The Untouchable Ex-Wife

Stefan did not miss Renee’s fidgeting, but misunderstood it as her craving a cigarette.
Frowning, he lectured her like a father would, “You’re a woman, but you smoke?”
His judgy tone pissed Renee off, and she straightened herself menacingly as she snapped,
“What’s wrong with women smoking? Why are men allowed to do it, but not women?”
“Men are different from women,’ Stefan said stubbornly.
“In what way?” Renee demanded sharply. “From my perspective, women can do anything
men can, but men can’t do everything women can. In that respect, women are nobler than
men!”
“How so?”
“Women are more empathetic, sentimental, and kinder. Most importantly, they can bear
children, and men can’t. Think about it—every human being came from a woman, so why
are men allowed to smoke but women aren’t?”
Stefan actually could not come up with a retort against Renee’s eloquent logic, and she
snorted. “See? Can’t argue against that, can you? Give me a reason if you think of one
that’s reasonable.”
Seizing the moment while Stefan was spaced out, she snatched a cigarette from his box
and ignited hers with his.
This time, Stefan did not stop her. He somewhat agreed with her perspective that women
were nobler than men, as they were an amalgamation of that which was beautiful, while
men embodied bloodlust, death, and violence.

As Renee smoked, she leaned very close to Stefan. Their faces were so close that they
could feel the other’s breath on their skin. It was a delicate exchange, as addictive as
nicotine-one could get lost in it without realizing.
“I smoke because I’m frustrated. What reason do you have to smoke?” Steafan asked
Renee, staring at her through the smoke with a penetrating gaze.
Why did he feel like he had stared at her beautiful face countless times, and yet completely
forgot about it?”
“I’m frustrated too,” Renee rasped, closing her eyes after slowly calming herself.
“What’s frustrating you?” Stefan asked, his eyes sharply studying her. ’I don’t think Jovan
would leave you frustrated. Don’t you agree?”
He knew very well what Jovan was-plain Janes would certainly go crazy for him, but it didn’t
make sense that a strong, independent, and smart woman like Renee would do the same.
That was why he had a hunch that Jovan was just a diversion. She was probably carrying
more secrets than she let on, and it was those secrets that compelled her to walk into his
trap.
“You’re wrong. I’m not as complicated as you think—Jovan is my only concern, and all I
want for him is to live his days in peace and bliss...” Renee spoke quietly as she stared at
the cigarette between her fingers, and added quietly, “I’ve only taken a liking to the scent of
nicotine over the last few years-it offers me brief respite.”
Jovan was a burden, but she would only be fine if he was, because it was Stefan who had

done this to her.
However, those words left Stefan incensed. He snuffed his cigarette and leveled an icy glare
at her, then demanded through clenched teeth, “You love him very much, is that it?