Hello, Ex! I Finally Found My Worth! - Chapter 193

Chapter 193: No Buts
The moment Emma stepped through the front door, her heart pounded in her chest. The familiar warmth of home surrounded her, but the guilt weighing on her shoulders didn’t ease.

She had left. She had run away when Alex needed her the most. And now, she had to face him.

Her eyes landed on Alex the second she entered the living room. He was sitting on the couch, his elbows resting on his knees, his gaze distant.

But as soon as he saw her, his entire posture changed. His eyes softened, and before she could say a word, he was on his feet, closing the distance between them.

Then, without hesitation, he pulled her into a tight hug.

Emma froze for a split second before melting into his embrace, burying her face in his chest. His arms tightened around her, as if reassuring himself that she was truly there.

“You came back,” he murmured against her hair, his voice filled with relief.

A lump formed in Emma’s throat. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, gripping his shirt.

Alex pulled back slightly, just enough to look at her face. His brows were furrowed, but not with anger—just concern.

“I shouldn’t have left,” she admitted, guilt twisting inside her. “I should have stayed with you.”

Alex sighed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Emma, it’s okay.”

“No, it’s not,” she insisted, shaking her head. “I ran off when you needed me the most. I let my emotions take over instead of standing by you.”

“You were overwhelmed,” he said simply. “I get it.”

Emma swallowed hard. “But that’s not an excuse. I should have trusted you right away. I should’ve stayed to figure thing out with you, not leave. I’m sorry, babe.”

He studied her for a moment before sighing. “I won’t lie… it hurt to see you leave.” His fingers brushed her cheek. “But you came back. That’s all that matters.”

Emma’s chest ached at the sincerity in his voice. “Of course I came back. I never planned to leave. I just needed to sort my thoughts out. Besides, how could I leave you? You’re my husband.”

Alex’s lips twitched. “And the love of your life, apparently.”

Emma blinked before groaning, covering her face with her hands. “Oh God.”

He chuckled, prying her hands away. “You said it. In front of everyone. With cameras flashing. Do you love me that much now?”

Emma groaned again. “I didn’t even think about that.”

“You might not because all you wanted was to get Jake off your back, but I did,” Alex admitted. “And I liked it.”

Emma sighed. “I meant it, you know. I didn’t just say it to get Jake off my back. I love you and I realized it when I almost lost my life. There’s no way I’d give you up for someone like Jake.”

His smirk softened. “I know and I love you too, baby.”

They stood in silence for a moment, the weight of the night still heavy in the air.

Then Emma took a deep breath. “There’s something else I need to tell you.”

Alex raised an eyebrow. “What is it?”

She hesitated. “Jake… he’s been trying to get close to me again since he got out.”

Alex’s jaw tightened slightly, but he didn’t interrupt.

“I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want to worry you,” she admitted. “I thought if I ignored him, he’d stop.”

Alex exhaled through his nose, nodding slowly. “It’s fine, Emma. As long as your heart is mine, I don’t care what he does. Besides, you handled him pretty well tonight,” he said with a wink, and Emma giggled as her chest warmed at his words.

“Of course my heart is yours.”

He smirked. “Then nothing else matters.”

How could she have ever thought of leaving him? This man that made her happy in every sense and effortlessly even when he had his own problems?

Emma smiled softly, then hesitated before asking, “Do you… ever feel jealous of Jake? When you remember I used to be with him?”

Alex’s expression shifted slightly, and for a second, she thought he might brush off the question. But instead, he sighed.

“As much as I’d love to answer that,” he said, “I won’t.”

Emma frowned. “Why?”

“Because if I do,” he said, “I’ll start thinking about everything you went through with him.” His eyes darkened slightly. “And I don’t want to do that.”

Emma’s heart clenched. She understood what he meant. Jake wasn’t just an ex—he was a painful part of her past. And Alex didn’t want to dwell on that pain.

Instead of responding, she reached for his hand, squeezing it.

He squeezed back. “I’m really sorry I ruined your birthday,” he said and she smiled, brushing it off.

“It wasn’t your fault and you didn’t ruin it. If anything, it just showed me that we’re stuck together no matter what life throws at us,” Emma said, making Alex’s heart swell with love.

He reached out and then cupped her cheeks with his hands before leaning forward and resting his forehead against hers.

“I love you so much, Em. You’re my safe haven,” he said before capturing her lips in slow and soft, yet captivating kiss.

“Come on,” he said, after he had pulled away. “Let’s eat and get some rest. It’s been a long night.”

Emma nodded, realizing just how exhausted she was.

They walked to the dining room, where the maids had already set the table. The scent of warm food filled the air, and for the first time since the night began, Emma felt a sense of normalcy returning.

As they ate in silence, Emma found herself voicing the thought that had been lingering in her mind.

“So, you’ll be taking her for a DNA test?” she asked, looking fir a way to say what she wanted to say and Alex nodded.

“Yes. I need to prove them wrong. Everyone needs to know Natalie is a liar,” he said and Emma nodded.

“I know i trust you completely but if the DNA results were to come out positive…” she said, glancing at him. “You don’t have to worry about me or how I’ll take it. I’ll treat Dawn like my own child.”

Alex paused, his fork midair, before shaking his head. “No need to think about that or getting attached to her. She’s not my daughter,” he said and then continued his meal.

Emma sighed. “I understand you might not want to hurt me but you don’t have to say she’s not your child, just yet. I mean, you did sleep with her so, you can’t be so sure.”

He set his fork down and looked at her. “Do you trust me?”

She hesitated, then nodded. “Of course, but—”

“Then there are no ‘buts,'” he cut her off. His gaze was steady, unwavering. “I’m not her father because I never went through with sleeping with Natalie six years ago.”

Emma blinked, taken aback. “What? I don’t understand. What do you mean you didn’t go through with it?” she asked, a confused frown creasing her brows.

Alex leaned back in his chair. “What I’m trying to say is, although I started to, but I stopped halfway.” His voice was calm, but there was a hint of something else in his voice that Emma could almost guess. He was sad now, almost like he was remember a sad memory or like he was tasting something bitter. “I started having sex with Natalie but because I kept thinking about my late fiancée, and I couldn’t continue with her.”

Emma’s heart pounded. “So you never—”

“No,” he confirmed. “I didn’t. There’s no way she’d say the condom broke or any of those sort. I never released because I never climaxed.”

A weight lifted off her shoulders so suddenly that she almost felt dizzy.

All this time, she had been preparing herself for the worst, trying to accept the possibility that Dawn might be Alex’s daughter.

But now… Now she knew the truth. But then, something else crossed her mind.

“Then why is Natalie here?” Emma asked. “Doesn’t she know that? She’s supposed to know it, right? And if you’re not the father, who then is and why is she trying to pin it on you by confidently agreeing to a paternity test?”

Alex sighed. “I don’t know. But for the sake of clarity, I’ll take Dawn for a DNA test, at a hospital of my choice Incase they had something planned.” His eyes darkened slightly. “That way, we’ll all see she’s lying. And maybe then, we’ll finally know what her true intent is.”

Emma nodded slowly, feeling a mix of relief and unease.

Whatever Natalie was up to, they would find out soon enough.

For now, she was exactly where she needed to be. With Alex and together, they’d figure everything out.

She hoped that whatever it was though wouldn’t be life-threatening and they wouldn’t have to start watching out or having to live in fear of her.