My Ex-Husband Begged Me to Take Him Back - Chapter 80

Chapter 80: Give me a chance.

Dylan’s mind churned as he searched through memories of who their common enemy was. His suspicion settled firmly on the Bakers. Their rivalry with Brooks ran deep since the time of his great-grandfather.

It was no secret that the Bakers held a grudge against the Brooks and the Williams, given the close ties between the two families. William Holdings had been targeted repeatedly by the Bakers in the past, and his father had always stood by Thomas’s side like a pillar, which was why the company was still able to exist in the market.

“So it can be the Bakers,” Dylan mumbled thoughtfully, his hands balled into tight fists. He seemed to find the missing pieces of the puzzle.

His thoughts drifted to Nicholas, who had recently and suspiciously taken an interest in Ava. The suddenness of Nicholas’s attention toward her now felt deliberate, as though he had an ulterior motive.

“He is likely trying to use her against me,” Dylan muttered through his gritted teeth. He could practically see Nicholas’s scheming smirk in his mind’s eye. “I have to keep Ava safe. I won’t allow her to be a pawn in someone else’s game.”

With a new sense of urgency, Dylan went back to the bedroom and found Ava fast asleep. A sigh of relief escaped his lips as he took in the peaceful rise and fall of her breathing.

Carefully, he slipped onto the bed beside her, his arm instinctively reaching out to encircle her waist. He felt her warmth through the thin fabric, grounding him. When Ava shifted slightly, his body tensed, heart racing as he held his breath. But she settled back into her slumber, much to his relief.

Drawing closer, he murmured softly, “I’ll protect you always.”

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

The next morning…

Ava blinked as she slowly awoke, a slight frown tugging at her brow. As her vision cleared, her gaze fell on Dylan, lying just beside her. She gasped, and her expression froze when she found herself wrapping her arm around him.

Her heart skipped a beat.

‘When did he come back?’ she asked herself. She had been thinking he had gone to spend the night with Gianna, yet here he was, fast asleep beside her. It was surprising to her.

She lay still, watching him. In sleep, his features softened, free from the hardened arrogance he so often wore. It was this calm, composed side that had once captured her heart.

She had thought she could love him deeply and spend the rest of her life with him. But his cold, gloomy, and indifferent attitude toward her had shattered those hopes.

All the bitter memories rushed into her mind. Ava couldn’t bear to stay close to him any longer. She moved quickly, attempting to slip away.

Her sudden motion disturbed Dylan’s sleep. He stirred and opened his eyes. In an instant, he registered her retreat, and his hand shot out, grasping her arm firmly, holding her in place. She turned, startled, to meet his gaze.

He pulled her back beside him, his eyes searching hers. “Where are you going?”

Ava’s breath caught as she found herself anchored by his touch once more. “I-I’ll go freshen up first.”

“Sleep for a little longer,” he mumbled, clutching her to his chest. “It’s still early.”

Ava’s whole body tensed, her wide eyes locking with his in surprise. She hadn’t expected this tenderness from him.

Dylan blinked, raising his eyebrows. “What’s that look for? You act like you’re seeing me for the first time.”

Looking at his blank face, Ava couldn’t tell if he was teasing or being sincere.

Dylan’s expression softened as he took in her beautiful face, his gaze drifting down to her lips. A spark flared in his heart as the memory of last night resurfaced. He had resisted last night, but he didn’t want to hold himself back anymore.

“Let’s put the past behind us,” he murmured. “We still have these three months. Let’s give this another try. I’ll be patient—I’ll take care of you the way you deserve, and of course, I’ll give you more time. Let’s see if we can make this marriage work.”

Ava suddenly felt a burst of anger. He had the audacity to speak of reconciliation after everything she had endured! All the humiliation, distrust, and mental torture she had gone through couldn’t be forgotten in this lifetime. She couldn’t even think about giving this marriage a chance.

With anger pulsing through her veins, she shoved against his chest. “Get off of me,” she snarled.

But just as she thought she was free, Dylan’s hand closed firmly around her wrist, pulling her back. Before she could react, he pressed her beneath him, his weight holding her down.

“What are you doing?” Ava protested, trying to shove him away. Dylan’s action was quick. He wrapped his fingers around her wrists and pinned them down on either side of her head.

Ava lay flat underneath him in a helpless state. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, mirroring the tumult of emotions swirling within her. Their eyes locked in a heated gaze, their breathing intertwining.

“What do you think I’m doing?” His voice was thick and hoarse. His gaze flickered over her face, taking in every detail, before trailing downward to her form, the soft fabric of her silky nightgown clinging to her curves.

Dylan’s throat went dry as his eyes caught the sight of her nipples subtly pressed against the delicate fabric.

“You were seducing me last night,” he said huskily, “remember? You wanted me. I held back then, but I don’t want to hold back anymore. Let’s do it.”

Dylan’s lips found her neck, his touch lingering as he brushed his mouth along her skin.

She stiffened, resisting the urge to close her eyes against the sensation. “Stop it, Dylan,” she hissed, trying to pull her wrists free, but he only held her tighter, his lips trailing down her shoulder.

“Stop resisting,” he whispered. “We’re husband and wife. Let’s give this marriage a real chance. Let me show you that I can be different – a better husband.” He continued kissing her.

Ava’s chest tightened with a painful twist of emotion. After hurting her and breaking her mercilessly, he now wanted a chance to make things right. The thought was almost laughable.

“Give me a chance to prove myself,” he murmured, slipping the strap of her nightgown down her shoulder and brushing his lips gently against her bare skin.