MY EX HUSBAND WENT MAD AFTER I DIVORCED HIM FOR THE BOSS

Chapter 1

"Do you think he would ever cheat on you?" Vivian asked Madison as she slowly drank her tea from fine china.

"What?" Madison laughed nervously. "He would never."

Madison Baker had been married for 4 years now, ever since she was 19. She trusted her husband.

'He would never do that to me' she thought.

Meanwhile Vivian continued drinking her tea and smiled cunningly, as if she knew something Madison didn't.

"Why are you asking me that?" Madison asked cautiously.

Vivian gently placed her cup on the saucer.

"No reason in particular"

"Vivian"

"What?" Vivian asked ignorantly.

"Why are you smiling like that?" Madison finally asked.

"What do you mean? I smile all the time" Vivian said, defending herself as she gently leaned back against the chair.

Madison stared at her suspiciously. She had known Vivian ever since they were in high school, and she knew all of Vivian's expressions.

"You're hiding something from me"

"I am not"

Madison sighed and reached for her own tea.

"My husband isn't like that" she said, more firmly this time, "he loves me"

"I didn't say he didn't" Vivian said.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. They were both deep in their own thoughts.

Vivian had only asked a question about infidelity, but what she didn't know was that she had slowly planted the seed of doubt in Madison's heart.

Madison looked around the restaurant as cars moved by and waiters carried trays of expensive food and wine.

Everything around her felt ordinary. Luxury was something you got used to, especially when you were born with a silver spoon

Her marriage also felt ordinary. Safe. Perfect.

At least that was what Madison believed.

Vivian looked at her friend and felt a strange mixture of pity and satisfaction.

She hadn't invited Madison out for tea because she missed Madison. No.

She invited her out because she wanted to see if Madison was half as miserable as she was in her own marriage.

Vivian had been married for 3 years with a 2 year old daughter. Her husband had been involved in countless affairs, including one that was still ongoing

She had begged and pleaded with her husband on countless occasions. Her husband, Jake, had a reputation for whoring around.

Vivian was miserable, meanwhile, Madison was glowing and her marriage seemed too perfect. A little too good for Vivian to handle.

"I heard some rumors..." Vivian started.

"What kind of rumors?"

"Someone at work said they saw your husband at some hotel yesterday..." she said, waiting for Madison's perfect facade to crack. "He was with some woman and she was kissing him"

But Madison's expression didn't change, instead she laughed so loud the people in the restaurant turned their heads to look at her.

She covered her mouth with her hand as she continued laughing. Covering her mouth while she laughed was a little habit she always did ever since high school.

Madison's laughter faded slowly when she noticed the serious look on her friend's face.

"You actually believe it?"

"It's not about whether I believe it or not, Maddy, people are talking"

"Look Viv, I don't care what people are saying okay? I trust my husband"

"Okay fine" Vivian said, raising her hands up as she surrendered. "I just thought you should know"

"Whoever saw him must have seen someone that looked like him" Madison said with assurance.

"You're right" Vivian said.

"And even if it was him, that doesn't mean he was doing something wrong"

"True"

Madison sighed.

She knew Vivian wasn't accusing her husband, Evan, of anything directly. But she couldn't help but feel irritated.

Her husband had never, not once, given her any reason to doubt him.

Evan had been there when she lost her mother. He held her through every difficult night, reassured her when she doubted herself. They had built their home together, planned their future together.

He was there for her in every way that mattered. So there was no reason for her to suspect him.

Seeing how Madison had reacted, Vivian did not want to get her upset by pressing the issue further.

They switched topics and started talking about all sorts of things while Madison asked about Vivian's daughter.

Madison had always wished to have a child of her own. 4 years of marriage, but no child.

Nothing was wrong with Evan. Madison was the one who was infertile. She had injuries to her uterus due to an accident and some complications in the past.

Evan had promised to stay with her no matter what. If she couldn't have children, then they wouldn't have children.

Although Madison had tried countless medicines and treatments and pretended like it didn't really matter, deep down, it mattered to her.

Madison had expected Evan to leave her that night. She had practically given him permission to.

Instead, he sat beside her hospital bed, held her hand and told her, "I didn't marry you because I wanted children. I married you because I wanted you."

Sometimes Madison wondered what she had done to deserve Evan.

She couldn't give him the one thing many men wanted from a marriage. Children.

Yet Evan had never made her feel like she was lacking.

