I Divorced My Husband After Prison Release

Hunter Perry’s expression darkened as he watched Mina Long hobble awkwardly on her crutches, deliberately putting distance between them. A flicker of frustration cut through him. Ever since she’d gotten out of prison, she’d grown more and more independent. Still, he wanted to fix things between them.

“Mina, what the hell are you doing?” Hunter’s voice was edged with impatience, his tone dripping with condescension. “It’s just a pendant. Why are you making such a big deal out of nothing?”

Mina met his stare with icy calm, a cold wave of realization washing over her. He knew exactly what that pendant meant to her—and he’d still brushed it off like it was nothing. It was clear now: she meant next to nothing to him.

Not that it mattered anymore. She was leaving in three months. His indifference no longer had the power to touch her.

“Mom, can you just stop?” Vincenzo’s scowl mirrored his father’s, his voice taking on the same cutting tone. “You’re being irrational. Where’s your dignity? Your maturity? You’re supposed to be a mother.”

A humorless laugh slipped from Mina’s lips. “So because I’m a mother, I’m supposed to just bury my own feelings?”

Vincenzo hesitated, his boyish face set in stubborn lines, his eyes wary instead of warm. “If you keep acting like this, I don’t want you as my mom. I’ll ask Malani instead. She’s educated and classy—not like you. You’re just a housewife.”

Mina’s gaze hardened. If she hadn’t married into the Perry family and given birth to Vincenzo, she could’ve had a PhD by now. She’d chosen not to, because she wanted to be a devoted mother. And now the education she’d sacrificed was being used as a weapon against her?

The irony was almost laughable.

The son she’d carried for nine months had inherited Hunter Perry’s ice-cold demeanor.

A faint, ironic smile touched her lips. “You’re right. Maybe I’m not fit to be your mom.”

Hunter’s expression turned harder. “Mina, what exactly are you trying to say?”

Mina fought a silent battle inside herself, but kept her expression steady. “I’m saying I won’t be your mom anymore. You can choose whoever you want.”

She turned to Vincenzo, her voice soft but resolute. “I hope you won’t regret this. And take care of yourself—your health isn’t great.”

“You think I want you as my mom?” Vincenzo exploded, his face flushing red. “I’d choose Malani any day!” He snatched a box of Legos off the shelf and hurled it to the floor. “Who needs your nagging? You don’t get to tell me what to do anymore!”

Lego pieces scattered across the floor. Mina glanced at them, a dull ache twisting in her chest. That set had been his birthday gift—they’d spent hours putting it together, side by side. Now it was just another broken memory.

She said nothing else. If Vincenzo wanted his precious Malani, he could have her.

“Oh, I’m so sorry, Mina! I never thought it would come to this.” Malani covered her mouth, a flicker of triumph barely hidden beneath fake concern. “If I’d known how you felt about me, I never would’ve visited.”

“Mina, what kind of drama are you stirring up now?” Hunter’s irritation hardened into cold disdain as he seized her wrist—too tight. “I regret marrying you more than anything.”

Mina smiled bitterly. “Let’s get a divorce, Hunter.”

He’d broken her spirit for Malani. Now she’d give him and his son exactly what they wanted—freedom.

Hunter’s brow furrowed deeper, and a cold laugh escaped him. “Have you lost your mind after those three months in prison?”

His voice was ice, his stare pinning her in place. All these years, he’d been distant—but never like this. Never this angry.

“Mina, where will you go without the Perry family?” His voice sent a chill down her spine. “I’ll cut off every card you have until you come to your senses.”

Mina almost laughed. She wanted to tell him she’d be gone in three months, but Malani’s exaggerated “ouch” cut through the air first.

Hunter let go of Mina’s wrist so abruptly she nearly fell. She caught herself on the arm of the couch, barely keeping her balance. When she looked up, Malani was already leaning into Hunter’s arms.

“Hunter, my leg hurts! What if I can’t dance anymore?” Malani’s voice dripped with fake distress, and the worry that flooded Hunter’s face cut straight through Mina. She let out a breath and managed a bitter smile.

Maybe this was fate. She was meant to slip away quietly, without even a proper goodbye.

“I’ll have the divorce papers drawn up, Hunter. Make sure you sign them.” Mina spoke calmly, without looking back, and left the room on her crutches.

Her frail, limping figure made a lonely exit, stirring something deep inside Hunter. He crushed it down before it could take root.

“Oh, what a misunderstanding.” Satisfaction flickered in Malani’s eyes before she hid it. “Honestly, women can be so melodramatic. Everyone knows we’re practically siblings, Hunter—and I’m happily married!”

“Why don’t you go comfort her?” Malani suggested, all innocence. “Even though she pushed me, I’m sure I’ll be fine. I’m not as fragile as your wife.”

Irritation flashed through Hunter’s eyes. He lowered his gaze, impatience sharpening his voice. “There’s no need. Let her throw her tantrum. She has nowhere to go in this city. As for you—you can’t get hurt. Your legs are far too valuable.”

For years, Mina had gotten upset over Malani, but a new handbag always smoothed things over. Now, with no support and no credit, she couldn’t do much. Her outbursts were just her way of begging for reassurance. After what she’d done for Malani, he owed her some compensation.

Vincenzo sidled up and wrapped his arms around Malani. “That’s right, Malani! She’s always like this. Mom and Dad spoiled her. She’ll come around in a few days.”

He glanced at the shattered Lego pieces on the floor. A pang of regret hit him, but he shoved it down. His mom loved him and his dad too much to really leave them. She was just speaking in the heat of the moment—like always.

When Mina left the Perry house, she realized she had nothing—not even cash. Hunter was right.

With her cards cut off, she was alone, stranded in a city that had never truly been hers. As she stood at the roadside, lost in the blur of her own thoughts, a smooth, almost hypnotic voice cut through the noise. “Mina.”

The voice had a familiar, soothing warmth that tugged at her memory. Mina turned. A man lounged effortlessly against the door of his car, the dark vehicle making his pale skin stand out. A few strands of silver hair fell across his forehead, framing eyes that were mischievous and utterly captivating.

He carried himself with a quiet, effortless elegance. His lips curved into a faint smile as his gaze flicked briefly to her injured leg. “Need a ride?”