Hello, Ex! I Finally Found My Worth! - Chapter 212

Chapter 212: Left The Country
Ivy closed her eyes, remembering the happiness she had felt with him. The effortless conversations, the stolen smiles, the way his presence had made her feel lighter, freer—something she hadn’t felt in a long time.

She thought about how he had protected her, how he had been willing to take a step back simply because she had asked him to.

And then there was his pain. She had seen it. She had felt it. The betrayal he carried from the very people he had trusted—his own sister and best friend.

That kind of wound didn’t heal easily, and yet, he had still found the strength to come to her, to acknowledge his wrongs, to ask for nothing but a chance to be heard.

Ivy swallowed hard, gripping the armrest of her chair. Maybe… maybe it was time to stop punishing him.

Maybe it was time to stop punishing herself.

He had said every emotion he had shown was real. And despite everything, a part of her wanted to believe him.

No—she did believe him.

She inhaled deeply, letting the realization settle in. She wanted another chance with him.

She wanted to trust him… one more time.

Ivy made up her mind in that instant. She wasn’t going to sit around and wonder what if for the rest of her life nor was she going to sit down and wait for him to come to her again and beg her.

No, she was going to see Hunter. She was going to tell him that she wanted to give them another chance.

She was going to go to him, tell him she had forgiven him and want him back in her life, this time without lies and deceit.

Without wasting another second, she grabbed her purse and rushed out of her office. The drive to his house felt longer than usual, her heart pounding with nervous energy.

As she drove there, she kept rehearsing what she would say, how she would explain everything—how she would let him know she was ready but no matter how hard she tried, she just couldn’t come up with anything befitting.

She was just going to say whatever comes to mind when she sees him. Ivy decided as she focused on the road.

When she finally arrived, she took a deep breath and stepped out of the car. The house was quiet. No lights, no sound from inside. Still, she walked up to the door and knocked.

She stood there waiting for him to answer her but frowned when there was no answer.

She knocked again, this time louder.

Still nothing.

Frowning, she hesitated before reaching for the keypad and inputting the password since she knew it and doubted that Hunter would’ve changed it by now.

Perhaps, he might have changed it after learning about Chloe visiting him in his absence, still she hoped he hadn’t

She let out a relieved sigh when the lock beeped, and the door clicked open. He had not changed the lock. Though it was to her benefit, she’d tell him to change after they’d talked things out.

Stepping inside, her heart sank and all hope to talk to him died down. The house was empty with no sign of him. It was just like that day he’d been arrested.

Though she could feel it, she still walked through the living room, then to his bedroom, hoping maybe he was just asleep or in the shower. But his bed was untouched, his closet had missing clothes, and there was an eerie stillness in the air that made her chest tighten.

Something wasn’t right. He wasn’t just home, seemed more like he traveled or something.

Quickly, she pulled out her phone and dialed his number, hoping he’d pick and she could tell him she was at his place.

“The number you are trying to reach is currently unavailable.”

Ivy blinked, her heart thudding harder. She called again but got same result.

A lump formed in her throat as she lowered her phone. Where was he? Why wasn’t his number connecting? Did he block her too? Why? Was it because she had asked him to let her be?

He had promised to stay out of her face so could this be his way?

She stood there, feeling completely lost. What was she supposed to do now? Go back to her office and pretend she hadn’t just poured her heart into deciding to fix things? Go to the restaurant and see if maybe he was there?

The thought struck her instantly. The restaurant. He had to be there considering how much he loved it and would’ve done to have it.

He was the owner of everything his father owned now after all. She thought as a flicker of hope passed through her.

Without hesitating, she turned on her heels and walked out, determination fueling her steps.

She drove as fast as she could to the restaurant not minding that it was supposed to be a rival’s place. Love knows no rival, after all.

When she arrived at Stone’s Foods, she wasted no time. She went straight to the receptionist and said firmly, “I need to see the boss.”

The receptionist looked at her uncertainly. “Uh, do you have an appointment?”

“No, but I need to see him. It’s important.”

The woman hesitated before nodding. “Please wait a moment.”

A few minutes later, Ivy was led to the manager’s office.

Her heart pounded heavily in her chest as she was being led. This was the moment when she’d see him and resolve things. Now, she wouldn’t have to keep hurting or have him wallow in his guilt. This was the moment she’d make everything right.

All of her hopes crumbled and a frown immediately etched her features the moment she stepped inside, and didn’t see Hunter, instead it was a strange face and eyes staring back at her.

Clearing her throat, she asked, “Where’s Hunter?”

The manager gave her a confused look. “Mr. Stone?”

“Yes, where is he?”

The man shifted awkwardly before replying, “Mr. Stone left the country yesterday.”

“What?” Ivy asked before her brain could even process what had been said.

The words didn’t register at first. Left the country? That couldn’t be.

“Why? What for? A business meeting, perhaps?” she asked, hoping it wasn’t what she was thinking.

She stared at the manager, waiting for him to correct himself, to say something different. But he didn’t.

“He didn’t go on a business trip. He left to start a life there.”

Her stomach twisted painfully. “What do you mean he left to start a life there?”

“I don’t know your relationship with him but I’m sure you don’t expect me to answer that, do you?” the man said and then sighed when he saw the look on Ivy’s face. “If it’s any help, he’s not coming back. Said there was nothing left for him here.”

Ivy felt like the floor had been ripped from beneath her. She blinked rapidly, trying to process what she had just heard.

Hunter was gone. He was gone.

She had finally made up her mind, finally decided to give them another shot… and he had left.

She barely managed to mumble a weak “thank you” before stumbling out of the office.

As soon as she reached her car, the weight of everything crashed down on her. Tears burned in her eyes as she gripped the steering wheel tightly.

“I can’t believe this,” she choked out, her vision blurring with tears.

She had waited too long. She had hesitated too much. And now she had lost him.

A sob ripped through her chest as she rested her forehead against the wheel. The pain was unbearable, raw, and unrelenting.

Through her tears, anger bubbled up inside her. She lifted her head and glared at nothing in particular, cursing under her breath.

“Idiot,” she whispered harshly. “Coward. Fool.”

Her voice shook as she continued, her words laced with heartbreak and fury.

“He couldn’t even fight harder? He gave up just because I told him to leave me alone?” She let out a bitter laugh. “What an idiot. What a—stupid, stubborn fool.”

She wiped her face roughly, her hands shaking. “He should’ve stayed. He should’ve tried harder. But no—he ran. He ran just like the coward he is.”

Her chest ached with every word, but she knew none of it mattered. He wasn’t here to hear her. He wasn’t here at all.

Her fingers curled into fists as fresh tears slipped down her face. She had wanted one more chance. Just one.

But she was too late.

She stayed like that for a while, crying out the pain, the regret, the heartbreak.

And then, with a shaky breath, she turned the key in the ignition and drove away, telling herself it was time to move on too seeing as Hunter had moved on from her.

Maybe if she had not let him talk to her that day and had just remained with her pain, she wouldn’t be hurting this way.

But then, it was better this way. Knowing she had chosen to give him another chance but he hadn’t been patient enough.