All Chapters of After Divorce, I Ruled Their World : Chapter 1
- Chapter 10
10 chapters
Mother-in-hatred
Chapter 1Mother-in-hatred“You're such a useless man!” The words echoed in his head like a broken record he couldn't shut off, no matter how hard he tries. His mother-in-law, Helena Holt had spat them at him just an hour ago when he had mistakenly brought her the wrong brand of tea. “You'll never be good at anything apart from being a burden!” He scrubbed at the wooden table harshly with the rag, the rag making a squeaking sound against the glass. The lemon-scented polish did little to mask the bitterness he felt in his heart in the air. This was his life now. A cycle of insults and chores, everyday of his life since he got into this house. He was the ghost in his own home, a man everyone saw but no one truly looked at. “You're nothing but a disaster!” His knuckles were white where he gripped the rag. Nothing. The word was like a stain he couldn't scrub away no matter how hard he wanted to forget them. He was tired. So tired of the constant reminders of his worthlessness. He f
Sign the Divorce Paper
Chapter 2Sign the Divorce PaperAs he went out, he shut the door to the garage behind him. The words “you useless man” seemed to bounce off the concrete walls because of how loud it was in his ears. He leaned against a shelf, the fight draining out of him. For a moment, he just breathed, waiting for the tightness in his chest to ease.He pulled out his phone again, but this time, he wasn't receiving news but he was giving orders. He dialed Nathan Knight.“Sir?” Nathan answered on the first ring.“The Crestwave listing is done,” Julian said, his voice low and steady. “Make sure the officials who helped are taken care of. Send them the usual gifts. Discreetly.”“Consider it done.”Julian paused, his eyes scanning the dusty, expensive cars his wife and mother-in-law never drove. “And Nathan? Begin the process of transferring ownership of Apex Dynamics to Vivian.”There was a slight hesitation on the other end. “Sir? The entire company?”“Yes,” Julian confirmed. Apex Dynamics was his fir
You Will Regret It
Chapter 3You Will Regret ItAs soon as it was early in the morning, Vivian had thought this was the perfect opportunity for get to get back home, so she got info her car and drove home. She dropped her briefcase by the door and sighed, feeling that last night had been so stressful to her. Hed eyes scanned the living room, and there he was.Julian was sitting on the living room sofa. He wasn't sleeping. He just sat there, still in the same clothes from yesterday, looking so drained and weak. The candles from his failed dinner had burned out since, and it was only the dried wax that stayed in place.“Julian,” she said, her voice rough from champagne and late nights. “My neck is killing me. Come here and give me a massage.”He didn't move. He didn't even look at her.She frowned, irritation flaring up in her chest. She thought about Lucas. If it was him, Lucas would have been on his feet already, she thought bitterly. ‘He’s so much more considerate. He knows what I need without me havin
A Grave and a Glimmer
Chapter 4: A Grave and a GlimmerAs he walked out, the air felt different, like, it wasn't that heavy, suffocating atmosphere he usually felt in the house he had shared with Vivian and her mother. Now, he just felt…empty inside, but he thought, ‘that wasn't much of a problem since he was a little free now.’He walked without any destination in mind, but he still heard Vivian’s scream in his ears. “You will regret this!” No matter how hard he tried to convince himself he wasn't affected, he was already regretting it, but it was not for the reason she thought. He regretted the tears he wasted trying to love someone who didn't give a single fuck about him, he regretted ever building an empire for a queen who only saw him as a jester.His phone vibrated, momentarily jolting him out of his thoughts. He looked at the screen. Nathan Knight.“Sir,” Nathan’s voice was crisp and efficient. “The transfer of the Apex Dynamics shares to Mrs. Holt is nearly complete. In two days, after she rings th
An Unlikely Shelter
Chapter 5: An Unlikely ShelterA cold smirk touched Alex’s lips. A gun? These fools had no idea who they were dealing with. The rage and pain from Vivian’s betrayal and the humiliation he had been swallowing for years? They all needed an outlet. He needed to pour out these negative feeling. These men were just unlucky enough to be in his way at this time.The leader, seeing that Julian won't budge, and with a cold smile on his face, he wondered what fucking audacity Julian must have to be smirking at this critical moment! He tightened his finger on the gun, ready to pull the trigger when Julian moved immediately. It was so fast that at one monet, Julian was tanning opposite them, but in the next, he is in front of the man, his foot connecting with the man’s wrist with a sickening crack. The gun clattered to the wet pavement. Before the man could even cry out, Julian grabbed him by his jacket, lifted him with a strength that surprised even himself, and slammed his body into his two co
