The Unwanted Wife's Return (Ex-Husband Wants Me Back) novel Chapter 24

Secrets Behind The Laughter 

HANNAH’S POV: 

The Next Morning: 

The first thing I noticed as soon as I woke up at 6, with the sun slowly rising was the quiet. 

And it was not the heavy, empty kind of quiet that I used to hate in my old life, but a soft silence, along with the faint chirping of birds outside the window and the low hum of the city waking up. Sunlight streamed lazily through the curtainsz 

For a moment, I stayed still, curled beneath the sheets, letting the peace soak in. Last night had been long, overwhelming, but also… perfect. It had been years since I had felt like that version of myself bold, celebrated, unapologetic. At least since the release of my books which my audience was dying for a new one and I was so not ready. I wasn’t stable enough to write a new book, I was solely focused on fashion and the possibility of it. My heart still carried the echoes of laughter from Lucas, Maya, and my children at the restaurant. 

Today was about moving forward, and taking one of the biggest steps to becoming internationally known, and I was so excited. 1 

“Today is going to be an amazing day!” I smiled as I said. 

I pushed the covers aside and slipped out of bedx My dressing gown lay draped over a chair, and I pulled it on, tying the sash firmly around my waist as I passed the mirror. My hair was messy, my eyes a little tired, but there was something different in my reflection. And I couldn’t help but pause to admire myself. 

“I had really come so far.” I reminded myself and headed to the bathroom to freshen up. 

From the hallway after brushing my teeth and preparing to take a bsth, I heard a muffled giggle, followed by the unmistakable sound of something tumbling over. 

“Amelia..” I called out, my voice still thick with sleep. 

A beat of silence. Then, “It wasn’t me!” 

I smiled, shaking my head, and opened the door to find her standing guiltily outside her brother’s room, a pillow in her hands. Her hair was tangled from sleep, and her pajamas had tiny unicorns dancing across them. 

“It looks very much like it was you,” I said, arching a brow. 

She grinned, trying to look innocent. “Okay… maybe a little bit.” 

Andrew appeared behind her, hair sticking out in every direction, holding the fallen lamp from his nightstand.” She’s lying, Mom. She came in here and-” 

“Alright, alright,” I cut in before the sibling squabble could escalate. “Both of you, downstairs. Breakfast. Now.” 

I leaned back in my chair, watching the scene unfold and smiled. 

Still, beneath it all, I sensed something in Lucas. A tension he was hiding behind his theatrics. His laugh was too loud, his gestures a touch too flamboyant. I knew him well enough to know when he was performing to cover something. 

But I didn’t press. Not now. 

Maya cleared her throat gently, setting her phone down. “So, Hannah… what’s the plan for today? Do you want me to come with you to the meeting?” 

I hesitated, glancing at my coffee. The thought of the meeting sent a ripple through me excitement mixed with nerves. “Yes,” I said finally. “You and Lucas both. It’ll be good to have you there. I don’t know what kind of people we’re dealing with yet.” 

Lucas froze for the briefest second so brief that anyone else would have missed it. But I saw it. His back stiffened, his hand pausing midair before he resumed his pancake flipping with a too-bright smile. 

“Of course we’ll be there,” he said smoothly. “It is actually important for some of us to be there so I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” He added teasing Maya who rolled her eyes. 

I narrowed my eyes slightly, suspicion prickling at the back of my mind. But before I could say anything, Amelia spilled her orange juice, chaos erupted, and the moment was lost.