Reclaimed By Her Heartless Ex-Husband

Isabella~

"Isabella, where's Xavier? Call him to the party hall. All the guests are waiting for the cake-cutting ceremony." Mr. Donald Thompson, my father-in-law, requested that I find my spouse. With trepidation, I nodded and spun around to search for Xavier in the massive party hall. At this grand party, seeing him felt like an impossible task.

All the important guests, clutching their wine glasses, enjoyed the evening in the beautifully designed hall, its floral arrangements, and colorful lights creating a breathtaking display. The wealth of the Thompson family was evident in every detail of the decor, which reflected the Thompson family's wealth, leaving everyone in awe. They were America's richest family, not just the town's richest.

Holding the shimmering folds of my heavy gown, I navigated through the crowd like a lost puppy, trying to spot my husband, Xavier Thompson. This was only the second time I'd attended such an extravagant event. The first had been my wedding reception, and now, a year later, I was back at an even larger celebration-this time for our anniversary.

But today wasn't just about us.

On the day of my wedding, my father-in-law had announced his upcoming retirement as chief lawyer of the Thompson firm. Everyone in attendance today was eagerly awaiting the big moment-the announcement of the new heir to his prestigious position, which was set to take place after the cake-cutting ceremony.

Lost in my thoughts, I didn't see the man in front of me until I accidentally bumped into him, spilling wine across his pristine white coat.

"Isabella, where are you wandering?" Victor, Xavier's younger brother, inquired as he looked down at the stain. His expression was perplexed but not angry.

"Oh, Victor! I'm so sorry," I said quickly, fumbling to wipe the wine from his coat.

"Relax, Bella. It's just wine." He smiled warmly, his tone soft. "You don't have to be so nervous around me. I'm your friend, not your husband, who reprimands you without reason every chance he gets." His words were light, but they held a bitter truth.

He blinked, offering me a small nod of reassurance, but the guilt gnawed at me for ruining his party attire.

"Let me help you clean up," I insisted, leading him inside the house. Victor followed, and once we were away from the noise of the party, he spoke again.

"Where's Big Brother? Shouldn't he be by your side on your anniversary?" He inquired, his voice tinged with disappointment.

"I don't know," I sighed, my shoulders slumping. "Dad asked me to look for him."

Victor shook his head, frustration flashing in his eyes. "How could he do this to you? He should be here-at least today of all days! He also needs to hear Dad's announcement."

"Don't be angry," I muttered. "He's probably running late because of some important work." I opened Victor's wardrobe and pulled out a tuxedo for him to change into.

"Why are you presenting me with all of these options when you are aware that I will simply wear whatever you choose?" Victor chuckled and stepped into the bathroom to change.

I smiled faintly as I glanced at the coat he'd left behind. When he emerged a few minutes later, I couldn't help but admire how the tuxedo fit him perfectly.

"Hmm... you look good, but something's missing." I placed a hand on my chin, studying him.

He looked strikingly like his elder brother, Xavier. He possessed an irresistible charm and a sharp jawline that captivated women. So many longed for a glimpse of Xavier, but I was the one lucky enough to call him my husband.

"Bella, what are you smiling at?" Victor waved his hand in front of my eyes, pulling me from my thoughts.

"Wait here," I said with a quick grin. "I'll be back in a second."

I hurried to my room to fetch a brooch for Victor's coat. As I approached, I heard Xavier's voice from inside, his tone low and familiar. My footsteps slowed at the door. When had he arrived? Did he get dressed for the party?

I reached for the knob but froze when I heard a woman's voice-a voice I knew all too well.

"When will you divorce her, darling?" Alicia's words hit me like a slap. "I can't stand being apart any longer."

No. It can't be her. My hands trembled as I stood there, rooted in place. I had to imagine it.

Xavier's voice cut through the air, low and cruel. "Just wait a little longer. After Dad announces the new heir, I'll file for divorce. Only I know how I managed to survive this year living under the same roof with that uneducated, low-class woman."

His words pierced through me, leaving me breathless. The tears came before I could stop them, hot and fast, blurring my vision. What was I hearing? Did he not love me? Why had he married me at all? My mind raced back through the moments we'd shared over the past year, each one now tainted by the realization that he had never cared for me.

