Desired by my X Husband

CHAPTER 4

PIPER’S POV

I woke up the next morning to an empty bed. I vaguely remembered falling asleep on the cold living room floor, but now I was in my bed. How did I get here?

My heart raced as I hurriedly stood up, hoping Kevin had come home. I rushed downstairs, only to find an empty living room. The faint trace of his cologne lingered in the air.

Kelvin was here, I thought as my heart skipped.

My hope faltered as I dashed outside, scanning the drive way; his car was gone. The disappointment hit hard as I walked back inside, feeling the quietness of the house weigh down on me. That's when I notice a white envelope on the table and a small note with pink ribbons attached.

Kevin was serious about the divorce, but why was it happening so fast? I picked up the note with trembling hands, my eyes catching the cheque of $5 million tucked beneath it. The message in the note was simple, but it shattered the remaining pieces of hope I clung to.

Hi, Piper, it's your man Kevin.

I’m filled with regret as I inform you that this is the end of our journey together. Thank you for being the perfect partner. the early morning prayers, the advice, the laughs, and even the pain we shared will remain with me forever. Unfortunately, we must part ways here. Don’t wait for me, because I won’t be coming home until you’ve left.

Yours lovingly,

Ex-husband, Kevin.

Tears rolled down my eyes as I clutched the letter to my chest, sobs wracking my body. My mind was spinning, the weight of everything; Kevin's words, the baby growing inside me, the untouched food from the night before all hit me at once. I couldn't wrap my head around how my life had unraveled so quickly.

I couldn't believe my husband who had countless professed how he couldn't live without me was letting me go over an accusation with an alimony of $5 million.

What a joke!

Days turned into weeks, and then a month passed with Kevin and Sabrina out of sight. Each time I tried to visit him at work, to tell him about our baby, I was turned away. For the sake of my child, I stopped trying. But I knew Kevin had been back to the house, on multiple occasions, I woke up wrapped in a duvet I hadn’t fallen asleep under. I was so used to Kevin’s touch that I hugged a pillow instead, yet somehow, he’d still managed to come and go without me ever seeing him.

I noticed the fridge was constantly stocked and I never ran out of snack. These little gestures kept me hoping that one day, I would be able to see him. And when I had waited long enough, I made up my mind. Although it was hard, but I was ready to face it.

Finally, I packed my things, signed the divorce papers, took my copy, and left.

**

I stood in the middle of the grand hall, surrounded by organized chaos. My eyes swept over the transformation taking place, a reflection of my own life. My personal assistant, Emily, stood beside me, notebook in her hand, waiting for instructions.

“Emily,” I called, gesturing toward the high columns. “We’ll wrap gold satin ribbons around these pillars, starting from the top and spiraling down. Make sure they’re evenly spaced. I want them to flow naturally, not stiff.”

She scribbled notes as I continued, “We’ll hang an arch of white roses over there…” My phone’s loud alarm interrupted me mid-sentence.

I gasped. “Oh no, it’s past four!” I quickly handed my sketchbook to Lily. “Here, follow the plan. I have to go.”

I rushed out, my heart racing as I sped toward the school. It's not easy juggling work and taking care of the kids at the same time. I parked hastily, scanning the scanty crowd of parents and children at the entrance. My heart sank when I spotted my twins, Kelly and Kelvin, standing with their backpacks, their little faces filled with disappointment. These were names Kevin and I had picked together during our second year of marriage. Even though I had to move on, I couldn’t bring myself to choose different names.

From a distance, I could see Kelly’s pout and Kelvin’s downcast gaze. Guilt gnawed at me as I approached.

“Mommy’s here!” I called out, trying to sound cheerful, but they weren’t having it.

Kelly crossed her arms over her chest, her lips pursed as she glanced away from me, while Kelvin kicked the ground lightly, his eyes on his shoes. The sight of them like this tugged at my heartstrings.

“You’re late again, Mommy,” Kelvin muttered, his voice quiet but full of disappointment.

Kelly, always the more vocal one, chimed in immediately. “Yeah, she is. And she made us wait for like forever!” Her little eyebrows knitted together as she glared up at me. “Everyone else’s mommy was here already.”

I knelt down in front of them, giving them both a soft smile, even though the guilt was eating me alive. “I’m so sorry, babies. Mommy had to work late. I tried to get here as fast as I could.”

“Work, work, work,” Kelly huffed, still pouting. “You always say that.” She stamped her foot for emphasis, her big brown eyes, the same as mine glimmering with frustration.

I sighed, reaching out to gently ruffle Kelvin’s hair, but he leaned away slightly, still upset. “I know, sweetie. But I promise I’m going to make it up to you. How about we go for ice cream on the way home?”

Kelvin glanced up at me, his pout softening just a little, while Kelly’s scowl didn’t budge.

“Chocolate ice cream?” Kelvin asked, his tone cautious, as if he didn’t want to give in too easily.

I smiled and nodded. “Chocolate, vanilla, sprinkles, whatever you want.”

Kelly finally uncrossed her arms, though she still looked a bit stubborn. “With whipped cream?” she demanded, her little nose scrunching up.

“With whipped cream,” I confirmed, holding out my hands for them to take.

They hesitated for a second, making me wait just long enough to feel the sting of their little silent punishment, but then they each grabbed one of my hands, their fingers still small and warm in mine. I sighed in relief as we walked toward the car.

In the end, everything I did was worth it. All the odd jobs I had to do to build a name for myself and give them the best had finally paid off. I wanted to put a smile on their cute little faces and give them the life I never had growing up. I wanted to be their all in one.

Sometimes, I had regretted not taking the $5 million Kevin had offered, but looking back now, I’m proud of myself. I might not be stinking my rich, but I have more than enough for my family. I had built my life with my own hands, and I had my children growing gracefully under my watch.

But deep down, I knew that one day, they'd start asking about their father. And when that time came… what would I tell them?