The Unwanted Wife's Return (Ex-Husband Wants Me Back) novel Chapter 367

Not Even My Daughter 

MARY’S POV: 

The house was quiet. 

I stood in the foyer, my back pressed against the door, and let the silence wash over me. The wood was cold through my shirt, the grain pressing into my skin. I could hear my own breathing, shallow and uneven, and the distant noise of the refrigerator from the kitchen. Somewhere upstairs, Elowen was moving around, getting ready for bed. 

I pushed myself off the door and walked toward the stairs. 

My legs felt heavy, each step was an effort. The events of the day replayed in my mind, the parent-child activity Marl’s unexpected appearance, the way he had made Elowen laugh. And then Vesper. The shopping bags. Alistair’s shirt hanging from her shoulders like a trophy. 

I reached the top of the stairs and walked down the hallway to Elowen’s room. 

She was sitting on her bed, her new soccer ball clutched to her chest, her eyes fixed on the window. The curtains were open, and the last of the evening light was fading from the sky. She looked small against the darkening window, her silhouette fragile and still. 

“Mommy?” she said without turning around. “Is the lady gone?” 

“Yes, baby. She’s gone.” 

“Was she the one who wanted to take Daddy away?” 

The question caught me off guard. I crossed the room and sat down on the bed beside her, my hand finding hers. 

“What makes you say that?” 

“I heard her talking outside. I heard her laugh.” Elowen finally turned to look at me. “I don’t like her.” 

I pulled her into my arms and held her tight. “I don’t like her either.” 

The driveway was empty. Vesper’s car was gone. Marl’s car was gone. They had both left, disappeared into the night, taking their secrets and their history with them. 

I finally let out a sigh of relief. 

But it was short-lived. Because even though they were gone, the weight of what had happened remained. Vesper had invaded my life. She had stood in my driveway, wearing my husband’s shirt, and she had made it clear that she wasn’t going anywhere. 

The house no longer felt safe. 

I thought about all the nights I had spent here, waiting for Alistair to come home. All the mornings I had woken up alone, the other side of the bed cold and empty. All the afternoons I had sat in this room, watching the shadows grow long, wondering if this was all there was. 

It wasn’t safe anymore. 

I needed to find somewhere else to live.