My Ex-Husband Begged Me to Take Him Back - Chapter 137

Chapter 137: Are you being honest with me?

Lilianna’s grip on Ava’s arms slackened, her expression clouded with sadness. She took a hesitant step backward, her footing unsteady, and nearly stumbled.

“Lilianna!” Ava gasped, reaching out instinctively to steady her. “Please, don’t be upset. Yes, Dylan and I are in the process of getting a divorce, but we still have three months to try and make things work. I promise you, we’re giving it our best shot.”

Lilianna snapped her head and looked at her, a glimmer of hope cutting through her doubt. “Are you being honest with me?”

Ava nodded earnestly. “Yes. Truly. We’re trying, Lilianna. Look,” she said, gesturing to the pile of shopping bags resting on the settee. “See those dresses? He picked them out for me. That’s how serious he is.”

A soft chuckle escaped Lilianna as her gaze flicked to the bags. “So, he is really putting in the effort,” she murmured, her skepticism giving way. She turned to Ava as she fixed her with a pointed look. “But what about you? Are his efforts enough to make you want to take him back?”

Ava hesitated, her heart twisting at the question. She could have just told her true feelings and walked out of there. But she remembered the promise she made to Dylan. For Lilianna’s sake, she needed to play the part of a devoted wife.

Summoning all her resolve, Ava forced a smile and nodded. “Let me show you the dresses,” she said, stepping toward the settee. She reached for the shopping bags, pulling out the elegant dresses one by one.

Outside the door, Dylan froze mid-step, his hand hovering near the doorknob. He hadn’t intended to eavesdrop, but the words reached him, stopping him in his tracks.

He was satisfied with Ava’s answer, his heart thudding in his chest. Ava could have simply told Lilianna the truth, laid bare the uncertainty of their situation, and walked away from the charade. But she didn’t.

A wave of unexpected relief washed over him. Maybe, deep down, Ava truly wanted to try. With a hopeful smile on his face, he returned to the hall.

The dinner ended peacefully. Dylan and Ava acted as if everything was normal between them. Their smiles and light conversation masked the undercurrent of tension between them.

Lilianna was visibly relieved. Watching them interact with ease, her earlier doubts and worries faded. For the first time, she felt confident that Dylan was safe from Lydia’s manipulative grasp. She could leave with Henry without tension.

“We still have some ice cream,” Dylan said, rising from his seat with an easy smile. “I’ll go get it.”

“I’ll help.” Ava also stood up and followed him.

Dylan opened the refrigerator, retrieving the ice cream containers, while Ava deftly gathered bowls and spoons, setting them neatly on a tray. They worked in tandem. Dylan scooped the ice cream into the bowls, and Ava arranged them carefully.

As she placed the last bowl onto the tray, Ava broke the silence. “Lilianna knows about the divorce. I don’t know how she found out, but I managed to convince her that we’re trying to save this marriage.”

Dylan, who had overheard her earlier conversation, kept his expression neutral. He set the ice cream container aside, pretending to process the revelation. “You could have told her the truth,” he murmured. “Why didn’t you? Why did you choose to lie?”

He wanted to know why she had chosen not to reveal her real intention to leave him. Had she changed her mind?

“I didn’t lie,” she replied, sounding defensive.

“Didn’t you?” Dylan leaned closer, raising an eyebrow with amusement. “So, are you saying you’re seriously considering giving this marriage a chance?”

“Uh? No…” Ava placed her hands firmly on his shoulders and nudged him back. “I’ve told you before,” she said quickly, avoiding his gaze. “This is just for Lilianna. Nothing more.”

He chuckled. “You care about her a lot, don’t you?”

“Of course, I do. She has always been kind to me. She treats me well.”

Dylan’s smile faltered, and the lightness in his eyes gave way to something more earnest. “I’ll treat you better from now on,” he said with sincerity. “Will you consider staying with me?”

Ava froze momentarily, her fingers tightening around the tray. “Dylan, not now. Please don’t bring this up. I don’t want to ruin my mood tonight.”

She lifted the tray and strode out of the kitchen. Dylan stayed behind for a moment, running a hand through his hair in frustration. He let out a long sigh before forcing a smile back onto his face and following her into the dining room.

“Thanks, Ava!” Lilianna exclaimed brightly as Ava placed the bowls of ice cream on the table. “I’ve been craving ice cream so much lately.”

Scooping up a spoonful, Lilianna put the ice cream inside her mouth and closed her eyes, her expression melting into pure bliss. “Mmm… I love it,” she murmured, savoring the creamy sweetness.

When she finally opened her eyes, she noticed the three of them locked in silence, all staring at her. Her cheeks flushed as she blinked in confusion. “Why are you all looking at me like that? Eat!”

To hide her embarrassment, she quickly shoved another spoonful of ice cream into her mouth, earning soft chuckles from them. Each one of them dug into their bowls.

Meanwhile, Ava’s phone buzzed on the table, the screen lighting up with a familiar name: Ethan. Her eyes flickered to the others, and she quickly picked it up.

“I need to take this,” she said, excusing herself as she rose from her seat. She stepped out to the back patio, the cool night air brushing against her skin.

“Hello?”

“Ava,” Ethan’s voice came through, tense and anxious. “Why didn’t you tell me you were attacked? Are you okay?”

“Relax, Ethan. I am fine.” Even though Ava tried to calm him, her own brows creased. “Who told you about that?”

“I have my ways,” he replied sharply. “I was so worried sick. Do you know what would happen if your father found out?”

“Please, don’t tell him,” Ava urged.

“I won’t,” Ethan assured her, “but you should have told me. We’re family. Don’t shut me out like this.”

Ava breathed out deeply. “I didn’t want to worry you.”

“Don’t hide things from me, Ava. I want to help you.”

She pressed her lips together, not wanting to drag the conversation out further. “I’m fine, Ethan. Really.” She softened her tone. “Dylan was with me, and he scared the guy off. It’s over now.” She paused before adding, “Look, I have guests here. Can we talk later?”

Ava was about to end the call when Ethan exclaimed impatiently, “Wait, don’t hang up yet.”

Ava hesitated, bringing the phone back to her ear.

“There is something important I need to tell you,” Ethan said solemnly.

“What is it?” Ava asked curiously.

“I can’t say it over the phone. We need to meet in person,” he said firmly.

Ava bit her lip, considering his words. After a brief pause, she relented. “Fine. I’ll come see you tomorrow.”

Ava ended the call and stepped back into the house, only to see Lilianna and Henry gathering their things near the door.

“Are you leaving already?” she asked with a tinge of surprise.

“Yes,” Lilianna replied. “We’re heading to Henry’s ancestral house. It’s a two-hour drive from here, and we’re already running late.”

“Why not spend the night here?” Ava suggested. “You can leave tomorrow morning.”

“We wouldn’t want to impose. Besides,” Lilianna grinned mischievously and leaned into Henry, linking her arm through his, “we’re hoping to steal a few private moments together.”

Ava couldn’t help but laugh softly. “Well, what can I say? I won’t stop you.”

After exchanging warm goodbyes, Ava watched as they left. She closed the door behind them, only to feel a sudden tug on her arm. She turned, startled, as Dylan pulled her closer, his grip firm and his expression dark.