My Ex-Husband Begged Me to Take Him Back - Chapter 159

Chapter 159: What is he hiding?

Ava returned home, her expression clouded with worry and her thoughts a chaotic mess. Questions about Dylan’s mysterious trip plagued her mind, leaving her distracted and uneasy.

‘What is he hiding?’ She stepped into the house absentmindedly.

The sound of her father coughing caught her attention. Startled, she looked toward the living room and saw her father slumped on the sofa, his hand clutching his chest as his body shook with each cough. Her brows knit in concern, and she immediately dropped her bag and rushed to his side.

“Are you not feeling well?” she asked, sitting beside him and rubbing him on the back.

“It’s nothing.” Thomas waved a hand dismissively, though his coughing fit made it clear he wasn’t as fine as he claimed. “Just a little cold. I’ll be alright. Don’t trouble yourself.”

Ava sighed, her shoulders sagging. “You should rest more, Papa. Let Ethan take over the work for now, and I’ll join the company soon to help.” She had planned to talk with Dylan once the current matters were settled.

Thomas managed a faint smile. “My only wish is to hand over everything to you properly. Then I can relax.” He brushed a hand through her hair in a fatherly gesture. “But enough worrying about me. Go freshen up, and let’s have dinner together.”

“I will. But first thing first: let me call the doctor.” Ava reached for her bag to take out her phone, but Thomas held her hand and stopped her.

“No need, Ava,” he said, his tone reassuring despite his labored breathing. “It’s just a cold. If I don’t feel better by tomorrow, I’ll go see the doctor myself.”

“Promise?”

“Yes, I promise. Now go and change. I’m starving already.”

Reluctantly, Ava relented, “Alright. I’ll be back in a minute.”

She picked up her bag and made her way to her bedroom. Her expression turned gloomy again as soon as she closed the door. ‘How can I find out where he is?’ she kept asking herself this question.

She stepped into the bathroom and turned on the shower, letting the water cascade over her, but it did little to wash away the turmoil in her mind. ‘Who can help me?’ she wondered. Justin’s name flitted through her mind briefly. ‘Should I call to Justin?’

But she dismissed the idea almost instantly. Calling him could raise suspicion in Dylan’s mind. Whatever Dylan was planning—if he was planning anything—she couldn’t afford to tip him off.

‘I’ll find another way.’

In the meantime, a name surfaced her mind – Nicholas. Her heart gave a faint jolt at the thought.

‘Yes,’ her mind whispered enthusiastically. ‘He can help you in this matter.’

The idea seemed promising, yet it had its complications. She hesitated, chewing on her lip. Asking Nicholas to track Dylan might give him the wrong impression. She didn’t want to give him any false hope with her actions.

‘You have to find out what Dylan is doing,’ her mind countered. ‘What if he is planning something against your family?’

Finally, Ava relented. Nicholas was the only person who might be able to help her discreetly.

She turned off the shower and stepped out, drying herself off briskly. After changing into more comfortable clothes, she sat on the edge of her bed and called Nicholas. The ring went on, but it didn’t connect.

Ava stared at the screen as the call disconnected, her brows furrowing. ‘Maybe he is busy,’ she thought, biting her lip. She debated whether to call him again. ‘Should I? Or should I wait?’

On the other hand, Alex’s brow furrowed deeply as he saw Ava’s name flashing on Nicholas’s phone. He stole a glance at Nicholas, who lay motionless on the hospital bed, an oxygen mask strapped to his face. His pale complexion and labored breaths told the story of his ongoing battle.

Another attack.

Each attack sapped more of Nicholas’s strength. Alex’s chest tightened as he looked at him. He had been looking for a suitable donor but because of Nicholas’s rare blood group, it was getting difficult to find one. He wanted to do anything he could to save him, but all he could do was watch him getting closer and closer to death.

The phone rang again, its sharp tone cutting through the heavy silence. Ava’s name lit up the screen once more. He hesitated, unsure if he should answer or let it go to voicemail.

“Who is it?” Nicholas asked, his tone low and weak.

Alex’s eyes darted to Nicholas, relieved to see him awake. “You’re awake.”

Nicholas weakly pulled down the oxygen mask. “Who is on the phone?”

“It’s Miss Ava.”

At the mention of her name, a flicker of energy sparked in Nicholas’s tired eyes. He stretched a hand toward Alex. “Give me the phone.”

“You’re still weak,” Alex said, hesitating. “Don’t push yourself too hard. You shouldn’t talk.”

Reluctantly, Alex handed him the phone, watching anxiously as Nicholas brought it to his ear, summoning a cheerfulness that barely masked his struggle.

“Hello,” Nicholas greeted, forcing a smile.

On the other end, Ava hesitated, her instincts picking up on the oddness in his voice. “Nicholas? Are you alright? You sound… tired.”

“Yes, just a bit,” Nicholas replied quickly, trying to downplay his condition. “It’s nothing serious. I’ll be fine after some rest.”

“Then you should rest. I’ll call you later.”

“Do you have something to say?” Nicholas’s chest rose and fell heavily, but he masked his discomfort.

Beside the bed, Alex’s worry deepened as he watched Nicholas struggle to breathe. He reached for the oxygen mask, intending to help him, but Nicholas pushed his hand away, determined to finish the conversation.

Ava heard muffled sounds—movement, labored breaths. She thought Nicholas was with someone – maybe a woman. A knot of unease tightened in her chest. She bit her lip, regretting her decision to call him.

“I… I actually wanted to meet with you,” she said hesitantly. “But it’s fine if you’re busy. I’ll call another time.”

“Let’s meet tomorrow.” Nicholas’s voice came through, breathless but resolute. “I need to go now. Sorry…”

Before Ava could respond, the call ended abruptly. Nicholas’s hand fell limp, and the phone slipped from his grasp onto the bed. He gasped sharply, his chest heaving.

Alex was quick to react, pressing the oxygen mask back onto Nicholas’s face. “Breathe.”

Nicholas complied, drawing in slow, shaky breaths as the cool oxygen flowed into his lungs. The tightness in his chest began to ease, and his body relaxed. His eyes fluttered closed.

But Alex wasn’t happy with him. His expression hardened, frustration and anguish colliding as he glared at Nicholas. “Why? Why did you agree to meet her? Don’t even think about leaving this hospital tomorrow. I won’t allow it.”

“Calm down, Alex. I am fine.”

“Fine?” Alex’s voice rose. “You’re barely holding on, and you’re telling me you’re fine? Why are you doing this to yourself? Your health is more important than meeting her.”