My Ex-Husband Begged Me to Take Him Back - Chapter 55

Chapter 55: Ava’s resolve

“Why would I apologize to him?” Ava shot back, her voice rising above everyone else’s. “I did nothing wrong. His childhood friend, Gianna, lied about me, and because of those lies, I was attacked. I was humiliated. People talked about me like I was the villain and Dylan—” she paused, the sting of betrayal fresh in her voice, “Dylan supported her instead of standing by my side.”

Her words silenced the room momentarily, and some of the board members shifted uncomfortably in their seats.

“I am done with him,” she added, glancing around the people around the table. “This marriage is over. I’m not going to beg him or anyone for help.”

“Thomas,” the man with gray hair said, “your daughter is making a grave mistake. You need to stop her, or we’re all doomed.”

Thomas exhaled deeply, visibly worn by the weight of the situation. But his resolve was firm. “We’re here to discuss the company’s issues, not my daughter’s personal life,” he stated calmly but authoritatively. “Whatever decision she makes, I’ll support her. Without bothering about whether she is ending her marriage with Dylan Brooks or not, why don’t we consider her suggestion?”

The room erupted again. “This is absurd!” another member shouted, his fists slamming the table in frustration. “There is no point in entertaining her suggestion. Nicholas is one of the Bakers, and we all know the deep-rooted animosity between the Bakers and the Brooks. If we take Nicholas’s help, it will only enrage Mr. Brooks further. We can’t afford to turn him into an enemy!”

“It’s a business,” Ava’s voice rang out, her words commanding attention. “If someone turns their back on us, we have every right to explore other options. Nicholas is the best option.”

Her eyes sparkled with determination as she continued, “Let me remind you all: Nicholas may share the Baker name, but he is not part of the Baker family. He has no involvement in the feud between the two families.”

Her statement forced the board members to pause and reconsider.

“Give me two weeks,” Ava proposed. “If I can’t fix the issues by then, I’ll apologize to Dylan.”

Murmurs rippled through the room as the board members whispered among themselves. Skepticism, hesitation, and curiosity mixed in their faces. After a few tense moments, the eldest board member spoke, “Okay. We’ll go for it.”

Ava exhaled, a small, triumphant smile playing on her lips as she nodded in gratitude. “Thank you.”

But Ethan stood frozen, his face darkening with a mix of helplessness and frustration. The idea of Ava involving Nicholas stirred something deep within him. His fists clenched at his sides as he fought to suppress the surge of emotions.

As the meeting ended, the room gradually emptied. Ava was about to leave when her father gently called out her name and stopped her in her tracks.

His face was clouded with doubt and concern. “Are you sure Nicholas will help us?”

Ava met his gaze with unwavering confidence, giving him a firm nod. “Yes, Papa. He’ll help us. We’ve relied on Dylan too much. Our dependency on him is what led us into this mess. It’s high time we stop thinking about his assistance.”

Thomas hummed, understanding her point. “Dylan’s father and I… we were business partners, good friends. I never imagined he would turn against us like this.”

His shoulders sagged slightly as the weight of the past pressed down on him. “It seems Dylan hasn’t forgiven me for what happened to his parents. I wish I could go back in time, change things—save my friend.” His voice grew quieter, laden with regret, and his eyes seemed to drift away, lost in memories.

Ava’s heart clenched painfully as she watched the sorrow etched deep in her father’s face. It tore at her to see him carry the burden of an accident that had happened over a decade ago, an event that had claimed the lives of Dylan’s parents.

This incident happened more than ten years ago, but Thomas still couldn’t get out of that grief. It was just an accident; one nobody could have foreseen. Yet, he blamed himself because he had given them his car that day.

She could see it in his eyes—the regret, the torment that had haunted him for years. And it infuriated her that Dylan, blinded by grief and anger, thought this man was the culprit. If her father had truly orchestrated that tragic accident, he wouldn’t have carried the weight of guilt ever since.

Ava wouldn’t let this injustice happen. She would prove his innocence and show Dylan how wrong he was.

“Papa.” Ava took his hands in hers. “It wasn’t your fault. You couldn’t have known what would happen. Blaming yourself is unfair. If Dylan holds you responsible for the accident, he is stupid – childish. He is letting his grief cloud his judgment, but that doesn’t mean he is right. I know losing his parents was devastating, but he can’t pin it on you just because you gave them your car.”

She gave his hand a gentle pat, hoping to comfort him. “Don’t worry. I’ve got this. The problems will be resolved soon.”

Thomas nodded slowly. “Alright. I believe you can do this.”

Ava gave him a reassuring smile before walking out of the conference hall. Pulling out the business card Nicholas had given her, she dialed his number, her heart quickening in anticipation.

“Hello…” Nicholas’ deep voice answered.

“Hello, it’s Ava.” She paused for a moment. “Can we meet?”

“Yes. Come to my office.”

A small smile of relief spread across her lips. “Okay. I’ll be there shortly.”

Slipping her phone and the card back into her bag, she walked down the lobby. But just as she was about to take her next step forward, a familiar voice called out from behind her.

“Ava!”

She halted her steps and turned around, only to see Ethan approaching her with a gloomy face.

“You’re going to make a mistake,” Ethan said pleadingly. “Don’t go to Nicholas.”

Ava frowned, displeased. “Why not? He is a successful businessman with experience in investments. We need someone like him right now.”

Ethan’s eyes darted around nervously. “Because it’ll make Dylan even more furious! He is already holding a grudge against you. If you go to Nicholas, he’ll make things worse.”

“Didn’t he already make things worse?” she asked sharply, unimpressed by the argument, her head tilting slightly as if challenging him.

Ethan sighed, stepping closer. “Listen…he is upset with you.” His tone softened. “Maybe he is troubling us to stop you from divorcing him. If you go to Nicholas, things will turn even ugly. Let me handle this. I’ll find other investors. I promise I’ll do whatever it takes to get us out of this mess. Have faith in me.”