My Billionaire Ex-Husband Chase Me Back - Chapter 402

Chapter 402: A Successful Surprise!
Bella said nothing, but her displeased gaze made Lucas continue to explain more.

“I promise you. I will not force your mother to return to me. I also will not force you to marry the man I choose. You are free to do anything you want, my daughter.”

He smiled before continuing, “As for my reputation, power, and wealth that I always pursued in the past, all of that means nothing to me now… It brings nothing but sadness to me now. I just want to leave this all behind; maybe that way, you and your mother won’t feel scared and traumatized anymore if you see me.”

Bella was increasingly puzzled hearing her father’s words. Just as she was about to end the conversation because he refused to sign the divorce papers, something suddenly crossed her mind.

‘Oh my God! No way…’ Bella muttered under her breath while gazing in shock at her father as she began to understand what he was trying to say.

A rush of anger flooded through her as she imagined the possibility of what her father wanted to do. If her suspicions were true, she would definitely be angry at him.

“Father!” she called sharply, unable to conceal her anger. “Are you trying to end your life…?” she narrowed her eyes as she saw how confused he looked. “No!?”

Lucas Donovan was confused by her question, ‘Why did Bella assume that!?’

Before Lucas wanted to clarify, Bella continued her words with the same angry tone as before.

“Don’t you dare do that, Father! It’s a cowardly thing to run away like that. If you truly want to earn our forgiveness, you should stay alive and fight harder to gain my mother’s respect! My respect! Repent for your past mistakes for the rest of your life. That is the best thing for you to do now. Don’t ever think about ending your life.”

Bella couldn’t hide her anger anymore. She hated this man, but she also didn’t want him to die quickly. She wanted him to live longer and repent for the sins he had committed in the past.

Lucas Donovan was taken aback by her words and found her shocked expression amusing. He wasn’t sure if he should be happy about her reaction since she seemed not to want him to die. He tried to suppress his smile, not wanting to upset her further.

After clearing his throat, he said, “Bella, my dear daughter, I never considered ending my life. Please don’t worry too much.” He smiled at Bella. “I’m sorry if I scared you.”

“Who’s scared? I just don’t want you to die prematurely because death would be too easy for you, father!” She wanted to say that, but all her words stuck in her throat.

After she felt calm, Bella voiced her confusion, “Why do you sound like you have given up on your life and are even willing to disgrace your reputation.”

“I told you before that I feel like my life has no meaning now. Hearing your mother ask for a divorce hit me hard. I thought that if I disappeared or stayed away from your lives, it would make you both calm and not feel threatened and embarrassed because of me.”

Bella was relieved to hear his words. She realized she had been worrying for nothing.

“So, you want to live in a remote place? Become a monk?” Bella asked. The thought of her father living in the mountains and becoming a monk felt strange to her.

“Yes, I choose to live far away from you and your mother to give you both freedom, but I won’t become a hermit. I’m just nobody trying to repent his dark and sinful pasts.” He smiles. Bella, I promise you, I will no longer be a burden to you and your mother.”

Lucas Donovan’s voice trembled; it sounded sincere because what he said now was coming from the depths of his heart. He could only do this to keep his family away from his evil side, isolate himself from the world, and punish himself for his sins.

“You are really selfish, Father!” Bella said, annoyed. She preferred he sign the divorce papers rather than run away from his problem. “Can you just sign the divorce papers? Let my mother free?”

“Oh, Bella… I’m sorry, but I can’t. God forbids us from getting a divorce. I won’t do that!” He said firmly.

Bella was left speechless by his excuse. Since when does this man remember God in his actions? How shameless!

Despite her efforts to ask him politely to sign the paper, her father still refused.

She wanted to force him, but seeing how determined he was, she decided to speak to her mother before opting for a particular action.

Bella decided to leave. She didn’t want to linger, wasting time listening to her father’s plan to become a monk or whatever he wanted to do with his life.

However, Bella still left the paper and asked him to sign it and bring it to her hotel if he happened to change his mind.

***

After leaving her father’s office, Bella stopped to meet with Archy Taylor. They discussed the agenda for tomorrow’s internal meeting.

Bella then left the building with her team just before sunset.

They will stay at the Sinclair Hotel, occupying the top floor to ensure effective communication and security. Tristan arranged this to prevent any potential threat from Jacob Donovan during Bella’s stay in the city.

When Bella arrived at her bedroom, she was surprised when the door swung open and saw Tristan standing there to welcome her.

“Oh my God, Tristan, why did you come here?”

Bella didn’t expect to see him in her hotel room because when she flew here this morning, there was no slight clue that her husband would follow her and meet her today.

“Dad? Is that Mom…” Dax’s curious voice could be heard from inside. Making Bella even more surprised.

“You also brought our son?” Bella widened her eyes, looking at Tristan, who now stifled a smile, looking lovingly at her.

“Mrs. Sinclair, why do you look so shocked?” asked Tristan.

Before Bella could answer, Tristan pulled her hand and embraced her tightly.

“You didn’t like that we’re here?” he asked, closing the room door.