A former spouse returns for hatchet (3)
I believe the answer is:
axe
'hatchet' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'a former spouse returns' is the wordplay.
'former spouse' becomes 'ex'.
'returns' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
'ex' back-to-front is 'xe'.
'a'+'xe'='AXE'
'for' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for axe that I've seen before include "Remove ruthlessly or suddenly" , "Make redundant" , "Abandon project with chopping tool" , "Sack with cleaver?" , "Abandon project or cut back on resources" .)