When both women finished their tea, they both said their goodbyes and drove home.

Madison drove home steadily, but when she stopped at the traffic light, she couldn't help but think about what Vivian had said earlier.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the city, Evan had just finished with the day's work. As he left his office, the ladies winked and smiled at him seductively but he only offered a kind smile as he walked past them.

Evan was a good looking man and was always kind to the ladies. He wasn't some mean CEO. He actually got along pretty well with his subordinates.

"Rushing home to meet Maddy?" His friend teased.

"Yes"

"You can't live without that woman, can you?"

"How can I? She's the only woman that matters to me in this world" Evan said with a smile.

When he finally reached the house, his wife was already waiting for him in the bedroom.

"Hey baby" he said immediately after seeing her. He walked over to her and kissed her on the forehead.

Just like he always did. Madison smiled wholeheartedly as she helped him remove his jacket.

He gave her her favorite dessert. The one he always brings to her after work and she accepted it with a wide smile.

"You should take a shower and join me for dinner downstairs" she said sweetly.

"Okay baby" he said, playfully hugging her before heading to the bathroom.

She quickly checked herself in the mirror and adjusted the strap of her nightwear. She wanted something more than just them having dinner.

But just as she made her way out of their room, she heard a cellphone vibrate in the distance.

Neither her phone nor her husband's phone lit up, so where was the vibration coming from?

She traced the sound to her husband's briefcase, carefully opened it and saw another cellphone inside.

But Evan didn't have another cellphone.

She saw missed calls and then a text came in.

Her hands shook as she opened the text.

*I miss you, baby. Call me back asap.*

'No. It couldn't be'

Madison stared at the message on the screen again.

*I miss you, baby. Call me back ASAP.*

She looked at the phone in her hand again, wondering if she was seeing things.

Who was this woman?

Why was she calling Evan baby?

And why did Evan have a second cell phone she knew nothing about?

Madison's fingers tightened around the phone.

Her heart was pounding faster this now.

Madison's eyes moved toward the bathroom door and she could hear the shower already running, which meant Evan was still inside.

She looked at the phone. There were several missed calls from the same number.

She wanted to open the call history. She wanted to check the messages. And she so wanted to find out who this woman was.

But another part of her was terrified of what she might find.

She swallowed hard.

'Maybe there is an explanation'

There had to be.

Maybe the phone wasn't Evan's. It could be his work buddy's.

Evan wasn't a cheater. He couldn't be.

Not after everything they had been through together.

Madison quickly wiped her palms against her nightwear before placing the phone back inside the briefcase.

She made sure it was positioned exactly how she had found it.

Then she closed the briefcase.

She heard the bathroom door open and Evan stepped out, drying his hair with a towel.

Her heart jumped.

He simply smiled when he saw her.

"Why are you standing there baby?" He asked but Madison couldn't answer.

"I was waiting for you." Madison finally forced a smile.

Evan walked towards her.

"You should have gone downstairs"

"I know" Madison replied.

He leaned down and kissed her forehead.

The familiar gesture suddenly felt so strange to Madison.

Madison stared at her husband, he seemed indifferent.

There was nothing unusual about him. Not his expressions, not his routine.

He looked exactly like the man she had known for years.

Evan had immediately noticed the subtle change in his wife.

He looked at his wife. His naive wife who had been obsessed with him ever since high school.

He knew his wife like the back of his palm or so he likes to think.

Why was his wife suddenly acting different? Did she find something?

"Are you okay?" Evan asked.

She nodded quickly.

"I'm fine"

"You look distracted"

"I'm just tired"

Evan studied her for a brief moment before smiling.

"Then let's eat and get some rest"

He held out his hand.

Madison stared at it for a second before taking his hand.

They slowly walked downstairs together.

Dinner was supposed to be ordinary per usual.

Madison tried to make it ordinary. She tried to keep her emotions in check. She did not want to confront Evan, because what if she was wrong? What if Evan got mad at her for accusing him of cheating.

She listened to Evan talk about his day at work. She smiled when he told her about one of his employees making a ridiculous mistake.

She even laughed when he teased her about how serious she took her favorite dessert.

But she wasn't really there.

Her mind kept running back to what Vivian had said. About the briefcase, the phone , the message.

Every time she remembered the content of the message, her chest tightened.

"Why are you so quiet today" Evan asked.

