The Ex-husband Revenge

Chapter 2

Richard stood in the shiny elevator, toying with the ring that used to symbolise his marriage to Elena. The crystals sparkled in the fluorescent light, casting tiny rainbows that danced across his fingers. A lump formed in his throat as memories flashed through his mind - their first date, the proposal, the wedding day. Where did it all go wrong?

"I was such a fool to think love would be easy," he mumbled under his breath, jaw clenched.

The shrill ringing of his phone snapped him out of his reverie. He cleared his throat before answering. "Hello Scott."

"Good afternoon, Mr. Astor," Scott's cheerful voice crackled through the speaker. "I have an update on those tasks you assigned."

Richard pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to compose himself. "Hit me."

"We secured the third rare herb, and relief efforts for the tsunami victims are underway, per your instructions." Scott paused before continuing more tentatively. "Actually, speaking of instructions...I realised today is a, uh, significant date for you and Mrs. Astor. I took the liberty of setting up a little surprise for the two of you this afternoon if you're available?"

A knot twisted in Richard's gut. "Thanks for the thought, but that won't be necessary," he replied coldly.

An awkward silence fell between the two men. Scott understood the subtext - the anniversary plans were now moot. "Oh...I see. My apologies. I'll continue with the other tasks and update you later."

"Appreciate it. And Scott?" Richard's voice softened slightly. "We're way past formalities at this point. Richard is fine."

"Of course, Rich-" The elevator dinged, cutting Scott off as the doors slid open. "I'll talk to you soon."

Richard pocketed his phone and stepped out into the marbled lobby. His fake smile instantly turned to a grimace as he came face-to-face with his now ex-wife's relatives - her fiery grandmother and bickering twin siblings.

"There's the worthless leech now," the grandmother - known simply as Nana - sneered, lips pursed like she'd just consumed a particularly tart lemon. "Did my precious Elena finally wise up and ditch your sorry ass?"

Victoria shot her a warning glance. "Nana, be nice..."

"Nice?" Victor scoffed, ignoring his sister. He jabbed an accusing finger towards Richard. "This deadbeat took my sister for everything she's worth!"

Richard held up his hands defensively. "Nobody took anything. Elena offered me a settlement, but I refused to accept it."

"Oh, so now you're too proud to take my hard-working sister's money?"

Nana cackled without mirth. "I knew you were a fool, but I didn't take you for a liar, too."

"I'm telling the truth!" Richard insisted, feeling his face flush with anger and embarrassment. "Call Elena if you don't believe me."

Victor's eyes narrowed to slits as they focused on the glittering band around Richard's finger. "If you didn't take her money, then how'd you afford that rock? It's not like you could ever buy something so nice with your poverty wages."

"This ring is an heirloom, you ignorant-"

Richard didn't get a chance to finish his retort. In one fluid motion, Victor lunged at him, trying to yank the ring off his finger. Richard jerked back and Victor smacked face-first into the wall.

Face red with rage, Victor wheezed, "I'll make you pay for humiliating me in public!"

He then grabbed and twisted his arm behind his back and wrenched the ring free, flinging it against the hard marble. Costly crystals scattered in all directions, sparkling in the lobby like discarded tears.

"VICTOR!" Victoria shrieked, hands flying to her mouth in horror.

But her outraged cry was drowned out by a feral roar that erupted from Richard's throat. His vision turned crimson as a blind rage consumed him. How dare this little punk destroy something so priceless...so meaningful?

"You spoiled brat! I'll teach you some manners!" Richard roared.

Without conscious thought, his knuckles connected with Victor's smug face, instantly painting it a gaudy shade of purple.

Victor crumpled to the ground, whimpering like a scolded puppy. In that moment, Richard could've gladly kept wailing on him...until Nana launched herself onto his back, nails clawing at his eyes.

"MONSTER!" she howled repeatedly, ignorant of the fact that her cracked dentures were spraying flecks of spittle across Richard's reddened cheek. "My poor Victor didn't do anything to deserve this!"

Victoria frantically tried prying her grandmother's vise-like grip off Richard while scooping up the shards of crystals. "Please, we're causing a scene!" she hissed through gritted teeth.

But it was too late - the tussle had attracted the attention of the entire bustling lobby. Businessmen gaped openly, while flustered receptionists frantically punched numbers into their phones, surely alerting security. Richard knew he was mere moments away from being hauled off in handcuffs.

This didn't seem to deter Nana, however. She continued assaulting Richard, her bony limbs flailing with impressive strength for a woman of her vintage. "I hope you rot in jail, you filthy, wife-beating criminal!"

"STOP!" Richard boomed, whipping around so suddenly that Nana lost her grip and tumbled backwards. He towered over her withering frame, fists clenched so tightly that his fingernails carved crescent moons into his palms.

"I've had more than my share of insults and false accusations from you people. I don't care if Elena was your granddaughter, daughter, or whatever - I'm not going to stand here and let you continue berating me over something I didn't even do!"

He jabbed an index finger towards the shivering woman. "You wanna know what my biggest mistake was? Being the bigger person and choosing not to utterly destroy your precious Elena in court when she so carelessly tossed me aside after devoting years of my life to your ungrateful family!"

Richard paused, chest heaving, as realisation washed over Victoria and Victor's stunned faces. Their wide eyes bounced between Richard, Nana, and the pile of scattered crystals that had once adorned the marital ring.