Love After Divorce: My Ex Wife Is A Billionaire

Adeline thought her marriage to Xander would last forever, even though he had always been indifferent to her. She believed her love and dedication would eventually win his heart. But one fateful night, Xander shatters her world by presenting her with a divorce agreement, leaving Adeline heartbroken and confused.

Years later, Adeline emerges as a successful and renowned jewelry designer, transforming from a heartbroken woman into a symbol of strength and elegance. At a high-society event, she makes a stunning appearance, capturing the attention of all, including Xander and her sister. When Xander tries to reconnect, Adeline’s chilling response was;

“Hello sir, do I know you?"

Divorce papers

Adeline

I set the table for two, even though I knew better. The clock on the wall ticked steadily, its sound echoing in the silent kitchen. The aroma of roasted chicken filled the room, a blend of herbs and spices that I’d hoped would be enticing enough to lure Xander home for dinner. But I knew it wouldn’t work. It hadn’t in years.

“Why do you bother, Adeline?” I muttered to myself, shaking my head. “He’s not going to walk through that door.”

I took a seat at the table, staring at the empty chair across from me. I could almost see him there, his tall frame and stern expression, but it was just a trick of the mind, a ghost of what never really was.

Xander had always been indifferent to me in our marriage. He barely acknowledged my presence, his attention constantly absorbed by work or his own thoughts. In the beginning, I had tried to reach out, to break through the wall he had built around himself, but over time, I realized my efforts were in vain. He didn't love me. He never had.

I sighed, picking at my food with my fork. “Maybe it’s me,” I mused aloud, feeling a pang of self-pity. “Maybe I’m just not worth the effort.”

The thought made me chuckle softly, my chest rumbling. I knew it wasn’t about me. Xander had his own demons, his own reasons for keeping me at arm’s length. But knowing that didn’t make it hurt any less.

I glanced at the clock again. It was almost eight. By now, he was probably still at the office, buried in paperwork or attending some endless meeting. I had stopped expecting him to call long ago. He never did. Why would he? I was just the woman he had married out of convenience, not love.

“Why do you even cook for him, Adeline?” I asked myself. “He doesn’t care.”

I looked down at the plate in front of me, the roasted chicken and vegetables looking less appetizing by the second. “Because you have to eat too,” I answered my own question, pushing the food around with my fork. “And because some part of you still hopes.”

I took a small bite, chewing slowly. The food was good, I had to admit. Cooking had always been my way of coping, of finding control in a life that felt increasingly out of my grasp. It was my therapy.

I couldn’t help but think about the early days of our marriage. Back then, I had been naïve, believing that I could break through Xander’s coldness, that my love would be enough for both of us. But now, those memories felt like a joke. It was a reminder of my foolishness.

I had long since given up on the idea of us sharing a life together. We were just two people living under the same roof, bound by a piece of paper but nothing else.

But to my astonishment, as I sat at the table, ready to resign myself to another solitary meal, I heard the door open.

There was no way in hell.

My heart skipped a beat, and I turned, hardly daring to believe what I was seeing. There stood Xander, his tired eyes meeting mine with an intensity I hadn't seen in a long time.

A rush of joy flooded through me. Maybe my efforts had finally made a difference. Maybe he had realized how much I missed him, how much I longed for just a moment of his time. With a smile spreading across my face, I rushed to greet him.

"Xander! You're home early," I exclaimed, unable to contain my happiness.

He gave me a small, tight-lipped smile, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Yes, I had some things to take care of."

I didn't care about the reasons; all that mattered was that he was here. I ushered him to the table, eager to share the meal I had prepared with so much love.

But my excitement was short-lived. As I began to serve dinner, Xander stopped me with a raised hand.

"There's no need for that, Adeline," he said, his voice flat.

Confusion crept into my heart, stealing away the joy I had felt just moments ago. "But... I thought you came home to eat," I stammered, my voice faltering.

Xander shook his head, a heavy sigh escaping his lips. "No, I came home to talk."

He reached into his briefcase and pulled out a stack of papers, placing them on the table in front of me. I scanned the sheets, and my eyes widened as I realized what they were.

A freaking divorce agreement!

My hands trembled as I reached out to touch the papers, as if by doing so, I could make them disappear, make this nightmare end. But they were real, as real as the sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.

