Ex husband’s regret

Chapter 5

I took a deep breath. “Let’s get a divorce.”

For a moment, he didn’t move. He simply stared at me, as if trying to process the words that had just shattered the fragile balance of our home. I had made my decision, and nothing would make me turn back.

I handed him the folder I had asked the family lawyer to prepare. Slowly, almost reluctantly, he took it and flipped open the top page. The bold letters screamed at him: Divorce Agreement.

He lifted his head and glared at me,”Are you throwing a tantrum because of what happened earlier today?” he asked coldly. “Is that why you’re handing me this?”

I shook my head slowly. “It’s not that. I’ve been thinking about this for a long time. I’ve been waiting for the right time to separate from you. Now that Annie is back, you can finally be with the woman you love.”

The room fell silent. The air felt heavy, thick with tension, as though it were holding its breath, waiting for his response.

Jack let out a short, dismissive scoff. Then, with deliberate carelessness, he tore the paper in half. Rip.

My eyes widened. But he didn’t stop there. Piece by piece, he shredded the divorce papers, letting them fall like confetti to the floor.

“Why are you tearing it?” I asked, my voice trembling with anger and disbelief.

“Jack, you don’t love me! Just let me go!” I cried, the frustration I had held for years pouring out in one raw, desperate wave.

Four years. Four long years of a loveless marriage. He had never shown me love, never shared his feelings, never truly cared. I had hoped. I had believed. I had been wrong.

“Please, Jack,” I whispered, my voice breaking, “just let me go. Let me be happy.”

“Never,” he said firmly, his eyes cold and unyielding.

“Divorce? That’s not possible?” His voice darkened further.

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. “You can be with Annie…”Jack raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth. “Oh, so that’s what this is about?” He sounded amused. “There’s no time for unnecessary jealousy. I had nothing to do with her,” he added calmly. “I only helped her because she had no one else to rely on.”

My anger flared hotter. “I don’t care about her! This marriage has no love—it’s over!”

He stepped closer, grabbing my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. His voice dropped, low and threatening. “I’m the one who decides when this marriage ends. I never want to hear you talk about divorce again. Understood?”

Tears streamed down my face. “You will never love me. So why not just let me go?”

His expression softened slightly, and he brushed my tears away. “No one is getting a divorce,” he said quietly. “Grandpa likes you very much. Let’s not make him worry about small issues like this.

Small issues. The words cut deeper than any knife could.

Then a sudden scent hit me familiar, overpowering. Annie’s perfume. My stomach turned violently. I rushed to the sink, barely making it in time. Jack’s footsteps followed, his presence heavy behind me.

“Are you okay?” he asked, concern lacing his tone as he helped hold my hair back.

I rinsed my mouth quickly, forcing calm. My heart hammered in my chest. I couldn’t let him find out about the pregnancy. Not yet.

“What’s wrong?” Jack asked again.

“Um… I think I ate something bad earlier,” I replied, forcing a weak smile.

He narrowed his eyes. “Is there something you’re hiding from me?”

My heart began to pound louder, fear and panic rising. Did he know?

Jack studied me, brow creased, eyes sharp. “Wait… are you—”

Suddenly, his phone rang. Relief washed over me. He answered, and within moments, his face changed from concern to alarm.

“Mr. Black, Miss Maddox is missing,” a voice said urgently.

Jack’s eyes widened. “What?”

“I’m coming,” he said quickly, grabbing his jacket and rushing out the door.

He didn’t even look back,I stood there, bitter laughter slipping past my lips. I had thought he didn’t want the divorce because he might have some feelings for me. But the moment Annie was in trouble, he ran to her without hesitation.

Part of me hoped Annie was safe. But another part of me secretly wished she would disappear from our lives forever.

I finished cleaning the sink, trying to calm the storm of emotions inside me.

Suddenly, a hand grabbed me from behind. My body froze.

“Let me go!” I cried, struggling against the grip.

It was too strong. My strength slowly faded, my vision blurred, and the room began spinning.

Before I could scream again, everything went dark

I slowly opened my eyes and looked around in confusion.

This was not my house.

The place looked dark and empty, like an abandoned warehouse. The air smelled of dust and oil. Broken wooden crates were scattered around the floor, and the weak light from a few hanging bulbs barely lit the room.

For a moment, my mind felt blank,Then the memories from earlier suddenly came back.

I remembered struggling against a strong pair of arms. Someone had grabbed me from behind while I was walking to the kitchen sink.I tried to scream, but something covered my mouth. After that, everything went dark.

I tried to move my hands, but that was when I realized something was wrong.

My wrists were tied tightly to a chair,Fear shot through my chest.

“Where am I?” I cried out loudly. “Help! Help me!”

My voice echoed inside the large warehouse.

“Hey, Ivy, calm down. Shouting won’t help… trust me, I already tried.”

The familiar voice startled me.

I quickly turned my head.

My eyes widened when I saw Annie tied to a chair not far from me. Her arms were bound tightly behind her back, and her legs were also tied. She looked pale, and her situation seemed worse than mine.