My Ex-Convict Wife is Coming Back

My boss

ELLA

I woke up with a pounding headache, the aftermath of too much alcohol the night before.

Groaning, I rubbed my temples and blinked against the harsh morning light streaming through the curtains. As my vision cleared, I realized I wasn’t alone.

Beside me lay a man, his chest rising and falling gently with each breath. His dark hair was tousled, and his jawline sharp. He looked incredibly familiar, but my foggy brain struggled to place him.

I sat up slowly, trying not to disturb him, and took in his features. Chiseled abs, strong arms, and that face—definitely a sight for sore eyes. Despite the throbbing in my head, I couldn’t help but feel a small surge of pride. At least I ended up with a sexy man, I thought wryly.

Artemis, he had said.

The name. The face.

“Artemis.” I tested the name on my lips, but my mind was still foggy.

Then, reality hit.

Shit!

I had an interview in two hours. I panicked as I scrambled out of bed, grabbing my clothes from the floor. I glanced back at the man, still sound asleep, and decided not to wake him. There was no time for explanations or awkward goodbyes.

I dashed out of the hotel, my heart pounding as I realized how little time I had. My phone buzzed with a message from Lisa, scolding me for being gone so long.

"Where have you been? You have an interview in less than two hours!" her message read.

I sighed, typing a quick reply as I hurried to catch a cab. "I know, I’m on my way. Sorry!"

The cab ride seemed to take forever, every minute ticking by making my anxiety worse. When I finally arrived at Lisa’s place, I bolted up the stairs and burst through the door. Lisa was waiting, her arms crossed and a stern look on her face.

"You look like hell," she said bluntly. "What happened to you?"

"I... got a bit carried away last night," I admitted sheepishly. "I need to get ready, fast."

She shook her head but couldn’t suppress a small smile. "Go, go. Bathroom’s all yours."

I dashed to the bathroom, shedding my clothes and jumping into the shower. The hot water was a welcome relief, washing away the remnants of last night and clearing my mind. I hurried through my routine, scrubbing, rinsing, and stepping out.

Wrapped in a towel, I opened the door to find Lisa waiting with a dress. "Here, this should fit. You’ll look great."

"Thank you," I said, taking the dress and slipping it on. It was a simple, elegant navy blue dress that clung in all the right places. I borrowed some makeup and quickly did my face, trying to look as presentable as possible given the circumstances.

Lisa handed me a pair of heels and looked me over with a critical eye. "You clean up well. Now go nail that interview."

I gave her a grateful hug. "Thank you for everything."

"You owe me a detailed explanation later," she said with a wink. "Now go get that job."

I nodded and rushed out, flagging down another cab to take me to the company. My heart was still racing, but the adrenaline gave me the focus I needed. This interview was crucial. I had to make a good impression and convince them to give me a chance.

As I arrived at the office building, I took a deep breath and straightened my dress. I walked through the doors with my head held high, determined to start anew despite the chaos of the morning. This was my opportunity to prove myself, to show that I was more than my past, and I wasn't going to let it slip away.

In the elevator, I smoothed my hair and reviewed my notes, preparing for the questions they might ask. When the doors opened, I stepped out ready to take on whatever came next.

When I arrived at the office building, my nerves were already on edge. I walked up to the reception desk, my heart pounding in my chest.

"Hello, I’m here for the interview," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

The receptionist smiled kindly. "Please take a seat. There’s been a slight change. The boss will be conducting the interview himself due to time constraints."

My stomach did a flip.

The boss himself?

I took a deep breath and nodded, sitting down in the waiting area. As I waited, I tried to calm my racing thoughts, reminding myself that this was my chance to start fresh.

After what felt like an eternity, the receptionist called my name. "Ella Turner, the boss will see you now."

I stood, smoothing down my dress, and followed her down a long hallway. She knocked on a door and opened it, ushering me inside. I stepped into the room, my eyes adjusting to the dim light.

My heart stopped when I saw who was sitting behind the desk.

It was Artemis.

The man I had spent the night with. The man whose touch I still remembered vividly.

On the table, the tag had name Artemis Mario written on it.

Mario!

Freaking Mario.

Tom Mario. Artemis Mario.

Shit! So that was how I knew him. That was why I kept having a relapse of nostalgia, the whole time I was with him.

This man, to my utter shock, my husband's stepbrother.

The very same Artemis that loathed Tom so much.

Artemis’s eyes widened in recognition before a slow, knowing smile spread across his face. "Ella, what a surprise."

I felt the blood drain from my face.

"Artemis," I managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper.

He stood and gestured for me to sit. "Please, take a seat."

I did as he asked, my mind racing. How could this be happening? My one-night stand was not only the boss but also someone who would do anything to bring my husband down.

"I wasn’t expecting to see you here," Artemis said, leaning back in his chair, his gaze fixed on me.

"Neither was I," I replied, my voice trembling slightly. "I had no idea you were the boss."

He chuckled softly. "Life is full of surprises, isn’t it?"

I nodded, unsure of what to say. The room was thick with tension, and I could feel his eyes studying me, taking in every detail.

"So," he began, leaning forward and clasping his hands on the desk. "Tell me, why should I hire you, Ella?"

I took a deep breath, trying to focus on the interview and not the complicated mess of our personal connection. "I believe I have the skills and determination needed for this position. I’m hardworking, quick to learn, and highly motivated to prove myself."

Artemis raised an eyebrow. "Motivated, huh? Is that what drove you to take the fall for your husband?"

My heart skipped a beat.

"I did what I thought was right at the time," I said carefully, trying to keep my emotions in check.

Artemis’ expression softened slightly. "You’ve been through a lot, haven’t you?"

I nodded. "Yes, I have. But I’m here now, ready to move forward and build a new life."

He leaned back in his chair, studying me for a long moment. "You know, I’ve always wanted to see Tom get what’s coming to him."

I stiffened, unsure of where this was going.

"But," Artemis continued, "I also believe in second chances. And I think you deserve one."

Hope surged within me. "You mean...?"

He smiled. "The job is yours if you want it."

I felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes. "Thank you, Artemis. You have no idea what this means to me."

"Oh, I think I do," he said, his gaze lingering on me. "Welcome to the team, Ella."