Regretful CEO Ex-Wife Don't Leave Me novel Chapter 1

Chapter 1 Starting A War

When I was picking out a gift for our third wedding anniversary, a barrage of intimate photos of my husband and my twin sister popped up on my phone.

In some, they were wrapped in each other’s arms; in others, their lips were locked in lingering kisses. But what truly made my heart clench was the way he looked at her in every shot—his gaze filled with nothing but indulgence and affection.

Three years. I had stood by his side for three whole years, yet he had never once looked at me like that.

Then, a text from my sister bubble appeared. [Look familiar?]

I rubbed my temples as a dull ache pulsed beneath my fingertips. The setting in the pictures felt vaguely familiar, but before I could piece it together, a series of new messages from her popped up:

[This was supposed to be your perfect little love nest after marriage. You don’t recognize it?]

[Oh, silly me. Apart from your wedding night, he never really let you set foot in there, did he? Any idea why?]

[Because this house was meant for me. If it weren’t for his grandmother meddling on your wedding day, you’d have never gotten the chance to step inside. Not in this lifetime.]

Each word struck like a dagger, piercing deep into my heart. My hands trembled slightly, no matter how hard I tried to steady them.

Clutching my phone tightly, I slowly typed out a reply: [Stop sending me photos like these. You two are done long ago.]

But again, more messages flooded my screen.

[Sweetie, you really think we’re done? I’ve been back in the country for two months now. Has he even come home to you once in these two months?]

[Every night he wasn’t home, he was here with me, in your so-called marital home. Do you know what he says about you in bed? He says you’re the most boring woman he’s ever been with, no different from a sex doll.]

[If I were as much of a failure as you, I’d be too ashamed to live. I’d just jump off a building and get it over with.]

[Do yourself a favor and walk away while he still has a bit of sympathy left for you. Otherwise, when all is said and done, you’ll be the one left utterly humiliated.]

*****

Phoebe had no idea how she made it home. Her mind was blank, her body running on autopilot. It wasn’t until she heard the soft click of the fingerprint lock engaging that she snapped back to reality.

Declan pushed the door open, only to find her sitting on the floor in the entryway.

His brows instinctively pulled together, annoyance flashing across his face. “Why are you sitting there?”

Phoebe lifted her head, taking in his chiseled features—features that still made her heart skip a beat.

She tried to find even the slightest trace of love in his eyes, but all she could see was impatience, irritation, and nothing more.

For three years, he had always looked at her this way. But now that she had seen the way he gazed at another woman—with warmth and tenderness—something inside her shattered. A sharp, unbearable pain ripped through her chest.

Slowly, she got to her feet, meeting his gaze head-on. “Why did you hide Jennifer’s return from me?”

Declan’s expression flickered with momentary surprise before his voice turned cold. “You and Jennie never got along. There was no need to tell you.”

Phoebe let out a soft laugh. She thought bitterly, ‘No need? Or was he just afraid I’d find out about his little affair with Jennifer?’

She shut her eyes for a moment, then spoke, uttering each word with icy precision, “Declan, if you ever truly saw me as your wife, you wouldn’t be fooling around with Jennifer in our marital home.”

Declan’s expression darkened. “How do you know about that?”

“How do I know?” Phoebe scoffed. “Maybe you should ask Jennifer. I’d love to know how she, as the other woman, has the audacity to send me those disgusting photos.”

“Phoebe.” Declan’s voice was laced with anger, his cold gaze piercing through her like an arrow.

In his mind, Jennifer was pure-hearted, incapable of hurting anyone—let alone provoking Phoebe.

“I’m not doing what you’re accusing me of with Jennie,” he remarked, his tone firm. “She’s only staying there temporarily. And Jennie would never send you any photos.”

Phoebe felt a sharp sting from his gaze, her eyes instantly reddening. “Staying temporarily? You think I’m stupid? And you say she would never send me those photos—so what, you think I’m framing her?”

But now that she had finally decided to let go, Phoebe realized just how pathetic she had been all these years, so willing to bend that he wouldn’t even spare her a comforting word. However, that was all in the past. She would never let herself be that person again.

*****

The next morning, Phoebe went straight to her lawyer and had the divorce papers drawn up.

As the lawyer printed out the documents, he couldn’t help but try to persuade her one last time. “Mrs. Richardson, Richardson Group is currently valued at hundreds of billions of dollars.

“You’ve been with Mr. Richardson for three years, enduring a hidden marriage all this time. Even if you asked for hundreds of millions in the divorce, it wouldn’t be unreasonable.”

Phoebe let out a bitter smile. “That won’t be necessary. I just want to get this over with as soon as possible.”

Seeing her determination, the lawyer didn’t push further. He handed her the finalized divorce agreement before taking his leave.

Phoebe flipped to the last page, and without a moment’s hesitation, signed her name. Then, she slipped the wedding ring off her finger and placed it on top of the divorce papers before she rose to her feet and headed upstairs to pack.

In less than an hour, Phoebe had everything ready. She didn’t have many belongings to begin with, and she refused to take anything Declan had bought for her. In the end, everything fit neatly into a single suitcase.

Standing at the doorway of the villa she had called home for three years, Phoebe cast one last glance around. There wasn’t an ounce of nostalgia in her eyes. She knew that no matter how much she had tried, this place had never truly belonged to her.

She thought to herself, ‘It took me three years to finally understand that. But at least I figured it out before it was too late.’

With that, she turned and walked out. A sleek red Lamborghini was already parked at the entrance. The moment she stepped outside, the driver honked the horn.

Phoebe set her suitcase in the trunk before sliding into the passenger seat.

Behind the wheel sat a gorgeous woman with a stunning figure and a flawless sun-kissed tan. A pair of oversized sunglasses covered most of her face, making her already striking features seem even more refined.

As Phoebe settled in, Cora Wood arched a perfectly shaped brow and asked, “Are you really sure about this?”