The Ex-wife strikes back

Mia paced back and forth in the expansive living room, the soft click of her heels echoing on the marble floor as she directed the event planners. The decorators moved with practiced precision, draping soft, pastel-colored fabrics over the chairs and adjusting floral arrangements of lilies and roses on the dining table.

"Check the symmetry on that centerpiece," she called, her voice firm but not unkind. Her sharp gaze darted to the floral arrangements where soft lilies and roses were artfully intertwined. "No, not like that. The lilies should face outward," she called, her eyes scrutinizing the arrangement. "And don't forget the candles-white, not cream. They need to match the theme perfectly."

The catering staff entered with trays of hors d'oeuvres, and Mia gestured toward the dining area. "Set those on the side table for now, but keep the champagne chilled. I don't want anything out until Ethan gets here."

"Yes, Mrs. Stone," one of the staff responded, nodding as they hurried to follow her instructions.

Mia glanced at the clock on the wall, her stomach fluttering with anticipation. This wasn't just any anniversary; it marked five years since she and Ethan had said their vows. It had been a quiet ceremony, born out of a business contract neither was it publicly acknowledged, but it was still their day. Despite their unconventional start and Ethan's aloofness, she was determined to make this evening special.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the shrill ring of her phone. Fishing it out of her pocket, she saw Ethan's name flashing on the screen. A warm smile spread across her lips as she answered.

"Hi, Ethan," she greeted, her tone light with excitement.

"Where are you?" Ethan's voice came through, dry and detached.

Her brow furrowed slightly at his tone, but she quickly masked her concern. "I'm at home," she replied, carefully avoiding any mention of the surprise she was orchestrating.

"What are you doing?" he asked, his voice holding a strange edge.

"Nothing much," she said, her voice laced with cheer. "Just... waiting for you."

There was a pause on the other end of the line, filled with the faint hum of background noise. Then, a burst of laughter erupted, followed by a familiar voice-female, light, and unmistakably Jenna's.

"Is that Jenna?" Mia asked, her smile faltering.

Ethan's response was dismissive, neither denying or affirming. "I'm busy, Mia. I'll be home soon."

Her grip on the phone tightened, but she forced herself to sound unaffected. "Alright. I'll see you then."

Before hanging up, Ethan added, "I have something to announce when I get back."

Her breath hitched. "Oh? What is it?"

"You'll find out soon enough," he said curtly before the line went dead.

Mia stared at her phone, unease curling in her chest. Something about his tone, paired with Jenna's laughter in the background, unsettled her. Shaking her head, she pushed the thought aside. This was their anniversary-she couldn't let her doubts ruin the night.

Forty-five minutes later, the hum of an engine broke the silence. Mia hurried to the window, her heart leaping as she saw Ethan's sleek black car pulling into the driveway. The security guards opened the gate, smiling and waving as they wished him a happy anniversary.

Ethan's response was barely audible, but the scoff that followed went unnoticed by Mia.

As the car rolled into the garage, Mia smoothed down her dress, adjusting the delicate pearl necklace around her neck. She wanted everything to be perfect when he walked in.

But then she saw it-a second figure in the car. A woman.

Meanwhile, the passenger door opened, and Jenna stepped out, her laughter ringing through the quiet evening air. Mia froze, her mind racing as she watched Ethan and Jenna exchange a glance through the window.

"You really think she'll take it well?" Jenna asked, her tone amused.

Ethan smirked, shutting the car door with a sharp click. "Whether she takes it or not doesn't concern me. She'll find out soon enough."

Jenna's hand moved to her stomach, and she smiled. "I'm just saying, you might want to break it to her gently. After all, it is your wedding anniversary."

Ethan snorted, stepping closer to her. "Gently? Please. Mia's tough. She'll survive."

Mia's heart sank, her hands trembling as she stepped back from the window. The world seemed to tilt as her mind struggled to process what she'd just seen.

The sound of the front door opening echoed through the house. Ethan and Jenna were here. Mia turned to face the living room, the beautiful decorations now feeling like a mockery of her efforts.