"Xander, what is this?" I whispered, my voice barely audible above the pounding of my heart.

He looked at me, his gaze steady. "I think you know what it is, Adeline. We both know this marriage isn't working anymore."

Shock coursed through me, leaving me numb and speechless. How could he do this? How could he come home, give me hope, only to shatter it into a million pieces?

Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring my vision. "But... but I thought... I thought maybe things could be different," I choked out, the words catching in my throat.

Xander's expression softened, just a fraction. "I'm sorry, Adeline. But it's time for both of us to move on."

"Xander, please," I pleaded, my voice trembling. "Can't we talk about this? Can't we try to work things out?"

He hesitated, his eyes flickering with a glimpse of remorse. "Adeline, nothing will ever change. We're just... not meant to be together."

His words felt like a knife to my heart, each one slicing deeper than the last. "But I love you," I whispered.

Xander sighed, his gaze softening with a hint of pity. "Adeline. I'm sorry, but love isn't always enough."

“I can't believe this is happening," I murmured, more to myself than to him.

Xander reached out, his hand hovering over mine before he pulled back. "I know it's hard, Adeline. But it's for the best. For both of us."

I shook my head, unable to accept what he was saying. "I can't sign these papers," I said.

I couldn't understand why, couldn't fathom how everything had unraveled so quickly. With trembling hands, I gathered the strength to confront Xander, to demand answers to questions that seemed to multiply with every beat of my heart.

"Xander, please," I implored, my voice trembling. "Why are you doing this? Why now?"

But he remained silent, his expression unreadable.

"I deserve an explanation, Xander," I pressed on, my voice growing more insistent. "We owe each other that much."

Still, he refused to meet my gaze. It was as if he had already checked out, as if the man I had loved, the man I had hoped to love, was no longer there.

"Why won't you talk to me?" I demanded, my voice rising with frustration.

Finally, he spoke, his voice cool and detached. "Adeline, if you sign the papers, I'll make sure you're taken care of. You’lol be compensated with 5,000,000 dollars.”

His words hit me like a punch to the gut, knocking the wind out of me. Was that all I was worth to him? A sum of money, a transaction to be negotiated and settled?

"I don't want your money, Xander," I replied. "I want... I want us to find a way back to each other."

“If you think that 5 million is not enough for you, you can ask my assistant to give you a satisfactory number.” He raised his voice and said impatiently.

And with that, he turned and walked away, leaving me alone with the evidence of rejection, the divorce papers.

Sasha is back

Adeline

The night passed in a haze of restless tossing and turning. Sleep denied me of it's embrace, slipping through my fingers like grains of sand. I couldn't bear the thought of signing those divorce papers, couldn't fathom the idea of giving up on us without a fight.

After everything, despite the indifference that had always been in our marriage from the start, I still loved Xander. And I couldn't let him go without at least trying to understand why he was so determined to leave.

As the first light of dawn filtered through the curtains, I made a decision. I would go to Xander, confront him, demand answers that he had so callously refused to give me. I needed to know why, needed to understand what had made him do this. Although he has been cold to me since marriage, he has never mentioned divorce. I need to figure out why he suddenly asked for divorce.

I dressed quickly, my hands shaking with nerves. I didn't bother with breakfast, couldn't stomach the thought of food when my world was crumbling around me.The journey felt like an eternity.

Finally, we arrived, and I paid the driver before stepping out to the sidewalk.

The doors flew open, and I saw Xander slipping into the backseat of a waiting car. I couldn't let him slip away, not now, not when I was so close to finding out the truth.

I hailed a taxi, my hands trembling as I gave the driver hurried instructions to follow the car in front of us.

Finally, we pulled up outside my father's house. My brows furrowed in confusion.

My father's house.

Why would Xander be here? Why did he bust my father in private? Could it be that he couldn’t wait to tell my father that we were getting a divorce?

I paid the driver hastily and stepped out onto the sidewalk, my heart pounding in my chest as I watched Xander climb out of the car. Without a second thought, I followed him, my steps quickening.

As I approached the front door, I could hear voices drifting through the air. My pulse quickened, a knot of anxiety tightening in my chest as I reached out to knock.

The door swung open, revealing my father standing in the doorway, a look of surprise crossing his face as he saw me.

