Ex-husband, My heart is Off-limits

I really want to be loved. I want to be cherished, held, craved, doted on… But above all, I need my husband to freaking pick me. 

Like right now. 

Roxx Klaine chose me, and as I spun his office chair, waiting for him to walk through the doors — my heart raced with excitement. 

I bit inside my cheek as the door opened, I couldn’t wait to greet my mother-in-law. No, I had to call her… 

Mom. 

Yes, that was—

“What’s the secretary doing in your chair, son?”

My head snapped up, eyes locking with the matriarch of the Klaine family, Margot Klaine. 

Her eyes traced me from head to toe before disgust flickered in her eyes, why was she acting like I was a stranger? 

Didn’t he…

“Mom—”

“Mom?” she repeated, as if I’d uttered an insult. “Roxx? Roxx! Since when are your staff so casual?”

She glanced around but he wasn’t there. He hadn’t arrived. 

Where was he? 

“Get up. Get out of that chair!” she marched over, grabbing me, my eyes widening as I realised. 

Roxx didn’t tell her. He didn’t tell her I was his wife. 

Three freaking years. Three freaking years and he still treated me like a filthy secret he had to hide. 

Someone he was ashamed of. I swallowed the sob in my throat as she pushed me out of the office, into the lobby of several colleagues were waiting. 

“I know women like you,” she started, “crawling their way into the offices of wealthy men and then, into their homes, right?”

I shook my head as her grip on my arm tightened. She was misunderstanding everything. 

“I knew it! Something was going on,” A worker huffed. 

“She comes to work but spends the entire day in his office like a sl*t.” Another colleague murmured. 

“No, Ma’am, you’re misunderstanding ev—”

“Enough! I have seen everything I wanted to see,” She snapped, glaring at me. “Get out! Get out of this office!” She pushed me and I gasped, landing on a warm moving surface. 

“Mom? What’s going on?”

“I met this filthy girl in your office, don’t let her touch you.”

I pulled away and we locked eyes, my heart shattering all over again when he averted his gaze. 

“Mom, why are you creating a scene? Let it go.”

“Those aren’t the right words, Roxx,” I found my voice. “Tell her, go on,” I said, tears leaking from my eyes. “Everyone is calling me a social climber, a cheap sl*t, tell them who I really am!”

I grabbed his coat, my fingers digging into it. “Say something! Do something, Roxx!” 

“Enough!”  Margot boomed, she grabbed me and I froze as her palm collided with my cheek. 

Roxx’s eyes softened. I cradled my cheek, stunned into silence. 

“Miss. Elle—” he began but I was already walking away, feeling like an absolute fool. 

Which is exactly what I was. 

I spent three years believing he's a little bit shy, but he’ll eventually open up. He’s probably just protecting me from his family, they’re conservative, and I need time to settle— A sob escaped my throat. 

“Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!”

“Elle!” 

I froze as he turned me, our eyes locking. “Are you okay—”

“You told me you were going to tell her. Darn it,” I cleared my throat. “You said you spoke to her last night!”

“Elle—”

“What’s the freaking problem, Roxx?” I snapped, “Is it me? Are you ashamed of me? Am I below your status? Then why freaking marry me, darn it?!”

His fists tightened, then loosened. “I was going to tell her.”

“You’ve been going for three years, when are you freaking gonna arrive?” 

He took a step forward but I retreated. “Midnight, Roxx. You have until midnight to tell your mom and bring her home.” I said, stepping forward. “I’m not a sl*t. I’m your wife.” 

I brushed past him, hailing a cab and heading home. 

Once I arrived at our estate, my chest tightened. 

I’d heard tales about golden cages but for some reason, mine felt like it had spikes too. 

It was always pricking and reminding me that I had everything, Roxx, his love, and then, nothing at all. 

Nothing but excuses, and lies. Why was he hiding the truth? Either way, it didn’t matter: 

Today was the day. He had to tell everyone the truth. 

I paced to and fro in the room, my gaze landing on our photos. He’d been so ecstatic to introduce me to his family, but something changed and I had no clue. 

I spent the rest of the evening decorating the house for their arrival. We were going to start afresh, why not with fresh roses and petals? 

Besides, I loved the scent of roses, it was like a breath of fresh air. 

I yawned as the moon arrived but I refused to sleep. Roxx only had two options and tonight, he had to choose. 

When the sound of footsteps filtered in, my heart swelled. I stood, adjusting my dress as I approached the door. 

The practiced smile on my face slipped when I realised Roxx was alone. No mom, no sister. Nothing. 

My stomach twisted into knots, my knees almost buckling at the deafening silence. 

“Is she outside?” I lied to myself. “She’s outside, right?”

Suddenly, the scent of the roses was suffocating. 

“Elle—”

“Don’t freaking ‘Elle’ me,” My voice cracked. “Where the heck is she?” I asked, my bottom lip quivering. “Where is she?!”

“She’s not coming, Elle! I didn’t tell her okay?!” He snapped. “Come on, let’s go to bed, we’ll talk about this—”

I yanked my arm from his grip, marching into the bedroom. I opened the closet, tossed out clothes, and crushed vases until I found it. 

My tears dropped on the papers but my grip on it only tightened. I returned to the living room. 

“What new drama is this? I just need more time.”

“I can’t afford more time, Roxx.” I spat, pulling out my phone. “Call her, call her and tell her that the woman she humiliated and insulted in the office is actually her…” My breath seized. “Is her daughter-in-law and not some flimsy sl*t. Go on!” 

“Why do you need validation from her?” Roxx’s jaw twitched, eyes almost pleading. “I can’t do this, Elle—”

Why was he acting like I was asking him to commit murder?

“I can’t do this either!” I boomed and his forehead creased. “So, I’m going to make it very simple for you.” I handed him the papers and the phone. 

“You can either call her,” My gaze shifted to the papers, a part of me dying at the sight. “Or sign the freaking papers. I’m done being your ghost wife.”

The silence between us was thick, strangling even. 

However, my entire world shattered when my husband of three years, Roxx Klaine picked up the pen. 

Three months later. 

“Hurry up, Elle, They’re almost here!” My brother Adrian said, glancing outside. 

“It’s your engagement,” I chuckled, “not a birthday party, Adrian. It takes time.” 

I returned to Miami after Roxx signed the papers. I spent the past three months trying to forget him, reminding myself that he didn’t choose me and I’d never know why. 

Besides, there were more pressing matters like my brother’s engagement to his mystery girlfriend. We’d been planning this for a month now and he insisted it was a surprise. 

“Billionaure Mogul, Roxx Klaine has arrived in Miami for—” I turned off the before Adrian strolled in. 

My heart raced. The last thing I wanted was Roxx’s shadow over my life. 

“Are you okay? You look pale, Elle.” Adrian said, closing the distance between us. 

My throat tightened but I managed a smile. “Yeah, nothing. Are you ready?”

“Ready? Elle,