My husband called at my mom’s funeral, “Get home now! If not, So I’ll drag you home!” Later, He…

Collapse and A New Chapter

The next day Wyatt, my father, and I returned to my home only to discover it teeming with people and the aromas of a lively gathering. Unbeknownst to me, Sophia had organized a birthday party for herself.

Upon our arrival, Sophia, wine in hand, eyed us coldly.

“Look who finally decided to show up,” she sneered. “You’re late, Mia. My birthday started hours ago”.

Caught off guard by the chaos and having forgotten the occasion, I was speechless. Sophia thrust a stained rag into my hands.

“Don’t just stand there,” she ordered sharply. “Start cleaning up! These tables won’t wipe themselves”.

My father, who had been quietly observing, suddenly interjected with a powerful voice.

“How dare you treat my daughter like that!” he exclaimed, silencing the room. “She’s not here to serve at your command. She deserves respect”.

Sophia’s response was scornful. “Respect? She forfeited any right to respect when she married Aiden. She’s nothing to us now”.

The room fell into an uneasy silence as my father and Sophia continued their heated exchange, the guests looking on awkwardly.

Suddenly Aiden burst in demanding to know what was causing the commotion. He locked eyes with me, his gaze heavy with accusation.

“Mia, why aren’t you attending to the guests, and why are they here?” he pointed towards my father and Wyatt, his anger palpable.

Something within me reached its breaking point, releasing years of suppressed frustration and rage.

“No, Aiden,” I replied, my voice calm yet firm. “I won’t be serving anyone, cleaning up after them, or staying quiet any longer”.

The room fell silent. Even Sophia seemed at a loss for words.

“I know the truth, Aiden,” I continued, my resolve strengthening as I produced the divorce papers I had hastily drafted. “I understand why you really left my father’s company, and I can’t continue this way. I want a divorce”.

For a moment Aiden looked ready to attack, but realizing he was outnumbered, his defiance seemed to drain away.

“Fine,” he hissed. “Take your divorce, but you won’t get a dime from me”.

I couldn’t suppress a chuckle. “This house is mine, Aiden, remember? My father gifted it to us when we got married. It’s you who needs to find somewhere else to live”.

Aiden and Sophia soon left, casting bitter glares our way as the door shut behind them. I collapsed onto the couch, overwhelmed by exhaustion.

Wyatt, who had been silently observing, finally spoke. “Mom, why didn’t you tell me things were this bad?”.

“I’m sorry, Wyatt,” I sighed. “I thought I was protecting you, but I was actually teaching you the wrong lessons about love and respect”.

In the ensuing weeks, my life took a new direction. The divorce proceedings began, and I devoted myself to forging a new path.

My father, supportive as ever, was by my side throughout. One afternoon as we sat in his study, he broached an unexpected topic.

“Mia,” he said, his tone gentle yet serious. “I’m not getting any younger, and the factory needs fresh energy. How would you feel about joining me at work?”.

So surprised, I responded, “Me? But Dad, I don’t know the first thing about running a business”.

He chuckled softly. “I didn’t either when I started. You’re smart, Mia. You’ll learn. It’s time for you to spread your wings”.

Over the next few months I immersed myself in learning about the business. My father was a patient teacher, guiding me through the nuances of managing a shoe factory. I discovered a newfound passion for design and innovation.

Meanwhile, the divorce proceedings with Aiden were contentious. He challenged the ownership of the house and tried to turn Wyatt against me.

Despite his efforts, justice prevailed. I was awarded the house and substantial compensation for the years of emotional turmoil he caused.

Aiden, now facing charges for his unethical actions, found himself mired in debt and stripped of his ability to hold any chief executive officer position.

As for Sophia, she faded into obscurity, her influence over my life finally severed. The last I heard, she had moved in with someone else, leaving her past and me behind.

Four years had passed in what felt like the blink of an eye. So much had changed in such a short time, especially after the truth about Aiden came out, and it felt like my world shifted along with it.

But then, one Sunday morning, something happened that I could never have prepared for. I was called into my father’s office.

