My Ex-Husband Begged Me to Take Him Back - Chapter 302

Chapter 302: Meeting of old friends Chapter 302: Meeting of old friends “Luke, no€¦” Erica rushed to the door, her hands slamming against the hardwood.

“You can’t do this to me.

Let me go.” She pounded on the door again and again.

Her cries echoed through the house, but no one came to her aid.

Her strength faltered, and her fists slid down the door.

“Please€¦ someone help me€¦” Silence.

A sob tore from her throat as she turned and slumped against the closed door, her body shaking violently.

She hugged her knees, burying her face in them.

Two billion dollars.

Working in a nightclub, serving drinks, entertaining strangers-it would take a lifetime for her to earn that kind of money.

She regretted taking money from him.

Luke wasn’t just asking her to serve drinks.

He was selling her, piece by piece.

A fresh wave of tears spilled down her cheeks as she whispered brokenly, “Mom€¦Please help.”  ~~~~~~~~~ Nicholas stepped onto the familiar grounds of the orphanage, his heart swelling with nostalgia.

The place hadn’t changed much-the same worn brick walls, the laughter of children echoing in the distance, and the faint scent of fresh bread from the kitchen.

As he entered the director’s office, an elderly man with kind eyes and a warm smile stood up to greet him.

“Nicholas, you finally got time to come here.” Mr.

Simpson’s voice held both joy and reproach.

“I’ve missed you.” The old man pulled him into a tight embrace, patting his back affectionately.

Nicholas smiled apologetically.

“Sorry, Mr.

Simpson.

I couldn’t come down here.” His health had been fragile over the past year, dragging him to the hospital time and time again.

“But I promise I’ll visit more often.” Mr.

Simpson chuckled, his eyes twinkling.

“I’ll hold you to that.” He gestured toward the chair opposite his desk.

“Sit, sit.” Nicholas settled in as the director picked up the phone.

“Bring coffee and snacks.

Nicholas has finally come back after a year.

And tell the children to gather in the hall.

Also€¦” he paused, a knowing smile on his lips.

“Call Ethan.

Let him know his old friend is here.” “Ethan?

Is he here?” Nicholas feigned surprise, though he already knew Ethan was at the orphanage.

“Yes.” Mr.

Simpson nodded.

“He arrived a few days ago.

Left his job and decided to dedicate himself to this place.

It’s a noble decision-I truly admire his dedication.” Nicholas’s lips curled into a meaningful smile.

“That’s good.

He is young and talented.

I’m sure he’ll bring fresh ideas to improve things here€¦ Maybe even attract more funding.” “He has a sharp mind.

Let’s hope for the best.” In the meantime, their coffee arrived.

Nicholas reached for his cup, wrapping his fingers around its warmth.

Mr.

Simpson suddenly turned serious as he spoke again, worry clouding his face.

“How is your health now?” “It’s the same.

But the good thing is-I got a donor.

The surgery is scheduled for next week.” Nicholas took a sip of his coffee, savoring the aroma.

Relief washed over Mr.

Simpson’s face.

“Oh, that’s wonderful news.

I truly hope you recover soon.” For a moment, silence settled between them.

Then, as if weighed down by another thought, Mr.

Simpson leaned forward.

“Do you still have a grudge with Ethan?” Nicholas’s fingers stilled around his cup.

Years ago, he had confided in the director about how Ethan had pushed him into the water, nearly drowning him.

But Ethan had twisted the story, claiming Nicholas had slipped and fallen into the lake by accident, making it seem like a simple misunderstanding.

Mr.

Simpson continued carefully, “Ethan already explained everything to me.

Back then, he didn’t abandon you-he was looking for help.” Nicholas maintained his composure, masking the flicker of resentment deep within.

After a beat, he curled his lips into a faint, almost imperceptible smile.

“I understand.

I no longer have any enmity with him.” Mr.

Simpson smiled, visibly relieved.

“That’s great to hear.

You two used to be such good friends when you were young.” Nicholas offered no response.

He merely took another sip.

He had all set to destroy Ethan completely.

‘Soon, he will be in jail,’ he thought.

A firm knock on the door cut through their conversation.

“Come in,” Mr.

Simpson called out.

Ethan stepped inside.

“You wanted to see me-” His words trailed off the moment his gaze landed on Nicholas.

“Your friend is here.

I wanted you two to meet.” Nicholas placed his cup down and looked up at Ethan, a cunning smile dancing on his lips.

“I heard you resigned from your job and came down here to serve the orphanage.” Ethan clenched his jaw.

He could hear the sarcasm laced in Nicholas’s words.

“Yes.

Someone has to take responsibility for this place.

Mr.

Simpson is getting older, and I thought I should step in to help.” “Hmm,” Nicholas hummed softly.

“How considerate of you.

I can’t help but admire your selflessness.” Mr.

Simpson, sensing the undercurrent of tension, let out an awkward chuckle.

“Ethan, Nicholas has been supporting the orphanage for years.

Every year, he donates generously.

Without his contributions, this place would have been shut down long ago.” Ethan stiffened, caught off guard.

He had never known Nicholas had been funding the orphanage all this time.

Nicholas’s eyes gleamed with quiet satisfaction as he watched Ethan’s surprise.

Then, shifting his gaze back to the director, he said softly, “You flatter me, Mr.

Simpson.

I’m not doing this for recognition.

This is my home, and you and the children are my family.

Where else would I spend my money if not on my family?” Ethan’s knuckles turned white as his fingers curled into tight fists.

The surprise he had felt moments ago twisted into something darker-resentment.

No matter what he did, Nicholas always took center stage.

It had been the same ever since they were children.

Whether it was academics, extracurricular events, or even generosity, Nicholas had always been one step ahead, effortlessly claiming the praise that should have been his.

Meanwhile, Ethan remained in the shadows, unnoticed, unappreciated.

His hatred for Nicholas only intensified.

“Speaking to family€¦” Nicholas turned his gaze upward to the man standing rigidly beside him.

“Ethan, why don’t you show me around?

It’s been a year since I was last here.

I’m sure a lot has changed.

Let me see how things are going.” Ethan’s jaw ticked, but he forced a tight-lipped smile.

“Sure.

Follow me.” He walked out stiffly.

Nicholas smiled sneakily.

With a leisurely stretch, Nicholas rose to his feet and followed, his gait slow and relaxed.

They came to the backyard and sat under the sprawling branches of an old tree.

The leaves rustled faintly in the breeze, but neither man spoke, both unwilling to break the tension first.

Nicholas leaned back on the bench, his sharp gaze sweeping across the backyard.

His brow furrowed as he took in the unkempt state of the grounds.

“The weeds have overgrown.

You should arrange for someone to clear them.

The children can’t play properly with all this mess.” Ethan exhaled sharply, irritation flickering in his eyes.

“Are you here to mock me?”  But Nicholas remained unruffled.

“I’m here to enjoy myself.

If you feel mocked, that’s on you, not me.” Ethan’s features tightened.

Every word from Nicholas felt like a veiled jab, a deliberate way to provoke him.

“Why are you here?” he grunted.

Nicholas’s expression shifted.

The teasing glint in his eyes vanished, replaced by something cold, something lethal.

His easy smile disappeared.

“To warn you.”