My Ex Regrets Dumping Me For His Ex

"Emily, make sure the ribeye is medium-rare. Diego likes it that way."

The oak dining table was dressed with fresh flowers, red wine, and candles—every detail a quiet testament to a woman's love and care. Audrey Griffin sat on a kitchen stool, smiling down at the pregnancy test in her hand as she gave the housekeeper instructions.

She was finally carrying Diego Ramos's child.

Her hand drifted over her still-flat stomach—gentle, almost careful, as if she was afraid to break the miracle. Three years of marriage, and she had never once forgotten how badly he wanted a child. Tonight was her birthday, and she'd been saving the news like a gift. For him. For the three years she'd spent loving him.

The phone buzzing on the table interrupted her thoughts. Diego? Audrey smiled and picked it up—then froze. The name on the screen made her stomach drop.

Lila Stone.

Diego's ex. The one who'd walked out on him three years ago for a life abroad. How had she gotten Audrey's number?

Audrey almost put the phone down, but curiosity got the better of her. She opened the message. A photo loaded: a woman tucked into a man's arms, both of them smiling like they were terrified of losing each other. Lila Stone and Diego Ramos.

Before she could process it, the phone buzzed again. "Hello, Audrey. You know who I am. I'm back. Diego just left my place. He's always loved me, and he's going to divorce you. Do yourself a favor—sign the papers and go. You were only ever keeping my seat warm."

The phone slipped out of her hand and cracked against the floor just as the front door opened.

Diego walked in with whiskey on his breath and a manila folder under his arm—something he'd never brought home before.

His eyes—usually sharp enough to hold a boardroom still—were cold now. Distant. Empty of any warmth. Even standing there saying nothing, he drew the eye. He'd drawn Audrey's, three years ago, in a bar she should never have walked into.

Three years together, and she still couldn't survive two words from Lila Stone. I'm back.

Audrey's heart dropped into a deep freeze. A bitter smile tugged at her lips. His smile had never really been hers. It had always belonged to Lila.

Even after three years away—after Lila had been the one to leave—he still loved her. And now he was home to divorce Audrey.

"Diego, I have something to tell you. I'm preg—" She forced the panic down, hoping the baby might pull him back. He'd always claimed he wanted children.

Diego stepped around her reaching hand. He set the folder on the coffee table and cut her off. "That's the divorce agreement. Move out by tomorrow evening. Lila's back."

No explanation. No apology. He didn't spare a glance for the table she'd set or the evening she'd spent building.

Her eyes dropped to the folder. Somehow she swallowed the pain, closed her fist around the pregnancy test, and slid it into her sleeve.

"Don't look so heartbroken. Three years and five million dollars—that wasn't enough for you?" Diego said it on his way to the stairs, cold as a closing door.

He paused long enough to add, over his shoulder, "Amber, the crew comes the day after tomorrow. Clear out anything that belongs to her. Lila won't like it."

Audrey swayed on her feet.

"Ma'am—" Emily caught her elbow.

"Emily, from now on it's Ms. Griffin." Audrey laughed, and there was nothing in it. Ma'am had turned into a joke somewhere between the front door and the stairs.

"Ms. Griffin, aren't you going to fight for him?" Emily knew exactly how much Audrey loved him.

"Emily. Whatever happens, you don't say a word about the pregnancy. Understood?"

"Understood."

Emily had come with her into this house. She'd leave with her too. As for fighting over a man who didn't want her—Audrey wasn't going to stoop that low.

"Start packing. We're gone tonight." Audrey crossed to the coffee table, picked up a pen, and signed her name in bold, sweeping strokes.

If he was this eager to throw her out, why would she linger?

It was the last act of a three-year marriage.

Three years ago, on a night she'd never been able to explain to herself, she'd met a heartbroken Diego in a bar. She'd wanted him from the first look. They'd both had too much. The next morning she woke up beside him and somehow became Mrs. Ramos.

Looking back, she had no regrets. At least she had their child.

When Diego came downstairs, his eyes landed on the signed papers on the table. The handwriting was elegant and unhesitating, just like her.

That was when he noticed the rest of it. Flowers. Wine. Candles burned down an inch.

He frowned. "Where's my wife?"

"She left with Emily." Amber cleared the table fast, before he could say anything else.

Diego picked up the papers. Something heavy settled behind his ribs. She'd really gone, without one backward look? Where would she go this late?

It occurred to him then that he had never actually known his wife of three years. Independent. Self-sufficient to the point of being unreachable.

He was reaching for his keys when his phone rang.

"Diego, I'm scared. I hate being alone here. Can you come stay with me? Please." Lila's crying spilled through the line.

He hesitated, picked up the divorce agreement, and went. A credit card slid out of the folder and landed on the floor. He stopped. "She didn't take any money?"

Amber shook her head. "A few personal things, that's all."

His chest tightened. Without money, where could she possibly go?

"Don't touch anything in this house," he said coldly, and left.

Across the city, at a gated estate up in the hills, a guard waved a car through and opened the rear door for Audrey Griffin.