The Ex-wife strikes back

oor as she directed the event planners. The decorators moved with practiced precision, draping soft, pastel

ements where soft lilies and roses were artfully intertwined. "No, not like that. The lilies should face outward," she called,

d toward the dining area. "Set those on the side table for now, but keep

ff responded, nodding as they hur

nce she and Ethan had said their vows. It had been a quiet ceremony, born out of a business contract neither was it publicly acknowledged

Fishing it out of her pocket, she saw Ethan's name flashing on

eeted, her tone lig

n's voice came throug

sked her concern. "I'm at home," she replied, carefully av

he asked, his voice ho

er voice laced with cheer.

int hum of background noise. Then, a burst of laughter erupted, fo

Mia asked, her

neither denying or affirming. "I'

t she forced herself to sound unaff

dded, "I have something to

itched. "Oh?

ough," he said curtly be

with Jenna's laughter in the background, unsettled her. Shaking her head, she pushed th

ow, her heart leaping as she saw Ethan's sleek black car pulling into the driveway. The s

udible, but the scoff that fo

ress, adjusting the delicate pearl necklace around her nec

-a second figure in

hter ringing through the quiet evening air. Mia froze, her mind racin

l take it well?" Jenna

harp click. "Whether she takes it or not does

"I'm just saying, you might want to break it to her

er to her. "Gently? Please.

d back from the window. The world seemed to tilt as

han and Jenna were here. Mia turned to face the living room, the

nding with Ethan's deeper voice. Whatever announcement Ethan had to make, Mia knew i

ng with Mia's in a way that felt both triumphant and pitying. Mia felt the blood drain from her face. Her knees wobbled as Jenna's

voice unnervingly cal

y, but she forced herself to stan

ng to her stomach. "Oh, Ethan, just tel

e turning back to Mia. "Sit down, Mia

," Mia replied, h

g a hand through his

w a flicker of hesitation in his eyes. But then his jaw

e began, his voice cool and measured. "But t

uickened. "Fi

ard, her smile wid