My ex-husband's nightmare - Chapter 27: Chapter 27

LYDIA
By the time my car pulled up in front of my condo, I was exhausted. The night had been... a whole lot. From the moment I stepped onto that stage to the second I slipped away from the event, my past haunted me. Mason’s reaction had been exactly what I expected—shock, confusion, anger. But it didn’t matter.
This was only the beginning.
I sighed and leaned my head against the seat for a moment before finally stepping out of the car. I walked into my condo and headed straight for bed knowing the twins would be asleep by now. I couldn't even reach for the handle, I heard their voices.
“Mama!” I turned just in time to see two small figures running toward me, their feet pattering against the floor.
My babies.
Despite my exhaustion, a smile broke out on my face. Mom followed behind them, shaking her head as she watched them run towards me. “I've been trying to get them to sleep, but they won't listen.”
“They never do,” I chuckled, crouching down just in time to catch them both in my arms. I closed my eyes, inhaling the familiar scent of baby lotion and lavender.
“I missed you,” Liam mumbled against my shoulder. My heart melted upon hearing that and I held them closer. “I missed you too, baby.”
Melanie clung to me tighter. She was once the loud, cheery one, and now she seems to be the quieter one, always gentle. She looked up at me, her big brown eyes—Mason’s eyes—searching my face. “Mama, tired?”
I brushed my fingers through her soft curls. “A little.” She frowned. “No play?” I hesitated as I stared at those big eyes. My body longed for the comfort of my bed, but how could I say no?
“Of course we’ll play,” I said, lifting them both in my arms despite their protests that they were “big kids” now. Mom Gloria sighed. “Lydia, you should rest.”
“I will,” I assured her. “Just let me have a little time with them.”
She gave me a knowing look but nodded.
I carried them to the living room and set them down on the soft rug. They immediately ran to their toy chest, pulling out their favourite stuffed animals.
Liam grabbed his stuffed tiger. “Roar! I’m a scary tiger!” I gasped dramatically. “Oh no! A tiger!” he pounced, tackling me with his little arms.
I pretended to struggle. “Too strong! The tiger is too strong!”
Melanie giggled, hugging her own stuffed bunny close to her chest. She didn’t jump in like her brother, but she watched, smiling softly.
For the next thirty minutes, we played. Liam ran in circles, pretending to be different animals, while Melanie sat beside me, quietly braiding my hair with her tiny fingers.
Eventually, Mom clapped her hands. “Alright, time for bed.” the twins groaned in unison.
“Just one more story,” Liam pleaded. I smiled. “Okay, one story.”
They cheered and ran ahead to their room. I followed them inside, sitting on the edge of Melanie's bed. I had left the room decorations to Mia and I must say she did a great job.
Liam hopped onto his bed while Melanie curled up under her blanket, her bunny tucked under her chin.
I picked up a book from their nightstand. “Alright, tonight’s story is…” I flipped through the pages of “The Little Prince.”
My daughter's eyes lit up. “I love that one.”
I started reading, with an internationally low tone. By the time I reached the middle of the book, my girl's breathing was slowing, and soon, she fell asleep.
I brushed Melanie's hair back gently, my fingers grazing her warm forehead. My heart ached staring at her paleness. She looked so peaceful, so innocent. But I knew what she was fighting.
Her kidney problems had been a constant battle and it was also affecting her heart. The doctor visits, the medications, the sleepless nights of worrying—it never ended.
I leaned down, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Sleep well, my love.” I turned to Liam, who was still wide awake, watching me. “Mama?” he whispered.
“Yes, baby?”
“Are you okay?” I smiled, though it didn’t quite reach my eyes. “Of course. Why do you ask?” He shrugged, pulling his blanket up to his chin. “You look sad.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat. “I’m just tired.”
He studied me for a moment, then nodded. “Okay. But if you’re sad, you can tell me.” My chest tightened.
I kissed his cheek. “I love you, Liam.”
“I love you too, Mama.”
I tucked him in and turned off the lamp before slipping out of the room. Mom Gloria was waiting for me outside, her arms crossed.
“They’re asleep?” she asked. I nodded.
