I Divorced My Husband After Prison Release

Hunter Perry stepped into the cold night air, his grip locked tight around Mina Long's wrist until her fresh wounds stung. She kept her expression carefully blank, her voice low and even. “Let go.”

Hunter’s expression wavered for a second, then he draped his coat over her shoulders. “I just didn’t want your mom nagging me about the whole Malani thing.”

His voice was cold, laced with condescension. “They’re your mom and sister. You need to be sensible.”

Mina’s stubborn streak had always pushed his buttons. Reluctant as he was, he followed her outside to smooth things over. Fragile as she looked, he felt a flicker of pity. Still—was coddling her really the right move?

Mina laughed, the sound cutting clean through the tension. “My sister?” she scoffed, the idea absurd. Since when did sisters flirt with their brother-in-law? Since when did they scheme for their own gain and send family to jail?

Malani Castillo had everything to gain, and Mina refused to believe she was that oblivious.

“Mina, what are you playing at?” Hunter’s patience frayed, his voice hardening. “Malani went through hell before she found her family. Can you really not let go of some old grudge?”

He didn’t get it. He’d come all this way to placate her, and she was still digging in her heels. When would this drama ever end?

Hunter’s irritation spiked, his gaze going icy. Seeing his kindness saved for another woman stung Mina. His tenderness for Malani only mirrored the cruelty he showed his own wife. But soon, none of it would matter—they were on the brink of divorce. She was leaving.

A faint, soft smile touched Mina’s lips. “I’m not mad. Go back inside.”

“Good girl.” Hunter’s tense expression eased a fraction, a faint smile forming as he reached to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. His fingers closed on empty air.

His face went hard, tension etched into every line. “Mina Long, what’s going on?”

Mina stepped back, cool and aloof. “There’s no need. I’m not coming back. When I said I wanted a divorce, I meant it.”

Her words cut through the quiet like a blade.

After a beat, Hunter let out a humorless chuckle, fury flickering in his eyes. “Even a tantrum has its limits, you know.”

He grabbed her wrist again, fingers digging in deep, as if he meant to break her.

Mina winced. He was truly furious now.

“Dad, what are you doing?” A child’s voice piped up, and Hunter let go at once.

Vincenzo Perry had made his entrance, shattering the tension.

The little boy trotted over and tugged at Hunter’s hand. “Come on, Malani’s waiting inside. She said no pie until you come in!”

He deliberately avoided Mina’s eyes, hoping she’d give in. If she’d just ask, maybe he’d put in a good word with his grandparents for her. After all, at the Castillo household, they liked him more than they liked her.

Yet Mina stayed silent, eyes down, spine straight, and started to walk away.

Before she was out of earshot, she heard that innocent voice ask Hunter, “Dad, are you really going to get divorced?”

“If you do, does that mean Malani can be my new mom? That’d be awesome! I don’t want that old witch.”

Mina’s lips twisted into a smile that held no joy. It all felt pointless. She couldn’t even muster the energy to be hurt.

Halfway to the door, Hunter stopped and glanced back at her retreating figure. She was resolute, unbending, her small frame like a reed refusing to break in the storm.

A deep frown creased his brow. A sharp emptiness gripped him, almost urging him to call her back. But before he could move, his phone rang.

Hunter’s expression darkened as he answered, but when he saw his assistant’s number, his mood lifted a little.

“Did you confirm it?” he asked. “Is the Gibson family attending the banquet in three days?”

“Yes, Mr. Perry,” the assistant confirmed. “According to our sources, the Gibsons will be there.”

A smile flashed across Hunter’s face, the weight on his mind lifting. “Great. If we can get the Gibsons on our side, Perry Corporation will finally get its break.”

...

Back at her apartment, Mina sank onto the couch, lost in thought. She called her lawyer to draft the divorce papers, and for the first time, felt a sense of relief.

The next morning, she showed up at the Perry house with the agreement, only to find Hunter gone. Malani and Vincenzo were there instead, laughing together.

When Vincenzo saw her, he jumped off the couch. “Why are you here? Didn’t you say you didn’t want me? Then just leave!”

His frustration was plain as day. How could his own mother just turn a blind eye to him?

Mina had no interest in a fight. She lowered her gaze, voice calm. “Even if I don’t want you, my blood still runs through your veins.”

Vincenzo’s cheeks flushed red with anger. “Who needs your blood! I’d rather have nothing to do with you!”

“Where’s Hunter?” Mina asked, taking a seat in the living room.

Her injuries had mostly healed. Apart from some discomfort when she walked, she felt fine.

Still comforting Vincenzo, Malani spoke up. “Mina, what do you need him for? Are you here to make amends? Hunter told me you’re just throwing a fit—and that it’s all my fault.”

“He said that to you?” Mina frowned, quickly grasping just how deep Malani’s interference in their marriage ran.

Seeing Mina’s reaction, Malani added quickly, “Don’t take it the wrong way, Mina. Hunter and I are like siblings. Sharing tips on how to win your wife over is only natural, isn’t it?”

She laughed. “Besides, I’m practically one of the guys. Except for my late husband, I’m not interested in men.”

At the mention of her late husband, Vincenzo—worried she might get upset—clung tightly to her arm. His dad had told him her husband died in their second year of marriage, leaving her heartbroken for a long time.

“Oh, you!” Malani pretended to scold, waving a hand. “What silly things are you saying? Don’t go messing up our friendship!”

Ignoring their little performance, Mina tossed the divorce agreement onto the table.

“Make sure he signs these when he gets back.”

Her voice was cool, cutting through the living room and leaving Vincenzo and Malani speechless.

Vincenzo reacted first, rushing to the coffee table to scrutinize the divorce papers, panic rising in his chest. Was his mom serious this time?

It couldn’t be true. His mom loved his dad and him more than anything, didn’t she? Was she mad because he hadn’t taken her side last night?

Yes, that had to be it—Mina was using the divorce papers as a ploy.

At the thought, Vincenzo wrinkled his nose. “You’re just upset I didn’t back you up last night. This is an overreaction!”