Seducing my Ex-husband back (Claire) novel Chapter 32

Chapter 32

ANGER

– ELEANOR’S POV-

+25 BONUS

The night had been too long, and the moment I saw Claire’s eyes at the gala, I knew there would be no sleep for me. She had smiled, yes, but her eyes were shards of glass.

People can pretend with their lips….not with their gaze.

Richard thought he could brush it off. My son had never learned that some women don’t forgive, not when you make them a spectacle. Claire was one of those women.

I picked up my phone before the frustration burned me alive.

He answered on the second ring. “Hello, Mother.” His voice was off….slurry around the edges. Drinking, no

doubt.

“Richard, you need to come over. Now.” I kept my voice flat, giving him no room to argue.

“Why? What’s going on?”

“Just do it. I won’t say this over the phone.”

A beat of silence, then a sigh. “Fine. Ten minutes.” He hung up before I could remind him to drive safely. Foolish child.

When he arrived, he opened the door as if the handle offended him, muttering a half–hearted greeting. He looked rumpled, the collar of his shirt undone, his arrogance wearing him thin.

“Alright,” he said, crossing his arms, “what’s so urgent?”

“Sit down, Richard.” I gestured to the couch. “We need to talk about Claire.”

He groaned, dropping into the cushions. “Seriously? Claire? You’re not still on about that.”

That tone…careless, mocking. My nails pressed into my palms until they left crescents. “Don’t you dare dismiss me. You made a fool of her tonight. Worse, you made a fool of yourself while still married to Monica.”

His jaw tightened, anger flashing across his face. “Oh, come on. Don’t act like you’ve never made mistakes.” The audacity. “Don’t turn this on me. I am not the one humiliating my wife and baiting another woman who happened to be your ex–wife in front of half the city!”

He rolled his eyes. “You act like you know everything. You don’t.”

I leaned forward, letting my voice slice through the air. “Listen to me, Richard. You lost the best thing that ever happened to you when you tossed Claire aside like trash. She loved you, and you treated her horribly. Do you even understand the damage you’ve done?”

“She’s no innocent,” he sneered, leaning back, smirk painted across his lips.

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Chapter 32

+25 BONUS

That smirk. How many times had 1 seen it since he was a boy? Each time it had cost him nothing. This time it would cost him everything.

“Stop acting like a child,” I snapped. My anger boiled over before I could temper it. “You’ve paraded Monica…. that useless, grasping gold–digger…like she was a prize, and the world let you be reckless. But tonight? You dared humiliate Claire in public? With Hayes watching?”

His smirk faltered. Good.

“Monica and I had our fun,” he muttered, though his voice lacked the earlier conviction. “Claire will get over it.”

I stood, fury vibrating through me. “Get over it? Richard, I saw her face. Do you know what was in her eyes? Not heartbreak. Not weakness. Calculation. She is not going to sit back quietly while you strut about. And with Hayes at her side? She will come for you.”

“I’m not scared of Claire.” He said it lightly, but I heard the thinness beneath.

“You should be!” My voice cracked like a whip. “Because this time, she’s not the girl begging you to love her. She’s the woman with allies, influence, and nothing to lose. And you….” I jabbed a finger toward him….“you’re a spoiled man who thinks charm can fix everything. It won’t.”

He barked out a laugh, hollow. “Claire still loves me. She’s just playing games.

My hand moved before I thought. The slap rang out sharp and final, skin against skin echoing through the room.

He staggered back against the couch, eyes wide, one hand pressed to his cheek. “What the hell was that for?”

“For being an idiot!” My chest heaved. “For refusing to see the pit you’re digging. For making me ashamed of the son I raised.”

His shock lasted only a moment before arrogance stitched itself back across his face. “You’ve lost it. Drama, that’s all this is.”

“Drama?” My voice dropped low, colder than I meant it to. “Do you know what people are saying tonight? They’re not whispering about Claire. They’re whispering about you. Your name in their mouths like a stain. Hayes doesn’t need to ruin you; you’re doing it yourself.”

“Whatever,” he muttered, standing. “I’m done here.”

“No.” I stepped between him and the door, forcing him to look me in the eye. “You will listen. Because if you don’t, this family will burn, and it will be your doing.”

“Why are you always so dramatic?” His glare was sharp, but I saw it….the flicker of doubt beneath.

“Because I care!” The words tore out of me before I could catch them. “Because your father built something worth protecting, and I will not let your foolishness tear it down. You want to play house with Monica, fine. But when Claire strikes back, when Hayes uses her as the knife to cut you out, don’t you dare say I didn’t warn you.”

For a moment, he stood there, jaw working as if he wanted to argue. But instead he scoffed, shoving past me toward the door.

“Fine! You’ll regret this,” he spat, storming out.

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Chapter 32

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