Her heart raced as she heard their footsteps approaching, Jenna's light laughter blending with Ethan's deeper voice. Whatever announcement Ethan had to make, Mia knew it had a lot to do with Jenna and her stomach and it was about to shatter everything.

The door to the main living room creaked open, and there they stood. Jenna's hand was still resting on her stomach, her gaze locking with Mia's in a way that felt both triumphant and pitying. Mia felt the blood drain from her face. Her knees wobbled as Jenna's hand moved over her stomach again. She couldn't be... no, it wasn't possible. Ethan stepped forward, his expression unreadable.

"Mia," he began, his voice unnervingly calm. "We need to talk."

Mia's knees threatened to give way, but she forced herself to stand tall. "What's going on, Ethan?"

Jenna smirked, her hand once again moving to her stomach. "Oh, Ethan, just tell her already. She deserves to know."

Ethan shot her a warning glance before turning back to Mia. "Sit down, Mia," he said, gesturing to the couch.

"I'd rather stand," Mia replied, her arms crossed.

Ethan sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. "Fine."

He paused, and for a fleeting moment, Mia thought she saw a flicker of hesitation in his eyes. But then his jaw tightened, and his usual mask of indifference returned.

"I didn't want you to find out like this," he began, his voice cool and measured. "But there's no point in delaying it any longer."

Mia's pulse quickened. "Find out what?"

Jenna stepped forward, her smile widening. "About us."

The words hung in the air like a bomb about to explode.

Mia's breath hitched, her mind reeling as she tried to process what Jenna had just said. "What do you mean, 'us'?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Ethan's words hung in the air, heavy and suffocating. "Jenna and I are expecting a child."

Mia stood motionless, her heart pounding against her ribs as if trying to escape the pain. Her hands trembled at her sides, her mind desperately trying to convince itself that she'd misheard. Ethan wouldn't-he couldn't. Not today, not after everything.

"Expecting a child? H- how?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Ethan didn't respond, his gaze steady and unyielding. Jenna, standing smugly at his side, rested her hand protectively on her stomach, the gesture like a knife twisting in Mia's chest.

"This isn't funny, Ethan," Mia said, her voice rising as her composure cracked. "Is this some kind of twisted joke? Because it's not! It's our anniversary, for God's sake!"

Jenna sighed dramatically, leaning into Ethan as though seeking protection. "I told you she wouldn't take it well," she murmured, her voice soft and laced with mock concern.

Ethan reached out and lightly stroked Jenna's hair, his touch gentle-too gentle. It was a gesture Mia had craved for years but had never received. "Don't worry about it," Ethan said, his tone calm, almost dismissive. "I'll handle it."

Mia's chest constricted as she watched the intimate exchange, her presence in the room entirely ignored. Tears burned at the corners of her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. Instead, she scoffed, the sound sharp and bitter.

"Handle me?" she snapped, her voice trembling with fury and heartbreak. "Today is our wedding anniversary, Ethan! And this is your gift to me? Announcing that you've been cheating on me with your secretary? That she's carrying your child?"

Ethan's face twisted in irritation. "Don't be dramatic, Mia," he said coldly.

"Dramatic?" she echoed, her voice cracking. "You have the audacity to call me dramatic after what you've just done?"

"What I've done?" Ethan repeated, his tone mocking. "Let's not pretend this marriage was ever real, Mia. It was a convenience. You were nothing more than a trophy wife-"

"A trophy wife?" Mia interrupted, her voice rising in disbelief.

"-only, you weren't even worth showing off," Ethan continued, ignoring her interruption. "The only thing you brought to this marriage was your inheritance, which, might I remind you, you've already handed over to me."

Mia's knees wobbled, and she stumbled back a step, her hand clutching at the edge of the dining table for support. Her vision blurred as the weight of his words crashed over her. Used. She had been nothing but a pawn in his game, a means to an end.

"That's not possible," she whispered, shaking her head. "You're lying. This can't be real."

Ethan's lips curled into a sneer. "Oh, it's very real, Mia. You've served your purpose. And now, it's time for me to move on. Unlike you, Jenna has value. She's giving me something you never could-a child."

