The Return of the Neglected Wife

The evening sun cast a golden hue across the city skyline as I walked into the sleek, upscale restaurant, my heels clicking on the polished marble floor. The air was cool with the kind of crispness that only autumn could bring, but I felt none of the chill. Inside, the warmth of the ambient lighting and soft murmurs of conversation made it feel like I was entering a world that was mine—one that didn't have Nixus hovering over it, waiting to strike, to control.

Tonight was a statement.

I wasn't going to let him break me, not again. Not after everything I'd fought for. And if that meant parading my new life in front of him—well, so be it. I was done hiding. Done letting him dictate the terms of my existence. If Nixus had thought that his game of manipulation was going to work this time, he was dead wrong.

I adjusted my dress as I made my way to the table in the corner, where Julian was already waiting. He looked up at the sound of my approach, a warm smile spreading across his face when he saw me. He stood, and I felt that little flutter in my chest, the one I hadn't felt in a long time. It wasn't the first time I'd seen him, but something about the way he looked at me always made me feel...seen.

"Good evening," Julian said, his voice smooth and inviting. He pulled out the chair for me, and I sat down, the silk of my dress rustling around me.

"Good evening," I replied, smiling back at him. He was tall, with dark, slightly tousled hair and a tailored suit that fit him perfectly. He had a presence, but it was a calm one—not the domineering sort that Nixus had always exuded. Julian's energy was warm, kind, and effortless, and it was the kind of comfort I needed after everything I'd been through.

"You look beautiful tonight," he added as he sat down across from me, his eyes lingering on me for just a second longer than was typical.

I blushed a little, though I didn't want to admit it. It had been so long since I'd allowed myself to accept compliments without the weight of insecurity creeping in. But with Julian, I found it easier. There was no judgment in his gaze—only appreciation.

"You're not so bad yourself," I teased, reaching for the glass of wine he had already poured for me.

As I took a sip, I noticed how everything about this moment felt different. This wasn't some secret rendezvous. This wasn't me hiding in the shadows of my own life. No, this was me in full control, living my life on my terms. Julian didn't make me feel small. He didn't need to control me to make himself feel powerful. He was confident, but not in an overwhelming way. It was the difference between someone who admired you and someone who thought they owned you.

Our dinner arrived shortly after, and we dived into conversation, our laughter mingling with the low hum of music from the live band in the background. It felt good to be in this space, to be with someone who genuinely cared for me without strings attached. But even with the distractions of food and good company, part of me couldn't help but feel... unsettled.

I kept thinking about Nixus. The way he had come after me, trying to pull me back into his world, trying to remind me that I was still his wife—his possession. I couldn't deny that the thought of him still lingered in my mind, even as Julian's presence calmed me. But it wasn't about Nixus. Not anymore.

Julian reached across the table, brushing his fingers against mine. It was a subtle touch, but it sent a jolt through me. I turned my hand slightly to intertwine my fingers with his, smiling softly. I wanted to believe in this. In us. But the history between Nixus and me was a shadow I couldn't completely outrun.

"You seem distracted," Julian said, his voice gentle. "What's on your mind?"

I hesitated for a moment. How could I explain the hold Nixus still had on me? How could I make Julian understand the tangled mess of emotions that had come with living in a world where my every move was scrutinized by a man who thought he could control me, even from afar?

"I'm fine," I said, forcing the smile back onto my face. "I'm just... adjusting, I guess. To this new life. It's a lot."

Julian nodded, his thumb gently stroking the back of my hand. "You've been through a lot, Malia. I know that. And I know you're strong enough to face anything that comes your way. But don't push me away, okay? I'm here for you. All the way."

I felt a lump form in my throat. I couldn't remember the last time someone had said those words to me—without strings attached, without some expectation that I had to bend or change to make things work. Julian didn't expect me to be anyone other than who I was. That felt like freedom. Real freedom.

"I'm not pushing you away," I said, looking him in the eye, my voice barely above a whisper. "I just don't know if I'm ready for all of this. For... us. I don't know if I can fully trust again."

"You don't have to figure it all out right now," Julian said with a soft smile. "We have time."

I smiled back at him, feeling lighter than I had in so long. But as much as I wanted to bask in this moment, there was always that nagging feeling. The fear that Nixus was just around the corner, watching, waiting to destroy whatever fragile happiness I was trying to build.

And as if on cue, I heard the unmistakable sound of a familiar voice.

"Malia."

I froze. My hand clenched around my glass, but I didn't dare lift my eyes just yet. I didn't want to look. I didn't want to acknowledge the presence that was suddenly encroaching on the space I had worked so hard to carve out for myself. But I couldn't avoid it.

I slowly raised my gaze, and there he was—Nixus. Standing in the doorway of the restaurant, his eyes locked onto me with that all-too-familiar intensity. His gaze swept over me, then landed on Julian, and I saw a flicker of something dangerous flash across his features.

For a moment, everything around us seemed to slow down. The music faded into the background, the noise of the restaurant became muffled, and all I could hear was the rhythmic beating of my heart. Nixus was here. And somehow, he had managed to find me again.

"Good evening, Malia," Nixus said, his voice cold, controlled—almost too perfect. He didn't even acknowledge Julian, not at first. It was as though he was pretending Julian didn't even exist.

I felt Julian tense across the table, his hand withdrawing from mine, but I didn't let my eyes leave Nixus.

"What are you doing here, Nixus?" I asked, forcing the words through a throat that suddenly felt too tight.

He smiled, but it was anything but warm. "I think that's obvious. I'm here to remind you that you don't get to walk away from me so easily."

I could feel the tension building between us, and for a moment, I thought about leaving—about cutting this whole night short. But I wasn't going to let him take this from me. Not now. Not when I was finally starting to find my own footing.

"I'm with someone, Nixus," I said, my voice firm, though my hands were shaking slightly.

His eyes flickered to Julian for the first time, taking in the man across the table with a look of pure disdain. "I see. You've moved on, then," he said, his voice laced with bitterness. "How typical."

I couldn't take it anymore. I stood up, my chair scraping against the floor, and placed a hand on Julian's shoulder. "We're having dinner, Nixus. And I'd appreciate it if you respected that."

Nixus didn't answer at first, but I could see the storm brewing behind his eyes. He was angry—furious, even. The same feeling that had haunted me during our marriage was back, stronger than ever. And it terrified me.

"I'll be around, Malia," he said, his voice low and threatening. "Don't think for a second that you're free of me. Not yet."

I watched him turn and leave, his presence still lingering in the air long after he was gone.

I exhaled a shaky breath, my heart still racing as I sat back down. Julian's concerned gaze met mine, but I knew, deep down, that the fight for my freedom had only just begun. And Nixus wasn't going to let me go without a fight.