The Billionaire Ex-Wife Rise

Maya Hart was anxiously standing in front of the mirror and looking at her wrist to see if the bracelet was properly fastened. It was the same tiny gold bracelet Lucas had given her on their wedding day. She'd worn it for almost every day for a decade, but tonight she'd put extra elbow grease into making it shine. Her cream outfit was stylish without being conspicuous. She ran her hand over her hips, looked at the tiny box on the dresser and smiled. Inside the box was the gift she'd picked out for Lucas weeks ago for their anniversary — a tie pin with his initials engraved on it. The petite velvet box she had even got it monogrammed in his beloved navy blue ink. "Perfect," she whispered to herself. Her phone buzzed. She snatched it eagerly with a hope that it would be Lucas. It was a text from her best friend, Tessa. Tessa: Don’t forget to snap a hundred photos tonight. I want to see it all. Maya chuckled and quickly typed out a reply. Maya: If I take photos, Lucas'll grumble. You know he hates having his picture taken. A minute later, Tessa sent a series of laughing emojis followed by: Tessa: At least he’ll survive one photograph. It’s your 10th anniversary, not cool dinner tonight. . Maya rolled her eyes, still smiling. For days Tessa had been telling her this anniversary was special. Ten years. Double digits. Ten entire years of us. Her phone rang for the second time. This time, there's a delivery message. She went down to the ground floor, and yes, a bunch of white lilies was waiting for her by the door with a card tucked in. She slid open the card and scanned through it. To my Little Sister, don’t let him take you for granted tonight. You deserve the world. – Damien. Maya groaned, shaking her head. "Always dramatic," she muttered. But a smile was playing on lips. Damien never ceased to mock her in Lucas’s name. He said Lucas didn’t deserve her, but that’s brothers. She put the flowers in the vase, took a picture and sent it to him. Maya: Thanks, Damien. It's beautiful. Stop worrying so much. His reply was immediate. Damien: Don’t panic. Warn. Call me up, if he blunders so. Jamming her phone into her bag, she smiled. Who wouldn’t get protective over a family member, Damien seemed like the type who would have her back no matter what and it was nice knowing that even if he did sometimes crossed that line.— Maya staked out a small table by the restaurant window. She had been a fifteen minutes early when she'd turned into the bank driveway. She wanted everything to be perfect. The waiter came over, holding out a wine list. “I’ll wait for my husband,” she said politely. “My darling?” She checked her phone. No new messages. Ten minutes passed. She ordered sparkling water to keep herself occupied. She sent Tessa a quick selfie, flashing a nervous smile. Maya: Waiting for him. Wish me luck. Tessa’s reply came quickly: Tessa: Good luck, queen. He better show up with flowers, or I’ll kill him. Maya smiled gently, shaking her head. She imagined Lucas walking in, maybe with a bouquet, maybe just standing there awkward as ever in public, but still smiling at her in that same old manner. Another ten minutes passed. Nothing from him. She picked up her phone and dialed him. He answered on the second ring. "Maya?" His voice was rushed, like he was already busy. "Lucas, are you coming? I'm already at the restaurant." Silence on the line. "I won't be able to come. Something came up at the office that I didn't expect." Maya's fist tightened around the phone. "Something came up? Lucas, it's our anniversary dinner. I've been waiting here—" "I know, I know," he cut in. "Sorry. A meeting just popped up out of nowhere. I'll make it up to you, okay?" She clamped her lips shut and stared down at the gift box in her purse. "You swore. I even—" "Please, Maya," he interrupted once more. "I'll explain in a minute. Don't get upset. I'll bring dessert home. We'll celebrate there." She didn't have time to respond before the phone went dead. Maya stared at her phone in amazement. The waiter came over again, smiling graciously. "Will your husband be joining you soon, ma'am?" She swallowed hard and fought to smile. "No… he won't be. May I have the check, please?" The waiter smiled and left. --- Back in the car, she sat gripping the steering wheel, staring forward. The tie pin box was a heavy weight in her purse. She had been so sure tonight would be special, a turning point. Her phone buzzed once more. Tessa. Tessa: So?? How was it? Did he like the gift? Maya stopped, her hands hovering above the keyboard. And then she typed: Maya: He wasn't able to make it. Work. Tessa phoned her immediately. "Are you kidding?" Tessa's voice snapped. "He missed your anniversary dinner for work? Maya, get serious." "He said he'll explain later," Maya breathed. "Maya. Ten years. You don't miss ten years." Maya massaged her forehead. "I don't feel like fighting with him tonight. Maybe he really did have an emergency. I'll talk to him when he comes home." Tessa sighed deeply. "You're too soft on him. If I were you, I'd storm that office and drag him out by his tie." Maya stood there for a split second, ready for the fight. Then she said, very slowly, "That's not. isn't a bad idea." Tessa's eyes widened. "Wait, are you actually going to—" "Why not? If he happens to be in the office, I'll just catch him off guard. We can still have dinner." "Maya, are you certain—" "I'm certain," Maya said, her jaw clenched. "I'm not going home like this. Not tonight." She hung up, climbed into the car, and drove away in the direction of Lucas's office building, her heart pounding. When Maya approaches the building, she notices that not many lights are lit. It doesn't look like anyone is in a meeting.