Knowing My Ex-Wife After The Divorce Novel by Yetta Horace

Maddie was a bundle of nerves but did her best to keep it together. “Natalie would never do something like this.”

“Come on, she’s a love child. If she wants to ride the high life, she’s gonna have to sell herself. It’s just how it goes. We’ll see which guy she ends up with,” Karen said, a smug look on her face.

Maddie shot her a cold glare, anger barely hidden in her eyes.

Karen flinched but quickly stood her ground, crossing her arms defiantly. “I’m just telling the truth. I didn’t say anything wrong.”

Taking a deep breath, Maddie slipped the key into the lock and slowly turned it, her hands shaking. As the door creaked open, sounds from inside spilled out, too loud to ignore. The room was dim, but she could make out the outline of a couple wrapped around each other.

Just then, before Maddie could suggest keeping the light off, Elle chimed in, “It’s pitch black in here. Let’s turn on a light.”

The lights flicked on. Gasps filled the air. Just moments before, Maddie had tried to block the doorway for the others, but it was no use. The group of rich girls spotted a man and a woman tangled together in a compromising situation. The woman was a total stranger, but the man was definitely Howard.

“Who the hell are you?!” Howard shouted, shoving the woman away.

The woman pouted, playing innocent. “Seriously? You saw me come in and just grabbed me. What did you think would happen? And hey, don’t forget to pay me later.” She calmly buttoned up her shirt, her occupation obvious.

Maddie let out a huge sigh of relief, glad it wasn’t Natalie.

Elle’s expression darkened as she stared at the chaotic scene. Karen couldn’t help but shout, “What’s happening? Where’s Natalie? Wasn’t she supposed to be here? Where did she go?” Just then, a calm voice called from behind them. “I’m right here! Did you need me?” Everyone turned to see Natalie standing at the door, looking perfectly fine in a new outfit.

“Why weren’t you in this fitting room?” Karen asked.

Natalie shrugged. “I wanted to be, but when I arrived, a staff member said this one was taken, so I had to find another. I didn’t expect this place to be so lively.”

At her comment, both Elle and Howard exchanged awkward glances.

Elle cursed under her breath and walked over to Natalie. “We thought you were the one in there”

“Come on, if it had been me, you know Mr. Reese would’ve taken his guest somewhere else,” Natalie replied and then turned to Howard. “Am I right, Mr. Reese?”

Howard frowned at that, too irritated to dress himself.

Maddie bounced over to Natalie, and Natalie said with a bright smile on her face, “How’s the dress? Isn’t it gorgeous? The clothes in that other fitting room were so pretty.”

“Definitely! They look amazing on you,” Maddie said, genuinely excited. As long as her friend was alright, she was happy, and that dress really was breathtaking. It was a long white gown with a diamond-encrusted neckline that struck the perfect balance between elegant and classy. The cinched waist highlighted her curves beautifully.

The others couldn’t help but feel a hint of jealousy. The mansion assigned fitting rooms based on social status, and this one was clearly meant for someone of Natalie’s caliber. It was unbelievable luck that she had run into someone else and ended up in a more exclusive fitting room. The dress she wore was clearly a limited-edition custom piece.

Completely unfazed by the drama, Natalie and Maddie strolled away, chatting about what had just happened.

Maddie started, “Natalie, Elle was really enthusiastic about this, and I think it’s all her…” “It definitely is,” Natalie jumped in confidently.

Maddie gritted her teeth. “I just knew it! It’s so obvious! Why is she suddenly after you?”

“Honestly, who cares? She’s just making a fool of herself.” Natalie shrugged. She didn’t really care about Elle; if needed, she could easily put her in her place. But for Tobias’s sake, she decided to let it slide-for now. However, if Elle kept pushing her luck, Natalie wouldn’t care who was backing her.

Maddie continued to vent about Elle until they reached the piano room, where the gossip was in full swing among the other girls.

“I can’t believe Tobias’s uncle would be so bold, doing that kind of thing in public!” one girl exclaimed.

“Maybe he’s been having a hard time. I wonder how Tobias will deal with this,” another mused. After all, it was a serious blow to the Reese family’s reputation.

Tobias was off to the side, focused on a document that Jack must have delivered, as he somehow had shown up here.

Natalie barely glanced at them; Tobias was the same workaholic as always, but that wasn’t her concern.

“Hey, would you consider being my partner for my piano performance next month?” Rex approached her, a hopeful smile on his face.

Natalie paused for a moment and then shook her head. “Thanks, but I have no time.”

Rex’s expression dimmed a bit. “Really? Can you think it over? I really think we’d make a great team.”

Overhearing the conversation, Tobias looked up at them, a hint of coldness flashing in his eyes.

Not skipping a beat, Natalie pushed Maddie forward. “What about her instad?”

Maddie quickly shook her hands in protest. “No way! I can’t do that, Natalie! You’re kidding. right?”

Rex stroked his chin, thinking it over. “Actually, I think this lady could work, too. I heard her play earlier, and she’s got some real talent.”

From the back, Karen piped up, her voice loud and clear. “No way! Maddie can’t do it! It has to be Elle!”

Rex nodded, contemplating. “Ms. Lightman would be great too, but I honestly think Ms. Guzman is right. Ms. Carter has a natural flair. She has such good energy… His words clearly indicated he favored Maddie.

Elle’s eyes filled with tears. All her effort couldn’t go to waste. She turned to Tobias, her voice shaking. “Tobias, I really want to do this…”

Natalie thought Maddie stepping in was a sure bet, but Elle’s plea complicated things. The opportunity with Rex was huge for Maddie, and Natalie genuinely wanted to help her friend shine. But with Tobias involved, things could get messy. If Elle asked, she knew Tobias couldn’t refuse.

Taking a deep breath, Natalie resolved to fight for this opportunity, no matter the cost. “No.” A magnetic voice broke through the chatter in the room.

Natalie felt like she had to have misheard him. ‘Did Tobias just turn that down?’ she wondered.

Elle looked equally shocked, staring at him wide-eyed. “Tbias, you she trailed off, not finishing her thought, thinking. Is he not going to help me?’