Mr. Ex Husband, Why're You Back After Divorce?

Chapter Ten

Chapter Ten

Katherine gasped, her hand flying to her mouth.

He knows.

Oh God… he knows.

How much did he know? And what exactly did he mean by that?

“Yes, I know,” he went on, as if reading her thoughts. “I’ve always known. But you see… I’m not a monster. I only become one when I’m pushed.” He tilted his head with that infuriating, smug smile. “I’ve kept your secret all this time, haven’t I? Now… don’t you think it’s time you repay the favor?”

He was close now. Too close.

Katherine shook her head. “I… I can’t. Please, just… find someone else. If Massimo finds out, he’ll kill me. I’m begging you… just help me keep the secret a little longer. I’ll be out of the household soon. I promise you’ll never have to see me again.”

She was stalling.

Uncle Ryan only laughed, dark and low. “Oh, darling… being killed by Massimo would be mercy compared to what’s coming for you.”

Katherine stiffened.

What does he mean?

“Please,” she whispered, tears stinging her eyes. “I don’t want any part of this. Please… let me go. Find someone else. I’m begging you.”

Uncle Ryan leaned in just enough for her to feel the venom behind his smile.

“Oh, dearest… I can’t. You must be the one to carry out the job.” Uncle Ryan murmured. He reached out, trailing his fingers along Katherine’s cheek.

She recoiled instantly.

“The doctor lied to you,” he whispered. “But don’t worry, I won’t also spill the truth about what really happened to you… unless you agree to my deal.”

He took a step closer, dropping his voice lower, deadlier.

“All I need is one file. It’s now in Massimo's home office, no longer in his bedroom. It's thick with a blue cover, on the left shelf. You steal that for me, and you're out. You and your baby can disappear far away from the Hollingsworths, from all of this.”

Katherine’s breath caught in her throat.

“That’s all I’m asking,” he continued, eyes gleaming. “Think about it. Especially for your baby’s sake. Because, Katherine… your life isn't safe in that household. Someone else already knows about your pregnancy. Someone besides me and your head maid.”

Her heart dropped.

“The deal ends today. So be wise.” His voice darkened. “If you don’t do what I ask… then don’t blame me for what happens next.”

He stepped back with a slow smile, savoring the horror on her face.

“Oh—and before I forget,” he added casually, pausing at the door, “James is back.”

Katherine’s blood ran cold.

“So,” he said, flashing one last wicked smirk, “you’d best act fast. Because with him around… we both know exactly what’s at stake.”

And then he was gone, the door clicking softly shut behind him.

Katherine stood frozen, the silence pressing in. Her legs finally gave out, and she sank slowly to the floor, heart pounding, hands trembling.

James is back.

They know about the baby.

And now… she was running out of time.

*******

Katherine and Ma’am Rachael stood beside the cab that would take them back to the mansion. The very place she had spent months trying to escape. Today, she was finally being discharged, and though it should have felt like a relief, Katherine felt the weight of dread settle in her chest.

She’d been turning Uncle Ryan’s offer over in her mind for three days now, and she'd finally made up her mind: she would take the deal. Anything to be free of the suffocating grip of the Hollingsworth household.

But one question refused to leave her alone: who was the third person Ryan mentioned? The one who'd known about her pregnancy? That single mystery was like a splinter under her skin.

Still, one thing held her back. Thelma. Her heart ached at the thought of leaving her behind.

“Make sure you get plenty of rest, Ma’am Katherine,” the doctor’s voice cut through her thoughts.

Katherine blinked, grounding herself. She cleared her throat and managed a small smile. “I will.”

Ma’am Rachael gave a knowing smile, her eyes flickering briefly to the doctor who couldn’t quite meet her gaze. She chuckled softly, remembering what he’d told her just days before when she’d followed him out into the corridor.

FLASHBACK

“Doctor!” Ma’am Rachael had called as he rounded a corner.

He stopped abruptly, turning back to face her, his expression tightening as she approached.

“Yes, ma’am? Did you need something?” he asked.

“Yeah, it’s about Katherine’s condition,” Ma’am Rachael said, arms folded. “Are you absolutely sure it was just stress and contractions? Or is there something you’re not telling us?”

The doctor cleared his throat, clearly unsettled. “Ma’am, I’m not sure what you’re insinuating, but I’ve already told you everything. Ma'am Katherine’s episode was due to emotional strain, nothing more. If there had been anything else, I would’ve informed you immediately.”

Ma’am Rachael stared at him for a long, tense moment. She noticed the twitch in his jaw, the way his fingers fidgeted at his side.

“If you say so… then I’ll let it go,” she said quietly, turning as if to leave. Then, she slipped into the shadows of the hallway, hiding.

She watched as the doctor, believing himself alone, pulled out his phone and spoke into it in a hushed tone.

“She’s starting to suspect, ma’am,” he said.

