The Ex-husband grand return

Chapter two

“Tell me what you need.”

Adrian’s voice was low and firm, carrying none of the desperation John Cross had expected to hear.

“A place to stay,” Adrian replied. “For me and my daughter.”

There was silence on the other end of the call.

John’s breath hitched.“Anything, young master,” John said, his voice trembling. “Anything you need. The family will be ready. Tomorrow, we welcome you home.”

Adrian looked toward the small bedroom where his daughter was sleeping. His heart ached the more he thought about how much of a sacrifice he had made for Vanessa to get to where she was.

“Tomorrow, then.”

He ended the call.

Across the city, John Cross stood frozen in the grand hall of the Cross estate, staring at his phone.

The young master was coming home. He could barely believe that Adrian had decided to come back home after so many years.

“Finally.”

Ding! Dong!

The mansion bell suddenly rang.

Once.

Twice.

Doors opened along the corridors as servants, relatives, and advisors hurried into the grand hall.

Nobody could remember the last time that bell had been rung.

Ethan Cross pushed through the crowd, his phone still glowing in his hand.

“Grandfather? What is going on? It’s past midnight.” he said

John stood at the far end of the hall, leaning against his cane.

“An important person,” he announced, “is coming home.”

John continued, “Tomorrow, we will go to him. All of us. We will welcome him personally.”

Whispers exploded across the hall.

“Who is he?”

“I bet he must be very important.”

“Someone from overseas?”

“Is he an investor?”

“Why would Grandfather summon everyone at this hour?”

Ethan stepped forward. “Grandfather, who exactly is this important person? This is the first time I’ve heard of him. Is he some kind of business partner?” he asked, his gaze fixed on the old man.

“No.” His voice became colder. “He is the most important man in this family.”

Ethan frowned. “What do you mean?” he asked, his brows arched..

“His family and the Cross family share a relationship that cannot be severed,” John said. “That is all you need to know tonight. More details will be disclosed when you meet him.” he finally said.

“But tomorrow is the contract signing with Vanessa Lang,” Ethan protested. “That contract is worth millions. Surely, we can welcome this person after the signing.”

John’s face changed. His eyes darkened, and his jaw tightened.

“Did you just say millions?” he asked

Ethan hesitated. “Yes, Grandfather. The Vanessa Lang contract is extremely valuable.”

John slammed the bottom of his cane against the marble floor.

“Vanessa Lang is nothing!” he barked

Everyone froze.

John pointed his cane toward Ethan. “Do you hear yourself, child? You are comparing a business contract to family?” he said with anger.

“Grandfather, I didn’t mean—”

“I don’t care what you meant.” the old man fired.

John’s voice shook the hall.

“I value family above money, above business, and above every temporary opportunity that walks through our doors.”

He scanned the room.

“Tomorrow, everyone goes with me. Anyone who chooses Vanessa Lang’s contract over the man coming home will no longer be considered a Cross.”

A woman near the back gasped.

“Grandfather, you cannot mean that.”

“I mean every word.”

John turned away.

“You will have one choice. Family or business.”

“And if anyone insults him tomorrow, you will answer to me.”

The hall fell silent.

After John disappeared, the family stared at one another.

“Has Grandfather lost his mind?”

“I have never seen him behave like this.”

None of them knew what was coming.

Morning arrived far too quickly.

Vanessa walked into the living room dressed in an expensive suit, her designer handbag hanging from one arm.

Her heels clicked sharply against the floor as she picked up her briefcase.

She walked past Adrian without giving him more than a glance.

“I’m heading out.”

Adrian remained seated.

Vanessa stopped at the door.

“It’s my big day. The Cross contract is worth millions, and I won’t allow anything to ruin it.”

She glanced around the messy dining area.

“Lisa will come over later and handle the divorce.”

Adrian looked at her.

“Divorce?”

Vanessa gave him an impatient look.

“Don’t pretend you’re surprised.”

“You should be grateful I’m making this easy for you.”

The door slammed behind her.

Adrian looked toward his daughter’s room.

He cleaned the dining room, picked up the broken pieces, and made sure there was nothing dangerous within Aria’s reach.

He did not do it because he cared about Vanessa’s opinion.

He did it because his daughter deserved a safe home.

An hour later, the door opened again.

Lisa walked in wearing an expensive designer suit, carrying a brown manila folder.

“Well, well, well.”

“If it isn’t Adrian West.”

Lisa smiled.

“Still sitting around while Vanessa builds her future?”

Adrian said nothing.

Lisa opened the folder.

“I have the divorce agreement.”

She pushed it toward him.

“Sign it, and we can finish this without wasting anyone’s time.”

“Do you understand something?” Lisa asked. “Vanessa has worked hard to become successful. She doesn’t need a useless husband hanging around her anymore.”

Adrian calmly picked up the first page.

“I don’t want Vanessa’s money.”

Lisa blinked.

“Excuse me?”

“I don’t want her money. I don’t want her company. I don’t want her house.”

He looked directly into Lisa’s eyes.

“All I want is custody of Aria.”

Lisa laughed.

“Custody?”

Her laughter grew louder.

“You?”

Adrian remained silent.

Lisa shook her head.

“You’re a house husband with no job, no career, and no visible source of income. What exactly makes you think a court will give you custody?”

“She is my daughter.”

“That isn’t enough.”

“Children need stability. They need money. They need a proper future.”

Adrian’s expression remained calm.

“I can give her that.”

Lisa laughed again.

“With what?”

“You have no money. No job. Not a single penny in your pocket. How are you going to buy her shoes? How will you pay her school fees? Medical bills? Food? What happens when she wants something expensive?”

Adrian’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“You talk too much.”

Lisa’s smile disappeared.

“Sign the papers.”

Adrian picked up the pen.

Lisa watched closely, expecting hesitation.

There was none.

Adrian signed his name.

Adrian West.

He placed the pen down.

“Done.”

Lisa snatched the papers and checked the signature.

“I honestly didn’t expect that.”

“You know, Adrian, I almost feel sorry for you.”

Adrian looked at her.

“You shouldn’t.”

Lisa laughed.

“You’re losing your wife, your home, and everything you have.”

“You have nothing left.”

Adrian slowly rose from the couch.

For the first time, something dangerous flickered in his eyes.

“Nothing?”

Lisa nodded.

“Nothing.”

Adrian stepped closer.

“You’re right about one thing.”

Lisa raised an eyebrow.

“What?”

“You have no idea who I am.”

Before Lisa could respond, Aria’s small voice came from the hallway.

“Daddy?”

Adrian immediately turned.

His expression softened.

“I’m here, sweetheart.”

Lisa watched them, then scoffed.

“Enjoy this while you can.”

“Because once Vanessa gets custody, you won’t even be allowed to see that child.”

Adrian looked back at her.

“Leave.”

Lisa stopped.

“What?”

“I said leave.”

She scoffed and walked out.

The door slammed.

Adrian stood silently for several seconds.

Then his phone vibrated.

A message appeared.

John Cross: “Young master, everything is ready. The entire family will be waiting for you.”

Adrian stared at the message.

A faint smile appeared on his face.

“Let them wait.”

He looked down at Aria.

“Tomorrow, Daddy is taking you home.”

And somewhere across the city, the Cross family was preparing to welcome the man they had once thought they had lost forever.