My Ex-Husband Begged Me to Take Him Back - Chapter 38

Chapter 38: Dylan’s possessiveness

Ethan was speechless momentarily. Since their teenage years, he had noticed Ava following Dylan crazily and eventually married him. Yet now, she was determined to leave it all behind.

Ethan said nothing, his mind racing. He had suspected their strained relationship but hadn’t anticipated things had turned this serious between them. He searched her eyes, looking for any sign of hesitation, but Ava’s gaze was resolute, her decision final. She wasn’t the same woman who had clung to Dylan. This was a new Ava—stronger, determined, and no longer willing to endure the pain.

“I don’t know what happened between you two, but I’ll always support you,” he said, trying to comfort her. “And about this attack—those responsible need to be punished. I’ll handle it.”

Ava’s response was swift and firm. “No, Ethan,” she said, cutting him off sharply. “I don’t want Dylan to come after you. He is ruthless when he thinks someone is against him, and I can’t let you get hurt.”

“But I can’t just stand by and pretend I don’t know anything,” he argued. “The person involved might be close to Dylan, but I’m not afraid of him. I can protect you.”

Ava shook her head. “I don’t need you to handle this, Ethan. I already have someone working on it.”

Ethan’s brow furrowed, suspicion creeping in as he caught the underlying meaning in her words. His eyes narrowed as realization hit him.

“You… You talked to that Baker guy, didn’t you?” His voice sharpened with disbelief and anger. “Ava! Are you out of your mind? Nicholas Baker is Dylan’s arch-rival!”

Ava didn’t flinch. Instead, she held her ground, meeting his gaze with steady resolve. “Yes, I spoke to Nicholas,” she admitted. “I know who he is, Ethan. But he is not involved in the Baker family. He is a self-made man -smart—more than capable of being an ally. If we want to survive in this business world, we need someone like him.”

Ethan didn’t like the fact that Ava was putting so much faith in Nicholas. “That man is shady. There is more to him than he lets on,” he warned. “You shouldn’t trust him. Nicholas might be charming, but he is dangerous. You can’t just put your faith in him like that.”

Ava’s determination didn’t waver. “I understand your concern, but I know what I am doing. Nicholas can help me in ways no one else can.” As Ava spoke, her voice became strained, and a harsh cough erupted from her throat, causing her to wince.

Ethan quickly moved in closer and leaned to her, gently patting her back to ease her discomfort. “Take it easy. Here…” He grabbed a glass of water from the side table, holding it to her lips. “Drink some water.”

At that moment, the door swung open, and Dylan entered, his eyes landing on the scene before him. Fury ignited within him as he took in Ethan’s closeness to Ava. Without a moment’s hesitation, he charged forward, his fist swinging wildly. The punch landed squarely on Ethan’s jaw, knocking him to the ground in a stunned heap.

Ava gasped, shocked and terrified at the sudden turn of events. “Dylan are you crazy?” she yelled.

Dylan, still seething, pointed an accusatory finger at Ethan. “What is he doing here?” he roared. “You’re so eager to see him that you called him here while I was away!”

“You are so childish,” Ava shot back, her patience fraying. “He is my family! Of course, I’d call him!”

“I am your family,” Dylan snarled through his gritted teeth. “I’m your husband, your everything! Why do you need an outsider?”

Ethan, who always preferred to stay calm and handle any situation in a composed manner, felt his temper flare as he faced Dylan. He had tolerated Dylan’s rudeness because of Ava. Since Ava wanted to end this marriage, Ethan didn’t need to be nice to Dylan anymore. The frustration that had been simmering beneath the surface erupted.

“Correction, I am not an outsider,” Ethan snapped. “If you’d actually paid attention to her and cared for her properly, she wouldn’t be in this condition. She is your wife! How is it possible that a group of crazed women could waltz into your own company and hurt her? You’ve failed to protect her!”

Dylan’s face darkened with fury, and he grabbed Ethan’s collar, pulling him closer. “An outsider like you has no right to speak to me that way,” he growled, his eyes blazing. “This is between my wife and me. I can take care of her. We don’t need you!”

Ethan pushed Dylan’s hand away, refusing to back down. “I wouldn’t be here bothering you if you could actually protect her,” he countered fiercely. “Look at her! This is all because of your incompetence. She was here alone when I arrived. Where were you? Uh – maybe with your mistress, Gianna.”

Dylan’s fury surged like a storm, and without a moment’s hesitation, he swung his fist once more, connecting hard with Ethan’s jaw.

Ethan staggered back, the shock igniting a blaze of anger within him. With quick reflexes, he retaliated, punching Dylan back.

The hospital room transformed into a chaotic battleground, their fists flying as the sounds of grunts and blows echoed off the walls.

Helpless and terrified, Ava yelled, “Stop, both of you. I said stop…” Her voice reverberated inside the room, forcing the two men to stop fighting.

They turned to her, only to find her sobbing, hands pressed against her ears. Sensing her distress, they both rushed towards her, concern overtaking their anger. But Dylan pulled Ethan back and pushed him away.

“She is my wife,” Dylan growled, “and I am here to take care of you. We don’t need you here. Leave.”

Ethan glared at him and refused to leave. “I am here for Ava. I won’t leave until I know she is fine.”

“She is fine with me,” Dylan hissed, the possessiveness in his tone unmistakable. “She doesn’t need you.”

“Is that so?” Ethan scoffed derisively. “You were supposed to be with her all the time, but you were not here. You’re more concerned about others than her. Do you even realize what kind of rumors are circulating about Ava? Have you ever tried to uncover who is behind this attack?”

Dylan’s face scrunched up. He had not been at the hospital because he had been busy punishing those who had hurt Ava. But why would he tell him about that?

“I don’t owe you an explanation,” he barked. “Get lost, or you’ll regret it.”

Sensing Dylan’s anger was escalating, Ava interjected, “Ethan, you should leave. I am fine.” She didn’t want Dylan to hurt Ethan again.

But Ethan was disappointed. He was willing to do anything to protect her, yet here she was, asking him to walk away. Did she not trust him?

“See? She doesn’t need you here,” Dylan shot back triumphantly. “Leave right now.”

Ethan snorted. “You better take care of her. Or else, I’ll make you pay.” With that warning, he stormed out.