My Ex-Husband Begged Me to Take Him Back - Chapter 230

Chapter 230: The distance and longing Chapter 230: The distance and longing His words broke her trance, and she pulled back instantly.

She took a step back abruptly, the warmth of Dylan’s touch lingering on her lips.

She had let her guard down and allowed herself to sink into the moment, and now her heart was racing with conflicting emotions.

Dylan was nervous in the face of her flustered look.

He was afraid she would ask him to leave and that she would refuse to talk to him.

“Ava€¦” He tried to explain.

“It’s late,” she interrupted.

“We should go home.” She turned and walked away hurriedly.

Her chest tightened.

Though she no longer harbored bitterness toward him, the scars of the past still felt too raw.

Gratitude for everything he had done for her wasn’t enough-not yet.

She couldn’t think of starting over with him.

Dylan stood frozen for a moment, the distance growing between them settling heavily on his shoulders.

His heart ached as he watched her retreat, the faint hope that had briefly flared now flickering like a dying ember.

But he couldn’t let her go like this.

Gathering himself, he followed her, his footsteps quiet but steady.

He didn’t call her name or try to stop her.

Instead, he stayed a few steps behind, his gaze fixed on her back.

The silence of the house was almost deafening as they stepped inside.

Dylan stopped at the foot of the stairs, glancing toward Ava as she headed back to her room.

“Goodnight, Ava,” he said softly, his voice filled with both longing and resignation.

Ava paused but didn’t turn to look at him.

“Goodnight,” she replied curtly, masking the storm within.

She stepped into her room and closed the door behind her, leaning against it for a moment.

Her eyes fluttered shut, her heart pounding as the memory of Dylan’s touch, his lips on hers, came rushing back.

Shaking her head, she pushed herself away from the door and sank onto the bed.

Ava lay back, her hand unconsciously drifting to her lips, tracing them as if she could still feel the ghost of his kiss.

Part of her longed to open her door, to walk down the hall and find him, to let herself fall back into his arms.

But then the ache of the past tugged at her, a reminder of the hurt and disappointment she had endured.

Could she risk reopening those wounds?

Ava let out a shaky breath, her fingers curling into the blanket beneath her.

She wasn’t ready to let him in, not fully, but she couldn’t deny the flicker of warmth his presence brought.

Meanwhile, in the guest room, Dylan sat on the edge of the bed, his hands clasped tightly in his lap.

Despite the dejection sinking into his bones, a spark of hope remained.

The way she hadn’t pulled away immediately €“ it meant something.

They both lay awake that night, each lost in their own thoughts, separated by walls but connected by a thread of unspoken emotions.

The next morning€¦ Dylan woke with a sharp, twisting pain in his stomach.

Groaning, he clutched his midsection and staggered to the bathroom, muttering curses between labored breaths.

Last night’s spicy food had been a reckless challenge, and now he was paying the price.

When he finally emerged, his face was pale, and he rubbed his temples in frustration.

He hesitated to ask Ava if she had any medicine for stomachache.

Ava would definitely mock him.

“Forget it,” he muttered, grabbing his phone.

“I’ll better call Justin.” He quickly dialed, and the line buzzed only a moment before Justin answered.

“Arrange some medication for me,” Dylan said, wincing as another cramp hit.

“I’ve got a stomachache.” Justin’s voice shifted instantly to concern.

“What?

Do you need me to schedule a doctor’s appointment?” “Yeah, do that,” Dylan managed, “but for now, just get me some medicine.

I’ll head to the office soon.” “Why bother coming in?

You should rest,” Justin countered firmly.

“I’ll bring whatever files you need to your place.” Dylan sighed, the thought of staying home unbearable.

Facing Ava, especially in this state, was not an option.

“No, it’s not serious.

I’ll be fine.

I’m coming to the office.” A brief pause hung in the air before Justin spoke again, his tone even more somber.

“Alright, but there is something important we need to discuss.

Don’t delay.” Dylan frowned, sensing the weight behind Justin’s words.

“Got it.

I’ll see you soon,” he said before ending the call.

Another wave of pain rippled through him, and he rushed into the bathroom yet again.

It was nearly half an hour before he finally emerged, his face paler and beads of sweat clinging to his brow.

He felt drained, every muscle in his body screaming for rest, but he couldn’t afford to slow down.

He forced himself to get dressed, packed his briefcase, and headed for the door.

“Leaving for the office so early?” Ava’s voice rang out from behind him, halting him mid-step.

Dylan froze, his heart skipping a beat.

After what had happened last night, he hadn’t expected her to speak to him.

Turning slowly, he saw her emerge from the kitchen, a bowl cradled in her hands.

“Have breakfast before you go,” she said softly.

Dylan felt his stomach twisting further as he thought of eating anything.

“No, I-I have an urgent meeting,” he stuttered, his face flushing.

“I got to go now.” “At least take this-” Ava began, holding out the bowl.

“See you at the office,” he blurted, cutting her off as he spun around and hurried out the door.

Ava stood there, dumbfounded, her hand still outstretched.

Her lips parted slightly in disbelief before curling into a small pout.

“You should’ve at least tried this concoction,” she muttered, feeling aggrieved.

She cast a glance at the bowl.

She had woken up early, anticipating he might suffer from a stomachache after his reckless indulgence in spicy food.

But he just left in a hurry.

“Fine,” she huffed, retreating into the kitchen.

“Let him suffer then.” She set the bowl down on the counter, muttering to herself as she tidied up, though a trace of worry lingered in her furrowed brows.