My Ex-Husband Begged Me to Take Him Back - Chapter 148

Chapter 148: Why did you lie to me?
Ava’s breath caught in her throat. She stepped back, stunned and hurt. ‘Is he so angry with me that he doesn’t want me here?’ she thought.

“It’s me, Ava,” Ava shouted desperately as she gripped Dylan’s shoulders and shook him firmly. “Look at me!” Cupping his face, she tilted his head upward, forcing him to meet her gaze. “It’s Ava. Don’t you recognize me?” Her breath came in shallow huffs in frustration.

The name seemed to pierce through the fog of Dylan’s intoxication. His dazed eyes blinked rapidly, trying to focus. “Ava?” he murmured. “Is that really you?”

Ava released his face with an exasperated sigh, her expression a mixture of relief and dismay. “You’ve drunk so much you can’t even recognize me,” she hissed. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

But Dylan didn’t respond to her frustration. Instead, he wrapped his arms tightly around her waist and pulled her close. His face pressed against her stomach as though anchoring himself to her presence. “You’re finally back. I thought… I thought it was her.”

Ava stiffened in his embrace, her brows furrowing deeply. A flicker of unease crept into her chest. ‘Her?’ The first name to rise unbidden was Gianna’s. ‘Was he thinking about Gianna?’ The thought pricked at her like a thorn.

“Who?” Ava demanded sharply, pulling back slightly to look at him. “Who are you talking about? Who could possibly come here?”

Dylan’s grip on her tightened as if he feared she might vanish. His voice dropped to a haunted whisper. “That faceless woman… the one who killed me,” he blurted out.

Ava froze yet again, her body going rigid. ‘Faceless woman!’ The words echoed in her mind.

Ava rolled her eyes. ‘It’s probably just a nightmare,’ she told herself. She wriggled, breaking free from his grip. “This is why he shouldn’t drink so much. You’re confusing everything because you are drunk.”

“Don’t be mad at me,” Dylan slurred, reaching for her again. He managed to pull her into his embrace. “I promise I won’t drink like this anymore.”

“Let go of me,” Ava said firmly, trying to push him away, but he held on tighter, his arms like a vice around her.

“Not until you tell me you’re not mad at me,” he mumbled.

Ava sighed, her shoulders slumping in defeat. “Fine, I’m not mad at you,” she relented. She had no energy left to argue.

Only then did Dylan loosen his grip, allowing her to pull back.

“Let me help you to bed.” She held his arm and pulled him up on his feet. But Dylan yanked his hand free, stumbling slightly in the process.

“Why did you lie to me?” he whined, pouting like a petulant child. “You could’ve just told me you were going to celebrate your birthday with your friends and family. I wouldn’t have stopped you.”

Ava’s heart sank as his words hit her. ‘How did he know?’ The question echoed in her mind, sending a wave of panic through her. She watched Dylan’s sorrowful expression, the guilt in her heart twisting like a knife. She opened her mouth to speak, to explain, but his pained voice stopped her.

“I thought we’d spend a nice evening together. I decorated the house and even baked a cake…for the first time in my life.”

“I…I wasn’t—” Ava tried to interject, but he interrupted her again.

“You promised me you’d come back early,” he accused. “You lied…”

“No… I didn’t,” Ava protested urgently, but he wasn’t listening.

“You were out there, having fun with your friends and family. And what about me?” He turned his fingers toward himself. “Am I just a stranger to you now?”

Ava felt a lump in her throat as she hurried to explain. “Papa arranged the party! I didn’t even know—”

“I know you hate me,” Dylan interrupted with regret and anguish. “I know I’ve made mistakes, Ava. But now I finally understand how painful it is to be ignored.”

He stepped closer and wrapped his arms around her tightly, pulling her against his chest. “You want revenge, don’t you? To punish me for everything I’ve done. Fine. I’ll take it. Whatever you want to do to me, I won’t complain. But please… don’t leave me.”

He was afraid she would leave him for Nicholas.

Ava couldn’t speak for a moment, her mind spinning with questions. ‘How did he find out about the party? Was he keeping a tab on me? Or did anyone tell her?’

She then recalled Lola mentioning about Dylan’s call. Could it be that Lola had told him about the party?

“I won’t stop you for anything, I promise.” His voice put a brake on her racing mind. “I won’t fight. Can you not leave me?”

She could see the strain in his eyes, the pleading look that made her heart twist, even though her resolve fought to stay strong. “You’re drunk,” she said, making her voice as firm as she could. “Let’s go to the bedroom.”

“No, first answer my question,” he insisted.

Ava exhaled an exasperated sigh. She knew that trying to reason with him in this state was futile. “Dylan, I’m tired. We can talk tomorrow. It’s late now.”

For a moment, she thought he would protest, but then he nodded. She guided him toward the bedroom, taking careful steps as his uneven footing caused him to lean heavily against her.

When they entered the bedroom, Ava tried to put him in bed gently. But instead, they both stumbled to the bed awkwardly. Ava instantly tried to sit up, but Dylan pulled her down by her arm.

“What are you…” Before Ava could protest, Dylan pressed her down, his hands pinning hers.

Ava froze as Dylan’s sudden action caught her off guard. Her back pressed against the mattress, and her breath hitched as she stared up at him. His face was only inches from hers, his tousled hair falling messily over his forehead. His eyes, though clouded by alcohol, burned with a raw intensity that made her shudder.

Dylan’s lips hovered dangerously close to hers. The strong scent of whiskey wafted from him, mingling with the lingering hint of his cologne, overwhelming her senses.

“Ava,” he rasped. “Don’t push me away. I can’t lose you.”

She could see the torment in his eyes. “Dylan, let me go. You’re drunk. You don’t know what you’re doing.”

“I know exactly what I’m doing,” he whispered, his gaze unwavering. “And I know what I feel for you.” He lowered his head further, his lips seeking hers.