All Chapters of Dear Ex-wife, You're More Than A Substitute: Chapter 181 - Chapter 190

Rachel’s POV While I was deep in thought, I felt a need to turn around. Footsteps entered the kitchen.Richard.The atmosphere changed instantly. I wanted to leave but I couldn't, I mean how?Zane smiled brightly. “Dad!”“Hey buddy,” Richard said. He barely acknowledged him. His attention stayed fixed on me. He was at the fridge before he turned to us. “Zane,” he said calmly, “why don’t you go upstairs for a while?”The little boy frowned. “But I’m helping Aunt Rachel cook.” A smile threatened to grace my lips.“I said go upstairs.” He said in a half-serious voice.Before Zane could move, I spoke casually. “He can stay, he’s just keeping me company.”Richard’s eyes snapped toward me immediately.“It’s fine,” I continued lightly, stirring the soup again. “He’s not bothering anyone.”“Yes, I am Zane, " and I made eye contact and he giggled. When I looked at Richard I almost flinched. For a second, tension thickened the room.Then Zane awkwardly looked between both of us. I think he w

Rain tapped softly against the windshield as I pulled into Madam Clarisse’s driveway. My hands still trembled slightly on the steering wheel for two reasons. Number one, since the shooting we haven’t been here. And now I feel guilty for not visiting. Number two, because of what she had told me on the phone. Part of me didn’t even want to come here. I mean what she could have known about Rachel. I sank deeper into the car.” Gush!!!!” Gosh, I wish I could disappear. Any criticism of my sister? I don’t want to hear it. But another part of me desperately needed someone older, wiser… someone who could tell me I wasn’t losing my mind.Finally, I got myself together and exited the car. The front door opened before I could knock. Madam Clarisse stood there in an elegant cream-colored robe, her sharp eyes immediately softening when she saw me. She was no longer on crutches,s and the heavy bandage on her ankle was long gone. “Oh, Tessa,” she murmured gently. “Come inside. “That gentleness a

Richard’s POV “What?” I took a step back like I had been smacked in the face.“You heard me well Richard” she put her hands on her waist and looked away. I grabbed her by the hand. “Look at me, Tessa.” She tried to yank her hands away from me but I held her. “Tell me you mean this” Tessa could not look at me.“All I know is that you are causing me pain and I don’t want that” she mumbled. Her voice was breaking. “Tessa please don’t do this, we can talk about this” I begged but all my pleas fell on deaf ears. She kept shaking her head and wouldn’t talk or look at me. ***************************************************************************************************The word divorce followed me out of the bedroom like a gunshot. Even after I slammed the door behind me, I could still hear Tessa crying upstairs. I had never made her cry after Stacy. Now look what I have done. I walked downstairs slowly, tension burning through my chest. I hoped Zane was nowhere close. I let out a breat

Richard’s POVJust like that I was thrown back to a time I swore to forget. It was after Tessa had died. Drowned. After I went and saw her pale face at the morgue. Grief ate at me. Even Stacy was there but that didn’t mean I didn’t miss Tessa. I knew I had to get away before everything ate me up. I told no one. Not even Eric. However, we hadn’t gotten that close then. I snuck out, even though Stacy tried to console me, but I knew it was all my fault. I did that to Tessa. The trip was just to clear my head. Nothing more. In fact, Thailand had never meant anything to me before that trip. Just another country. It would be another business meeting. Another expensive hotel room with cold air conditioning and fake smiles. I wanted that rather than my reality. At least, that was what I told myself back then.I told business associates that I needed space for work negotiations overseas, and because I was Richard, nobody questioned me. Well except my mother. But she would be the last pet t

Richard’s POV I did not go home that night. I could never face Tessa after what I did. So I made my bed in my office, under the guise of working late. I left the office lights still on long after midnight. That witch had tried to seduce me. Showing me her thigh. Eww. I think she saw the disgust on my face and took her L. That ugly mole on her leg.I sat alone behind my desk staring blankly at the city as the lights mocked me sitting in darkness. Through the glass walls, exhaustion sank so deeply into my bones that even breathing felt like work now.I already knew how I would look. It was just like that time I didn’t go home at night. It would be dark circles, that sat heavily beneath my eyes. Skin that looked dull. Tired.Destroyed.I stared down at my table. Three empty coffee cups littered the desk beside stacks of legal documents I could barely focus on anymore. The company was in shambles. Investors have been ringing me. Breathing down my neck. I spoke to no one. I feel like thi