My Ex-Husband Begged Me to Take Him Back - Chapter 33

Chapter 33: The accusation

Erica returned her focus to Gianna once Dylan was out of the room, her expression softening. “He is a fool. But don’t worry. Mommy is coming. She’ll make sure Dylan divorces Ava and marries you.”

Gianna returned a faint, grateful smile, but her thoughts were a chaotic mess underneath. She couldn’t shake off the fear that lingered in her mind. She knew Dylan wouldn’t just let things slide. He would dig until he found the truth, and when that happened, her carefully constructed lies would unravel. She couldn’t afford that. But before that, she had to teach Ava a lesson. That woman had to pay.

“Uh, Erica, I want to sleep now,” Gianna murmured, feigning pain as she winced, pressing her hands to her forehead. “My head hurts.”

“Okay, rest now.” Erica leaned down to adjust the blanket, brushing a hand across Gianna’s shoulder. “I won’t disturb you.” She walked out, gently closing the door behind her.

As soon as she was alone, Gianna reached for her phone and dialed the familiar number. “Hello?” she said in a hushed tone. “Listen to me carefully. Dylan is going to investigate this matter. You have to tell those men to be prepared.”

“Yes, yes, don’t be concerned,” a rough, gravelly voice responded. “Everything will happen according to the plan. Just make sure to transfer the money in time.”

“Don’t worry about the money,” Gianna hissed. “Just don’t make a mistake. Or else, you and I will both be gone.”

Outside the ward, Erica fumed in anger, blaming Ava for Gianna’s suffering. “This woman needs to be punished,” she muttered. “And I’ll teach her a lesson.”

She stormed out of the hospital.

Several minutes later, when Erica finally arrived at the office, she was stunned to learn that Ava had been appointed as the new COO. Her heart clenched with betrayal and jealousy. She had been trying hard to get that position for years, but Dylan had readily given that post to Ava.

The information only exacerbated her already frayed nerves. What on earth Dylan was doing? Didn’t he hate Ava? How could he appoint her to such an important post?

All these questions only added to her fury. “She is not worthy to be in that position,” muttering under her breath, Erica barged into Ava’s cabin.

The loud sound of the doorframe hitting the wall startled Ava. She tore her eyes from the laptop screen and scowled at the intruder.

Erica stood there, shaking with fury, her face flushed red as her eyes bore into Ava.

“Erica?”

Before Ava could understand what was going on, Erica stormed toward her and barked, “What are you doing in this office? You are not qualified to be the COO.” She tugged at her arm forcefully. “Get out of here.”

“What’s wrong with you?” Ava snapped, jerking her hand away. “Stop this madness. This is a workplace, not your battleground. Maintain professionalism.” She shot up on her feet.

“Are you going to teach me how should I behave with a trash like you,” Erica sneered. “You don’t deserve to work in this company, let alone be COO. Get out.”

“I’ve earned this position, whether you want to accept it or not,” Ava said, her unwavering gaze bored on Erica.

“Earned?” Erica scoffed. “You don’t belong here! You’ve been nothing but a disgrace to this family, and now you think you can waltz in and take what’s mine?”

“You think slandering me and throwing tantrums will change anything? Your behavior is disgraceful.” Ava raised her chin defiantly as she took a step forward, her eyes cold and unyielding. “I’m the COO now, and if you continue this nonsense, I won’t hesitate to fire you. You’re disrupting the workplace, and I won’t tolerate it.”

“You, bitch!” Erica furiously slapped her, taking Ava by surprise. The force sent her stumble on the table, her skin burning. For a moment, shock registered on Ava’s face, but it quickly morphed into a blazing anger, her fingers twitching. In a flash, Ava retaliated, swinging her arm and delivering a sharp slap back to Erica.

“Uh!” Erica staggered, hitting the floor with a look of disbelief etched on her features. She quickly turned her head, her wide eyes narrowing in fury as she pressed her hand to her cheek, feeling the sting of the blow.

“Are you wishing death?” she hissed. Furious, her whole body was trembling. “I am not Gianna that you can bully me. I can ruin you.”

“Keep your threats to yourself,” Ava grumbled, crossing her arms across her breastbone. “I am not afraid of you. Don’t think that you can bully me like before, and I won’t retaliate. The Ava you have known before is dead. This one,” she pointed a finger at herself, “is a different person, fearless and determined. Cross me, and you’ll face the consequences.”

Erica was ablaze with fury. She pushed herself up from the floor. “It seems Dylan has been too lenient with you,” she spat. “He hasn’t punished you for hurting Gianna yet.”

Hurting Gianna?

Ava’s brows knitted together in confusion. “When did I hurt Gianna?”

“Don’t play dumb, Ava!” Erica shot back, her voice rising like a storm. “You made Dylan angry when you slapped him, and in his rage, he left Gianna alone on the road. Do you even know what happened to her? She was – raped.”

“What?” The shock rattled Ava. Her thoughts spiraled in a chaotic mix of disbelief and horror. The last word echoed in her head.

Ava never liked Gianna and had always considered her as her enemy. But after hearing that Gianna had gone through such pain and torture, her heart ached for her.

You’re the reason Gianna is suffering! Erica snapped, bringing Ava back to reality. “She is in this pain because of you.”

“That’s absurd!” Ava shot back. “I had nothing to do with that! How could you blame me? You’re twisting everything! Did I ask Dylan to leave her alone in the middle of the road?”

“You made him angry,” Erica countered, her eyes burning with accusation.

“Oh, come on, Erica. Dylan’s anger issue has nothing to do with me. He can get angry with anything and with anyone. How could you blame me for that?”

“Whether you want to admit it or not, you are the main reason Gianna has gone through the ordeal,” Erica hissed, each word dripping with venom. “You shouldn’t have married Dylan in the first place. You’ve created a mess in his life and Gianna’s. And I won’t tolerate this any longer. I’ll do anything to protect my friend and my cousin.”

She turned on her wheels and stormed out.

Ava felt a surge of frustration rising within her. She sagged in her chair, her setting on a grim line. She couldn’t help but agree with Erica on one thing. “You are right. I shouldn’t have married Dylan. But don’t worry. I’ll leave him soon and stay far away from the Brooks.”