My Ex Became a Gangster and Regrets It

My husband, Lucas Gabriel, and I were on our way to sell paintings when we got robbed.

I used all my strength to fight off the robbers. I wanted to keep Lucas’s hands safe so that he could keep painting.

However, he failed to escape. He threw his paintings on the ground and yelled at me, “This is all your fault, Aria!

“If I had married Chloe instead of you, I would be the leader of the Lenza Group in Ros Aegeles by now! I wouldn’t be some poor, helpless painter!”

Right before the robbers killed me, I finally realized that he never got over his childhood sweetheart, Chloe Lionel.

That was why he never wanted to have children with me while we were married.

When I opened my eyes again, we had both returned to a time before our marriage.

This time, we went our separate ways.

I cut ties with him and left Ros Angeles to focus on medical research.

Seven years later, I returned.

Lucas was already the boss of Cosa. He had Chloe in his arms and mocked me. “I know you’ve loved me in both lives, but did you really have to stay single for me?”

I ignored him and held my son’s hand.

He lost it. His eyes turned red with anger as he demanded, “Whose child is that?! Didn’t you say you would only have my children?!”

Seven years later, I returned to Ros Aegeles and saw Lucas again.

With the Lionel family’s help, he became the boss of Cosa, the Ros Aegeles branch of the Lenza Group. It was the biggest gang in Ameria.

Lucas was at a grand villa that belonged to the Lenza Group’s boss. He stood at the center of the crowd with Chloe in his arms. Her flawless makeup and beautiful dress highlighted her beauty while Lucas enjoyed the admiration of his subordinates and fellow branch leaders.

“Lucas is amazing! He became Cosa’s boss in just a few years! This year, he was even invited to Mr. Lenza’s private party!”

“That’s right! Under his leadership, Cosa has become the most promising Eastern branch! Even Mr. Lenza thinks highly of him! The bosses of the Western branches are all eager to get close to him!”

“Lucas, our branch also does business in the East. We’d love to work with you!”

Lucas smiled proudly and pulled Chloe closer as she gently leaned against his shoulder.

One of the branch leaders curiously asked, “Lucas, when are you and Chloe getting married?”

Lucas looked at the shy Chloe with a gentle gaze and said, “Next month, on the 20th. It’ll also be Chloe’s birthday. We’re here today to personally invite Mr. Lenza to our wedding.

“I want to introduce Chloe to him and let everyone in the Lenza Group know she’ll be my wife.”

His romantic words sparked cheers and applause from his subordinates.

No one noticed me when I returned to the villa.

One of the branch leaders was unimpressed, and he mocked Lucas. “But I remember that his girlfriend used to be Aria, right? I heard that he even wanted to be a painter for her. Wasn’t his first award-winning painting a portrait of her?”

At the mention of my name, Lucas’s expression darkened. Feeling displeased, he took a sip of his wine.

Chloe, who had been resting in his arms, sat up straight and smiled.

“That’s all in the past. If given the option between me and Aria, between being the boss of Cosa and a poor painter, anyone would know the right choice.”

The branch leader fell silent, and the others quickly went back to praising how perfect Lucas and Chloe were together.

However, I knew Lucas’s only award-winning painting was a portrait of me. He had painted it when he confessed to me.

In our past life, we fell in love at first sight in college.

He told me that I was his only muse.

He said that he would rather die than live without painting and me.

I believed him, but in the end, it all turned out to be lies.

I wore a relieved smile.

I had arrived straight from the hospital after work. I did not even have time to fix my clothes or hair.

As I turned to change into a gown, I accidentally bumped into a waiter holding a tray of champagne.

The waiter knocked over the champagne tower. Glasses fell to the floor, and the liquid spilled onto my pants.

Everyone stopped talking and turned to look at us.

The Cosa members recognized me.

They looked at my champagne-soaked T-shirt and jeans, then at the waiter beside me before sneering.

“Aria?! What are you doing here?

“It’s only been a few years, and you already look this miserable?

“Don’t tell me you’re working here as a part-time maid?”

The moment Lucas saw me, he did not look away.

When our eyes met, he hesitated for a moment before stepping closer.

“Aria, it’s been a long time. You’re still as clumsy and careless as ever. You can’t even do a maid’s job properly.

“This is Mr. Lenza’s party. If he finds out that you ruined it, you might lose your job.”

It sounded like he was concerned, and Chloe’s eyes were filled with jealousy.

She clung to his arm and pouted playfully.

“Oh, Lucas! Don’t be so mean! Aria’s an old friend after all! We can’t just let her lose her job.

“How about this, Aria? Lucas is about to introduce me to Mr. Lenza and his wife. If they get mad at you, I’ll put in a few good words to help you out.

“Being a maid is already tough enough. I wouldn’t want you to lose your pay and struggle to survive, right?”