Hello, Ex! I Finally Found My Worth! - Chapter 184

Chapter 184: How Do You Feel
Hunter sat stiffly in the cold, dimly lit visitation room, his fingers loosely clasped together on the scratched metal table between him and Matthew. His chest felt tight, his stomach twisted in knots of anticipation.

He wanted to believe this nightmare was finally coming to an end, but part of him still struggled to grasp it.

He lifted his gaze to Matthew, searching his face for any sign of hesitation. “Is it true?” His voice came out quieter than he intended, but there was an edge of desperation beneath it. “Am I really going to be free today?”

Matthew nodded, his expression calm but firm. “Yes. As we speak, the police have already arrested Chloe and Derek. The case against you will fall apart soon. Just hang in there a little longer.”

Hunter’s shoulders loosened slightly at the confirmation, but the relief was short-lived.

Chloe and Derek.

The names echoed in his head, sending a sharp pang through his chest. Chloe… he could understand.

He could understand that his sister had never truly seen him as family and the feeling was mutual so she probably had a valid reason to want to do this to him.

They had spent years at each other’s throats, constantly fighting over their father’s attention, the company, and everything in between. She had always resented him.

So when their father died, or perhaps when she killed their father, it almost made sense that she would try to frame him for it.

Although it was cruel, but it expected. It had been her chance to take him out.

But Derek… he thought, his fingers tightening into fists.

Why?

Hunter lowered his head slightly, his brows furrowing deeply as thoughts rushed through his mind.

Derek wasn’t just a friend or a best friend. He was supposed to be his brother.

They had known each other since middle school. Derek had been there when no one else was. When he typically had no one, that was when Derek had appeared.

Hunter could still remember that day vividly.

He had been just eight years old, grieving his mother, feeling lost and alone. Some boys had cornered him after school, mocking him, and calling him motherless like it was some kind of joke.

And then Derek had stepped in to defend him.

“Leave him alone.”

That was all it took. Derek had stood up for him, fought for him—protected him like a brother would.

Though they had been classmates, they had never spoken to each other but after what he did that day, everything had changed.

From then on, they had been inseparable. Even when Hunter had flown out to study, Derek had flown out with him too since they didn’t want to be apart.

So what had changed? Where had it all gone wrong?

Hunter exhaled shakily, pressing a hand against his forehead. Had Derek always been against him? Was it all just a lie?

No. It couldn’t be.

He shook his head slightly. That didn’t make sense.

After that incident that brought them together, Derek had been by his side through thick and thin. He had fought for him, supported him, been there during his lowest moments.

So it couldn’t have been always. It had to be somewhere along the line. Something must have happened. But what?

Hunter lifted his head again, his jaw tight. “Why?” he murmured, more to himself than to Matthew. “Why would Derek do this?”

Matthew exhaled, studying him for a moment before speaking. “Betrayal doesn’t always make sense, Hunter.”

Hunter let out a bitter chuckle, shaking his head. “Yeah, but Derek isn’t just anyone. We’ve been through everything together. He was like family.”

Matthew leaned back slightly, his gaze steady. “And yet, he still turned on you.”

Hunter swallowed the lump forming in his throat. He wanted to argue. He wanted to believe there was some explanation, some reason behind it all.

But deep down, he knew the truth.

Derek had chosen this. Chosen Chloe over him. Chloe…. he thought, his eyes narrowing. Could it be he had changed because of Chloe? He had hidden his relationship with Chloe from him?

Had Derek chosen to betray him because he had told him not to date his sister? Hadn’t Derek known why? He was too good for Chloe.

Hunter clenched his fists again, his nails digging into his palms.

Was it always this easy for people to turn their backs on him?

His mother had left him through death. His father had left him through neglect.

And now Derek, the one person who had always stood by him, had thrown him aside like he meant nothing. Why? There was no way he’d believe it was because of Chloe. That would hurt him more since he had only been looking out for him.

A sharp sting burned behind his eyes, but he forced it down, blinking rapidly.

He refused to break. Not here. Not now.

Taking a deep breath, he finally looked at Matthew again. His voice was steadier this time, but there was a quiet bitterness beneath it. “So what happens now?”

Matthew met his gaze, his expression unreadable. “Now? You walk out of here a free man. And then… you decide what comes next.”

Hunter swallowed hard, nodding slowly.

What came next?

That was the real question.

Hunter sat in silence, his mind racing through everything he had just learned. The revelation of Derek’s betrayal still weighed heavily on him, but another unsettling thought kept creeping into his head.

How did Matthew know all of this?

Though he was glad Matthew had uncovered the real truth and set him free but also he needed to know how it happened.

He hadn’t even had time to fully process his situation, yet Matthew had somehow unraveled the entire scheme.

Lost in thought, Hunter barely noticed the way his fingers curled into fists on the cold metal table. His heart pounded with a mix of frustration and confusion.

When did it all start? When did everything spiral out of control?

Just then, Matthew’s voice cut through his thoughts, snapping him back to the present.

“How do you feel now? Knowing you’ll be free any moment from now?” Matthew asked, his tone steady yet gentle.

Hunter blinked, momentarily disoriented. His gaze shifted to Matthew, who sat across from him, watching him carefully.

How did he feel?

Relief? Maybe.

But it was overshadowed by the overwhelming sense of betrayal, disbelief, and a nagging emptiness that gnawed at him from the inside.

“I…” Hunter hesitated before exhaling sharply. “I don’t know.” His voice was quieter than he intended, laced with exhaustion.

Matthew studied him for a moment before nodding. He could understand the weight of being betrayed by someone you considered family.

Hunter leaned forward slightly, his brows furrowed. “How did you know everything?” he asked, his voice firmer this time. “You put the pieces together so quickly while I was here thinking it impossible.”