The Underestimated Ex-husband

The Collision

The black sedan rolled to a stop outside hotel entrance and Adrian’s hand was already on the door handle when Seraphina leaned in with her lips curving into a playful pout.

“You’re really going to make me walk in alone?” she asked. “People will see me and think I was stood up.”

Adrian didn’t even look at her “Go inside first. I’ll follow later.”

Her eyes narrowed “You make it sound like I’m some liability.”

“You’re the daughter of the Chamber of Commerce president” Adrian said evenly. “Eyes follow you everywhere, and I can’t afford to be dragged into gossip.”

“Tch, always so cautious” Seraphina muttered. 

She leaned closer suddenly, brushing her lips against his cheek in a quick kiss “Fine. Consider that your punishment for ditching me.”

Adrian stiffened because he was caught off guard. 

Seraphina smiled, pushed the door open and sauntered off with hips swaying deliberately and Adrian could only shake his head.

He stepped out a moment later, straightened his jacket only to freeze at the sound of a familiar voice “Well, well… Look who’s crawling around free.”

Margaret Hart stood a few feet away with her designer clutch tucked under her arm like a weapon, and beside her was Ryan; Elena’s younger brother, with his arms crossed and a smirk plastered on his face.

Adrian’s jaw tightened “…Mrs. Hart.”

Margaret’s painted lips curved in a mocking smile “Released early? How touching. A criminal given a second chance.”

Ryan let out a laugh “What’d you do, bribe the guards with prison scraps?”

Adrian’s tone stayed flat “Good behavior. That’s all.”

Margaret tilted her head “Good behavior? You mean sitting quietly while the world forgot you? Don’t think for a second that changes what you are. My daughter was wise to divorce you.”

Adrian took a slow breath “The papers are signed. Don’t blame Elena. There were faults on my end too.”

“Faults?” Margaret’s voice rose dripping with scorn. “You call dragging our family name through the mud a fault? If Elena hadn’t thrown you out, I would have. A jailbird like you standing beside her? You made her a laughingstock.”

Ryan stepped closer, jabbing a finger at Adrian’s chest “Save the self-pity. Where’s the money? My sister gave you plenty when she married you. Don’t play dumb.”

“I never touched Elena’s money” Adrian said, with his voice sharp. “Our marriage ended because of us, not because of money.”

“Liar!” Margaret snapped, with her eyes flashing. “Do you take me for a fool? Men like you don’t marry without motive. Hand over what you stole, or I’ll strip it off you myself.”

Ryan lunged forward, grabbing at Adrian’s jacket “Mom’s right. Let’s see what he’s hiding…”

Adrian’s reflexes kicked in and he held Ryan’s wrist, twisted lightly and shoved him aside while Ryan stumbled and then deliberately flopped onto the pavement with a dramatic groan.

“My arm! He broke my arm!” Ryan clutched his elbow, rolling as though in agony. “Help! He’s attacking us!”

Margaret dropped to her knees, pulling Ryan against her. Her voice carried like a siren “Did you all see that? This ex-convict not only stole our family’s money, now he’s assaulting my son! Call security!”

A small crowd began to gather, recording the scene with their phones, and whispers spread. Adrian pinched the bridge of his nose. This circus wasn’t worth his time until his eyes locked on the pendant around Margaret’s neck.

A sharp breath escaped him.

“That necklace…” His voice dropped low, dangerous. “Where did you get it?”

Margaret’s fingers brushed the pendant unconsciously “What’s it to you?”

“That’s my family’s heirloom” Adrian said, stepping closer. “I gave it to Elena. Return it.”

Her smile widened into something venomous “Oh, so it’s valuable? Figures. But let me make this clear, Elena wore it home, which means it’s hers now, and what belongs to my daughter belongs to this family. You? You have no right to demand anything.”

Adrian’s temper finally cracked and he surged forward with the intent on ripping the chain from her throat.

“Stop right there!” A wall of security guards rushed in, blocking his path. 

One held up a hand “Sir, this is a private establishment. Disturbances won’t be tolerated. Show your VIP card or leave.”

Margaret rose to her feet, with smugness dripping from every word “Hear that? Even they know you don’t belong here. Look at you… swinging fists like some thug, but without money or power, you’re nothing.”

Ryan, still clutching his supposedly broken arm, sneered from the ground “Just hand over the cash, unless you want me to report you for assault. I’m sure prison has a nice, warm bed waiting.”

Margaret jabbed a manicured finger at him “Go back to where you came from. You’ll never rise above the dirt you were born in, and don’t ever forget it that Elena’s too good for you.”

Adrian’s fists clenched so tight that his knuckles whitened while the pendant glinting on Margaret’s neck fueled the storm boiling in his chest, and every muscle in him screamed to act.

“Who said he needs to give you money?” the sharp cold voice cut through the tension and everyone turned.

Seraphina stood at the hotel entrance, with her heels clicking against marble as she descended the steps, her eyes were icy, and her presence radiating authority as she glared at Margaret and Ryan.