessary drama that takes place every single family dinner.

I had to resist an eye roll.

Seriously, if it wasn't for trying to make Dale like me, then I most certainly wouldn't be taking a lot of shit they offered.

His frown was still worn, bothering me further.

Something really was wrong.

"Sophie, this is not the-"

"Oh please, it's not like she's wrong." Amber, his mom, cut Tina off, her face in a sneer, then to me, "I don't see why my son left a perfect human like Nora, to go about feeding dogs and letting them live like lions."

My lips parted slightly.

She just called me a dog.

"Right?" Sophie had a lopsided smile on. "And he still brings this orphaned garbage to eat with us. If it were only Nora and her graceful-"

"That's enough." Dale stared up at them, expression plain, but cold. "No one must say any word about her again."

Him standing up for me brought a smile to my face.

There most certainly would be love in there somewhere.

Be it he was oddly colder that day or not, he would still have something for me.

But my happiness vanished when Nora spoke. "Yeah, you guys should stop being so mean to her. She's my friend after all."

I had to bite my lower lip to stop a retort.

She was enjoying being praised. That was obvious.

"But Chloe," she turned to me with that practiced feigned smile, "you too should learn not to embarrass us. Maybe I could give you some training on how to act later."

Oh this bitch.

"Th-"

"I said that's enough." Dale spoke more sternly.

But I was pissed, my internals boiling furiously.

If I didn't leave then, I might possibly explode.

"Please, excuse me. I have to use the ladies room." With a small smile, I stood up, then left for the toilet, clutching my purse the entire way.

"Nora, you asshole." I huffed, quickly retrieving my phone, then dialing Emery, my sister's number.

The only one I could confide in ever since our parent's death in an accident.

She answered after the second ring. "Yello."

"You will need to talk to your boyfriend." My cheeks were reddening.

"Why?"

"He had better snap some senses to Nora, because she's pissing me off and I'm not sure how long I'll be able to keep my cool." Two years was enough, I wasn't sure if I could do more.

"Woah, calm down. I'll talk to him, but what happened?" She replied.

"She's here pissing me off, hugging my husband, and enjoying everyone calling me a dog, then she even as much as says she's going to give me some lessons." I snorted. "Who wants lesson from a low-life hypocrite bitch like her."

I could see her frown from the voice call. "Don't you think maybe Dale should do something about that? His family can't keep on insulting you and he sits there listening."

"Oh no, he actually told them to stop."

"Oh-kay." She sounded like she wasn't believing, but I was true though. "Well, if you want, you can come over to visit. I'm always available."

"Thanks, maybe I'll come tomorrow."

"And I'll be here."

After a few more minutes of talking, we said our goodbyes, then I hung up.

Time to get back to my in-laws and Nora, who I'd have to get stuck with her fake sweetness.

With a sigh, I left the toilet, then started towards the dining room.

One thing I couldn't help but notice was how all the workers' eyes rested on me.

I was used to being stared at by Dale's family, but never the workers.

They still respected me regardless.

But now, they stared at me like I'd done the most absurd thing, which was... very weird.

Still, I said nothing, and just made my way to the dining room.

"Ah, there she is!" Amber's loathe-filled voice greeted me once I was in, startling my feet to stop.

"Huh?" I stared up at all the faces, glaring at me with fury, even Finn.

Dale was nowhere to be found though, but the eyes on me made me wish he was here.

"You bitch!" Sophie headed towards me, grabbing my arm in a grip so tight, I was only further surprised.

"What's going on?" Someone needed to clear things up.

"You money laundering shameless bitch!" She began pulling me with her.

"Stop this!" Furious, I yanked myself free. "Will you tell me what the heck's going on or just fuck off?"

"It seems you've still got the wings to talk after everything." She eyed me with disgust.

One even more than she'd ever offered.

"Oh, you want to know, right?" Amber scoffed, moving to stand in front of me. "Then, see this." She pushed her phone to me.

And my eyes widened the moment I stared at the screen.

It showed a transaction from Dale's company to me, then another account.

From what the phone read, I'd stolen twelve million dollars from his company.

"And this." She scrolled to the next photo.

One that made me gasp.

A photo... tons of them, of me with a guy, handing money to him.

And the next was a voice recording.

My voice, talking to some guy on how to get rid of Dale as soon as possible.

"What the-?"

"What? Th-This is bullshit!" I stared wide-eyed, my heart rate picking so fast, I wasn't even aware when I hit the phone so hard, it flew a good distance before landing with a crash.

"How dare you?" Amber sucked in a breath, stepping forward, her face rage filled. "Do you even have any idea how expensive that phone is?"

"How can she, when she just stole an entire twelve million!" Sophie growled in disgust. "Where is your shame?"

"No, this isn't true!" My body was starting to panic, shaking at what I was being accused of. "I didn't do it! I love Dale! I would never-"

I was cut short by a strike on the cheek.