I was so blind. I had mistakenly believed that his affection for me that night meant he had finally come to love me. But now I saw the truth. He had been drinking. I was foolish enough to mistake his weakness for love.

But now, even though I knew I wasn't ready for what awaited me behind that door, I had to face it. With every ounce of courage left, I turned the knob and stepped inside.

There they were-Xavier, half-dressed, and Alicia shamelessly naked beneath the duvet. Her face drained of color when she saw me.

"Isabella, when did you-" Alicia stammered, clutching the sheets around her.

I looked at Xavier, waiting for any sign of guilt, any hint that he cared about what he had done. But there was none. He wrapped his arms around Alicia as if my presence didn't matter at all.

My chest tightened, and for a moment, I couldn't breathe. My heart, already fragile, shattered into pieces as I stood there, staring at the man I loved, who didn't love me back.

"Dad's calling you for the cake-cutting ceremony," I whispered, my voice barely holding steady.

Xavier gave me a nod, not even bothering to cover his shame. It was nothing to him.

I wiped my tears quickly as I heard Victor approaching. With a forced smile plastered across my face, I stepped back out of the room and shut the door behind me.

Isabella~

"Bella, what happened? Why are you looking so sad?" Victor gave me a worried look.

"I'm all right. Let's go to the party; Dad must be waiting for us." I put more effort into forcing a fake smile on my face, trying to hide my tears.

"But my brooch, you said my appearance looks incomplete," he grumbled as he glanced at the locked door to my room.

"You look perfectly fine; you don't need a brooch." I grabbed his hand, stopping him from entering my room. I couldn't bear for him to step into the nightmare I had just witnessed. My hand trembled slightly as I held onto his, the weight of Xavier and Alicia's betrayal pressing on my chest like a boulder.

Victor let out a soft sigh. "All right, if you say so." His eyes searched mine, and I quickly averted my gaze, tugging him toward the party hall. It became impossible to face anyone alone.

As we walked, my world crumbled in my mind, replaying Xavier and Alicia's intimacy over and over. How had I been so blind to their relationship? Every memory came rushing back-their subtle glances, their inside jokes. All the moments I had dismissed as mere friendship between them suddenly came back to me. I had mistaken it for loyalty, but now, standing in the ruins of my trust, I saw how wrong I had been.

Alicia was my stepsister, but my father had never treated us differently. If she had told me from the start that she loved Xavier, I would have stepped aside. How could she betray me like this when she knew I had loved him since childhood? And Xavier-why hadn't he stopped his father from forcing him to marry me? The questions swirled in my head, each one more painful than the last.

Tears threatened to spill again, but I blinked them away. People were watching. I was the wife of Xavier Thompson, one of the most well-known criminal lawyers, and David Thompson's daughter-in-law. My emotions had to remain hidden.

"Bella, where is Xavier? Guests are eagerly waiting to meet him." My father-in-law's voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

Now, what should I tell him?

"Dad, he'll be here soon." I tried to sound convincing, but my voice wavered as I stumbled through the lie.

"I'm here, Dad." Xavier's voice came from behind me, startling me. I turned to face him, forcing my expression into something neutral. He looked calm, completely unaffected by what had just transpired. As if the last few minutes meant nothing to him.

"Come, let's cut the cake," Dad said, motioning for us to begin the ceremony. As he approached the cake, Xavier plastered a fake smile on his face.

"Cut the cake, Bella," Dixie, my sister-in-law, urged, handing me the knife.

My hands shook as I took it, trying to ignore the heaviness in my heart. This celebration felt like a farce. Everything-from our vows to the ring on my finger-felt like a cruel joke. All I wanted was to scream, to confront Xavier, to demand answers. But I couldn't. Not yet. Not here.

His hand glided over mine, guiding the knife as we cut through the cake. The warmth of his skin against mine, something I had once longed for, now repulsed me. I wanted to pull away, but his grip tightened, keeping me close. I felt trapped, suffocated by his proximity.

Alicia stood just in front of the table, her eyes locked on me with venomous hatred. How had I been so blind to her? Every look she gave me was dripping with resentment, yet I had always been too trusting to see it.

