My Ex-Husband Begged Me to Take Him Back - Chapter 44

Chapter 44: The flicker of doubt.

Gianna lay crumpled on the floor, playing the victim effortlessly. She whimpered softly, cradling her hand as though Ava had injured her.

Dylan immediately rushed over to Gianna and pulled her up, wrapping his arm protectively around her. “Are you okay?” he asked, worry evident in his eyes.

Ava’s heart sank as she watched the scene. Her hand still ached from Gianna’s assault, but the pain in her chest—the emotional wound cut much deeper.

Gianna shook her head. “I came to check on her, but Ava got furious with me and pushed me.” She looked up at Dylan with wide, pitiful eyes, ensuring he would see only her side of the story.

Ava’s blood boiled. Her body was still weak from her own injuries, but the injustice of it all gave her a surge of energy. “Stop all this drama, and get lost,” she spat.

But Dylan’s fury was immediate. “Ava! When did you become so cruel?” Dylan snapped, his arms tightening protectively around Gianna. “She only wanted to check on you, and this is how you repay her?”

Ava’s lips curled into a bitter, knowing smile. She wasn’t surprised. She had been through this before. And here it was again. He would never take her side, never see-through Gianna’s lies.

“Why are you smiling?” Dylan hissed. “Are you happy hurting her? Say sorry to her…now.”

“Dylan don’t bother her,” Gianna said in a falsely sweet tone, placing her hand gently on his arm. “She has been through a lot. I’m sure she didn’t mean to hurt me.”

“That doesn’t excuse her behavior,” Dylan countered. “No matter what she has been through, she has no right to lash at you.” His eyes bore on Ava fiercely. “Say sorry to Gianna – now.”

Ava snorted. “You didn’t even ask what actually happened. You just assume I’m the one at fault. What if Gianna was the one who hurt me? Would you still be so quick to defend her? Would you ask her to apologize to me?”

Dylan’s expression faltered for a split second. He had been so quick to believe Gianna and assume that Ava was at fault, but now her words forced him to pause. He glanced at her bandaged hand and noticed the fresh blood seeping through the gauze.

His heart clenched with concern, and he hurried to her, but Gianna tugged at his arm and stopped him.

“Dylan, I feel dizzy,” Gianna whimpered.

Dylan hesitated, torn between his desire to see Ava and his duty toward Gianna.

“Please take me to my room,” Gianna pleaded, her eyes brimming with crocodile tears as she swayed slightly, leaning heavily on his arm.

Dylan finally stepped back. Lifting her off in his arm, he walked out.

Gianna’s head rested against his chest, but her eyes darted back toward Ava, and for a fleeting moment, her lips curled into a smug, triumphant smile. She had won, again.

Ava’s insides twisted with frustration and anger as she watched them leave. Her hands clenched tightly around the bedspread, the fire of resentment burning hot.

“Always believing her,” she muttered. “You are too blind to see her lies.”

Outside the ward, Nicholas sneakily watched as Dylan carried Gianna away in his arms. His face clouded with complex emotions as he looked at Ava’s room. “Have you been enduring all this for all those days?” he mumbled thoughtfully.

His feet moved instinctively toward Ava’s room, but before he could reach the door, the sharp vibration of his phone forced him to pause in his tracks. Pulling it out of his pocket, he glanced at the screen and saw Alex’s name flashing.

“Yes,” he answered the call, walking a little away.

“There is an update about Miss Gianna and…”

“Wait.” Nicholas quickly cut him off, glancing around cautiously. He didn’t want to risk discussing this matter over the phone. “I’ll be there shortly.”

Ending the call, he walked away.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dylan gently placed Gianna on the bed, but his thoughts were consumed by Ava. Concern gnawed at him; he longed to check on her, to ensure she was alright. Without sparing Gianna a glance, he turned to leave, but her voice halted him.

“Can you stay with me for a while?” Gianna reached out to hold his hand. “I’m not feeling good.”

“I’ll call the doctor,” he said curtly, not even looking at her.

“I don’t need a doctor. Your presence is what I want,” she implored, seeking his attention.

A scowl twisted Dylan’s features as he pivoted back to her. “Didn’t you just say you weren’t feeling well?” he snapped, his frustration bubbling to the surface. “I’m not a doctor. I can’t treat you.”

“Dylan!”

“Or are you faking discomfort?” he asked fiercely, not allowing her to speak. He tilted his head, scrutinizing her face for any sign of deceit. “Are you really hurt? Or are you the one who hurt Ava?”

Gianna felt a chill on her nape, causing her hair to rise. Panic welled up within her as she scrambled for an answer. It seemed that Ava’s words had affected him. But Gianna couldn’t let him suspect her.

“No, I didn’t hurt her,” she said urgently. “Please, don’t let her twist things. You know how she gets when she is upset.”

“Really?” His annoyance intensified. “I saw tears in her eyes, and her bandage was stained with fresh blood. Tell me honestly, Gianna: did you hurt her? If I find out you lied to me, you will face the consequences.”

Gianna shook her head in denial, though her heart was sinking in dread. “I didn’t, please believe me.” She clasped his hand desperately. “I don’t know how she got hurt. She probably hurt herself or maybe it was already like that before I walked in. I just wanted to see if she was okay. But she yelled at me and pushed me down.”

“I hope you are not lying,” he said in a warning tone. “If I find out you’re lying, there will be consequences.”

Gianna swallowed hard, her heart sinking even further. “I’m not lying, Dylan. Please… believe me.”

But the doubt lingered in Dylan’s eyes as he turned away. Squaring his shoulders, he issued a command, “The rumors about Ava are spreading rapidly. I don’t want another incident like the last one. I’m holding a press conference tomorrow morning, and you will clear the air. Tell your fans that Ava has nothing to do with the attack on you.”

Gianna gaped at him in disbelief. The thought of publicly defending Ava churned her stomach in rage. She had no intention of clearing the misunderstandings. But facing his cold stare, she knew she couldn’t refuse.

“Of course, I’ll come.” Despite her reservations, she agreed to attend the press conference. “I also don’t want Ava to suffer because of some baseless rumors. I’ll do anything to clear the doubts in people’s minds.”

Without a word, Dylan turned and left.

Once the door closed behind him, her expression twisted into one of rage and frustration. She could feel her heart pounding as the reality of the situation settled in: she was losing her grip on Dylan. The very thought that Ava was winning made her restless.

“Ava! Why don’t you just die?” Those venomous words escaped through her clenched teeth.