The Ex-Husband I Couldn’t Forget

Three years. It had been three years since Elena Marlowe had last seen Adrian Blackwood. Three years since she had walked out of the Blackwood mansion carrying nothing but a suitcase, a broken heart, and a divorce agreement that had changed her life forever. She had spent three years convincing herself that she was finally free. Free from his cold silences. Free from his impossible expectations. Free from the memories of the man who had once held her every night and whispered that he would love her forever. She had almost succeeded. Almost. Until tonight. “Elena, are you sure you want to attend?” her assistant, Mia, asked as they stood outside the entrance of the Grand Aurelia Hotel. Elena looked up at the towering glass building. “I have to.” “You don't.” Elena gave her a small smile. “Yes, I do. This contract is important for my company.” Mia hesitated. “You know who's attending, right?” Elena's fingers tightened around the invitation in her hand. She knew. Everyone in the business world knew. Tonight's charity and investment gala was being hosted by the Blackwood Corporation. And Adrian Blackwood would be there. Her ex-husband. The man she had once loved more than anyone in the world. The man she had spent years trying to forget. Elena took a slow breath. “I can handle seeing him.” Mia studied her face. “Are you sure?” “No.” The honest answer slipped out before Elena could stop it. Mia sighed. “But I'm going anyway.” Elena straightened her shoulders and stepped through the hotel's grand entrance. She wore a simple black evening gown that fell elegantly around her figure. Her dark hair was swept over one shoulder, and a pair of diamond earrings caught the light whenever she moved. Three years ago, she would have dressed carefully for Adrian. Tonight, she dressed for herself. At least, that was what she kept telling herself. Inside, the ballroom was filled with influential businessmen, celebrities, investors, and members of the city's wealthiest families. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling. Soft music played in the background. Waiters moved between guests carrying champagne and expensive appetizers. Elena accepted a glass of sparkling water instead. She had barely taken two steps when she heard a familiar voice behind her. “Miss Marlowe.” Her entire body froze. She knew that voice. She could recognize it anywhere. Deep. Calm. Controlled. A voice that had once whispered her name against her skin. Elena slowly turned around. And there he was. Adrian Blackwood. Three years had changed him. Or perhaps she had simply forgotten how devastatingly handsome he was. He wore a perfectly tailored black suit, his dark hair styled neatly, his expression unreadable. He looked exactly as the newspapers described him. Powerful. Untouchable. Cold. The billionaire heir who had transformed the Blackwood Corporation into one of the most successful companies in the country. But Elena knew the man behind that image. Or at least, she thought she had. Once, Adrian had smiled only for her. Once, his cold hands had warmed whenever they touched hers. Once, he had looked at her as if she were the only woman in the world. Now he was looking at her like a stranger. “Elena.” He said her name quietly. Her heart betrayed her. One word. One simple word. And suddenly she was twenty-six again, standing in their bedroom while Adrian kissed her forehead before leaving for work. I'll come home early tonight. I promise. He had broken that promise. Not because he had stayed at work. But because he had come home and told her he wanted a divorce. Elena forced herself back to the present. “Mr. Blackwood.” Something flickered in Adrian's eyes. Mr. Blackwood. Not Adrian. Not husband. Not even ex-husband. Mr. Blackwood. A muscle in his jaw tightened. “I didn't expect you to come.” “Why wouldn't I?” “Because this is a Blackwood event.” Elena smiled politely. “And I'm here for business.” “Of course.” His gaze moved over her face. For several seconds, neither spoke. Elena hated how familiar the silence felt. There had been a time when silence between them was comfortable. Now it was painful. “I heard your company is expanding,” Adrian said. “Yes.” “You're doing well.” “I am.” “I'm glad.” Elena almost laughed. Glad? After everything? “You don't have to pretend.” His expression darkened. “Pretend what?” “That you care.” Adrian stared at her. “I never said I didn't.” Elena's fingers tightened around her glass. “You didn't have to.” For the first time, something broke through his controlled expression. Pain. Real pain. But it disappeared so quickly that Elena wondered if she had imagined it. Before she could say anything else, a group of investors approached them. “Mr. Blackwood!” Adrian immediately turned toward them. His expression became professional again. “Elena, we should talk later.” “We don't have anything to talk about.” “We do.” “No, Adrian.” It was the first time she had said his name. His eyes locked onto hers. The effect was immediate. Three years disappeared between them. For one dangerous moment, Elena remembered everything. Their first date. Their wedding. Their honeymoon. The nights they spent laughing in their apartment before moving into the Blackwood mansion. The way Adrian used to pull her against his chest whenever she couldn't sleep. And then— The divorce. The coldness. The words that had destroyed her. I don't love you anymore, Elena. She swallowed the memories. “Excuse me.” She turned away. “Elena.” She stopped. Adrian's voice had changed. It wasn't the voice of the powerful businessman anymore. It was the voice of the man she used to know. “Please.” She closed her eyes. For three years, she had imagined hearing that word. She had imagined him coming after her. Begging her to stay. Telling her that he had made a mistake. But when the moment finally came, she couldn't give him what he wanted. She turned around. “What?” Adrian looked at her for a long moment. “I never stopped—” A sudden crash interrupted him. Everyone in the ballroom turned toward the entrance. A waiter had dropped a tray. Glasses shattered across the marble floor. Security immediately rushed toward the commotion. Adrian's expression changed. He became alert. Dangerously alert. His eyes moved around the ballroom. Then he looked at Elena. “Stay beside me.” She frowned. “What?” “Don't move.” “Adrian, what is—” His hand suddenly closed around hers. Warm. Firm. Familiar. Elena's heart stopped. He pulled her closer. “Someone is watching you.” Her blood ran cold. “What are you talking about?” Adrian looked over her shoulder. His face had become frighteningly serious. “Three years ago, I thought I had gotten rid of them.” Elena stared at him. “Who?” Adrian looked back at her. “The people who destroyed our marriage.” Her breath caught. “What?” Before Adrian could explain, the ballroom lights suddenly went out. Darkness swallowed the entire room. People screamed. Security shouted. Elena felt Adrian's arm wrap around her waist. “Don't be afraid,” he whispered. But for the first time in three years, Elena heard something in his voice she had never heard before. Fear. Not for himself. For her. And suddenly, Elena realized something terrifying. Maybe their divorce had never been what she thought it was. Maybe Adrian hadn't stopped loving her. Maybe he had been hiding something. And whatever that secret was... It had just found her again.