"Adeline, what are you doing here?" he asked, his brow furrowing. I didn’t have time to answer my father’s question. I can’t wait to walk into the room and find Xander. Hope he hasn’t had time to tell my father about our divorce.

As I stepped into my father’s house, the sound of laughter and chatter greeted me. The people in the room were chatting so happily that no one even noticed my arrival.

I tried to force a smile, to blend in with them.

“Xander, why didn’t you wait for me to come to Daddy’s house alone?” I tried to make my voice sound natural as if we were both planning to go home together.

Hearing my voice, everything died. The laughter? The chatter? It all died.

Xander didn’t take time to put away the smile on his face and looked at me with a frown.

And then, as if to compound my senses of displacement, I saw her - my sister.

She sat next to Xander. My eyes widen in surprise when I saw her.

My sister, who had been missing for three years, turned out to be back. No one has informed me of the news. Everyone in the room had already known it, except for me. My arrival ruined their reunion and celebration.

For a moment, we simply stared at each other. Then with a smug smile, a smug smile that only I could understand from childhood, she crossed the room to greet me.

"Adeline," she said. “My dear sister, welcome home.” She walked up to me with a smile and hugged me.

I couldn’t help but shudder. She was still as hypocritical as before, and those bad memories had awakened again.

I swallowed hard, struggling to find the right words to say. "I... I didn't expect to see you here," I admitted, .

"Hey, babe," he called out, his voice warm and inviting. "Come sit."

I nearly moved my feet, when I heard, “babe.” Well, that certainly was a huge improvement from a divorce.

But my feet came to a halt, when Sasha took to his direction.

My heart skipped a beat as I watched Sasha, my sister, make her way over to him. She settled into the space next to him, their shoulders brushing.

"Thanks, Xander," she said as she leaned in to plant a kiss on his cheek.

I struggled to make sense of what I was witnessing.

My husband.

Sasha.

Babe?

Xander, the man who had always been so distant and aloof, was suddenly showing affection to my sister. He was displaying so much affection towards her in a way that I had never experienced.

"Come, Adeline," Sasha said, gesturing for me to join them. "There's plenty of room."

But I remained rooted to the spot, unable to tear my gaze away from the sight before me. Xander, my husband, had called my sister "babe," had invited her to sit with him in a way that had left me feeling like an outsider in my own family.

I couldn't help but wonder what it meant, this sudden closeness between them.

Xander reached out to tuck a loose strand of hair behind Sasha's ear.

"You look beautiful today, babe," he murmured. "As always."

Sasha's laughter bubbled up in response, her cheeks flushing with a rosy hue as she leaned into his touch. "Oh, stop it," she teased. "You're too much."

But Xander only smiled, his gaze fixed on her.

"You know it's true," he said, his voice soft but earnest. "You always have been."

"What are you doing here, Adeline?" My stepmother's demanded, her eyes flashing with suspicion. "Are you here to cause trouble again? To harm my daughter?"

My head whipped in her direction.

I recoiled, my heart pounding in my chest as I struggled to find the words to defend myself.

"No, of course not," I stammered, my voice shaking with indignation. "I would never do anything to hurt her. I just... I just wanted to be with my family."

But my stepmother's eyes remained cold.

As if she would rush up at any moment if I had intention of hurting Sasha.

It isn't working

Adeline

“Sit down, Adeline,” My father said. Thank you to him for relieving my embarrassment.

I sat mechanically on the couch with my mind blank.

Sasha was seated right beside Xander, his arm draped over her.

"Adeline! So lovely to see you again," she trilled. I knew it was all a performance. That sweet smile, the wide, welcoming arms - none of it reached her eyes.

“Sasha, when did you come back? Xander, why are you here with Sasha?” When I finished asking, I realized that my voice was hoarse.

No one can remain calm after seeing her husband and sister show intimacy.

“Adeline, don’t be rude to Sasha,” Xander said.

Am I rude? I just asked normally that he was so protective of my sister and neglected his wife. If he has been as cold as he has been in the past few years, I can live with it. But seeing him so protective of Sasha, I couldn’t stand it anymore.

“Am I rude? She stole my husband and flirted with my husband.” I spat, unable to hold back the venom in my voice.

Sasha gasped, a hand flying to her impeccably painted nails. “Adeline, honey, you know that's simply not true!" Her voice cracked, tears welling in her eyes. "We're just in love, Adeline. There's no stealing involved."

