Seducing my Ex-husband back (Claire) novel Chapter 11

WELCOME HOME

~CLAIRE’S POV~

The Blackwood Industries logo stared back at me like a malevolent eye.

I pressed my palms against the floor-to-ceiling windows of Alexander’s penthouse, my breath fogging the glass as I watched the building that had once housed my dreams.

The irony was delicious…. From my new sanctuary, I had a perfect view of my former prison.

Twenty-six floors up, in the corner office with the mahogany desk and leather chairs, Richard Blackwood was probably drowning in whiskey and financial reports.

The thought should have thrilled me. Instead, it made my chest tight with something I refused to name.

“Miss Winfred?”

I turned to find Kimberly hovering with her tablet, giving off the kind of nervous energy that came from wanting to please.

Alexander’s temporary assistant was everything Monica’s chosen staff had never been—warm, genuine, eager to serve without hidden agendas.

“The flight was fine,” I said, though she hadn’t asked yet.

“And this place…” I gave a sign to the perfect penthouse with its museum-quality art and designer everything.

“It’s perfect.”

Too perfect. Like a stage set waiting for the performance of my life.

Kimberly beamed. “Mr. Hayes handled every detail personally. He wanted you to feel immediately at home. Speaking of which, you need to be ready by seven tonight.”

My stomach dropped. “For what?”

“He said he would explain, but there are gifts waiting.” She nodded toward three boxes arranged on the glass coffee table like offerings on an altar.

I approached them with the warning of someone who had learned that beautiful packages often contained ugly surprises.

The smallest box revealed emerald jewelry that probably cost more than my old wedding ring. The middle box held silver heels that looked like they could cut glass.

The largest contained a white dress that screamed ‘look at me’ in the most elegant way possible.

Each piece was flawless. Each piece was chosen specifically to make me tempting.

Each piece felt like armor for a war I wasn’t sure I wanted to fight anymore.

I grabbed my phone and called Alexander, needing to hear his voice even as it made me feel like a fraud.

“Claire.” His voice wrapped around my name like silk. “Tell me New York is treating you well.”

“Like a queen returning to her kingdom,” I said, the lie sliding off my tongue with skillful ease. “Thank you for the gifts. They’re stunning.”

“You haven’t seen anything yet.” I could hear the smile in his voice.

“There’s a welcome party tonight. Thomas Hartwell…old family friend…insisted on celebrating our engagement properly. I couldn’t refuse without seeming ungrateful.”

A laugh bubbled up before I could stop it. “A party on my first day back? Someone’s feeling dramatic.”

“The whole city wants to see the woman who captured Alexander Hayes. We’re front-page news, darling.”

We. As if we were a real couple instead of a carefully orchestrated lie built on my need for revenge and his genuine love.

“Well then,” I said, fingering the emerald necklace, “we shouldn’t disappoint our public.”

“That’s my girl. I’ll pick you up at seven sharp.”

The endearment hit me like a physical blow. “Alexander…”

“Yes?”

The words stuck in my throat. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for being everything Richard never was. I’m sorry I’m using you to destroy the man who destroyed me first.

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify