Broken Beyond Repair: To Win Back my Ex-Wife

Five years have passed since that nightmare had happened. It is still vivid, but I chose to move forward.

"Mommy!" Aria, my little darling, is sitting on my stomach, and her voice wakes me up.

"Mom, hurry up! It's the holiday season!" Jayden, my little prince, exclaimed. They are both overjoyed because it is Christmas, and they will open gifts today. I chuckle as I open my eyes and glance at my children, who are beaming with joy.

"Merry Christmas, babies." I stand up. I kiss their foreheads, and they embrace me in a warm embrace. We remain in this position for a few minutes before Jayden pulls away.

"Merry Christmas, Mommy." They say this and kiss my cheeks, and I immediately smile. Jayden and Aria... They are my bundles of joy.

"Come on, Mommy, let's open the gifts right now!" They both burst out laughing.

"Hold your horses, gentlemen. Before you open your gifts, your grandparents and aunt's family should arrive." They sulk as I say this. "Let's get started. Yeah?" I inquire, and they nod before we get out of bed and begin our morning routine.

---

My family has been here for about an hour, and we just opened our gifts. We are all sitting on the couches now, with the women conversing and the males playing with the children.

"Daddy, I am sleepy." My sister's kid, Jaxon, says to Ezekiel.

"Come on over here, sweetie." Ezekiel pulls her into his arms and lays her across his chest. She shuts her eyes and falls quickly into a deep sleep. I gaze adoringly at both of them. Chloe is fortunate to have a spouse who adores her and their child. When I think of him, tears well up in my eyes, but I quickly blink them away before anyone notices. My mother excuses herself to go the restroom, and my sister begins speaking.

"Why don't you try calling him?" Chloe rests her hand on my shoulder, and I know she notices the tears in my eyes.

It's been five years since Hudson and I divorced, five years since he abandoned me when I was pregnant, and four years since my children were born. Without Hudson, I was entirely alone, broken, unhappy, and despondent. Despite having my parents and sister, I felt lonely.

But everything changed after my children were born. Everything.

I needed to be tough for them. I tried to be strong even though I felt vulnerable. I turn to face my children, who are happy as they play with my father. I always want to make them happy and make them smile.

I turn to face my sister, who is staring at me, waiting for my response. I shake my head slowly from left to right, indicating a 'no.'

"Okay. Suppose that's what you want. But don't you believe he has a right to know?" She inquires.

"He doesn't deserve to know," I say with no emotions.

"But he's their biological father." She grumbles and rolls her eyes.

"And so? That day, he wouldn't even let me tell him. He was preoccupied with his girlfriend. Without knowing the truth, he accused me of cheating. When I tried to explain, he slapped me." I held back a sob.

"He has no right to know. They are not our children. They are mine." I cry.

I realize I've been so loud that everyone is gazing at me. I rush off the couch and dash into my room, locking the door and sliding against it. I bury my face in my hands and sob inconsolably. I recall signing the divorce papers at his office on that day.

---

Five years ago...

I enter the Davis Incorporated through the big doors and proceed to the elevator. I navigate to the 30th floor, which leads to his office. Everything was good when I was here a couple of days ago. But everything has changed now.

Last night was unexpected and terrifying. I had no idea what to do when I walked out of his mansion. I sobbed as I sat on a park bench. I peered into nothingness, convinced that everything was a nightmare.

I went to my father's house after what seemed like an eternity. He was irritated when he opened the door, but when he realized it was me, his annoyance turned to worry. He questioned what I was doing there then, but I didn't say anything. I couldn't do it. I put my baggage in my old room, and when my father asked again, I just shook my head, went to bed, and closed my eyes, trying to forget the pain and wishing it was all a nightmare. But when I awoke the following day, I realized it was all real and not a nightmare.

As a result, here I am. I came here to sign the divorce papers because he wanted me to.

When the elevator doors open, I walk over to Layla, Hudson's personal assistant, who looks up to see me.

"Ma'am?" She expresses amazement. She says, "Mr. Horan is in a meeting." I clear my throat and begin speaking.

"He-" A very recognizable voice cut me off.

"It's all right, Joannah. I invited her to join me here."

"I'm going to sign the divorce papers."

His gaze pierces mine.

He's dressed in my favorite navy blue suit, a white shirt on the inside, and formal pants that match his suit. He is pretty attractive. No! Don't think that way! I caution myself. I used to think this was too wonderful to be true while we were still in a relationship. And he realized it now. I am insufficient for him. He deserves more.

Silence falls over us as people stop strolling and gaze at us with their jaws agape wide. They are taken aback. Even I am taken aback.

Hudson enters his office, leaving the door open for me to enter. I gaze at Layla, who has wide eyes and parted lips. I force a grin at her and walk into his office.

I shudder as the cool air from the central air conditioner touches my body. Is it the situation that has me shivering? I'm still determining. The woman from last night is sitting on the couch, where I typically sit, and a man sits in Hudson's desk chair. It's probably the lawyer.

"Babe?" I look up when Hudson calls. My heart breaks even more when I realize he is calling the woman.

"Can you please wait in the other office while I deal with her?" He asks, and she smiles and nods. Hudson returns her grin and kisses her before walking to his seat. With a sneer, she gathers her handbag and passes past me. I stare at Hudson with teary eyes, and he looks back at me without emotion. At all. He slowly bobs his head towards the chair, silently inviting me to sit. Again, I do what I am told.

"Hello, Mrs. Horan." A guy approached me.

"Miss Baker," I say, my gaze fixed on Hudson. His gaze meets mine, but I turn away.

"Um...apologies, ma'am." The man swallows and clears his throat. "My name is Cameron Adams. I am Mr. Horan's attorney." He says to me, and I nod slightly.

"So...shall we...um...start?" He's tense. I nod to him once again.

"Miss Baker will have no claim to Mr. Horan's property. She will not see him again after today. She will avoid the paparazzi and the media. She will only be given a hundred thousand bucks." He completes his sentence.

"Do you have anything else to say, sir?" He asks Hudson, who nods his head. I nod as he repeats the inquiry to me. Hudson and Mr. Simmons exchange glances and head nods.

"I do not want anything from him. Nothing, not even money." I say. The lawyer nods and works on the paper. Hudson and I lock our gazes at each other.

"Okay. Everything has been completed. All you have to do is sign them."

He hands me a pen and the papers I take with shaking hands. I stare at Hudson, but he doesn't seem to see me. He's smiling and typing on his phone. I shake my head, knowing he won't stop or allow me to tell him the news. As a result, I signed the documents. The lawyer then presents the papers to Hudson, who signs them without hesitation.

"I'll send the papers to the judge." The lawyer then stands up. He gathers his belongings, shakes Hudson's hand, and nods as he walks to the door.

"How come you didn't ask for anything? I expected you to want more." Hudson says after the lawyer leaves.

"I don't need anything. We'll be fine." I glance at him, hoping he understands what I mean.

"We? Do you mean you and Axel?" I shake my head in frustration as he asks aggressively. I startle him by abruptly standing up and retrieving my bag.

"Don't expect me to forgive you if you realize your mistake and return to me," I say, walking away.

"I will never, ever forgive you." He snaps, and I don't turn around.

This time, I truly stepped away from his life. I'm never going to look back.

---

Present Time

Tears rush down my cheeks as I recall that fateful day. Behind the door, I hear soft voices.

"Mommy? "Can you please open the door?" Aria's voice comes to mind. I immediately brush my tears away before opening the door. I immediately wrap my arms around Aria and Jayden and squeeze them tightly.

"I love you. I love both of you." I speak to them in hushed tones.

"We love you, too, mom." They both say the same thing.