Hello, Ex! I Finally Found My Worth! - Chapter 80

Chapter 80: You Can Try

Claire hesitated for a moment, her lips pressing into a thin line. A shadow seemed to pass over her features, and she looked away briefly, as though deciding how much to reveal.

“A lot,” she finally said, her voice tinged with bitterness. “But that’s a story for another day.”

Emma studied Claire’s face, sensing there was much more to the story than Claire was willing to share.

She considered pressing further but decided against it, understanding the limits of their newfound friendship.

“It must’ve been bad,” she murmured.

Claire nodded, her expression neutral now, though her eyes glinted with a mix of pain and resolve.

“It was.”

She gave Emma a small smile, trying to lift the weight of the moment. “But you don’t need to carry that burden. Let it go, Emma. Margaret made her choices, just like Jake did. Their situation isn’t your fault. We didn’t even lock him up because of what he did to you. It was because he embezzled company’s funds.”

Emma sighed deeply, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her blouse. “I know, but it’s hard not to feel… responsible, somehow. Being here, being involved in all of this—it makes me feel like I’m part of the reason things are falling apart for her.”

Claire stepped closer, her voice softer but firm. “You’re not. If anything, you’re the one holding things together, even if you don’t see it. Alex cares about you, whether he admits it or not. And Margaret’s situation? That’s been brewing for years. Margaret and Jake had been fighting Alex since before you came into the picture so don’t blame yourself. You’re not responsible for anyone’s choices but your own.”

Emma met Claire’s gaze, finding comfort in her words, though the guilt still lingered like a stubborn shadow. “I hope you’re right,” she said finally.

“I am,” Claire said, her confidence unwavering. She gave Emma’s arm a reassuring squeeze. “Now, let’s go inside. There’s no point dwelling on things we can’t change.”

Emma nodded slowly, exhaling a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. As they turned and walked further into the house, her thoughts churned.

She wondered about Jake’s father, about the pain Claire hinted at but didn’t explain. Her mind flitted back to Margaret’s despair, the rawness of a mother’s grief laid bare.

Emma felt a pang in her chest, but Claire’s words echoed in her mind: Their situation isn’t your fault.

As they entered the warm, inviting space of the living room, Claire’s confident stride reminded Emma of her strength.

Despite everything, Claire seemed so composed, so sure of herself. Emma couldn’t help but admire that and silently wished for some of that strength for herself.

Away from there, Hunter parked his sleek black sedan in the lot outside Frenchies and Fries, his sharp gaze catching Ivy as she stepped out of her car.

Her crisp blazer and immaculate heels radiated authority, but there was a calmness in her stride that intrigued him.

She hadn’t noticed him yet, since her attention was focused on her phone.

Perfect, he thought, a small smirk curving his lips. Timing is everything.

Sliding out of his car with practiced ease, he adjusted his tie and crossed the lot, his footsteps purposeful.

As he approached, Ivy looked up, her expression shifting from neutral to mildly surprised. She quickly masked it, raising a perfectly arched brow as he stopped in front of her.

“What do you want?” she asked coolly, her tone laced with faint suspicion.

Hunter held up his hands, his expression charming yet earnest. “Relax. I just wanted to thank you for giving me this chance to work in your kitchen. It means a lot to me.”

Her eyes narrowed slightly, scanning his face as though searching for hidden intentions. So this is his angle, she thought. Flattery. Let’s see where this goes.

“It’s okay,” she said simply, her tone neutral as she turned to walk toward the building.

But Hunter wasn’t done yet. “Wait.”

She paused, glancing over her shoulder, her expression a mix of curiosity and annoyance. “What now?”

Hunter hesitated for a moment, crafting his words carefully. “I was wondering if I could get your number. You know, in case I have questions about the job.”

Ivy blinked, her lips twitching slightly as though suppressing a smile. Interesting move, she thought. He has always been bold. Even now.

For a moment, she considered turning him down outright with the excuse that the other chef or Selena could answer his questions, but then, she couldn’t as she had already made up her mind to play his game too.

She saw the challenge in his eyes, the way he seemed to think he could out-maneuver her. Let’s see how far he’s willing to go.

“Sure,” she said smoothly, as she took the phone Hunter was giving to her. She typed her number into his and handed it back to him, her expression unreadable.

Hunter blinked, momentarily taken aback. He hadn’t expected her to agree so easily. “Uh… thanks,” he said, recovering quickly.

Ivy tilted her head slightly, a faint smirk playing on her lips. “Anything else?”

“Actually, yeah,” Hunter said, stepping closer, his confidence returning. “What do you think about us being friends?”

Ivy let out a short laugh, the sound sharp and dismissive.

“Friends?” she repeated, her tone incredulous. “I don’t keep friends, especially not at work.”

Hunter chuckled, unfazed by her bluntness. “If you say so.”

“If I say so?” Ivy asked clearly enjoying their banter.

“Yeah. Because I don’t,” he said and Ivy nodded slowly.

“What then do you think?” Ivy asked curiously and Hunter shrugged.

“I think we’ll end up being friends. Not just friends, actually. Just like I managed to secured a spot in your kitchen, I’m going to secure a spot in your heart, too,” he said in a challenging tone.

Ivy stared at him, her expression unreadable for a long moment. Inside, she was impressed by his audacity, though she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of knowing it.

So that’s his game, she thought. He’s trying to play the charming rogue. Let’s see how long he lasts.

Her lips curved into a slow, knowing smile, her eyes glinting with mischief. “You can try,” she said softly, her tone almost taunting.

Then, without another word, she turned and walked away, her heels clicking sharply against the pavement.

Hunter watched her go, his smirk widening. She didn’t shoot me down completely. That’s a win. But beneath his confidence, there was a flicker of uncertainty. The way she had smiled at him felt calculated, as though she already knew his intentions. Did she?

No way, he told himself. She doesn’t know. She’s just playing hard to get. That was what she had been doing since their first encounter at the club. He assured himself.

As Ivy entered the building, her thoughts swirled.

“He’s bold, I’ll give him that. But he underestimates me. If he thinks I’ll fall for whatever scheme he’s cooked up, he’s in for a surprise.” she said to herself.

Both walked away from the encounter, each feeling they had gained the upper hand, and each equally determined to outplay the other.