My Ex-Husband Begged Me to Take Him Back - Chapter 19

Chapter 19: I want my freedom.

The fury blazing in Dylan’s eyes sent a jolt of fear through Gianna, causing her to involuntarily shuffle backward.

“This time, I’m letting you go,” he hissed dangerously. “But I won’t tolerate this kind of behavior again.”

His fierce tone brought tears to her eyes. “You are scolding me!” Gianna couldn’t believe he was reprimanding her because of Ava. “Have you forgotten the past, Dylan? She is the daughter of your enemy—the man who killed your parents! Are you actually sympathizing with her?”

Dylan held out his finger threateningly, his eyes stormy with rage. “Don’t bring up my parents,” he growled. “You are not allowed…”

“Why shouldn’t I?” Gianna shot back, her own anger flaring. “Because of your parents’ death, you were so lost in your grief that you crossed the road absentmindedly. My brother jumped in front of you to save you, and a car hit him! I lost my only family because of that!”

Dylan’s expression changed as the memory flooded his mind. His friend had sacrificed his life to save him and requested him with his dying breath to take care of his sister. Since then, Dylan had carried that promise like a duty, always trying to protect Gianna.

But now, a war raged within him: the gratitude he felt for his late friend clashed with the growing injustice he sensed toward Ava. Finally, the favor he owed to his friend won, compelling him to forgive Gianna.

“Calm down. I’m not going to say anything,” he comforted her, pulling her into his embrace.

Gianna leaned into his arms, sobbing. “Every time I see Ava and her father, it breaks my heart. They’re the reason I lost my brother. I can’t ever forget that.”

“I haven’t forgotten either,” Dylan said in a cold tone, his muscles tensing. “But this is my battle. Let me handle this. Don’t mess with Ava. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“Okay, I’ll listen to you.” Gianna smiled sneakily, knowing Dylan’s gratitude for her brother’s sacrifice would always bind him to her. She could leverage her brother’s death to keep Dylan close, ensuring her position in his life remained secure.

At the hospital…

Lola arrived in no time, bringing a smile to Ava’s face.

“Lola!” she exclaimed, rushing over to envelop her friend in a tight embrace. Seeing her friend after a long time, she couldn’t stop her tears from falling. “I missed you so much.”

“I missed you too. Not only me, but all of our friends have been missing you.” Lola pulled back and held her shoulders, her eyes scanning her closely. Concern etched across her features. “Why do you look skinny? Are you even taking care of yourself? And what are you doing in the hospital? What happened?”

Ava’s face fell, her gaze dropping to the floor. If it were her past life, she would have definitely found an excuse to dismiss these questions, hiding the truth. She would have bragged tales of Dylan’s unwavering love and the idyllic life they shared. But this time, she wouldn’t hide anything.

“I was in a business meeting with Mr. Moore,” Ava recounted the harrowing details of the incident. With each word, Lola’s expression shifted from surprise to outrage.

“What a scumbag he is,” Lola spat, her teeth grinding together in anger. “He should be in jail for that. Why didn’t Dylan send him to the cops?”

Ava curled his lips bitterly. “Mr. Moore confessed that Gianna told him to drug me,” she revealed. “She was the one who gave him the drug. Dylan knows everything, but he won’t take action against Gianna.”

“Why is he doing that?” Lola asked, clearly taken aback. “You are his wife.”

“But he doesn’t like me,” Ava’s voice shook as she spoke. “He hates me for forcing him into this marriage. In his heart, there is only Gianna. Why would he take action against her?”

“That bitch!” Lola muttered, her nails digging into her palms. “She is always hovering around Dylan, even after he married you. I thought she was just infatuated with him, but it seems Dylan has feelings for her too. Now it makes sense why he never paid you any attention. You foolishly followed him and married him.”

Ava’s disappointment was palpable as she reflected on the time and energy she had wasted on him. “That was the biggest mistake I’ve ever made in my life. I’ve learned my lesson now. I won’t let anyone hurt me anymore.”

“Hey, don’t be sad,” Lola said, placing a comforting hand on Ava’s shoulder. “Now that you know the truth, you should stay far away from them. File for divorce and end this marriage.”

Ava nodded resolutely. “I’ve been planning for that,” she affirmed, her voice steady and strong. This time, she would reclaim her life and break free from the shadows that had clouded her past.

“That’s my girl,” Lola beamed, a playful grin lighting up her face. “We have a get-together party this weekend. You should definitely come! Who knows, you might meet someone special there.”

Ava laughed softly. “Right now, I am not looking to start a new relationship. I want to focus on my family business.” She didn’t reveal her plan. From now on, she would work on finding out the truth and proving her father’s innocence.

“Help me get a discharge. I want to get out of here,” Ava urged.

“Alright, dear. Wait for a while.” With bouncy steps, Lola skipped out of the ward.

~~~~~~~~~

When Dylan returned to the hospital at the end of the day, he found the ward empty. Ava’s belongings were gone.

“Where did this woman disappear to?” he muttered in frustration, looking around the empty room. He stormed out and found a nurse. “Where is the patient from this room?”

“She just got discharged and left with her friend,” the nurse replied.

“Friend?” “Friend?” The name “Lola” flashed through his mind instantly, a name that sent irritation rippling through him. She was the only person Ava was close to. “This woman knows how to get on my nerves.”

Muttering a curse, he pulled out his phone and dialed Ava. When she answered, he barked, “Why did you leave the hospital? I told you to rest, didn’t I?”

“I felt suffocated there. So, I left.”

Dylan’s frustration boiled just beneath the surface as he struggled to rein in his temper. “Where are you now?” he asked, keeping his tone low and controlled.

“Where should I be?”

“Can’t you answer my question straightforwardly?” he snapped, irritation mounting.

“I’ve been obedient to you for the past year, following your commands and fulfilling your demands without question. But you never appreciated that. I’m tired, and I don’t want that life anymore. I want my freedom, and I’ll get it.”

Before Dylan could respond, the call abruptly ended, leaving him seething.

“You!” he growled, gripping his phone tightly. “Let’s see how you plan to get away from me.”