She sighed. “And now you need to rest.”
“I will,” I said. She raised an eyebrow. I let out a tired laugh. “I just need a drink first.”
She gave me one last look before smiling and gesturing towards the balcony. With creased brows, I followed her direction and found two wine glasses already prepared and kept in place for us.
I leaned against the balcony railing, my fingers wrapped around the stem of a wine glass. I smiled and handed her glass to her.
I thought back to Mason and I couldn't help the smile that curled on my lips as I took a sip of my wine. Mom hummed, taking a sip. “By your expression, I can already guess that tonight went well." She said.
"Exactly as planned. It was successful Mom."
"You saw him again?.” she asked. I didn’t respond. She already knew.
She sighed. “How do you plan to do this, Lydia?” I tilted my head slightly, looking at her from the corner of my eye. “Do what?” I ask
“This revenge of yours.” I turned back to the city, my grip tightening around the glass. “I want to break them.”
Mom didn’t look surprised. She swirled her wine, watching the deep red liquid move inside the glass. “That much I know. How?”
I smiled before turning to face her. “Mason will chase me. He will want me back. And when he thinks he has me…” I paused, taking another sip. “I’ll leave him.”
Gloria let out a low chuckle. “Cruel.”
I shrugged. “Fair.”
She studied me for a moment. “And Victoria?”
“She will break on her own,” I smirked. “She built her world on money, power, and status. I’ll take away what she values most. I'll ruin her as well.”
Mom’s lips curled into a small smile. “I always knew you were strong, but this… this is something else.”
“I became this way because of them.” I took another sip, the wine burning slightly as it went down.
Mom nodded, her expression unreadable. “Then let’s see how far they fall.”
The next morning, my phone buzzed repeatedly. I reached for it lazily, my eyes still needing a lot more off-work time. Mia's name flashed across the screen. I picked up. “What is it?”
“Check the news,” she said, her voice filled with excitement. I sat up, rubbing my eyes before grabbing my tablet. A single headline dominated the financial world:
"The One Trillion Ladies Club Welcomes a New Member!" A slow smile spread across my lips as I tapped the article.
The One Trillion Ladies Club was one of the most exclusive financial clubs in the world. It was divided into three sections—Millionaire, Billionaire, and Trillionaire. Entry wasn’t just about wealth; it was about power, influence, and legacy.
Victoria had been clawing her way up for years, desperate to reach the highest rank. But no matter how hard she tried, she remained stuck in the billionaire tier. And now, I had just stepped into the one place she could never reach.
Mom laughed softly and that's when I noticed her standing by the door frame, her phone in hand. She must've also come in to inform me about it but Mia had beat her to it. “I can only imagine the look on her face.”
I smirked. “She must be livid.”
“Oh, she is,” Mom confirmed. “The next club meeting is scheduled for this evening. All tiers are invited, but their seating arrangements will be... different.” Meaning that Victoria would be forced to sit below me. I leaned back against my pillows, stretching my limbs. “Perfect.”
Mom chuckled. “See you at the meeting, darling,” she informed. "You'll be coming?" I asked.
"You don't want me to?" She asked. I thought about it for a little while and considered her company but... "No, you being there gives them more loopholes into finding out what Alissa Brook’s background really is," I explained.
"Alright then. Fill me in with the details later."
"I will."
The club’s meeting hall was as extravagant as ever—gold chandeliers, velvet drapes, polished marble floors. Women dressed in designer outfits moved gracefully around, their voices hushed like they were mostly gossiping.
I walked in, my heels clicking against the floor. My presence alone was enough to turn heads as no one recognised me. Only the ones that attended the launch party recognised me immediately.
As I made my way to the front, I felt a lot of eyes on me. Just as I was about to sit down, my eyes caught the familiar orbs of one of the most selfish women I've ever come in contact with.
Victoria Woods.
She was seated in the billionaire section, her expression was frozen in disbelief as she locked eyes with me. For a while, neither of us moved or even spoke.
Then, slowly and deliberately, I smiled.
Her fingers tightened around the glass she was holding, and for the first time in her life, Victoria Woods looked scared.