Chased By My Billionaire Ex-husband

Chapter 184: I Missed You Evander!

Susan’s POV

Diana glared at me, her chest rising and falling with deep breaths as she tried to regain her composure. "And what happens when you are done with me? What’s your plan then, Susan? Toss me aside like garbage."

I stood, meeting her gaze with equal intensity. "That depends on you, Diana. You can either be a part of something much bigger plan that will finally give you the revenge you have been craving... or you can walk away now and waste this second chance I have given you while trying to avenge yourself foolisly!"

Silence filled the room as we stared each other down as my words hung heavy in the air. I could see the war waging in her mind— the battle between pride and anger, between reason and revenge.

After what felt like an eternity, she finally spoke, her voice low and sharp. "Fine. But don’t think for a second that I trust you, Susan. This is about Claire and Evander, nothing else."

A slow smile spread across my face as I extended a hand to her. "That’s all I need from you, Diana. Let’s bring them down together."

She hesitated, but eventually, her hand met mine in a firm and almost reluctant grip. As our hands parted, I knew I had her exactly where I needed her—hungry for revenge and ready to play her part in my grand design.

===

Claire’s POV

"What the hell is this?" I exclaimed, staring at the screen of my phone. My voice was laced with a mix of excitement and disbelief. "Are they finally inviting me to the reunion party?"

"What’s the big deal?" Sissy muttered, rolling her eyes as she lounged on the couch. "It’s just a reunion party."

"What do you know?" I pouted, clutching my phone like it would disappear. "I was an outcast in school, college, and even university because of Susan and Diana! Do you have any idea how much I dreaded those years? And the humiliation? I never thought they would even remember me, let alone send me an invitation."

Sissy arched a brow as her skepticism was evident. "And you think this is a good thing? Claire, you are smarter than this. If Susan and Diana are around there, nothing good would come out of it."

I hesitated; her words made me open my eyes. Sissy had a point—Susan and Diana were manipulative and cruel, always finding a way to twist every situation to their advantage. But it had been years since university. Maybe they would not play games there. Or maybe... they had finally realized I wasn’t someone to mess with after what happened to Diana!

"Maybe they have caused trouble all the time," I said quietly as I tried to not look at this negatively. "But I am not the same as I was before! So, let them do what they wish!"

Sissy snorted as she crossed her arms. "Yeah are are smart and all. But Susan and Diana? Please. They thrive on making other people miserable. You are kidding yourself if you think they are doing this out of the goodness of their hearts."

I glanced back at the invitation on my cell phone. It was a formal event, hosted at one of the city’s most luxurious venues. Everything about it screamed class and exclusivity—exactly the kind of thing where the most elite and upper class would have a blast!

"You could be right," I admitted, setting the phone down. "But if I don’t go, I will never know. And this is my chance to show them that I am not the person to trifle with, and I won’t be defeated easily no matter what!"

Sissy sighed as her expression softened a little. "I get it, Claire. And I really do. But don’t go there looking for their approval. You don’t need it. And even if you go there... if they try anything shady, don’t hesitate to walk away. You are better than them, and you don’t have to prove that to anyone."

Her words encouraged me so much. Sissy was right; I didn’t need anyone’s approval. But for years, I had carried the weight of their bullying, but now I had an opportunity to face them— not as the timid girl they once knew, but as the woman I had become, I would not let this chance go ever!

A small smile crept onto my lips as I picked up my phone again and typed a quick reply to the invitation: I will be there.

The moment I hit send, a strange mix of nerves and anticipation settled in my chest. Whatever awaited me at the reunion, I would face it with my head held high.

"Leave those things aside; Evander is here to meet you," Sissy said casually, as her words almost spinned my world.

"What?" I gasped, nearly dropping my phone. My heart leaped as I darted to grab my makeup bag. "Why didn’t you tell me earlier? You should have at least informed me."

"Relax, girl," Sissy replied, leaning lazily against the doorframe and rolling her eyes. "He is not here yet. It will take some time for him to arrive."

I shot her a sharp glare, clutching a lipstick in my hand. "Get lost!" I snapped, waving her away like an annoying fly.

Sissy smirked, clearly amused by my reaction, but thankfully didn’t argue. She pushed off the doorframe and left, muttering something under her breath about how I was "hopeless" when it came to Evander.

But I didn’t care. My mind was completely consumed by the thought of seeing him again. Evander— it’s been a while since I have seen him. I missed him a lot.

As I stood in front of the mirror, I examined my reflection with a critical eye. My fingers worked swiftly in an attempt to make myself look good.

"Get a grip, Claire," I whispered to myself, exhaling slowly as I leaned closer to the mirror. "Why are you acting like a teenager in love? I mean, you are a married woman, after all."

The words felt like a joke to me, as I was indeed like a teen girl in love.

"What are you whispering to yourself?" Sissy’s voice cut through my thoughts, startling me. She sauntered into the room without knocking, as usual, and leaned casually against the doorframe. "Evander is here—with Eliam."

"Oh." I oh-ed casually, though my heart had started racing. I gave myself one last glance in the mirror. My hair was flawless, my makeup subtle yet striking. I looked good or even great but it wasn’t enough. I wanted to look perfect. No, I wanted to look like the best woman in the world for my Evander.

As I stood there, lost in my thoughts, Sissy moved closer, her eyes narrowing. Without warning, she plopped a cap onto my head, completely messing up my carefully styled hair, and thrust a mask into my hands.

"Here," she said, a sly grin playing on her lips. "Put it on! You can’t go around like this."

"What?" I exclaimed, pulling off the cap and glaring at her. "What are you doing? Do you know how long it took me to do my hair?"

"Exactly," Sissy replied with a smug shrug, her grin teasing. "You’re glowing like a night star, Claire. That’s why you need it; otherwise, people will start asking questions, and we can’t have that. Besides," she added, tilting her head with a knowing smirk, "it’s not like Evander is here to see you as you, the rising star. He is here to meet you as... his wife."

Her words sent a jolt through me. His wife. Even though I was technically that, it still felt surreal every time someone referred to me as such.

"I know," I muttered, pulling the mask over my face and adjusting the cap to hide my face. My fingers trembled slightly, betraying my calm tone. "Happy now?"

Sissy stepped back as she glanced at me from head to toe before giving me a thumbs up. "Perfect. Now, don’t make a scene, and remember to keep it low-key."

I nodded absently, barely hearing her as my heart raced in anticipation. It had been a whole month since I had last seen Evander in person. We had talked almost every day—calls, video chats, texts—but seeing him in person was... different. It made everything feel more real and more intense.

As I walked out of the room, my footsteps were cautious but hurried. My gaze darted around to ensure no one was following me. Every corner felt like it held eyes waiting to pry into my secret after Damian’s incident.

I slipped through the hotel corridors, and once I reached the lobby, I glanced over my shoulder one last time before stepping out onto the bustling street.

The hotel Evander was staying in was right across the street. It was grander, more luxurious, and fitting for someone like him. My heart thudded as I crossed the road. My mind raced with thoughts of what I would say to him and how I would act.

Just what was wrong with me? Maybe it was all because we hadn’t met each other after we had a heart-to-heart talk. We did see each other from time to time from afar whenever he visited the set to meet Damian, but we didn’t have any close encounters.

By the time I stepped into the lobby of his hotel, my nerves were stretched taut. I paused for a moment, taking a deep breath to steady myself.

"I missed you, Evander!"