Chasing My Innocent Ex-wife Back novel Chapter 1

FLORENCE’S POV

On the night of my husband’s birthday, I placed the cake I’d spent five hours making on the dining table, feeling a flicker of hope. Maybe this time would be different. Maybe he’d walk in, see the effort I’d put in, and smile—really smile—like he used to. Maybe, just for one night, we could be something close to happy.

The front door beeped. My heart skipped, anticipation bubbling in my chest. I turned, ready to greet him.

Just as Mason spotted the cake, his face turned sour.

“Didn’t I tell you not to do this?” he sighed, “I have a jet waiting to take me to Chicago right now.”

Even tired from his long day, he looked handsome in his tailor-made designer suit, like the wealthy, powerful CEO he was.

I took the cake plate in my hands and went up to him, a big smile on my face. But he didn’t look as happy to see me.

“Just take one bite of the cake,” I begged. “It’s your favorite, and I made it myself!”

He pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. “Florence, I only came to collect my coat. If you really want to help me, please fetch it for me.”

It was like a slap to the face. In the five years we’ve been married, I’ve only ever seen his beautiful face show expressions of sadness or anger. I haven’t seen a smile since… since the thing happened that we don’t talk about anymore.

Right now, I had no choice but to keep the cake aside and fetch the coat so he could go on his way.

As he took the coat from my hand, something fell out: a small silver sterling ring.

I picked it up, and there it was in the engraving… a name I hadn’t seen or heard in eight years.

Jade.

My world spun around me, and I felt like I was falling.

“Mason…?”

“What now?” he asked, putting on his coat.

I held up the ring, catching the light. His expression turned cold. A refreshing change from sadness and anger, but not a change I welcomed.

He took two steps forward and snatched the ring from my hand.

“That is clearly not yours.”

“What is that?” I asked.

“Nothing! Don’t touch it again.”

“Why does it have her name on it!?” I screamed.

His phone rang.

“I don’t have time for this.” Turning on his heel, he practically ran out of the door, leaving me with tears streaming down my face.

The ‘Happy Birthday’ banner mocked me from above the door. Bit by bit, I tore down all the festive decorations, cursing myself for being so naive. I had set up the house for a surprise party that weekend, but I should have known Mason would make his own plans.

Just as he has every single year.

As I ripped down all the banners, balloons, and flowers, I tossed them to the floor, not caring where or how they fell.

Why did I keep trying? I had known since our childhood this would always be the way.

Those memories came flooding back, uncomfortable, raw, and ugly.

Back then, it was just me, Mason, and Jade. We were the unbreakable trio, absolutely inseparable.

Well, Jade and Mason were inseparable, and I was the third wheel. The tagalong.

I had always loved Mason in secret, always listening to him about his dreams, frustrations, and even his crushes. He told me about his perfect older brother, Clarke, who was set to take over the family business, Whitehill International. He told me about his overly strict parents who loved Clarke more.

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