When I walked in, I immediately noticed how different he looked. His face was pale and serious, and his usual confident demeanor was replaced with one of quiet sadness.

He motioned for me to sit, his voice thick with emotion.

“Mia,” he said, the weight of his words making me freeze. “I’m not well. The doctors, they don’t think I have much time left”.

I felt the floor beneath me give way as panic rushed through my veins.

“Dad, no!” I whispered, reaching out for his hand.

He squeezed my fingers gently, trying to offer me some comfort despite his own pain.

“It’s okay, sweetheart,” he said softly. “I’ve had a good life, and now I can go knowing you’re strong, that you’ll be all right, and that you’re free”.

Tears welled up in my eyes as he continued, his voice steady despite the news.

“I’m leaving everything to you, Mia. The business, the house, all of it. You’ve proven yourself more than capable. I know you’ll take care of it”.

In the weeks that followed, we spent as much time together as possible, knowing that each moment was precious. My father’s health declined quickly, but his spirit remained unbroken.

He passed away quietly in his sleep, leaving behind a legacy I was now responsible for carrying on.

News of his death and my inheritance spread like wildfire through our small town. As I tried to adjust to my new life without him, something unexpected happened on a crisp autumn afternoon.

I heard the doorbell ring. When I opened it, I was shocked to find Aiden standing there, holding a bouquet of flowers, his face filled with regret.

“Mia,” he said softly, his voice lower than I had heard it in years. “I’m so sorry about your father. May I come in?”.

Despite the years of distance and pain, I reluctantly stepped aside, allowing him into the house. We stood in the foyer, awkward silence stretching between us.

Finally, Aiden broke it. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking, Mia. About us, about everything. I know I made terrible mistakes, but I’ve changed. My mom, she passed away last month, and now there’s nothing standing between us. We can be happy together again”.

Before I could even respond, I heard a car pull up in the driveway. Moments later, the front door opened and a tall, distinguished man walked in.

“Mia darling, I’m home,” he called out, his voice warm and familiar.

But when he saw Aiden, he froze, confusion and anger flickering across his face.

“Who the hell is this?” Aiden demanded, his eyes shifting between us.

The man stepped forward, extending his hand to Aiden. “I’m Angel, Mia’s husband, and you are?”.

Aiden ignored the hand and sneered. “Husband? You’re remarried? You traitor!”. His voice was full of rage.

Angel’s expression hardened immediately. He stepped between us, his voice calm but dangerous.

“I suggest you leave now and don’t ever speak to my wife like that again”.

Aiden lunged forward, but Angel was faster. He grabbed Aiden by the arm, pulling him toward the door with surprising strength.

“This is your one and only warning: Stay away from Mia. If you ever come near her again or insult her like that, you’ll regret it”.

With that, Angel slammed the door shut, leaving Aiden outside, his face filled with fury. As the screeching sound of his tires faded away, Angel turned to me, his face softening with concern.

“Are you okay, love?”.

I nodded, stepping into his embrace. “I’m fine. I’m just glad you’re home,” I said, a smile forming despite the chaos of the moment.

“And I’m glad you waited for me after all these years,” Angel chuckled, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead. “I’ve loved you since high school, Mia. I would have waited forever if I had to”.

As we stood there in each other’s arms, I couldn’t help but marvel at how life had come full circle. Angel and I had been high school sweethearts, but life had torn us apart when Aiden entered the picture.

After my divorce, Angel and I had reconnected, and our feelings for each other blossomed once more. We had married in a quiet ceremony just 3 months ago, and now we were starting a new chapter of our lives together.

Then my phone buzzed, breaking the moment. It was a text from Wyatt.

“Mom, great news! Chloe’s pregnant! You’re going to be a grandmother”.

In the months that followed, life settled into a beautiful rhythm. Wyatt and his wife, Chloe, moved back to the city, eager to be close to family as they prepared for their baby’s arrival.

They joined us at the factory, bringing new ideas and fresh energy to the business. It felt like everything was falling into place, and though the past had been painful, the future was brighter than I had ever imagined.