My Ex-Husband Begged Me to Take Him Back - Chapter 118

Chapter 118: I’m strong enough to handle myself.

Ava muttered curses under her breath, her frustration spilling out in a string of angry words. “I can’t understand him,” she huffed. “He told me himself—he didn’t like me. Yet now, he is acting like he can’t live without me.”

She chuckled derisively. “He says he can’t stand to see me with another man. Why is he acting like some possessive husband all of a sudden? It’s all fake… just his stupid ego. But I’m not falling for it.”

Leaning back against the seat, she crossed her arms tightly over her chest, her gaze fixed on the passing scenery outside the window. Her thoughts churned, but she tried to distract herself.

The sudden buzz of her phone cut through her brooding. Startled, she reached into her bag and pulled it out, glancing at the screen.

Ethan. The name was displayed on the screen.

“Hello?” she answered the call instantly.

“Where are you?” Ethan asked urgently. “I need to talk to you. It’s important. Can we meet somewhere?”

Ava frowned as she picked up on the seriousness in his tone. A twinge of worry gnawed at her chest. “What is it, Ethan? Why do you sound so disturbed?”

“I can’t explain over the phone,” he replied hurriedly. “Please, meet me in person.”

“Okay, I’ll come to your place.”

Ava’s face turned solemn as she ended the call. Sliding the phone back into her bag, she mumbled softly, “I hope everything is fine.”

Several minutes later…

Ava arrived at Ethan’s house and pressed the doorbell, her stomach twisting with unease. Ethan answered swiftly, his expression somber and tense.

“Come in,” he said, stepping aside and gesturing for her to enter.

Ava stepped in and sank on the sofa, her eyes searching for his. “What’s this all about? What’s going on?”

Ethan took a deep breath, his face grave. “I found a lead about the accident back then,” he started seriously. “I have been looking for the man who serviced your father’s car. His statement could confirm if the car was in good condition before the accident. I was close—so close—to finding him, but he was killed the day before in a road accident.”

“What?” Ava exclaimed, her voice rising in shock. “He is already dead!”

Ethan nodded grimly and handed her a file. “I managed to get my hands on his autopsy report. It’s not just an accident, Ava. It’s murder. He was tortured before being killed.”

Ava took the file with trembling hands, her eyes scanning the pages. The contents made her stomach churn. Details of bruises, restraint marks, and other signs of torture painted a chilling picture.

“I’m sure the Brooks are behind this,” Ethan said with conviction. “They don’t want us to prove that your father wasn’t responsible for the accident. And maybe…maybe Dylan is involved in the kidnapping and murder. You need to be careful, Ava.”

Ava’s grip on the file tightened, her heart pounding as Ethan’s words echoed in her mind. She wanted to believe Dylan wasn’t capable of something so heinous, but the memories of her past life made her not trust him fully.

Dylan had claimed that he had killed her father. He could certainly destroy the evidence that could prove Thomas innocent.

But doubt nagged at her.

Dylan had been in the hospital the entire day before, unconscious for nearly 12 hours. He couldn’t have been the one to murder the mechanic. And his recent claim—that someone was manipulating him against her father—lingered in her mind. Could it be true? Or was it an outright lie?

Ava closed the file. She couldn’t jump to conclusions—not without uncovering the whole truth.

“Ava, listen to me,” Ethan said urgently, taking her hands in his. “This is getting dangerous. I’m afraid Dylan could hurt you. You need to stay away from him—resign from his company and join Williams Holdings.”

Ava gently withdrew her hands from his. Ethan’s shoulders slumped slightly, his gaze falling to his now-empty hands. The disappointment etched on his face.

“Don’t worry, I can take care of myself,” she said calmly. “Keep looking into this. I want to know who kidnapped that man and tortured him.”

“Okay, I’ll keep looking. But Ava…” He paused, his tone turning more insistent. “You need to stop meeting Dylan. He is coming up with excuses to keep you close. I don’t trust his intentions. I’m sure he is planning something—something that could hurt you and your father.”

He held her shoulders. “He is impulsive, vengeful, and short-tempered. I don’t find any peace when you are with him. You are already divorced now. There is no need for you to look after his sister.”

“She is pregnant, Ethan,” Ava hissed, pushing his hands away. “She can’t take any stress right now. I’m not doing this for Dylan—I’m doing it for her. Don’t worry. This charade won’t last long. She is only here for a few days.”

Ethan’s face fell, disappointment flickering in his eyes. He had hoped the information he had shared would drive a wedge between Ava and Dylan, pushing her to leave him for good. Instead, her reaction was far from what he had anticipated.

Her worry for Dylan’s sister, her willingness to stay at his house despite everything—it was clear she still cared, perhaps even still had feelings for Dylan.

“So, you’re staying at his place as long as his sister is there,” he said bitterly, unable to hide the edge in his tone. “Is it because you care about her—or is it because you still love Dylan?” His frustration threatened to spill over.

The question struck a nerve. Ava’s patience snapped, and she sprang to her feet. “This is my personal matter, Ethan,” she said sharply. “I don’t have to explain myself or answer to you about what I do.”

Ethan instantly realized he upset her. His face paled, his frustration giving way to regret. “I’m sorry,” he apologized quickly. “I didn’t mean to overstep. I was just… anxious. I worry about your safety.”

Ava’s posture relaxed slightly at his apology. She sighed softly, her expression softening as she flashed him a small, reassuring smile. “I know.” She reached out and patted his shoulder lightly as if to encourage her brother. “But you don’t need to worry. I’m strong enough to handle myself. Trust me—I’ll be fine.”

Ethan nodded, his lips pressing into a thin.

“It’s getting late,” Ava said as she picked up her bag. “I’ll leave now.”

With a small wave, she stepped out of the door. Ethan stood there, staring after her.

Ethan’s face hardened once she was out of the house. He had never expressed his feelings to her because he had thought she loved Dylan. Now that Ava’s marriage with Dylan had failed, he wouldn’t lose the chance to make her his.

“I hope you stick to your plan to leave Dylan,” he grunted, clenching his fists.