It was a masterful performance. Her voice trembled, her lower lip quivered. And it worked. Xander's scowl deepened, his arm wrapping protectively around Sasha's waist.

"That's enough, Adeline," he growled. "Sasha did nothing wrong. You need to leave."

"Nothing wrong?" I choked out, my voice thick with disbelief. "She waltzes in here, pretends to be the grieving widow, and then suddenly you're 'in love'? Don't insult my intelligence, Xander."

"She's not pretending anything, Adeline," Xander shot back, his voice tight. "We've been talking, and we realized our feelings for each other run deeper than we thought."

"Convenient, isn't it?" I scoffed, my gaze flitting between them. "Right after you kick me out, right after everything falls apart."

Sasha dabbed at her eyes with a perfectly manicured hand. "Adeline, darling, please don't make this harder than it needs to be. We just love each other too much.”

The hypocrisy of her words made me laugh, a harsh, humorless sound. "Happy? You stole my husband, my future, and now you want me to be happy for you? Explain that logic to me, Sasha."

"We didn't steal anything, Adeline," Sasha insisted, her voice gaining a sharper edge. "We fell in love. There's a difference."

"Is there?" I challenged, stepping closer, my voice barely above a whisper. "Because from where I stand, it looks an awful lot like betrayal."

The room spun as Sasha's words echoed. "We fell in love," she'd said, a sickeningly sweet piety lacing her tone. Love?

Suddenly, a new voice greeted my ears. It was my steomother. Adeline," she began, "perhaps Sasha is right. Maybe you should finally find someone who truly loves you."

"Happiness? You think after years of being a faithful wife, after building a life with Xander, this is about happiness?" I demanded.

"Marriage is a partnership, Adeline," she continued, her gaze unwavering. "And from what I understand, yours wasn't built on love, was it?"

"It wasn't based on love, no," I admitted, the bitterness clinging to my throat like ash. "But we were married mother! Until your precious Sasha decided to slither into our lives and steal what wasn't hers."

Gasps filled the room, but I held their disapproving stares.

Ignoring the gasps and murmurs, I turned to Xander, my voice shaking wuty hurt. "And what about you, Xander? Did you ever love me? Or was I just someone you could use to while away your time?"

“I never loved you, Adeline.” He said, avoiding my gaze. His response was rather too quick, more like a practiced one.

I parted my lips to refute that claim, but Sasha cut in.

"Look, Adeline," Sasha finally cut in, her voice adopting a patronizing tone. "It's clear this isn't working. Xander and I are soulmates. Perhaps you should just step aside and let him be happy with his true love."

"True love?" I scoffed, but before I could finish, my father cut in.

“Adeline, perhaps they're right.”

“A- About? Right about what, dad?” I questioned, not wanting to believe my ears.

“Get the divorce, Adeline. If you hadn’t used trickery, Sasha and I would have been married a long time ago. The marriage between you and I was a mistake, and it’s time to end it.”

How ridiculous.

My husband, and my family, are forcing me to divorce. They wanted my husband to marry my step sister.

I can’t stay in this house for another minute.

Find her

Adeline

As I stepped through the front door of the house that Xander and I once shared, a chill swept over me.

The place now felt like an empty shell.

I wandered through the rooms. The silence was deafening, broken only by the hum of the refrigerator in the kitchen. I found myself standing in front of the dining table, my fingers tracing the grain of the wood.

It was here that I had spent countless evenings waiting for Xander to come home, dinners growing cold.

I sighed. "This isn't my home anymore," I whispered to myself.

I moved to the bedroom, the room we had once shared. The bed, neatly made. I sat on the edge.

"Why did it have to end like this?" I asked the empty room. There was no answer, of course. There never was.

The closet stood half-empty, Xander's clothes noticeably absent. I pulled open a drawer, finding it filled with my things – neatly folded, untouched. It felt like our marriage, my presence carefully contained and largely ignored.

I wandered back into the living room and sank onto the couch, staring at the divorce agreement on the coffee table. The black and white of the text seemed to blur as tears filled my eyes. Xander's signature was already there. My heart ached at the thought of the love we never had, the future that would never be.

