The CEO Ex-Wife's Revenge (Ava and Derek) novel Chapter 1

AVA’S POV

“I want a divorce.”

My hands are shaking badly as I stare at the papers that my husband has just handed to me, after saying those dreaded words.

Nothing could have prepared me for this … not even the fact that it is and has always been glaringly obvious that my husband is not as in love with me as I am with him.

“I booked a dinner to celebrate your birthday … Your mom and sister are going to be there,” I tell him in a voice that feels like it belongs to a stranger. Maybe if I ignore those horrible words, that he just uttered, they will turn out to be a figment of my imagination.

“I have to get back to the office, unfortunately. I have a very important deal to seal, so I can't come. You can still go and have dinner with my mom and Amanda. Do sign the papers and leave them on my desk. This is for the best. You’ll be well compensated.” Derek says and leaves the room abruptly, not giving me a chance to ask questions.

I sink into the chair that’s nearest to me, my whole body shaking from the emotion that I’m trying very hard to keep in check as the first tears make their way down my cheeks.

I had thought that Derek and I were making progress in our marriage, no matter how little. Apparently, I am very wrong.

How did we get to the point that he is serving me divorce papers out of the blue and without any explanation? I do not get to wallow in self-pity for long because my phone chooses that moment to ring shrilly.

“How can you organize a dinner and be late for it? We’ve been waiting for you. We had to change the venue you chose because we discovered somewhere else that we like. I’ll send you the address.” My mother-in-law’s voice comes from over the phone when I answer it.

Needless to say, the last thing I’m in the mood to do is to go spend time with Derek’s mother and sister, who never miss an opportunity to show how much they despise me.