My Ex-Husband Begged Me to Take Him Back - Chapter 142

Chapter 142: Why did I fall for you in the first place?
As the soft light of dawn filtered through the curtains, Ava stirred awake. Her phone flooded with birthday wishes from her friends. A faint smile graced her lips as she typed out her replies until her eyes landed on one name in the sea of messages: Nicholas.

Her smile faltered, a subtle shadow passing over her expression. Even he had remembered her birthday, yet the man sleeping soundly beside her had not. She set the phone down, her attention drawn to Dylan’s sleeping figure.

For a moment, her gaze lingered on him, tracing the sharp lines of his jaw. This was the face she had loved to watch so much.

She still remembered the stolen glances in school hallways, her heart fluttering with every sight of him, and the countless nights after they were married when she had stayed up just to watch him breathe.

Nothing had changed. He was still devastatingly handsome. But things had changed. Her feelings, once so certain and steady, now felt tangled and unclear.

“Why did I fall for you in the first place?” she muttered as she threw the blanket and jumped out of the bed.

After taking a bath, Ava came out of the bathroom and found him still asleep. Her disappointment lingered in her heart as she made her way to the closet.

As she was slipping into a dress, the sharp trill of her phone broke the silence. She stepped out of the closet and grabbed it from the nightstand. A smile instantly lit up her face when she saw her father’s name flashing on the screen. Her earlier frustrations melted away.

“Good morning, Papa.” She walked out of the room.

“Happy birthday, darling,” Thomas’s cheerful voice came through, filling her heart with comfort and joy.

“Thank you.” She beamed.

“I am hoping to see you here.”

“Of course, I’ll come,” Ava assured him eagerly. “I want to spend the whole day with you.” She decided not to spoil her mood on this special day by staying with Dylan, nursing disappointments. Instead, she wanted to be surrounded by those who truly cared for her happiness.

“Not a problem at all, darling.” Thomas grinned. What Ava didn’t know was that he had been working on a surprise party for her, ensuring her day would be filled with love and joy. “I’ll send the driver to pick you up.”

Ding-Dong…

Just as Ava was about to respond, the doorbell rang. “Okay, Papa, I need to go now,” she said hurriedly. “I’ll call you later.” Ending the call, she walked down the stairs and made her way to the door.

“Who could it be this early?” she wondered, curious.

As she opened the door, she was met with the sight of the elderly butler from the mansion, standing with a bouquet of vibrant tulips in his hands. Her eyes widened slightly in surprise. It was unusual for him to visit at such an early hour.

The butler gave her a kind smile and bowed slightly. “Good morning, Mrs. Brooks,” he greeted.

Mrs. Brooks.

The familiar title stirred a strange feeling in Ava’s chest. The name once fit her life so seamlessly, but now it sounded a bit odd. She was already divorced, and this title didn’t suit her anymore.

Her heart gave an involuntary flutter, but she quickly pushed the sentiment aside.

“Madam Lilianna has sent this for you.” Just as she was lost in her thoughts, he stretched the bouquet toward her.

Ava’s unease melted away at the sight of the tulips. A grin broke on her lips as she accepted the flowers and inhaled the sweet scent.

“And she sends her wishes for your birthday,” the butler added. “She wanted to deliver them herself, but her morning sickness kept her home.”

“It’s okay. Please tell her I’m grateful. These are beautiful, and I’ll call her later.”

“Sure, Mrs. Brooks. Best wishes for your special day. May it bring you happiness and peace.”

“Thank you.”

The butler nodded once more and turned to leave. Ava stood in the doorway, gazing at the tulips in her hands. The smile that had graced her lips moments ago faded, replaced by a wistful sigh. She carefully placed the bouquet on the table.

“Everyone in the family remembers my birthday,” she muttered with disappointment, her fingers lingering on the vibrant petals. “Except for him.”

Deciding to distract herself, Ava dialed Lilianna. The call connected after a few rings.

“Happy birthday, Ava!” Lilianna’s cheerful voice greeted her warmly.

“Thank you so much. I love the flowers.” Ava paused a moment and asked, “How do you know Tulips are my favorite?” She wanted to know if Lilianna had chosen the flowers deliberately, knowing that it was her favorite. Or was it just a coincidence?

“I saw you often decorate the house with tulips,” Lilianna replied. “I assumed you must love them.”

Ava’s chest tightened slightly at the words. It was a kind gesture, yet it reminded her of something that stung deeply. ‘Even Lilianna noticed something so simple about me, but Dylan never has.’

“I’m sorry I couldn’t deliver them myself,” Lilianna continued, her voice tinged with regret. “I haven’t been feeling well this morning. And to top it off, Henry isn’t home. A critical case came at the city hospital late at night, and the dean called him urgently to check the patient.”

Ava’s lips quirked up in mild amusement. “I thought Henry was supposed to be on leave,” she teased gently. “But it seems that he can’t have a free time.”

“Mm…As one of the country’s top heart surgeons, he rarely gets any time off.” Lilianna sighed, her underlying longing to be with her husband betrayed in her tone. “It’s exhausting, but I’m so proud of him.” Her tone regained lightness. “He works tirelessly to save lives. That’s one of the reasons I fell for him so deeply. I’m so lucky to have him.”

Ava really envied Lilianna. Lilianna’s words carried a bittersweet note that resonated deeply within her. Despite his busy schedule, Henry never failed to make his wife happy.

Ava’s mood turned even sour. “Take care of yourself, Lilianna. I’ll visit you later.”

“Enjoy the day, dear.”

With that, the call ended.

Inside the bedroom…

Dylan stirred awake, groaning as the incessant beeping of his phone pulled him from his sleep. He reached for it lazily, his vision blurry as he squinted at the screen.

‘Dylan, are you planning any surprise for Ava? It’s her birthday, remember? Or have you forgotten it?’

His heart sank as he read the words. “Damn it,” he muttered, rubbing his temple. The headache pounding in his skull felt like punishment for his carelessness. “Why did I drink so much?” He cursed himself inwardly.

He scrolled further.

‘Ava likes tulips. Go buy some flowers for her. Make this day special for her. Don’t do anything that will upset her.’

Dylan sighed and put the phone aside. “I’m such a fool,” he muttered under his breath. It was only at this point he realized why Ava had said that she didn’t like roses. “She doesn’t like roses… she loves tulips. How could I not notice that?”

Resolve hardened in his chest. “I won’t let her down this time.” He pushed off the bed. Determined to make amends, he headed for the door—only to almost collide with Ava as she walked in.