"What?" Madison looked up suddenly.

"You've barely touched your food."

"I guess I'm not very hungry" She said as she looked down at her plate.

"Is something wrong Mia Cara?" Evan asked, his hand reaching across the table as he touched her hand.

Mia cara.

The name he always called her. The name that made her feel special.

For a moment she melted and she almost told him what the problem was.

'I found another phone in your briefcase'

The words were very easy but she couldn't say them. She didn't even know why.

Maybe she was afraid. What if she was right? She didn't want to ruin her perfect marriage.

"No, I'm okay" she said softly.

"I don't want you worrying about anything" Evan said as he squeezed her hand.

Later that night, Madison lay beside Evan with her back turned toward him.

She couldn't sleep. She could hear Evan's breathing, slow and steady.

He was sleeping. She stared into the darkness as she thought about Vivian and the whole conversation.

She had laughed off what Vivian had said. But now, what if it was true.

The thought hurt more than she had expected.

She turned around and looked at Evan. He looked peaceful in his sleep. Her hand reached out and gently touched his face.

"No" she whispered.

Madison refused to believe it. There was another explanation and she would find it.

********************

The following morning, Evan woke up early.

He kissed Madison on the forehead before getting out of bed.

"Good morning, beautiful"

Madison opened her eyes and smiled.

"Good morning."

Madison watched him carefully as he walked toward the bathroom.

She had never paid so much attention to his movements before. But none of it mattered. It was all the same. Normal.

When Evan left the room to get something from downstairs, Madison's eyes quickly moved to his briefcase.

A lot of thoughts ran through her mind. Of course she wanted to open the briefcase and check his text messages and his call logs but she didn't.

She didn't want to be a crazy wife who searched through her husband's belongings, besides she was sure she wouldn't find the phone by the time he came back from work later.

A few minutes later, Evan returned to the room, picked up his briefcase and was ready to head out.

"I'll see you tonight."

"Okay" Madison smiled.

He walked over and kissed her, then he left.

She stood by the window and watched his car disappear down the driveway, only then did the smile on her face also disappear.

Across the city, Evan sat inside his car.

His second phone which he had brought out of the briefcase vibrated.

He glanced at the screen.

*Are you going to keep ignoring me?*

Evan locked his screen, he couldn't deal with her right now.

Something was going on with his wife and he had to find out what it was.

Madison stood in front of a mannequin, carefully adjusting the lace on the wedding gown.

"Move the waistline slightly higher," she instructed.

One of her employees immediately stepped forward and made the adjustment.

Madison tilted her head, studying the dress.

"That's better."

She took a few steps back.

The wedding dress was one of the newest designs in her collection. It had taken her several days to get the details right, and she was very happy with how it turned out.

Her boutique was one of the places Madison was most proud of.

It was large, elegant, and always busy.

Rows of beautiful dresses filled the showroom, from simple evening gowns to elaborate wedding dresses. The walls were decorated with sketches of some of Madison's original designs, while several mannequins stood around the shop wearing her latest creations.

Madison had started designing clothes for as long as she could remember. Her mother was a tailor.

What had once been a hobby had eventually become a successful business.

She loved fashion.

She loved seeing a design she had imagined in her head become something real.

Usually, being at work was enough to make her forget everything else.

But today, it wasn't working.

Her mind kept returning to the phone.

Madison shook her head.

She didn't want to think about it.

She had barely slept the previous night because of that message.

Every time she closed her eyes, she saw it again.

"Madam?"

Madison looked up.

One of her employees stood in front of her.

"Yes?"

"There is a young lady asking to see you."

"Who?"

"She said her name is Mia."

"Mia?" Madison frowned.

"Yes."

Madison thought for a moment before her eyes widened.

"Vivian's sister?"

The employee nodded.

"Send her in."

A few moments later, a young woman walked into the showroom.

Madison immediately recognized her.

"Mia?"

"Hi, Madison."

Mia smiled warmly.

Madison hugged her.

"It's been so long. What are you doing here?"

"I came to look at wedding dresses." Mia said, glancing around the boutique.

"Wedding dresses?" Madison asked as she pulled away from the hug.

"Yes."

Madison stared at her.

"You're getting married?"

Mia laughed.

"I knew you were going to react like that."

"Because I had no idea you were getting married!"

Madison shook her head in disbelief.

"Vivian never told me anything."

"Because she doesn't know everything yet." Mia shrugged.

