My Ex-Husband Begged Me to Take Him Back - Chapter 47

Chapter 47: This is what’s best for me.

Lola came to see her friend. When she saw the bruises marring Ava’s face, her heart clenched. “Oh my God, Ava!” she exclaimed with both shock and sympathy. “I’m so sorry I didn’t come sooner.” She rushed forward, enveloping her friend in a firm embrace.

Ava leaned into the embrace, offering a tired but grateful smile. “You’re here now, that’s all that matters.” Despite the lingering pain, she forced a sarcastic chuckle. “Looks like I’ll have to skip the reunion party this year too.” Pointing to her bruised face, she added, “With this face, I can’t attend the party.”

“Relax, there is no party without you. We are postponing it.”

Ava blinked in surprise. “What? You’re postponing the whole thing just for me? Seriously?”

“Of course, darling!” Lola asserted as if it was the most obvious decision in the world. “Last year, everyone missed you. All were talking about you at the party. This year, I’m making sure you’ll be there.”

“Oh, Lola, thank you.” Ava grinned, clasping her hands. Lola’s presence lifted her mood, the weight of depression dissipating from her chest.

“Don’t worry about the party,” Lola said, sitting down beside her. “Focus on getting better. That’s what matters.” She glanced around the room, her brow furrowing slightly. “By the way, where is Dylan? Why isn’t he here with you?”

Ava’s smile faltered for a moment. Her heart clenched at the mention of Dylan. She turned away, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the edge of the bandage that Dylan had tied around her hand.

Since their heated argument, he hadn’t returned. The previous day, he had pretended to be the caring husband, carefully tending to her wounds. But he didn’t bother to check on her after their argument. It proved how fake his concern for her was.

“Where could he be?” she muttered. “Probably taking care of his beloved Gianna.”

“That scumbag!” Lola’s face twisted with resentment. “How could he ignore his wife like this? Doesn’t he know what you’ve been through? It’s disgraceful. And you know what? People are talking about you everywhere.”

Her tone suddenly dropped into a conspiratory murmur. “There was a post circulating online, claiming you hired thugs to hurt Gianna. It went viral before someone deleted it, but the damage was already done. Gianna’s crazy fans have been slandering you all over the internet. It’s disgusting.”

“I did nothing,” Ava grumbled.

“I know, darling,” Lola said softly, resting a comforting hand on Ava’s shoulder. “This is all just an attempt to tear you down. But if it doesn’t stop, things could get worse. You could be in real danger. These kinds of rumors… only fuel hatred. Such attacks can happen again. Why isn’t Dylan putting an end to all this?”

Ava’s gaze fell, her expression hollow. “I don’t expect anything from him anymore.” She sighed, the energy to even discuss him sapped from her. “Let’s not talk about him.”

Lola’s heart ached for her friend. “Okay, I won’t say a word about him.” The next minute, she grinned, trying to lighten the mood. “How about I tell you about the party plans?”

Ava’s enthusiasm returned in an instant. “Go for it!”

With renewed energy, Lola began her narration, her hands animated as she described the latest party themes her friends had come up with. “My friends came up with some really cool ideas! Wait, let me show you,” she said, rummaging through her bag for her phone.

Lola’s attention was immediately caught by a notification that popped up on the screen. The headline read: ‘Dylan Brooks Claims His Wife Innocent.’

“What is he doing?” Her brows furrowed in confusion. Unable to resist the pull of curiosity. She clicked on the link, which opened a detailed article about the press conference Dylan had held.

The article outlined how Dylan had stood before the press, fiercely defending Ava and declaring her innocence in the recent rumors swirling around her. It described how he made it clear that any further slander against his wife would not be tolerated.

Lola’s eyes scanned the words in disbelief. “Ava, you won’t believe this—Dylan is all over the news!”

Ava blinked, caught off guard by the urgency in her friend’s voice. “What did he do now?”

Lola’s expression was still clouded with disbelief. “You might want to see this. Dylan just held a press conference, and it seems… he has been defending you.” She gave her the phone. “And… Gianna was there too! She told her fans to stop targeting you. Take a look.”

Ava took the phone, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. ‘Gianna? Defending me?’ The idea seemed absurd.

Why would Gianna, who had been at the heart of all the drama, suddenly stand up for her? It didn’t make sense, and Ava’s gut churned with unease.

‘What is she playing at now?’ Ava thought, her brows furrowing.

As she scanned the article, it confirmed what Lola had said. Dylan had, indeed, held a press conference and shut down the rumors, defending her in front of everyone. He had even warned the media against spreading any more lies.

“Dylan is so unpredictable,” Lola continued, still trying to make sense of the situation. “But at least now, people will stop targeting you. This press conference will calm things down. It’s a good thing.”

Ava handed back the phone, her expression unreadable. She had already made up her mind to end this marriage. What Dylan did didn’t matter to her anymore.

“It doesn’t matter anymore,” Ava said quietly. “He and Gianna are meant to be together. I’m setting him free.”

Lola’s eyes widened. “You mean… you’re divorcing him?”

Ava nodded resolutely. “Yes. I shouldn’t have tied him down in the first place. I’m fixing the mistakes I made by ending it.”

Lola hesitated for a moment, her eyes searching Ava’s face. “Are you sure? There is no need to rush into anything. Take your time, think about it.”

But Ava’s resolve was unwavering. “I’ve already thought about it, Lola. This is what’s best for me—for all of us.”

Seeing her friend’s determination, Lola knew there was no changing her mind. She gave Ava’s hand a gentle squeeze. “Alright, if that’s what you’ve decided, I’ll support you. Always.”