With a heavy heart, I picked up the pen and hesitated. "This is it, Adeline," I murmured to myself, trying to summon the strength to move forward. "This is the end of the chapter."

I thought of my husband and sister again and my heart tingled. In the years since I got married, he had never defended me so much.

“Our marriage was a mistake.” Yes, it was. If it wasn’t for the mistake, it wouldn’t have been my turn to marry him.

Now it’s time to put an end to the mistake.

I signed my name on the dotted line. I set the papers back on the table, and I let it all sink in.

For a moment, I allowed myself to cry, the tears flowing freely as I mourned the end of our marriage.

With a deep breath, I picked up my phone and dialed Xander's assistant.

"Hello, this is Adeline," I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside. "Can you come by and pick up the signed divorce agreement? It's ready."

"Of course, Mrs. Hale," came the polite reply, a touch of formality that felt oddly comforting. "I'll be there within the hour."

"Thank you," I said, ending the call. I looked around the house one last time, then headed to the bedroom to start packing my things.

The task was sorrowful. As I folded clothes and sorted through personal items, memories came rushing back—both good and bad.

Finally, with my bags by the door, I took a deep breath and steeled myself for what came next. The assistant would be here soon to collect the papers, and I needed to be gone before then. I didn't want to face anyone from Xander's world right now.

I dragged my suitcases to the front door and took one last look around the house.

I loaded my bags into the trunk of my car and slid into the driver's seat.. I didn't know where I was going yet, but I knew I needed to find a place where I could start over, where I could rediscover who I was beyond being Mrs. Xander Hale.

I hopped in the car, speeding away. I was all up in my head the whole time.

I glanced in the rearview mirror and noticed a car behind me. At first, I brushed it off. Who would be trailing a divorcee? But as I made my way through the city, taking five different turns in an attempt to shake off the uneasy feeling, the car was still there. It was too good of a coincidence.

"Am I being followed?" I muttered to myself, my grip on the steering wheel tightening. I took another turn, this time into a quiet residential street, hoping to confirm my suspicions.

Sure enough, the car followed, maintaining a steady distance. My heart pounded in my chest as I tried to stay calm. "Okay, Adeline, don't panic," I told myself. "Just get somewhere safe and figure this out."

I decided to head to a area with more people around. I pulled into a grocery store parking lot, parked the car, and watched the other vehicle. It drove past slowly, then circled around and parked a few rows away.

My mind raced with questions. Who could be following me, and why?

****

Xander's POV

I sat in my office, staring at the divorce papers my assistant had just delivered. Adeline’s signature was neatly placed at the bottom, but there was something missing. I didn’t expect her to sign it. After she left without saying a word yesterday, I thought she would continue to pester me.

What surprised me even more was that she did not accept compensation.

“What is she trying to prove?” I muttered, feeling a twinge of irritation. I grabbed my phone and dialed her number, ready to confront her about what I perceived as another one of her tricks. But the call didn’t connect. It went straight to voicemail.

I tried again, but the result was the same. "Damn it, Adeline," I whispered. I tried a few more times, pacing my office, each attempt ending in frustrating silence.

I called my assistant. "Have you heard from Adeline?" I asked, trying to keep my voice calm.

"No, sir," he replied. "I picked up the papers, as you instructed, but she didn’t say much. Just handed them over and left."

I sighed, rubbing my temples. Something felt off. Adeline wasn't the type to just vanish, even if she was upset. Maybe this was a sign that she was truly done with me, done with trying to make our marriage work.

I dialed her number again, but there was still no answer. What if she was in trouble? What if something had happened to her?

“Find out where she went,” I ordered my assistant. “I need to know where she is.”

Adeline’s reveal

Xander

The embossed invitation felt slick with a kind pressure in my hand.

The designer hosting the event was a top name in the industry, the kind of person every trendy woman like Sasha, my girlfriend, worshipped. Sasha had been raving about the jewelry for weeks, especially the new piece Adie Luxe was set to unveil. Personally, I couldn't care less about jewelry or fashion. When the invitation arrived, I wanted to skip it entirely, but Sasha wouldn’t hear of it.

“Xander, you don’t understand,” she had said for the hundredth time, practically bouncing with excitement. “Adie Luxe is releasing a new piece! We have to go. I need to see the face behind the brand. Everyone’s talking about it. This is the biggest event of the season! Did you know their last piece sold for half a million at auction? That’s how influential they are. Just imagine seeing their work up close!”

