Five Years Ugly My Ex Begged Me Back After I Married a Billionaire

The day I went to City Hall to finalize the divorce, I wiped off the ugly makeup I'd worn for years and switched to something simple.

When Andrew James saw my face, his impatience flickered into surprise.

He stared for a long moment, then let out a half-regretful laugh. "If you'd put in a little effort earlier—fixed yourself up—we wouldn't have ended up here."

I said nothing. Just got in the car.

After we got the certificate, he kept staring at my face, making no move to leave.

"If things get hard for you later, you can come find me. For old times' sake, I won't let you starve."

I smiled but didn't answer.

No.

That day would never come.

Because in thirty minutes, I was marrying my childhood sweetheart—the man who'd loved me for ten years.

——

Outside City Hall, Andrew clicked his key fob twice. A Porsche beeped at the curb.

A girl in a pink coat ran over, beaming. "Andrew! You're done?"

He smiled indulgently and nodded.

Sophie Quinn snatched the divorce certificate, grinning so wide her face might split. "Congratulations—you're finally free!"

"Let's get hot pot tonight. Celebrate properly!"

She noticed me still standing at the entrance and her smile sharpened.

Andrew glanced back. "Can't get a ride? Want me to drop you somewhere?"

His voice dripped with condescension. And relief.

He slid an arm around Sophie's waist, eyes narrowing as he looked me over. "No need to feel awkward. We're divorced, but we can still be friends."

"Sophie's not like you—she's not petty or difficult. She won't mind."

Sophie hooked her arm through his, staking her claim. "Yeah, Elena. You don't have a car now, so just let Andrew give you a lift."

Charity. That's what her tone said.

She was savoring this moment—the mistress who'd driven out the wife. To her, this was victory worth flaunting.

I kept my face blank. "No need. I have somewhere to be."

My phone buzzed. A text from Luke.

Five minutes out.

I replied: Okay.

Sophie's mocking laugh rang out above me. "Elena, standing here like you can't leave—are you hoping Andrew will change his mind?"

"Nothing lasts forever. He loves me. You're divorced now, so move on."

Can't leave?

She had it backwards.

"Don't forget," I said, "I'm the one who filed."

I glanced at Andrew. "A man who can't stay faithful? I wouldn't pick him out of the trash."

"You want him so badly? He's yours."

Sophie didn't believe a word.

As she passed me, she leaned in close. "Elena Fox, being a sore loser is pointless."

"Look at you—all that pretty makeup, and Andrew still divorced you."

"Face it. A woman like you, a failure who couldn't keep her man? Once your looks fade, no amount of makeup will save you."

"But me? I'll be a better Mrs. James than you ever were." She smiled. "Thanks for the spot."