The words struck her like a physical blow, and she stumbled again, clutching her chest as though to steady her pounding heart.

"A child?" she repeated, her voice breaking. "You wanted a child? How could I give you one when you wouldn't even touch me?"

The room fell silent, her words echoing off the walls. Jenna's smirk faltered slightly, and Ethan's expression hardened.

"Alright, alright," Ethan said dismissively, waving a hand as though brushing away her pain. "We're not going to rehash old arguments. Let's get to the point."

He reached into his briefcase and pulled out a sleek black folder, tossing it onto the table in front of her. The sharp slap of leather against wood made Mia flinch.

"What is this?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Open it," Ethan said simply.

Mia's trembling hands moved to the folder, her gut twisting with dread. Slowly, she flipped it open. The bold, cold words staring back at her stole the breath from her lungs.

Divorce Agreement.

Her fingers tightened around the edges of the paper as the room spun around her. Her knees buckled, and she sank into the nearest chair, her breaths coming in shallow gasps.

"No," she whispered, shaking her head. "No, this isn't happening. You can't do this."

Ethan crossed his arms, his face devoid of any emotion. "It's already done, Mia. All you have to do is sign."

Tears streamed down her face now, no longer held at bay. "You used me," she choked out. "You manipulated me, stole my inheritance, and now you're throwing me away like I'm nothing."

"Don't make this harder than it needs to be," Ethan said, his tone almost bored. "If you'd been able to give me a child, maybe I would have considered keeping you around. But you didn't."

Mia's eyes snapped up to his, blazing with fury despite her tears. "You didn't let me!" she screamed. "You locked me out, ignored me, and treated me like I was invisible!"

Ethan sighed, as if tired of the conversation. "We're done, Mia. Just sign the papers and move on with your life. I've already moved on with mine."

Jenna stepped forward then, her face a perfect mask of sympathy. "Mia, I know this is hard for you, but Ethan and I-"

"Don't," Mia hissed, cutting her off. Her voice was low and dangerous, trembling with suppressed rage. "Don't you dare say another word."

Jenna stepped back, her faux innocence replaced by a flicker of fear. Ethan, however, merely scoffed.

"This conversation is over," he said, turning toward the door. "Take some time to think about it. But don't take too long. I don't have time for delays."

Mia stared at his retreating figure, her heart shattering into a thousand pieces. As the door closed behind him and Jenna, she let out a choked sob, clutching the divorce papers in her hands.

Her world had just crumbled, and she was left standing amidst the ruins, alone.

Tears streaked down Mia's face as the horrifying scene replayed in her mind like a broken record. Ethan, her husband of five years, had discarded her like she was nothing. Her chest heaved as sobs racked her body, each one ripping through her like a sharp blade. She sat frozen in the center of the living room, surrounded by the remnants of the life she thought she had-a life that had turned out to be a cruel illusion.

The event planners shifted uncomfortably, their eyes darting between one another. One man, the lead organizer, hesitated before speaking, his voice soft but nervous. "Ma'am, should we continue with the decorations, or-"

"Are you daft?" his colleague hissed, smacking his arm. "Can't you read the room? Let's pack up and get out of here."

Before they could move, the door creaked open, and Jenna sauntered back into the room. Her heels clicked against the hardwood floor, the sound sharp and deliberate, like the ticking of a clock counting down Mia's demise.

"There's no need to pack up," Jenna announced, her voice dripping with arrogance.

Mia remained rooted in place, her vision blurry from the tears clouding her eyes. She didn't even flinch at Jenna's audacity.

Jenna smirked, tilting her head slightly. "My husbanf said to turn this into a romantic dinner instead of a wedding anniversary. You know, something... intimate."

Hearing Jenna refer to Ethan as "My husband" snapped something inside Mia. Rage bubbled up, boiling over in an instant. She stumbled to her feet, her voice raw with fury. "He's not your husband!" she shouted, her hands shaking as she made a desperate lunge toward Jenna.