A Debt Unseen
Chapter 6: A Debt UnseenJulian stared at her, confused. She didn’t look or act like someone with no home. Her skin was fair, her features delicate, and she carried herself with a quiet grace that spoke of good upbringing. She was clearly educated, refined. This wasn't adding up.Seeing the doubt on his face, Iris let out a bitter sigh. The embarrassment of her situation washed over her, but she was too tired to lie.“I used to be someone,” she confessed, her voice quiet. “I was the CEO of a company. Lumina Tech.” She said the name with a mix of pride and pain. “We were preparing for our IPO. We were so close. But then… we failed. The investors pulled all their money out. I lost everything. The company, my savings… even my apartment.”Julian’s mind that was always sharp and analytical, immediately began to connect the dots. Lumina Tech. The name was familiar. He had personally fast-tracked Vivian’s company, Crestwave, through the exclusive VIP channel to ensure its successful public l
The Same Hotel
Chapter 7: The Same Hotel The car ride was quiet. Iris stared out the window at the blur of buildings, her mind a jumbled mess. She was sitting in a super fancy car with a man she just met, going to see a house he owned. This was crazy. But after the cemetery, and the drugs, and losing her home… crazy felt normal now.Julian drove smoothly, his eyes on the road. He didn’t talk, which was good because Iris didn’t know what to say. Thank you? Again? Yell at him because his company ruined hers? It was all too confusing.Soon, they pulled up to the fanciest hotel Iris had ever seen. It was called The Orion, and it looked like a giant glass castle. Valets in sharp suits rushed to open doors for people. Her heart sank. This was his ‘vacant property’? A hotel?“This… this is a hotel,” she said, her voice small.“The penthouse is on the top floor,” Julian said simply, getting out. “It’s private. Come on.”He said it like it was no big deal. A penthouse! Iris felt her old jeans and wrinkled s
The Uninvited Guests
Chapter 8: The Uninvited GuestsThe screech echoed in the fancy hallway. Helena's two friends, Beatrice and Cynthia, just stared. Their eyes were wide as plates, looking from Julian to Iris and back to Julian.Iris elt her face get hot. She tried to let go of Julian’s hand, but he held it firmly. His hand was warm and steady.“Helena,” Julian said. His voice was calm, like he was talking about the weather. “This is a surprise.”“A surprise?!” Helena spat, taking a step closer. She smelled like strong perfume and anger. “I asked you a question! What are you doing here? And who is she?” She pointed her finger at Iris like it was a weapon.Julian didn’t want to talk. He felt tired just looking at her. “I have nothing to say to you. I’m leaving.” He tried to step toward the open elevator, pulling Iris gently with him.“Stop right there!” Helena snapped, moving to block their way. She planted her hands on her hips. “Did I say you could go? You think you can just walk away from me?”Julian
Keys and Alarms
Chapter 9: Keys and AlarmsHelena that was shocked and frozen stood for only a second. Then, her face changed into a look of pure, mean amusement. She threw her head back and laughed, very loud, cackling sound that was sounding against the polished walls.“Oh, honey!” she gasped, wiping a fake tear from her eye as she looked at Ciara. “You poor, dumb little thing! He tricked you! Look at him!” She jabbed a thumb toward Julian, who was standing perfectly still, his face unreadable. “He’s a loser my daughter just kicked to the curb! He doesn’t have two pennies to rub together! He probably works here as a janitor and stole a master key to impress you!”She shook her head, her laughter fading into a smug sneer. “He can’t afford a broom closet in this place, let alone this apartment.” She raised out her chest, smoothing her expensive silk blouse. “This penthouse,” she announced loudly to the hallway, “was bought by my new son-in-law, Lucas! For him and my Vivian! As their wedding home! He’
After the Sirens
CHAPTER 10After the SirensThe alarm was still screaming non stop, drawing more attention. Helena knelt with shame on the carpet, her knees sinking into the thick fibers as if the floor itself was swallowing her pride, her name, and everything about her. Her hands trembled on her head unconsciously.The red light flashed again and again, painting her expensive jewellery in the colour of danger, something she never dreamt of.“I… I told you…” she sobbed weakly, unable to believe she was the one in such situation, her voice cracking. “This is a mistake… Lucas Reed as I said earlier is my son-in-law…”The lead security guard, who ordinary would have obeyed her orders, didn’t even look at her anymore. He was already speaking into his radio, getting confirmations.“Control, this is Unit Three speaking. We have three detained for attempted forced access to a secured penthouse. Requesting identity verification and resident confirmation right away.”Beatrice was crying openly now, something