Prison to Pinnacle: Ex-wife's Eternal Lament

Chapter 9 Maybe so long for you

In an office oozing modern sophistication, a sleek flat-screen played live news on the wall.

The elegant furniture gleamed under soft, ambient lighting, and the faint scent of expensive cologne lingered in the air.

"Not here, darling,” the young woman murmured playfully, reclining in a plush leather chair.

Her tone carried equal parts of coyness and warning.

“This is my office. What if someone sees us?”

Behind her, a man leaned in with a wicked grin, his arms wrapped tightly around her.

Ignoring her protests, he smirked devilishly and squeezed her in a way that elicited a soft, involuntary gasp.

"Relax, baby!" he whispered, his lips brushing her ear. "That’s the fun of it—doing it here, in your office."

He leaned closer, intent on pressing further when the news anchor's voice cut through the moment like a blade.

"In a world where superheroes exist only in fiction, could it be that one has stepped into our real life?" the voice declared.

“Multiple eyewitnesses reported seeing a mysterious figure leaping across treetops earlier this morning, around ten a.m., as if on a secret mission.”

The screen flashed to grainy phone footage.

A ragged figure moved like a phantom across the skyline, his movements impossibly fluid. Then, as abruptly as he appeared, he vanished.

The woman’s eyes snapped to the screen.

She froze while her heart kicked up a notch.

“That’s…Edward.”

The clip was so brief she doubted herself for a moment.

Behind her, the man simply chuckled, his tone dripping with mockery.

“Edward? Don’t be ridiculous, sweetheart. That idiot is still locked up in prison where he belongs. You know, it’s April Fool’s Day. Probably some prank cooked up by the news station.”

He reached for her again, but she was no longer interested. Her face grew pale.

She shoved him off and got to her feet abruptly.

“No,” she said, almost to herself. “It’s him. I know it.”

The memory hit her like a thunderclap.

April the first! Three years ago to the day.

The day Edward was taken away.

“Oh my god, I almost forgot it. You know, today is the day he gets out.”

Suddenly, a soft knock at the door shattered her thoughts.

“Who is it?” she snapped.

“It’s me, Lily,” a demure voice replied.

“Come in.”

The door opened, revealing Lily, her secretary, a demure woman with a sleek bob haircut.

She was dressed in a fitted white dress that accentuated her figure, her every gentle step exuding professional grace.

The man flashed her a sly smile as his gaze swept over her, lingering without any shame.

“There’s a man in the lobby, ma’am,” Lily said. “He insists on seeing you.

He’s been waiting for ten minutes and refuses to leave.”

The young woman—Sarah—frowned, her irritation surfacing.

“And? Handle it now! Tell him I have no time today. Get rid of him.”

Lily hesitated. “But… he says he’s your husband.”

“What?” Sarah’s voice spiked, sharp and incredulous. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“You said not to disturb you unless it was urgent,” Lily said apologetically, lowering her gaze. She shifted slightly, her posture inadvertently drawing attention to her neckline.

The man’s eyes flicked down, his throat tightening, mesmerized by the tantalizing curve as if it held untold secrets.

The subtle curve seemed to captivate him, pulling his thoughts astray.

“Alright, alright,” Sarah snapped, dragging the conversation back. “Tell him to wait five minutes. Say, I’m in an important meeting and I’ll call him soon.”

“Yes, ma’am, right away!”

She turned on her high heels, which clicked rhythmically against the floor.

Her hips swayed in perfect time with her every step, drawing the man’s gaze like a magnet until she disappeared through the door.

“You need to relax, Sarah,” he said smoothly, “you’re the CEO of Grander Corporation. Don’t let some ex-con frazzle you. Stay calm.”

Sarah’s lips tightened.

“That ‘ex-con’ is my husband. He’s out of prison, Andy. What am I supposed to do?”

“Simple,” Andy replied, flashing his confident smile. “Confront him. Tell him to sign the divorce papers. You’re with me now.”

He reached for her waist, squeezing lightly, though his thoughts were still stuck on Lily’s retreating figure.

“You’re right,” Sarah said, her voice growing firm. “It’s time to end this. I never wanted to marry Edward anyway—it was my grandfather’s idea. He swore Edward had some kind of ‘magnetic energy’ that would bring fortune and health to our family.”

“Your grandfather was a senile old man. Always babbling about destiny, palms, and faces.” Andy scoffed bitterly. “Yet all that crap is a past tense now. You’re free to live your life, Sarah, and I’ll be by your side.”

His hand slid lower as he spoke, yet his mind betrayed him, flashing back to the curve of Lily’s hips.

 “I didn’t have a choice back then as Grandfather was dying.” Sarah’s face darkened. “But you have no idea how I survived those years with that rubbish. He lazed around at home, occasionally delivering takeout for pocket change, all the while claiming he was providing for us. How pathetic!”

“Then end it,” Andy urged, handing her a stack of papers from the desk drawer. “Divorce him, move on, and I’ll marry you—properly.”

“You promise, Andy? No backing out?” she teased, her smile returning as she pinched his cheek affectionately.

“When have I ever let you down?” he laughed.

Sarah flipped through the papers, her confidence building.

“You’re always so thoughtful, darling. Let’s do it together. I’ll meet him, but you’re coming with me.”

“Of course,” he said smoothly.

Picking up her phone, Sarah noticed a string of missed calls from Edward. Her jaw tightened as she hit redial.

The line barely rang before he picked up.

“Sarah! It’s you! I’ve missed you so much. Three years…so loooong for me!”

“Maybe, so long for you…”

“I want to see you now, Sarah!” Edward spoke with a mixed feeling of passion and pain.

Yet her voice was like ice.

“Not now. Meet me at our usual place.”

Edward’s voice cracked with emotion.

“Alright. I’ll be there soon.”

As the call ended, Edward felt his heart swell with hope.

After three long years, he would finally see his wife again.