I nodded absentmindedly, her words blending into the background. I didn't share her enthusiasm for jewelry or fashion. But Sasha was relentless, yapping on and on.

“They have always ahead of the curve, setting trends, not following them. And the craftsmanship! Each piece is like a work of art. Do you remember the necklace they designed last year? It was featured in every top fashion magazine. Oh, and the rumor is this new piece will have some kind of rare gem that no one’s ever used before. I can’t believe we’re actually going to see it. And to think, they started just a few years ago and now they're the talk of the town. Can you imagine the connections we could make tonight?” She paused, and then continued, “Adie Luxe is amazing! I can’t believe we’re seeing them in person. Did you know they had been featured in Vogue? They came out of nowhere and now they're dominating the industry. I can’t wait to see the new piece they're unveiling. It’s going to be groundbreaking, I just know it!”

I couldn’t get a word in, nor did I particularly want to. Jewelry wasn’t my thing. But seeing Sasha so animated, so desperate to attend, I couldn’t refuse her.

“Alright, alright,” I finally conceded. “We’ll go. Just promise you’ll enjoy it enough for the both of us.”

“Oh, I will!” she said, her eyes gleaming. “This is going to be the event of the year, Xander. You won’t regret it.”

The dinner party was in full swing, clinking glasses, and murmurs. The designer had truly outdone themselves, with every detail carefully planned to exude luxury. I moved through the room, making polite small talk.

As I moved around the event, I couldn’t help but overhear snippets of conversation from the ladies. They seemed very much like Sasha. Why was everyone so smitten by this “Adie Luxe's” work?

“I can’t wait to see the face behind Adie Luxe and the new jewelry,” one woman said to her companion. “It’s so funny how no one has seen the face of the brand.”

“I know, right?” the other person replied. “I have no idea why they’ve been so secretive. Who could he or she possibly be?” The lady groaned. “Maybe some celebrity who wanted to prove they could make her barand thrive without their fandom? Kylie Sprouce? Something tells me she's the one.”

The first woman chuckled. “Oh, well, I can’t wait to see them in person. Who knows what they are? He? She? They? Them? And that new jewelry she’s unveiling tonight? I’ve heard it’s going to be absolutely gobsmacking!”

These women were utterly engrossed in. I wondered why they were so fascinated, why the mere mention of the name and work evoked such excitement.

Just as I was about to excuse myself to the balcony for some air, the lights dimmed slightly, drawing everyone's attention to the stage. A hush fell over the crowd, and the announcer took the microphone.

"Ladies and gentlemen," she began, her voice commanding the room, "thank you for joining us tonight. It is my distinct pleasure to introduce someone who has redefined elegance and innovation in our industry. Please welcome the visionary behind Adie Luxe, Ms. Adeline."

Murmurs swept through the audience, and my grip tightened on the glass in my hand. The name replayed in my mind, triggering a flood of memories. Adeline. Could it be…?

Then they walked onto the stage.

Adeline.

“It's a woman!” Someone exclaimed.

“Adeline Armstrong!” A voice called.

A collective gasp filled the hall. I felt my heart skip a beat. “What?” I muttered under my breath, unable to process what I had just heard.

“No way! She's Michael Armstrong's daughter!” one woman exclaimed, her voice full of shock.

The first woman shook her head, clearly baffled. “I have no idea. This is unbelievable. I mean, how could no one have known?”

“Maybe she wanted to succeed on her own terms,” her friend suggested. “Not rely on her family’s name. It makes sense if you think about it. She’s built this incredible brand all by herself.”

“I still can’t believe it,” another woman interjected. “The Armstrongs are so well-known. Michael Armstrong, as in the big CEO's daughter! How did she manage to stay under the radar?”

The room seemed to hold its breath as she moved with an effortless grace, her eyes scanning the crowd before settling somewhere above us, unfazed by the attention. She was dazzling, more radiant than I remembered, and carrying herself with a confidence that made it impossible to look away.

My heart stopped as the truth sank in. This was the Adeline. The same woman I had once called my wife. The same woman I had ruthlessly divorced, now standing before me with a new identity, a new life. How was this possible? My mind raced with questions, none of which I could answer.