Jenna stepped back, unfazed. "Oh, really?" she said mockingly. With a flourish, she raised her hand, flashing a glittering 12-carat gold band on her finger as she moved aside the invisible strand of hair. The diamond sparkled cruelly under the chandelier's light. "This says otherwise. Face it, Mia-you're not Mrs. Ethan Stone anymore. I am."

Mia's breathing became erratic. Her chest heaved violently as waves of emotion crashed over her. Anger, despair, humiliation-it was too much. Her knees buckled, and she stumbled back, clutching her chest.

Jenna's smirk widened. "What's the matter, Mia? Feeling a little lightheaded?"

Suddenly, Jenna grabbed Mia's hand and then let out a dramatic cry before she collapsed to the floor, clutching her stomach. "Ahh! My baby!" she wailed.

The staffs witnessed the scene with slack jaws.

Ethan's voice boomed from upstairs. "Jenna?"

Within seconds, he was bounding down the staircase, his face etched with worry. He rushed to Jenna's side, ignoring Mia entirely.

"What happened?" he demanded, cradling Jenna in his arms. "Are you alright?"

Jenna whimpered, pointing a trembling finger at Mia. "I just wanted to sympathise with her but- but s- she... she tried to attack me. I think she wanted to hurt our baby."

Ethan's gaze snapped to Mia, his eyes blazing with fury. "What the hell is wrong with you?" he bellowed.

Mia shook her head frantically, falling to her knees. "No, Ethan, I didn't-" she stammered. "You can ask them," she pointed at the staffs who looked away.

"Save it," Ethan cut her off coldly. "You're pathetic. I gave you everything, and this is how you repay me? By trying to harm my wife and child?"

"Your wife?" Mia choked out, tears streaming down her face. "She's not your wife! I am!"

"Not anymore," Ethan said, his tone devoid of any emotion. He shoved a hand into his pocket, pulled out a pen, and pointed it at her like a weapon. "Sign the papers, Mia, or you'll regret it."

Mia froze, her mind racing. "What... what do you mean?"

Ethan's face darkened. "If you don't sign, you'll be signing your mother's death certificate instead. I'll cut her off. No surgery, no treatment. It's your choice."

The mention of her mother hit Mia like a freight train. Her mother, the one who had warned her against this marriage. Her mother, who was clinging to life in a hospital bed.

Mia collapsed fully, her forehead touching the floor. "Ethan, please," she sobbed. "I have nowhere else to go. I gave up everything for you."

Ethan sneered. "Not my problem. You've overstayed your welcome." He turned to the housekeeper. "Call the driver. Get her out of my house."

The housekeeper hesitated, glancing at Mia's crumpled form. "Sir, it's storming outside. Perhaps we could wait until tomorrow-"

Ethan's glare silenced him. "Who's paying you?"

The housekeeper lowered his head. "I'll call the driver."

Within minutes, two burly men arrived, grabbing Mia by the arms and dragging her toward the door. She kicked and screamed, her cries echoing through the grand hallway.

"Ethan, please! Don't do this!" she begged, her voice breaking.

Ethan didn't even spare her a glance. He carried Jenna up the staircase, his voice low and soothing as he whispered to her.

The men shoved Mia into the back seat of a black car like she was nothing more than garbage. The car sped off into the storm, the rain pelting against the windows like shards of glass.

When the car came to a screeching halt on a deserted road, one of the men opened the door and yanked her out. She stumbled, falling to the muddy ground.

"Get lost," the man growled before slamming the door.

Mia stood there, drenched and shivering as the car's taillights disappeared into the night. Her fear of the dark clawed at her, threatening to pull her under. Hugging herself tightly, she forced her trembling legs to move.

Each step was a battle as she trudged through the storm, her mind a chaotic mess of memories and pain. Ethan's betrayal, her mother's desperation, Jenna's smug smile-it all swirled together, suffocating her.

After what felt like hours, a luminous hotel sign came into view. Her legs wobbled, her vision blurred, and her breaths came in shallow gasps. She took one step, then another, before her body gave out.

The last thing she saw before darkness consumed her was the warm glow of the hotel lights, a beacon of hope in her stormy nightmare.