I Asked For Divorce When His Mistress Returned

Over the next eleven weeks, Carlos Richards and I got along surprisingly well. Maybe it was his grandfather’s influence, or maybe it was the baby I was carrying, but he made a point of coming home on time for dinner every evening.

I checked the clock. It was almost noon. I called Carlos, but he didn’t pick up. With no other choice, I called his office.

Ethan Johnson answered. “Mrs. Richards, Mr. Richards is in a video conference right now. It should wrap up in about half an hour.”

“There’s a document he needs to look over,” I said. “Does he have anything scheduled after the meeting?”

Ethan checked the schedule. “Are you planning to join Mr. Richards for lunch? He has another meeting at one, so he’ll only have a thirty-minute break.”

Ethan was excellent at his job—he always seemed to know exactly what Carlos needed.

“Would you like me to order something for him?” Ethan offered kindly.

“No, I’ll handle it. I just finished what I was doing, so I can grab something quickly.”

I headed straight to Angel’s Café, which was already packed.

While I waited for the food, a familiar figure caught my eye through the café’s large window.

Leilani Olson, dressed in a knee-length Victorian-style dress and high heels, walked into the café. She was glued to her phone, following a server toward a private room, and didn’t seem to notice me.

“Carlos, I’m here. How much longer are you going to be?” I overheard her say, and my heart sank.

Carlos had a meeting at one. I’d been worried he wouldn’t have time for lunch, so I’d come to get food for him. Yet apparently, he was perfectly willing to dine with Leilani.

People say pain dulls with time. But watching Carlos be so considerate to Leilani? It cut just as deep every single time.

“Miss, your order is ready.” The server handed me the takeout bag.

I snapped back to reality. “Could I use the restroom, please?”

The server pointed me in the right direction, and I headed toward the private rooms.

When I reached Leilani’s room, I stopped.

I just stood outside the door, not sure what I was going to do—maybe I was only delaying the disappointment I knew was coming.

Would Carlos really show up?

I reassured myself. Maybe Ethan hadn’t had a chance to pass my message on to Carlos yet.

I pulled out my phone and called Carlos.

He picked up quickly.

“What’s going on?” I asked, a little too fast.

“Just finished my meeting. What do you need?” His voice was deep.

“Did Ethan get my message? I picked up lunch, and I’m heading back to the office. Can you wait for me?” I asked, lowering my voice.

After a moment of silence, he answered, “Yes.”

Relief washed through me, lighting up a hope I’d thought was long dead.

Maybe my mother was right. I couldn’t keep being so weak that I let another woman take my husband.

I hung up and caught a glimpse of Leilani through the private room’s open door.

I was about to leave when her voice stopped me. “Why can’t you come now? Carlos, you promised me!”

“Carlos, have you forgotten what you promised my mother?”

Her voice climbed, anger sharpening every word.

I stayed put, almost savoring the frustration and defeat in her voice.

Whatever Carlos said on the other end shut her up. When she spoke again, her tone had gone soft. “Fine, I get it. You’ll divorce her after she has the baby to keep your grandfather happy. I’m not mad anymore. I know you’re doing this for us.”

When she hung up and stood, I froze at the door, her words ringing in my ears.

If I hadn’t heard it with my own ears, I never would’ve believed Carlos could be that heartless.

Three years in the same bed, and I’d never once touched his heart.

I was so lost in my own head that I didn’t notice Leilani stepping out.

She didn’t even look surprised to find me there.

Her gaze dropped to the takeout bag in my hand, and her lips curled into a smirk. “Adele, are you really that desperate for a man? Waddling around with takeout while pregnant?”

I really had humbled myself into the dust for Carlos.

But no one besides him could hurt me with words.

I frowned and met her gaze. “Unlike you, Miss Olson, I’m not the one throwing myself at my husband.”

“You—!” Leilani spat, teeth clenched. “You cling to Carlos even though he despises you! Do you really think he’ll like you just because you plotted to get pregnant?”

I looked at her and almost laughed. “Funny—I don’t remember him calling it a plot when we were in bed.”

“Adele, you’re shameless!” Leilani’s eyes burned with hatred as she glared at me. Then she leaned in close and hissed, “Don’t worry. Someday, I’ll take real good care of your child.”

The threat had barely left her mouth when she reached for my belly.

Panic shot through me—I was sure she meant to hurt my baby.

I shoved her away on instinct. The takeout bag flew from my hand, tumbling to the floor and spilling everywhere.

A server rushed over, alarmed.

I glared at Leilani, furious. If I weren’t pregnant, I swear I would have slapped her.

But I couldn’t risk my baby. Not now.

“I can deal with you just fine, Leilani,” I warned. “Watch your step.”

Carlos’s child gave me leverage with his grandfather, and the old man would know exactly how to make Leilani disappear.

I wasn’t weak. I just didn’t want Carlos to hate me.

Leilani’s expression flickered, her eyes full of malice.

As I turned to leave, she let out a sudden yelp.

Her foot slipped on the spilled food, and she grabbed my arm, dragging me down with her.

Terror seized me. My mind went blank—until a searing pain ripped through my abdomen.

The server screamed, “Blood—there’s so much blood! Call an ambulance! Hurry!”

I looked down in horror. Blood was pouring from between my legs.