Madison's eyebrows rose.

"What does that mean?"

"Nothing. I just haven't told her much." Mia smiled.

Madison looked at her curiously.

"When is the wedding?"

"We haven't picked a date yet."

"We?"

Mia nodded.

"My fiancé and I."

Madison smiled.

"Well, congratulations."

"Thank you."

Madison looked at Mia carefully.

She remembered the last time she had seen her.

Mia had been much younger then.

Now she was 20 years old and apparently preparing to get married.

"Does Vivian know you're engaged?"

"She knows I'm seeing someone."

"But she doesn't know you're engaged?"

Mia shook her head.

"I wanted to tell her myself."

"Your sister is going to kill you." Madison laughed softly.

"I know."

They both laughed.

"Come on," Madison said. "I'll show you some of our newest designs."

Mia followed her toward the wedding collection.

Madison pulled out several dresses and began explaining the designs.

"This one is more traditional. The lace is handmade."

Mia touched the fabric.

"It's beautiful."

"This one is more modern. It's one of my personal favorites."

"I like this one." Mia said as she stared at the gown.

"I knew you would." Madison said with a smile.

She couldn't help feeling excited for the young woman.

There was something special about helping someone choose a wedding dress.

It was one of the reasons she had fallen in love with designing bridal gowns in the first place.

"Do you have a picture of your engagement ring?" Madison asked.

Mia smiled.

"Not with me."

"Then you'll have to show me later."

"I will."

Mia continued looking through the dresses.

After nearly an hour, she finally found one she loved.

"I think this is the one."

Madison smiled.

"Then we have a winner."

Mia looked at herself in the mirror while Madison adjusted the dress.

For a moment, Madison found herself imagining what it would have been like if she had been able to have children.

Maybe one day, she would have helped her own daughter choose a wedding dress.

The thought came unexpectedly.

She quickly pushed it away.

She had promised herself she wouldn't dwell on things she couldn't change.

After taking Mia's measurements, Madison wrote down the details.

"When you're ready, we'll make the necessary adjustments."

"Thank you."

Mia hugged her.

"I'm glad I came here."

"Me too."

Mia smiled before leaving the boutique.

Madison watched her walk out.

She smiled to herself.

At least someone was having a happy beginning.

She turned around and walked back toward her office.

As she passed the employees, she heard whispering that made her stop.

"Did you see her?"

"Yes."

"She looks so young."

"She's only twenty."

Madison frowned.

She didn't want her employees gossiping about customers.

She continued walking, but then she heard another voice.

"I heard she's dating a sugar daddy."

Madison stopped.

She turned around.

"What?"

The two employees immediately looked at her.

"Nothing, ma'am."

Madison folded her arms.

"I heard what you said."

One of them looked embarrassed.

"We're sorry."

"Don't gossip about our customers."

"Yes, ma'am."

Madison gave the women one final look.

"I don't want to hear another word about our customers. Is that clear?"

"Yes, ma'am," they answered almost simultaneously.

"Good."

She turned away and returned to her office.

The rest of the afternoon passed without anything unusual happening.

For a while, she managed to forget about everything else.

By the time she finished for the day, the sun was already beginning to set.

Madison grabbed her handbag and walked out of her office.

"Goodnight, everyone."

"Goodnight, ma'am."

She stepped outside and headed toward her car.

She unlocked her car and got inside.

After starting the engine, Madison pulled out of the parking lot.

She drove through the busy streets, barely paying attention to the cars around her.

Her thoughts were elsewhere.

Madison frowned.

She needed to stop thinking about it.

She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't notice the car in front of her slowing down.

Madison stepped on the brake but it was too late.

BANG!

Her car jolted forward.

"Oh my God!" Madison gasped.

She immediately looked ahead.

The front of her car had collided with the back of a black luxury sedan.

Madison stepped out of her car, already furious.

"Are you serious?" she snapped, glaring at the black sedan she had just hit. "You came out of nowhere!"

She slammed her car door and marched toward the other vehicle, ready to give the driver a piece of her mind.

As the driver's door opened Madison stopped.

A tall man stepped out, dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit. His expression was cold and intimidating enough to make the words hang in her throat.

She stared at him as her anger vanished instantly.

She knew that face.

Everyone in the city knew that face.

Her heart skipped.

She had just crashed into the most powerful man in the entire city.

Alexander Voss.