My Ex-Husband Begged Me to Take Him Back - Chapter 177

Chapter 177: He has fallen in love with me.

Chapter 177: He has fallen in love with me.

“Lili?” Dylan exclaimed with alarm and desperation as he dropped to his knees beside her.

His hands trembled as he cradled her limp body in his arms.

Her head lolled against his chest.

“Hey, wake up.” He lightly tapped her cheeks, hoping for some response, but her stillness only deepened his panic.

“I’ll take you to the hospital.” Rising to his feet, he carried her in his arms.

“Move!” he barked at anyone who hesitated in his path.

His long strides carried him out of the restaurant and to his car, carefully laying her on the backseat.

Slamming the car door shut, Dylan darted to the driver’s side.

He jumped in and drove off, his heart thumping with urgency and fear.

He glanced at the rearview mirror and caught the sight of Lilianna’s limp form.

A lump formed in his throat, his hands gripping the steering wheel tightly.

“Hold on, Lili.

We’ll be at the hospital soon.” His foot pressed harder on the accelerator At the office€¦ Ava leaned back in her chair, a sense of accomplishment washing over her as she reviewed the finalized report on the Carter Group.

“I’ll talk to Dylan once he is back,” she mumbled, closing the file with a satisfied sigh.

Knock-Knock€¦ A knock on the door broke her concentration.

Straightening in her seat, she called out, “Come in,” expecting Jodie to walk in with the usual updates.

But the person who stepped inside was someone she hadn’t expected-or wanted-to see.

Her breath caught as she murmured in a daze, “Erica!” Erica stepped forward with a confident stride, a faint smile playing on her lips.

She looked poised, her eyes gleaming with arrogance.

“Are you surprised to see me?” Ava’s skin prickled, her mind reeling as she recalled Ethan’s warning about Erica’s return.

She had dismissed it as baseless gossip, convinced that Dylan would never allow Erica back after everything she had done.

But Erica stood right before her.

Her heart sank, betrayal flooding her chest.

‘Dylan lifted the ban.

He brought her back?’ The gratitude and admiration she had felt for Dylan evaporated in an instant, leaving a bitter taste in her mouth.

Anger surged to the surface.

“What are you doing here?” Ava hissed, her mouth contorting.

Erica remained unfazed, not caring about Ava’s hostility.

She had returned with purpose, and this time, she wouldn’t let Ava win.

“What do you think I am doing here?” Erica asked, taking another step forward.

“I’m joining the company again.

Did you really think you could get rid of me so easily?” The smug look on her face made Ava’s stomach churn.

“After everything you’ve done, you have the audacity to show your face here?” she hissed.

“You should be in jail, not standing in this office.” Erica chuckled softly, a hint of mockery in her tone.

“Oh, Ava, I’ve missed your fiery spirit.

But I’m here with Dylan’s blessing.

He lifted the ban on me.

I’m here to thank my brother for forgiving me.” She settled in the chair, her poise unshaken by Ava’s pointed glare.

Her expression remained smug.

“But I learned he has gone out for lunch.

I thought you’d have taken advantage of Gianna’s absence to get closer to him.

But alas, it seems Dylan is still keeping you at arm’s length.

He went out alone for lunch, not taking you along.

So sad€¦” Ava’s expression didn’t waver, though Erica’s words cut deep.

She knew it was her trick to annoy her, and she wouldn’t give her the satisfaction.

“Instead of meddling in other people’s business, why don’t you focus on your own mess?

Don’t do anything that will make Dylan angry.

If you cross the line again, he might not forgive you so easily.” “Oh, Ava, you are naïve,” Erica scoffed.

“Dylan is my brother.

He’ll always forgive me, no matter what.

Family sticks together, after all.

But you€¦ well, he doesn’t care about whether you live or die.

Why else would he let me return so easily?

So, be wise and leave him immediately.” Ava felt a pang in her chest, the truth of Erica’s words struck a nerve.

Dylan’s readiness to forgive his sister despite her treachery was a reminder of where Ava truly stood in his life.

But she wasn’t about to let Erica see her emotional turmoil.

Despite the ache in her heart, Ava chuckled.

“Erica, you have no idea.

I’m ready to leave him, but he won’t let me go.

Let me tell you a secret.” Leaning forward with a glint of mischief in her eyes, she added, “Want to know why?” Her voice dropped into a whisper.

“Because he has fallen in love with me.

He wants to make up for everything and win me back.” Erica’s composure shattered, her fury igniting like wildfire.

She slammed her hand against the desk.

“Nonsense!

He will never fall for you.

He despises you and your father.” Ava met Erica’s fiery gaze with calm resolve.

“That’s all in the past.

Dylan has moved on.

He is letting go of his resentment and wants to start fresh-with me.” “Humph!” Erica snorted.

“You are living in a delusion.

He is not letting go of anything.

He is playing you.

Don’t you see it?

He is weaving an illusion, pretending to love you.

But in reality, he is biding his time.

The moment you’re lulled into his trap, fully convinced he has changed, he’ll strike.

And when he does, it’ll be your end.” Ava fell silent, her stomach knotting in dread as those words sank in.

A flicker of doubt ignited within her.

Dylan’s recent behavior-his sudden calmness, his insistence on changing-had been unusual.

He hadn’t even reacted strongly to the gossip about her and Nicholas.

It seemed unlikely for him.

Could it all be an act?

A ruse to manipulate her?

Erica’s smirk grew wider as she noticed Ava’s hesitation.

“You might be thinking I’m your enemy, but your biggest enemy is Dylan himself.” Erica rose gracefully.

“Stay away from him if you really want to survive.” With that warning hanging in the air, she walked out.

Ava sat in stunned silence, her mind spinning.

Erica’s warning clashed with her own instincts, leaving her reeling.

A faint chill settled over her as doubts about Dylan’s true intention clouded her mind.