"Bella cut the cake." My father-in-law's voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I blinked, realizing the knife was still in my trembling hand, stuck in the middle of the cake. Xavier's grip was firm, too firm, and I struggled to remove the knife as the crowd cheered around us.

"Cheers."

"Well, wishes for your happy marriage."

We finished slicing the cake, and Xavier turned to me, holding a piece toward my lips. I stared into his eyes, searching for guilt and remorse. But there was nothing-just that same, cold indifference. His smile was a performance for the guests. His hand pushed the cake into my mouth, and I forced myself to chew. The sweetness turned bitter on my tongue, heavy like a stone in my chest.

"Bella, why so shy? He's your husband; give him some cake!" Dixie teased, and the crowd laughed. I picked up a piece with shaky fingers, offering it to Xavier. His lips parted as he leaned forward, licking the cream off my thumb.

The crowd burst into laughter, entertained by his playfulness.

But I felt sick. If I hadn't just caught him in our bedroom with Alicia, this act might have given me butterflies. Now, it only made me nauseous. I wiped my thumb on a napkin, desperate to remove his touch sensation.

"As I said on their wedding day," my father-in-law began, his voice booming through the hall. "I will now step down as CEO of my legal practice and select a family member to be the Thompson firm's heir."

The room fell into a heavy silence. Every eye in the hall turned toward him, waiting with bated breath. I stood in line next to Xavier, who shifted restlessly beside me. His impatience was clear, and I could sense his eagerness.

Of course, everyone knew Xavier would be the heir. He was the most logical choice-the only one qualified.

Still, there was tension in the air. I could feel it pressing down on all of us.

We lined up, standing side by side-Xavier and I on one side, and Grayson, his older brother, with Dixie on the other. Victor took his place on my left, his hand brushing mine in silent support.

I couldn't help but wonder why I was even part of this ceremony. I hadn't completed my education, and I had no business standing alongside lawyers as accomplished as Dixie.

My stomach tightened. Perhaps my father-in-law was only including me to treat me with respect and show that I was part of the family. But that didn't stop the confusion that gnawed at me. How could a dropout like me be considered for such a position?

I glanced at Xavier. He met my gaze briefly, then shook his head, disappointed. He always hated seeing me stand next to him; he hated that I was never good enough for him. Now I understand why he never took me to events or let me attend important functions. He thought I wasn't worthy of him.

"Why the delay, Dad?" Xavier asked, breaking the silence. "We all know I'm the rightful heir."

Mr. Thompson's eyes flicked toward me, lingering for a moment before he spoke. My heart pounded in my chest.

"I chose Isabella Thompson, my firm's heir."

His voice cut through the room like a blade.

My eyes widened, disbelief washing over me. "What?"

Isabella~

"What are you saying, Dad?" Xavier's frustrated voice echoed through the silent party hall following Mr. Thompson's shocking announcement.

I still couldn't believe it. There had to be a mistake. How could he choose me as his firm's new heir? I'm not qualified-I'm not even worthy to be a lawyer's assistant.

"Dad, how can Bella-" Victor's voice broke through the confusion, his shock mirroring the one I felt.

"You all heard me," Mr. Thompson said, his voice firm, cutting through the whispers that started spreading through the crowd. "Isabella Thompson, my daughter-in-law, is the new successor to my legal practice."

My blood froze as his words sunk in. It wasn't a dream. The whispers grew louder. People's gazes landed on me-questioning, doubting, almost judging. I could feel their stares like I was a cheap cloth draped across a rich carpet.

Grayson and Dixie exchanged glances of disapproval, and Victor looked utterly stunned, still trying to process what his father had said.

I didn't dare look at Xavier. I knew what his eyes would hold-betrayal, disappointment, and fury. This firm was his dream; it was his right. I'd never even wanted it.

After our marriage, I never focused on the family business, instead pouring everything into trying to win Xavier's heart. I had dreamed of becoming a lawyer once and admired Mr. Thompson deeply, but everything changed when my father passed away.

I dropped out of college, working part-time jobs just to support Alicia's education, drowning in debt.

Little did I know I had been nurturing a serpent that would one day turn and strike me.

My gaze drifted toward Alicia. Her eyes blazed with an intensity I hadn't seen before-pure hatred and rage.

"Dad, stop joking." Xavier tried to remain composed in front of the guests, but his red face and clenched fists betrayed him. "We can not handle this joke anymore."

