I Divorced My Husband After Prison Release

The apartment had dimmed to a soft gloom. Mina Long flicked on the light and soaked up the rare peace and quiet. The Perry house was always chaos—Vincenzo was wild, a little menace who raised hell whenever she tried to help with homework or get anything else done. Hunter thought she had it easy at home looking after their son, but he had no clue she never got a second’s rest there.

Mina listened to the wall clock tick, her emotions churning until all she wanted to do was cry.

Ding—

The shrill ring cut through her thoughts. When she saw Hunter Perry on the screen, she hit reject on instinct. But Hunter wouldn’t let up. He called again and again until the noise wore her down, and she finally answered.

Hunter’s voice was cold. “Mina, it’s late. Why aren’t you home? Where are you?”

There was anger underneath, tightly leashed, but he acted like everything was fine. Mina laughed without sound, irony washing over her. This was how their fights always went. He’d ice her out for days, then come back pretending nothing had happened, never once dealing with the real problem.

“Hunter, we’re getting a divorce. Did you forget?” Her voice was calm. Almost emptied of feeling.

Hunter’s face went dark. His grip on the phone tightened until his knuckles went white. “Mina, are you going to make a scene again? What’s the point of all this drama?”

“Drama?” Mina let out a dry scoff. “How much clearer do I need to make it? I want a divorce. Be ready to meet me in court.”

A small, confused voice piped up from the other end. “Why are you trying to appease her, Dad? Mom’s just acting up. If you indulge her, it’ll only get worse.” Then Vincenzo’s voice sharpened with indignation. “Honestly? I’d rather she didn’t come back at all.”

A sharp sting stabbed through Mina’s chest. Her fingers curled slightly as she lowered her gaze. “I won’t be back. I’ll have the divorce papers ready in a few days.” Then she hung up.

She didn’t want to sit with it. She lay down and let sleep pull her under.

Meanwhile, back at the Perry house, Hunter’s scowl deepened. He slammed his phone into the wall, shattering it. Mina used to be so obedient. A little tantrum, a few sweet words, and she’d settle right down. Now she had the nerve to stay out all night? She was getting way too bold.

He dropped onto the sofa and let out a long breath. It had to be his own indulgence that had made her like this. He’d like to see how she planned to get by in the city without a dime.

And yet, a strange emptiness gnawed at him. Vincenzo, watching his father’s outburst, hesitated. “Dad, is she really not coming back?”

Mom loved him more than anything. How could she not come back? But when he replayed her cold words on the phone, panic flickered through him.

Hunter ruffled his son’s hair, a sinister smile curling at the corners of his mouth. “No. She can’t leave us—or this city.” But unease twisted in his gut. Their home was missing her. During her three-month absence, the house hadn’t felt empty. Now, not even a day had passed, and something already felt off.

Hunter shook his head, wondering if he’d lost it.

The next morning, a knock woke Mina. She opened the door with her hair a mess and found Josiah Burke standing there, mischief dancing in his eyes.

He smiled and slipped past her before she could invite him in.

Mina blinked, caught off guard. “Did you need something?”

Josiah set down the two big bags in his hands, lips curving into a grin. “As your neighbor, I brought you a housewarming gift.”

“Neighbor?” Mina asked, softer now.

Josiah started unpacking the bags into the fridge. “I’ve got a difficult client in town, so I rented my friend’s place next door.”

Something strange washed over Mina, but she didn’t say anything else. She watched Josiah move around her kitchen like he belonged there, and her chest tightened.

In the Perry house, Hunter never lifted a finger. Once, she’d asked him to sweep, and he’d looked at her with icy disdain. Now she realized it wasn’t that he couldn’t do chores—he just saw them as her job.

Josiah started cooking, and Mina caught herself staring at his back, lost in thought. Broad shoulders tapered to a narrow waist, the apron tied at his back accentuating his lean frame. He looked like a model—elegant, with an air of old money. Anyone would take one look and call him a gentleman.

Hunter never cooked. He never even set foot in the kitchen. He used to say gentlemen stayed out of the kitchen—yet she’d once caught him making pasta for Malani Castillo.

Realizing she was thinking about Hunter again, Mina let out a bitter chuckle. After all, they’d been married for years.

A bowl of pasta landed in front of her, snapping her out of the past. She looked up and met Josiah’s playful gaze.

“What were you thinking about? Try my cooking,” he teased. His hair fell around his bright eyes like a scatter of fallen stars—so captivating it was almost unfair.

Mina’s heart gave a traitorous little tremble. She quickly lowered her gaze and took a bite. The heat made her wince. Her first instinct was to spit it out, but she forced it down, swallowing the scalding mouthful.

Almost instantly, tears welled in her eyes.

For years, she’d longed for a meal made by Hunter—something that would make her feel like she was truly his wife. But he and Vincenzo were cold and indifferent, never once asking what she wanted.

Mina looked up, tears still clinging to her lashes, and forced a smile. “Thank you. It’s delicious.” She looked pitiful.

Josiah’s playful smile faded. His brows knitted. “Why are you crying?”

Without his smile, he was formidable. They weren’t close enough to share their pain, so Mina lowered her eyes and shook her head.

The bond they’d formed overseas years ago had probably faded with time. Josiah had already shown her so much kindness; she couldn’t ask for more.

He didn’t push. After she finished eating, he washed the dishes and left.

Her father’s call came through just then. His voice was overbearing. “Mina, why’d it take you so long to answer? I’m your father. How dare you ignore my calls?”

Mina frowned, sarcasm flickering through her. “I didn’t see it. What is it?”

“My birthday’s in two days,” he said. “Bring Hunter and Vincenzo.”

Mina’s frown deepened, irritation prickling under her skin. “They’re not available. Vincenzo has school.”

“What’s more important than celebrating my birthday? A son-in-law should make time for that.”

Before she could protest, he hung up.