Ma’am Rachael strained to hear more, but the voice on the other end only chuckled before abruptly ending the call. The doctor scanned his surroundings nervously, then slipped away down the corridor.

He’s definitely hiding something. Ma’am Rachael’s expression hardened as she walked away silently, her mind now more alert than ever.

FLASHBACK END

The doctor shifted uneasily when he noticed Ma’am Rachael’s eyes locked onto him. She didn’t look away for a long second. When she finally did, it was only to force a polite smile.

“We’ll be on our way now. Thank you for your care, Doctor,” she said curtly, taking Katherine gently by the arm and leading her into the cab.

Inside the vehicle, Katherine stared blankly out the window, her thoughts already drifting to the storm that awaited her in that mansion. The memories. The pain. And most of all, the plan. She was ready to retrieve the documents Uncle Ryan had mentioned. The key to her freedom.

Beside her, Ma’am Rachael remained quiet, but her mind was far from still.

That doctor is hiding something.

And she'll find out what.

Who's he working for? What secret is he protecting? He'd said ma'am to his caller, right? Could the person be in the mansion?

Her eyes slid to Katherine, who was lost in her own silent torment.

“Are you okay?” Ma’am Rachael asked gently from beside her.

Katherine gave a small nod.

The car rolled to a stop in front of the Hollingsworth mansion, and the moment Katherine laid eyes on the looming gates, a chill washed over her. Cold sweat beaded at her temple.

Ma’am Rachael noticed her trembling and quietly reached over, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze with a soft, encouraging smile.

The moment they stepped into the mansion, an eerie stillness welcomed them.

For a fleeting moment, Katherine felt a strange relief in the silence, until she turned toward the maid’s quarters and froze at the sound of an all-too-familiar voice.

“Well, well… Won’t you say hi to me, dear ex-girlfriend?” James drawled smugly, stepping from the shadows with that infuriating grin.

Katherine’s body went rigid.

“Good afternoon, young master,” Ma’am Rachael greeted stiffly, but Katherine still hadn’t turned around.

“Excuse us,” James said, arrogance dripping from his tone. “I’d like to speak privately with my ex-girlfriend, if you don’t mind, Ma’am Rachael.”

Katherine’s internal scream was deafening. Please don’t leave me alone with him. But she didn’t speak. She couldn’t.

Ma’am Rachael looked at her with hesitation, clearly reading her fear, but Katherine gave the faintest nod. Brave on the outside, crumbling within.

Ma’am Rachael reluctantly curtsied and walked away, casting one last glance over her shoulder before disappearing down the hall.

Katherine slowly turned to face him, forcing herself to raise her chin.

“Yes, ex-boyfriend,” she said with a tight smile. “What do you want?”

James let out a low chuckle, his eyes raking over her as if searching for cracks in her armor. “Still trying to play tough, I see. But I know you, Katherine. You can wear that brave face all you want, but underneath it, you’re still the same frightened little girl I once dated.”

Her fists clenched at her sides, but she said nothing.

“I’ve missed your presence,” he continued casually, leaning against the wall.“Came back expecting to find you, only to hear you were sick. Imagine my surprise. How're you now?”

“I’m fine now, as you can see,” Katherine said coldly. “And you don’t have to concern yourself with me anymore. I’m a married woman.”

She instinctively raised her hand to show her ring, only to remember Massimo had ordered her to remove it. Her fingers paused mid-air, faltering, then dropped awkwardly.

James noticed. And he smirked.

James let out a mocking chuckle. “No ring in sight. Just as I thought, you’re still as single as ever,” he sneered, stepping closer. “And rumor has it, my dear brother’s got himself a new wife and even a kid now. Looks like you’ve been cast aside, Katherine. Out of the picture. Out of the family. An outcast. But, you know I would always accept you back, hmmm?”

Katherine’s fists clenched, her nails digging into her palms, but she kept her glare steady as James drank in the discomfort on her face with twisted delight.

“What happens to me is none of your business, dearest ex-boyfriend,” she said with icy calm. “And for the record, I’d rather lick the bottom of a stray dog’s paw than ever come crawling back to a lowlife like you.”

James’ smirk wavered, but she didn’t stop.

“Oh, and just so you know—I’m still married to Massimo, even without a ring,” she added, tilting her head. “But it’s cute how you try to puff your chest. Should I remind you of how you wept like a kicked puppy the day Massimo punished you? Pathetic doesn’t even begin to cover it.”

Her smile turned sharp as she watched his expression twist with rage.

This b***h. James cursed inwardly, clenching his fists at his sides, jaw ticking.

“If you’ll excuse me,” Katherine continued sweetly, brushing past him. “I have actual work to do. And you? You’re not just unwelcome, you’re a walking eyesore.”

She winked and sauntered off, head held high, leaving James simmering in humiliation.

“You’ll regret this, Katherine!” he shouted after her “This isn’t over! I’m back now, and I’ll make sure your life suffocates in every possible way!”

“You're more than welcome to dare me, ugly duckling." She yelled back.