The Ex Who Regretted Chapter 1

Mr. Harrison Sr. owed the Miller family a life-altering debt. Mrs. Collins used that debt to force Grandpa Harrison to make Jake marry me.

For ten years, he’d hated me. He’d even paraded countless women into his bed just to spite me, to drive me away.

I became the joke of our elite circle, yet Jake would just coldly tell me, “What right do you have to feel wronged? You brought this on yourself.”

Everyone believed I’d cling to Jake forever. He thought so too.

Until the person I trusted most, betrayed me.

My resolve shattered.

The moment I handed him the divorce papers, a wave of relief washed over me. I smiled, a genuine, unburdened smile.

“Finally,” I whispered, “this charade of a marriage can end.”

* * *

I stepped onto the yacht, the party’s wild energy already hitting its peak.

In the center of the crowd, Jake Harrison lounged on a sofa, his posture effortlessly casual.

That familiar back, a sight that still made my heart ache.

She was perched on Jake’s lap, looking alluring, her fingers playfully tracing his neck.

Men and women raised their champagne glasses, shouts of “Kiss! Kiss!” echoing around.

Brittany Collins' cheeks were flushed, her eyes gleaming with a reckless desire.

Jake’s eyes narrowed slightly, sweeping over the crowd.

A slow smirk curved his lips. Without a flicker of hesitation, he pointed me out. “Look over there,” he drawled, “your best friend is watching us.”

A collective turn, and then silence. Their eyes, filled with open mockery, landed on me.

Someone, I couldn’t tell who, broke the silence with a snide “Hey, Mrs. Harrison!” Others quickly followed suit.

Brittany, still on Jake’s lap, glanced at me, showing no intention of moving.

I clenched my fists, my gaze locked on her.

My heart was bleeding, gushing tears of blood I couldn't shed.

I never imagined Brittany would betray me. She was family, chosen by me, the person I relied on and trusted above all else!

I wanted to scream, to demand why, but not now. Not like this.

Brittany let out a sickly sweet laugh.

“Isn’t this exactly what you wanted to see?” she purred. “I betrayed her, I chose you. Can you love me now?”

The atmosphere crackled with anticipation. Everyone waited, unspoken, for the drama to unfold.

My marriage to Jake was a sham, a hollow shell.

He flaunted his affairs openly, women cycling in and out of his life like a revolving door.

But this time, the woman at his side was my most trusted friend.

I ignored Brittany, my gaze fixed on Jake.

My face was blank, my voice flat. “The media are swarming the dock, waiting for your yacht to pull in.”

“Jake, come with me.”

He tilted his head, drawing out a lazy “Hmm…” then a definite “No.”

Seeing his refusal, Brittany brazenly burrowed deeper into his embrace, flashing me a triumphant smirk.

As the yacht neared the dock, an array of high-powered cameras were already zeroed in, shutters clicking furiously.

Flashbulbs erupted like a relentless storm.

I curled my fingers, my palm stinging.

They got the shot. The Harrison family wouldn't let this go easily; I knew that much.

Suddenly, Jake’s teasing voice reached my ear.

“Like it, Mrs. Harrison?” he drawled. “Those old fogies probably won’t let you off the hook easily, will they?”

“How about you divorce me? I could help you out.”

I bit my lip, forcing the words past a choked throat. “Jake, do you… do you really want a divorce?”

In ten years, this was the first time I'd even hinted at it.

Jake’s playful smirk instantly vanished, his deep eyes suddenly filled with a complex, unreadable emotion.

Before he could react, I stated plainly, “Then let’s get one.”

It felt like a sentence I’d been waiting a decade to say.

The moment the words left my lips, I felt an incredible lightness.

What wasn’t mine, was never truly mine to begin with.

The heavy emotions I’d suppressed for so long finally found an outlet, beginning to dissipate, thread by thread.

“Chloe, are you serious?” Brittany's voice was an uncontrollable burst of delight.

However, the hand Jake had around her waist tightened, a painful squeeze.

Brittany winced, a sharp gasp escaping her. “Ow!” she pouted, a flicker of surprise in her eyes. “Jake, you’re hurting me.”

Jake ignored her completely, his gaze fixed solely on me.

In an unprecedented move, he released Brittany, walking directly to my side.

“Let’s go. Home.” He added, his voice smooth and possessive, “Mrs. Harrison.”

I clearly saw the cruel amusement dancing in his eyes.

He was doing this on purpose. He knew how much Brittany meant to me.

And he knew that if paparazzi captured these photos, if a scandal erupted, I’d be the one punished. Jake had gone to great lengths to make me say the word “divorce.”