Entangled with the billionaire ex-husband

The sound of heels clicking against the marble floor echoed through the empty courtroom corridor. Olivia Smith adjusted the her black leather purse and clutched the envelope in her other hand. The envelope contained the final papers—papers that marked the official end of her marriage to Chase Harry. Her heart felt heavier with each step, but her face remained fierce. She had practiced this mask for months, determined not to let the hurtness show. Chase would be here any moment, his presence as cold and commanding as always. The thought of facing him one last time sent a chill through her, but she pushed it down. She paused outside the conference room where they would sign the documents. A deep breath steadied her. The door opened, revealing a room as lifeless as the relationship they were about to put to an end. Chase was already there, of course—he was never late. He stood by the large window, his tailored charcoal suit perfectly in place, his figure sharp against the city skyline. His dark hair, always patiently styled, looked untouched by the chaos of the past few months. When he turned to face her, his piercing blue eyes locked onto hers, and Olivia felt the familiar tug of longing she wished she could erase. “Olivia,” he greeted, his voice calm and emotionless. “Chase,” she replied with equal detachment, setting the envelope on the table. The lawyer shuffled papers at the far end of the table, breaking the tension in the room. Olivia took a seat opposite Chase, her fingers brushing the edge of the divorce agreement. “This is straightforward,” the lawyer began. “Both parties have agreed on the terms. All that’s left are your signatures.” Olivia nodded, but Chase remained silent, his eyes fixed on her. It wasn’t the cold glare she had grown used to—it was something softer, something unreadable. Her pen hovered over the paper, her chest tightening. This was what she had wanted. Freedom. Independence. A chance to rebuild her life. So why did the words on the page blur as tears threatened to spill? “Having second thoughts?” Chase’s voice broke through her hesitation. It wasn’t mocking, but it wasn’t kind either. She lifted her chin. “Not at all.” The pen moved swiftly, signing her name with finality. When she looked up, Chase was watching her with an intensity that made her want to scream or run—or both. “Your turn,” she said, pushing the papers toward him. He didn’t look at them. Instead, his gaze lingered on her face, as though searching for something. Then, with a sigh that sounded almost reluctant, he picked up the pen and signed. The lawyer gathered the documents, offering a professional smile. “That concludes everything. You’re officially divorced.” Olivia stood, grabbing her purse and walking toward the door. She didn’t look back, even when Chase called her name softly. “Olivia.” She paused, her hand on the doorframe, but didn’t turn around. “Goodbye, Chase.” And with that, she walked out of the room, leaving behind the man who had once been her entire world. *************** The door to their modest apartment creaked as she stepped inside. The warm, familiar space greeted her, but tonight, it felt unbearably empty. She leaned against the door, her strength crumbling as the tears she had fought so hard to suppress finally broke free. Sliding down to the floor, she buried her face in her hands, her body trembling with the sobs she had held in all day. Five years. Five years of her life wrapped up in a whirlwind of love, disappointment, and heartbreak, reduced to a signature on a piece of paper. The quiet apartment offered no solace, only echoes of memories that refused to fade. Her gaze landed on the small bookshelf in the corner. Nestled among her novels was a framed photo she hadn’t had the courage to remove. In the picture, she and Chase were smiling, their faces lit with a happiness that now felt like a cruel illusion. It was taken during their first year of marriage, on a spontaneous trip to Paris. Chase had insisted they climb the Eiffel Tower despite her fear of heights, teasing her relentlessly until she gave in. “Come on, Liv,” he had said, pulling her close as they posed for the photo. “What’s life without a little risk?” She had laughed then, caught up in his charm, believing in a love that seemed invincible. Her trembling fingers reached for the frame. She traced the glass over Chase’s face, remembering the way he used to look at her before everything had gone wrong. Before the silences became longer, the fights sharper, and the distance between them arose. Then everything became clear; Their marriage had started as a business arrangement; an alliance organized by their families. But somewhere along the way, Olivia had fallen for Chase—for his ambition, his sharp wit, and the rare moments of vulnerability he let slip when he thought she wasn’t looking. But she was never enough. Not for him. Not when Natalie Monroe had been his first choice. Natalie. Even thinking her name made Olivia’s chest tighten. She was the ghost that had haunted their marriage, the shadow Olivia could never escape. Her phone buzzed, breaking through her thoughts. Wiping her tears, she reached for it and saw a message from her best friend, Emma: “Hey, are you okay? Let me know if you need anything. I’m here.” Olivia stared at the screen, her thumb hovering over the keyboard. She wanted to say she was fine, that she didn’t need anything, but the truth was, she didn’t know how to move forward. Instead, she set the phone down and stood, her legs shaky as she made her way to the kitchen. She poured herself a glass of water, hoping it would steady her, but the memories kept flooding in. The late-night talks on their balcony, the shared dreams they had once spoken about, the laughter that used to fill their home—it all felt like it belonged to someone else. It was all just a facade, to get what they want.... Olivia sank onto the couch, clutching a throw pillow to her chest. She had walked out of that courtroom determined to leave Chase behind, but it wasn't so easy to do. The Harry's were who they said they were, and now they had ruined not only her ambitions but, her life. She was still lost in her thoughts when her phone buzzed; it was the familiar name that gave her stomach knots.... Her mum or should I say.... Her stepmom. The woman who had lead her into that world, because of her selfishness. Why was she calling her now, when she had ruined her life? She reluctantly picked the call on the fourth ring. ''Hello...'' She looked on hoping to hear her mother's usual rants, but now it was something else. ''What....''