"Xavier, I'm not joking," Mr. Thompson replied, his voice carrying the weight of finality. "Isabella is the new heir to the Thompson law firm. That's my final decision."

"This isn't feasible," Xavier nearly spat, his words coming fast and his tone sharp. "A law firm isn't some restaurant or boutique-this is a damn legal office. How can you name a college dropout as CEO? When people find out that the company's CEO is an illiterate woman, who will trust us with their cases?"

His words burned like molten metal, even though I knew, deep down, I wasn't worthy of this position. But how could he insult me so publicly? I hadn't asked for this. How could he treat me this way when I was still his wife?

"Xavier, I chose her after much thought." Dad's voice softened, trying to calm the situation. "She has talent, and with your help, I know she will learn how to manage the firm."

"Wife? Support? Deserving?" Xavier laughed bitterly. "What are you talking about, Dad? I never considered her to be my wife. The only reason I married this low-class, illiterate woman was so you wouldn't disqualify me as the company's heir."

I stood there, frozen, my gaze fixed on the floor. Each of his words cut through me like a blade, but they didn't sting as deeply as they would have before. I had already seen his deception. I knew the truth.

"What are you saying, Xavier?" Mr. Thompson, Grayson, Dixie, and Victor all stared at him in shock.

Xavier's voice lowered, but the bitterness in his tone only sharpened. "I fell in love with Alicia, not Isabella. She's the one who meets my standards. She's the perfect partner for me, not some cheap woman who's nothing but a burden." He cast his eyes toward me, filled with nothing but hatred.

I closed my eyes, trying to stop the tears from falling, but it was no use. They now flowed freely, unchecked. How had I ever believed he might love me?

"But I never promised you the firm, Xavier," Mr. Thompson said, his voice steady despite his shock. "I never told you that you would inherit it."

Xavier's fury intensified. "Then who else deserves it, if not me? Do you think Grayson's wife, Dixie, is more capable than me? Or that Grayson himself has more potential? Or maybe you think Victor, who's too busy with his guitar to even care about the law, is the right choice?"

His pride was palpable, every word dripping with arrogance. He stood just behind Mr. Thompson, who had once been the most successful lawyer in the country.

"But you insult me by offering a position to this low-standard, uneducated woman who couldn't even pass the law entrance exam."

His words struck hard, deeper than I expected. My vision blurred with tears, but anger began to rise from the pit of my stomach. I couldn't let him humiliate me like this. I wouldn't allow it.

"Xavier, that's enough," I said, my voice quiet but firm. I wiped away the tears from my face and confronted him. "You've insulted me enough for one night. You've made your feelings clear. But don't think I'll let you continue to tear me down."

His eyes narrowed, and a cruel smile formed on his lips. "What is this, Bella? A show of greatness? Do you think you can act noble by handing me the firm, pretending you're above it all? Do you believe I don't know what you're doing? You've been manipulating my father from day one, crying your way into his favor. Everyone may fall for your fake sweetness, but I don't."

He grabbed the cake and smashed it in his fist before shoving it against my mouth, his eyes blazing with hatred. "You married me to live the life you never could in your father's poor house. You're nothing but a gold digger. Enjoy your success, Bella."

The room fell into a shocked silence. I hadn't expected him to react like this-not in front of the guests, not in front of his family. His every word dripped with venom, but I hadn't realized just how deeply he despised me.

"Brother, that's enough," Victor intervened, stepping forward. "You've created enough drama for tonight. Let's end this."

Xavier shoved him away, his anger unchecked. Victor stumbled, falling to the floor under the force of Xavier's push.

"Don't defend her!" Xavier's eyes were wild, his voice rising again. "You think I don't know what's going on between you two? Even though she's my wife, she spends all her time with you! I know this isn't just her plan-it's your plan, Victor. You're plotting with her against me."

His accusation hung in the air, his hatred shifting to Victor, his fists clenching as if ready for a fight.

"Xavier Thompson," I finally spoke, my voice cutting through the tension. "If you want this company, then you'll have to divorce me first. I don't want any part of it."

I grabbed the firm's papers and threw them in his face. "File for an immediate divorce. You can have the firm. I want none of it."