Forgotten Wife: My Ex-Husband Regrets It After I Left novel Chapter 16

Sienna’s POV

Everything began to move quickly. Emily was busy rifling through drawers, opening little boxes in her room with a frantic expression–one I couldn’t tell was genuine or just another performance. Liam hovered nearby, overseeing the chaos, while Noah scurried around asking questions, as if he were leading a tiny investigation.

“Does it look like a car, Mommy Emily?” Noah asked, peeking into a jewelry box. Emily shook her head quickly and said, “No, sweetheart. It’s small, in a white box. Did you check under the study desk?”

Noah ran to the corner of the room, opened the desk drawer, then got down on his knees. “Nothing here!” he said, disappointed. Meanwhile, Liam paced like someone counting down to an explosion. I stood frozen in the doorway. None of them seemed to notice I was even there.

Emily grabbed a small bag, opened it, and suddenly slapped her forehead. “Oh my God! Maybe I left it in the car!” she exclaimed loudly enough for Liam to turn around immediately.

“Are you sure?” he asked. Emily nodded and rushed past him without sparing me a glance.

I stayed where I was, watching how my home had turned into a full–blown stage drama in just five minutes. No one asked why I stood there quietly. No one offered me a place in the whirlwind–not even a glance.

“Noah, help Daddy check the kitchen. Maybe the box fell there,” Liam said. Noah nodded quickly and bolted out of the room, nearly bumping into me.

Only after they were gone did I step further inside. The room returned to silence, broken only by the low hum of the ceiling fan. On the desk, a piece of paper with one of Noah’s drawings sat next to a framed photo of their perfect little family. Emily holding Noah in her arms, Liam behind them, hand on Emily’s shoulder. The photo was flawless. Too flawless.

I looked at my reflection in the frame’s glass–dull, tired, with shadows of pain I couldn’t conceal. I didn’t know when exactly I stopped feeling like I belonged in my own home.

Footsteps approached from outside. I hurriedly returned the photo to its place, exactly as it was. A few seconds later, Liam appeared at the doorway, startled to see me.

“What are you doing here?” he asked sharply, his voice bordering on cold

“I was just “I hesitated. My voice was hoarse. “I was just looking around. Noah ran out earlier, nearly knocked me over.”

Liam nodded faintly, but his eyes were sharp, devouring me. “Don’t interfere. Emily’s already upset.”

I held my breath, trying to keep my face neutral. “I wasn’t interfering. I was just standing.”

But he was already past me, stepping into the room, unconcerned with my answer. I turned away, slowly going down the stairs. My hands were still trembling, though I tried to ignore them. It felt like crying without sound.

I stood at the threshold, unwelcome. Emily had screamed it loud and clear: “Don’t let her into my room again!”

Liam… remained silent.

I looked down, gripping the edge of my shirt. I couldn’t speak. Even breathing was hard. I didn’t steal that ring. God, I didn’t even know what it looked like. But I knew–truth doesn’t always have a place in this house.

My eyes scanned the living room for anything to distract me from the tightness in my chest. That’s when I saw it a faint glimmer under the sofa. A flash of light bouncing off something at the edge of the carpet.

I bent down slowly, lifted the rug slightly, and reached under the couch.

“This ring,” Emily said, her voice trembling with righteous rage, holding it high in the air, “is a symbol of my career. A gift from a major brand that sponsors me. And you… you treat it like garbage!”

“Emily…” I whispered, tears forming in my eyes. “I didn’t steal it.”

But my voice was swallowed by the silence. By Liam’s hollow stare. By Noah, who clung to Emily like she was his world.

I felt small.

And worse than anything… none of them cared how broken 1 was.

I turned and walked away.

Each step felt heavier, like dragging wounds behind me. My hands still trembled, the sting on my cheek burning–but that wasn’t the real pain. It was the way Liam looked through me. The way Noah didn’t even hesitate to take her side over mine.

I climbed the stairs slowly, holding my breath so no sobs would escape. Don’t cry in front of them, Sienna. Don’t give them what they want.

I closed my bedroom door and leaned against it. The lock clicked shut–and only then did I slide down to the floor, finally letting the tears fall, muffled in the sleeves of my shirt.

17