The Unwanted Wife's Return (Ex-Husband Wants Me Back) novel Chapter 60

Lilies and Legal Threats (2) 

HANNAH’S POV: 

“This is Mr Smith, my lawyer.” He introduced us and I let out a breath and stared at the both of them. 

What did they have up their sleeves? 

The lawyer cleared his throat but said nothing yet, simply adjusted his tie. Elijah ignored my tone and attitude setting the takeout down on the side table. “You work too much, Hannah. You forget to eat….” 

“Don’t,” I muttered, my voice barely holding. 

He didn’t respond right away but he just studied me, almost admiringly, as though he was rediscovering me in this polished office space, surrounded by power and elegance that had nothing to do with him. 

“You’ve done well for yourself,” he commended at last, his tone a mixture of pride and regret. “You really built something from the ground up.” 

“I had to,” I replied. “Some of us didn’t have the luxury of being reckless.” 

The lawyer finally spoke up and I took my seat staring at them. “Mrs. Martinez-” 

“Jones,” I corrected coldly and sharply. 

He gave a brief, uncomfortable smile. “Mrs. Jones, I’ll be brief. Mr. Martinez came to me seeking advice regarding the legalities of your children’s custody arrangement-” 

I blinked hard, my throat suddenly dry. “Custody arrangement?” 

“Yes. There isn’t one, is there?” The lawyer inquired raising his eyebrow in questioning. 

I turned sharply to Elijah, my pulse quickening. “What is this?” 

So this is what he was planning, a hostile takeover? I couldn’t help but scoff. 

He shifted his weight, his tone still even but with that dangerous calm I’d known all too well. “You concealed their existence. You didn’t tell me where you were or that you’d even given birth. Legally-” 

“Legally?” I cut him off, standing from my seat. “Legally, you abused me twice. That’s the reason I left, Elijah. And you want to talk about legality?” 1 

The air thickened. The lawyer’s gaze fell to the floor, fidgeting. Elijah flinched but didn’t look away from me. “I was young. I was drunk. I was angry at the world, not at you.” 

“That’s not a defense,” I spat, my voice cracking. “You don’t get to hide behind a bottle for the things you chose to do.” 

He stepped forward slightly. “I’m not here to fight. I’m here to fix things. For the kids. 

“Fix?” I repeated, half laughing. “By threatening custody? You think waving some legal jargon and flowers will make me forget everything?” 1 

The lawyer cleared his throat again, voice careful. “Mrs. Jones, I only presented the law as it stands. You must understand if this were to go to court, his chances wouldn’t be zero. Concealment could be viewed as parental alienation, and given the current statutes-” 

“And what about me?” I shot back. “When do I get peace?” Even though I wasn’t even thinking about myself much right now. 

He didn’t answer. 

I turned away, clutching the edge of my desk, staring at the flowers he brought, they were beautiful, fragrant, utterly meaningless. 

“I’ll move,” I finally said, my voice steady but hollow. “Not because you scared me, not because of your lawyer but because my children deserve stability. They deserve to see a family, even if it’s built on ashes.” 

He looked at me, startled, relief flickering behind his guilt. 

“But don’t mistake this for forgiveness,” I added coldly. “You don’t get that yet. 

He nodded once, swallowing hard. “That’s enough for now.” 

As he turned to leave, I caught his reflection in the glass door, the weight of regret in every step. 

“I’m going to be the man I should have been for you and the kids. I swear on my life. Even if I have to spend the rest of my life showing you the best. It’s going to be worth it. I am deeply sorry, Hannah and thank you for the twins.” The sincerity in his voice and eyes made my heart hurt for some reason so I just stared at him as he left. 

When the door finally shut, I sank into my chair, staring at the vase of lilies, their petals so white they almost looked artificial. 

Everything will be fine. I reminded myself trying to not be mad at mysel do for comprising