Amber's nose was flared now. "Don't ever say his name again! I don't want to hear your filthy mouth do such."

Tears were already welling in my eyes.

Twelve million?

I was being accused of not only laundering twelve million dollars, but also planned murder?

That wasn't good.

Not at all.

It spoke of potential life in prison, and I knew one thing was for sure, neither Amber nor Sophie would stop that from happening.

So I rushed to the one who could.

Finn.

"Please, please believe me Mr Beldson." My hands clasped together, tears already pouring. "I didn't do anything! Please."

He stepped back, a deep frown on his face. "This is something I'd have expected from many others, but not you."

A satisfied smile grew up Amber's lips as she moved to stand beside her husband. "Are the cops around?" She asked a worker by the corner, obviously eavesdropping.

"Y-Yes ma'am." The person startled from getting caught.

"Then bring them in."

Police?

Oh, no no. "Amber, don't do this." I shook my head, and without second thoughts, dropped to my knees in front of her, tears pouring even more. "Please Amber, I promise this is some kind of conspiracy. Don't get me arrested."

Her smile grew to one of satisfaction.

"You have always been a golddigger, haven't you?"

"N-No Amber, I promise-"

"Please Chloe, will you stop all this already." Nora's voice made me tilt my head in her direction. "You know I've liked you ever since you got married to Dale, and I've always tried to stand by you whenever you aren't being treated well, but this..." she shook her head in obviously feigned disappointment. "This is overdoing it. You've done what you shouldn't have."

Her voice immediately dried the tears.

And when I noticed the smile she was obviously biting back, anger filled me.

"You!" I growled, jumping to my feet. "You asshole!"

The fury made me run to her, throwing a punch to her face first.

That had obviously come as an unexpected surprise, because she staggered back, her hands flying to her bloodied nose with wide eyes.

Everyone in the room gasped in shock.

"Are you mad?!"

"Shut up." I threw another punch, determined to destroy that hypocrisy of hers.

This one sent her falling, so I quickly straddled over, throwing punches that led to her bleeding and screaming and wailing, hands flailing.

This was all her doing! It was!

"Help!"

At that moment, the police arrived, and quickly rushed to grab both arms of mine before Amber and Tina could beat them to it.

"You are under arrest now, and you had better not do anything or else this might not end pretty." The cop said.

"You've gone mad! You've turned crazy!" Amber crouched beside Nora, helping her to her feet.

"Yeah, you can say that." I tried freeing myself of the officer's grip, but it was just too strong.

Still, that didn't stop my leg flailing. "I've done nothing but been nice to this stupid ass family, and look at how you've all treated me. With nothing but hatred.

"If it wasn't for Dale, you think I'd still be here! I'm not that shameless! And now, she's done the worst by making it seem like I wanted to kill my own husband to elope with some idiot that probably doesn't exist and you expect me not to run mad!"

"Stop this! You're just bringing more disgrace to the Beldson family." Finn sounded very mad. "Officers, take her away!"

I gasped. "No! No! Where's Dale? I need to see Dale!"

He would never allow them to do such.

He loved me, and I knew that. He would stop this from happening.

He would.

I tried, once again, to free myself from the grip, but they were just too strong.

Then, they began pulling me towards the door, ignoring my scream of innocence and pleas to see Dale.

"Leave her!" Finally, after what felt like an eternity, my help was back.

The cops paused, same as everyone in the room.

Nora straightened, touching her bruised face, but seeming more interested in Dale's words.

"Mom," he turned to Amber with the deepest frown ever, "drop the charges."

"Wha-?"

"No questions. Just drop it." He spoke firmly, and with a deep frown, Amber did that, so the cops released me.

"Thank you so much Dale." I rushed to his side, tears filling my eyes. "I knew you'd come to my rescue."

"Dale, this girl is dangerous. She just almost killed me." Nora said in disbelief, obviously not expecting her plans to not work.

He ignored her. Instead, grabbed my wrist in one hand, while holding what looked like a suitcase in the other.

He began pulling me with him to... somewhere.

Somewhere private, but I didn't even care about that.

Only the fact he literally just saved me from possible years in prison.

"Dale, thank you so much for believing me."

My words made him stop when we were both alone now, then turn to me with that still over cold expression.

"What makes you think I do?" He asked, his tone matching his look.

"H-Huh?"

"I didn't drop the case to save you Chloe." He started plainly. "But because I know how much of a stain it would be to my reputation if it came out that the wife of a Beldson is a criminal."

"What?" I was in utter shock.

Dale didn't believe me either?

"I've been able to retrieve the money, but can't risk such repeating itself."

"Wha-What do you mean?" Even before he said the words, I already suspected them, my breath hitched, heart stopped.

Then he dropped the bomb. "We're getting a divorce. Now."