The applause was thunderous, but it felt distant, almost surreal. I was rooted to the spot, my mind fuzzy. Adeline''s eyes briefly met mine, and I tried to look for something, anything. Recognition, perharps? But there was none. Nothing. she turned her attention back to the audience, a serene smile on her lips.

How had she transformed so completely, so beautifully? My jaw dropped as I watched her, the woman I had let slip through my fingers now shining brighter than ever.

The applause was thunderous as Adeline walked the stage.

Next to me, Sarah seethed with jealousy. She continued to huff, and roll her eyes when any subtle pleasant comment was made about Adeline's new piece. She had always outshined Adeline, but tonight, it was clear who the true star was. I could feel Sarah's eyes darting between Adeline and me, trying to gauge my reaction.

But I couldn’t tear my eyes away from Adeline. How could the woman I had left behind become so poised, so elegant? It didn’t seem possible. My heart pounded as I watched her, trying to reconcile the confident woman on stage with the one I had once known. The memories of our time together flooded back.

I remembered the way I had dismissed her, the coldness with which I had ended our marriage. How I had never appreciated her efforts, how I never even bothered to eat the meals she lovingly prepared. My heart sank as I recalled the look in her eyes when I told her it was over, the pain I had caused her. I had been a fool to let her go.

She was breathtaking, and I couldn’t believe how much she had transformed. Part of me felt a deep pang of regret, a realization of what I had lost. I wished I could turn back time, undo the mistakes that had driven us apart.

I barely acknowledged Sarah's comment, too engrossed in the sight of Adeline. She had always been beautiful, but now there was a confidence and grace that took my breath away. I wondered how different things could have been if I had appreciated her more when we were together.

****

After the shock of Adeline’s reveal, the mood in the room was calmer, but it didn't last for long.

“And now, without further ado, it is my honor to present the latest masterpiece from Adie Luxe,” the designer announced, gesturing towards a covered display.

A staff member stepped forward and dramatically pulled the cloth away, revealing a breathtaking piece of jewelry. The room erupted in gasps and exclamations of awe.

The women went in twos and threes to admire the necklace.

“Oh my God!” someone screamed. “It’s stunning!”

“It’s even more beautiful than I imagined,” another voice gushed. “Look at those details!”

Women were practically pushing and shoving.

I nudged Sasha gently. “Don’t you want to check it out?”

She crossed her arms, her face twisted. “I don’t. It’s probably so mid,” she said.

I raised an eyebrow, surprised by her response. “Really? You’ve been talking about this all week.”

Sasha scoffed, her eyes narrowing as she watched the other women fawn over the jewelry. “It’s just a bunch of hype. I bet it’s not even that impressive up close.”

Ignoring her, I looked back towards the crowd, where people were still marveling at the piece. “Did you see the cut on that diamond?” one woman exclaimed. “It’s flawless!”

“And the design!” another agreed. “Adie Luxe really outdid herself this time.”

Sasha huffed beside me, clearly irritated.

I glanced at her. It was obvious her jealousy was clouding her judgment. “Come on, Sasha. You know it’s more than that. Look at their reactions.”

She rolled her eyes, refusing to engage further. “Whatever, Xander. If you’re so interested, go ahead. I’m staying right here.”

I sighed, deciding not to push her any further. Instead, I turned my attention back to the stage, where Adeline stood, focusing instead on her.

Finally, I saw an opportunity to meet her. It was my table's turn to go up close to see the necklace.

I took a deep breath and started walking toward her.

Sarah, realizing what I was doing, raised her voice. “Xander, you can't be serious.” But I didn’t heed her. I was drawn to Adeline, compelled to reconnect, even if just for a moment.

I reached her and cleared my throat. I paid more attention to her than the jewelry I was supposed to be admiring.

“Hi, Adeline,” I said, my voice trembling slightly. “You look so good. You- I mean, your jewelry, is a masterpiece.”

I couldn't stop myself from continuing. “You’re doing so well. I have to say I’m impressed. Really, it’s incredible what you’ve achieved. This piece, it’s just…wow. I mean, I always knew you were talented, but this is beyond anything I could have imagined. You’ve really outdone yourself.”

She turned to face me, her expression composed and unreadable. “Hello, sir,” she said, her tone polite but distant. “Do I know you?”