From Neglected Wife to CEO’s Obsession novel Chapter 175

P.S. If I could turn back time, I’d trade everything for another chance.

The first time I really met Remy was in that hospital lobby.

Even now, I have no idea if those photo collages he posted were about clinging to memories before everything slipped away or just some desperate move to win me back.

Kailynn was the first to call. She didn’t waste a second. “Seriously, is Remy out of his mind? Who does he think wants to see all that garbage? He begged for your love, he proposed, he was the one who cheated—how does he even have the nerve to post this stuff?”

“Obviously it's aimed at me. But let him do whatever he wants. If it gets to be too much, I’ll just block him on social media. Out of sight, out of mind.”

“I mean, what is his deal? Does he think he can have the perfect wife at home and a bunch of flings on the side? Ugh, men like him should have gone extinct ages ago. Why wasn’t he wiped out with the dinosaurs? I swear, I’m so mad I could scream.”

“Don’t you dare die on me. I need you around, especially when I’m single and ready to take on the world. I get why you’re worried, Kailynn, but trust me—I’m not changing my mind.”

Kailynn went silent for a bit, then let out a sigh, her tone gentle. “Good. I’m glad, Avery. He’s just a jerk, not worth you spending your whole life on.”

She was right. Remy really wasn’t worth it.

Right before I got off work, Blake sent me a message that nearly made me jump out of my seat.

The court summons had finally been delivered to Remy.

I stared at that little line of text for so long my eyes started to fill with tears.

The day I’d finally be free from Remy was almost here.

With Blake running point, the court date was set for two weeks out.

Holding that summons in my hand, I broke down and cried. Relief, hope, everything at once. I was finally going to leave the darkness behind and start over.

Honestly, even with the relief and the newfound freedom, there’s a kind of sadness words can’t really touch.

Because those six years—they were still the best ones of my life.

Then one day, someone at the front desk called up to say there was an international package for me.

Vicky grabbed it on her way back. I was in the middle of wrangling a mess of code and barely looked up, just asked her to open it for me.

“Avery, what the—oh my God...” Vicky’s voice shot up as she peered into the box.

I finally finished up my data, looked up, and saw Kailynn staring, her eyes so wide I thought they might actually pop out of her head if not for her glasses.

“What is it? You two look like you’ve seen a ghost,” I said, heading over, curiosity taking over.