My Ex-Husband Begged Me to Take Him Back - Chapter 126

Chapter 126: I can’t forget the pain I went through.

As the door clicked shut behind her, Lilianna slid down against it, her legs giving way beneath the weight of her emotions. Hot tears streamed down her cheeks, unchecked, as the years of suppressed pain and anger spilled out. Her trembling hands covered her face, muffling the sobs.

Lilianna had always despised Lydia’s methods, her relentless manipulation, and her iron grip on their lives. She remembered the countless times she had spoken up, defied Lydia’s orders, and paid the price—slaps, nights locked away in the damp basement.

It wasn’t love that Lydia had shown them. It had never been love. It was control—a relentless, suffocating dominance that twisted everything good into something bitter.

Lilianna had eloped with Henry four years ago in search of a life free from her aunt’s tyranny. But in doing so, she had left Dylan behind, alone to bear the weight of Lydia’s poison. Her chest heaved as the wave of regret washed over her.

“I’m so sorry, Dylan,” she whispered, guilt piercing her heart. “I should never have left you with her. She poisoned your mind…but not anymore.” Her fingers curled into fists against her damp cheeks. “I won’t leave you this time.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ava returned home. When she entered the house, she froze in place, her breath hitching as she took in the unexpected sight before her. The warm glow of countless candles danced across the walls. The delicate scent of lavender hung in the air, soothing and intoxicating all at once. It was like stepping into a dream.

Ava glanced around, dumbfounded. What she was seeing was something she hadn’t expected even in her wildest dream. “What on earth is happening?”

“You are back.” The deep timbre of Dylan’s voice broke through her daze, drawing her gaze to him. He stood a few steps away, his usual aloof demeanor replaced by a gentle smile that she rarely ever saw. He began to close the distance between them.

Dylan stopped in front of her, close enough that she could feel the faint warmth radiating from him. For a moment, Ava felt as if the surroundings stopped existing. All she could see was Dylan.

Ava’s heart skipped a beat as she stared at him, captivated. His piercing green eyes—so often cold and unreadable—now brimmed with warmth and something deeper, something she couldn’t quite name. They held her gaze with an intensity that left her breathless.

She remained rooted in her place…lost—completely and utterly lost—in the tender glow of his eyes. At that moment, she had an impression that she saw a different world in those green orbs – a world full of love and hope.

“Dinner is ready,” Dylan murmured as he reached for Ava’s bag, easing it from her shoulder.

“Huh?” Ava blinked at him, her brow furrowing in confusion. ‘He cooked!’ she thought, puzzled. Had she heard that right?

“Come,” Dylan said, gesturing toward the dining table. He walked ahead and pulled a chair out for her.

Her eyes swept over the spread on the table, and her expression shifted from surprise to something more unreadable. There were elegant plates of shrimp, lobster mac and cheese, pan-seared scallops, and delicately arranged sashimi.

“I tried to make something special for you,” Dylan said and lowered himself into the chair across from her. “I hope you’ll like it.”

Her gaze flitted from the table to Dylan and back again. “I am allergic to seafood.”

Dylan froze, his smile faltering into an expression of disbelief. “What?” he finally managed. “Allergic? But… you always cooked seafood. I thought it was your favorite.”

“I cooked it for you, Dylan,” Ava said coldly. “Look at these dishes—the lobster, the shrimp, the sashimi. These are all your favorites. I’ve never liked them.”

Dylan leaned back in his chair, his shoulders slumping. He fell into complete silence, his gaze roving over the dishes. His confidence, the faint hope he had shown just moments ago, crumbled under the weight of her words. He had tried—earnestly, for once—but it had backfired spectacularly.

This was supposed to be a step toward reconciliation. Instead, he realized now that he had unknowingly exposed just how little he truly understood her.

Seafood was indeed his favorite. It turned out that Ava had specifically cooked sea food for him in the past despite the fact that she was allergic to it.

“You don’t even know what I like to eat,” Ava continued with an edge of bitterness in her tone. “You never bothered to know me. My likes and dislikes don’t matter to you.”

Dylan flinched as if struck. The truth of her words pierced him, leaving no room for denial. He had been so consumed by his world, his vengeance, his assumptions, that he had neglected to see her—truly see her.

“Ava, I am trying,” he said urgently, grabbing her hands. “I swear I’m trying. I’m serious about saving this marriage, and I’ll do anything—anything to make you happy. Just don’t give up on us. Please…”

His eyes were desperate now, searching hers for a flicker of hope, a sign that she might be willing to meet him halfway. But Ava pulled her hands from his grip. “I’ve already made up my mind. This is only temporary. Don’t expect anything from me.”

She stood up to leave.

“Ava, wait!” Before she could take a step, Dylan was in front of her. “You can try to give me a chance, can’t you? Look—” His hands found her arms as he looked down at her with eyes full of desperate longing. “I’m ready to do anything for you. I want to make this marriage work. Trust me.”

Ava’s gaze was guarded. The pain of her past wrapped around her like an unyielding shield, and the thought of placing her trust in him again felt like stepping into the same trap she had barely escaped.

“You had the chance,” she said with a tinged with sorrow, “but you lost it.” In her past life, she had wasted her time and youth waiting for him. But she wouldn’t do that again.

“Why would I trust you?” she asked. “To be betrayed and hurt again? I don’t have the strength for that anymore.” She took a deep breath and steadied herself. “I’m only here because of Lilianna. When she leaves, so will I.”

She turned around and walked away toward the bedroom.

“Ava, please.” Dylan rushed forward and wrapped his arms around her from behind, holding her close to him hugged her from behind. “Don’t talk about leaving me. I won’t let you go.”

Ava froze, her shoulders trembling as unshed tears welled in her eyes. “I can’t stay,” she whispered. “I can’t forget the pain I went through.”

“I am not asking you to forget,” he whispered back. “I am begging you to forgive me and take me back.”