My Ex-Husband Begged Me to Take Him Back - Chapter 85

Chapter 85: I’m not taking him back.

Ava ended the call, lowering her phone just as she felt strong arms slide around her from behind. Startled, she tensed and nearly dropped her phone. His embrace felt warm and familiar, yet now it only ignited a bittersweet ache within her.

He nestled his head against her shoulder, inhaling deeply. “Who were you talking to?” he murmured, his lips grazing her ear as he breathed in the faint lavender scent clinging to her skin.

Her reaction was swift and sharp. Ava twisted away, breaking free from his hold. “I don’t owe you an answer,” she shot back, her eyes flashing with irritation. “I’ll speak with whomever I choose—you don’t get to ask.”

Dylan’s face registered a brief flicker of hurt, caught off guard by her sharp words. “Ava, I was just asking… nothing more. I wasn’t prying.”

Looking at his befuddled expression, Ava realized she had overreacted. She shouldn’t have yelled at him. She turned aside, refusing to show the hint of remorse tugging at her heart.

“Keep your distance,” she replied icily. “I’m not comfortable with this.” Without waiting for his response, she stormed into the closet.

Dylan stood frozen, watching Ava’s retreating form with a sinking heart. The silence around him felt heavy, echoing with memories of countless times he had walked away from her in the past, coldly disregarding her efforts to reach him.

His gaze dropped, and a pang of regret tightened in his chest. Seeing Ava’s cold rejection, he could finally grasp just how deeply his own actions must have wounded her. It was like looking into a mirror reflecting all the careless ways he had hurt her. If he had known it was going to hurt this much, he would have chosen his actions differently.

‘I know it’s tough, but I won’t give up,’ he thought, his resolve hardening.

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

When Dylan arrived at his office, he called Justin immediately. Justin appeared promptly, ready to carry out his commands.

“Did you find the waitress?” Dylan asked, barely masking his frustration.

Justin shrugged, looking apologetic. “No…she has disappeared. She likely fled the city.”

“Damn it!” Dylan slammed his fist on the table.

Justin flinched, sensing the storm of frustration building within his boss.

Dylan ran a hand through his hair, his eyes darting around. Every fiber of his being wanted to act against Gianna immediately. It was getting hard for him to wait any longer, his annoyance rising. He had no idea what Ava was planning and when she would punish Gianna.

“Block Gianna’s credit card,” he commanded coldly. “And pull every investment we’ve made in her films.”

Justin nodded, taking quick notes. “Understood, sir.” He turned to leave, but then paused, remembering something. He turned to look back at him. “Oh, by the way, we received an invitation to an art exhibition. Would you be interested in attending?”

Dylan didn’t reply instantly. He thought for a while. He normally wasn’t interested in such exhibitions, but he thought it would be a nice opportunity to go out with Ava and spend time with her.

“Alright, I’ll go,” he replied, a faint smile creeping on his lips.

As Justin left, Dylan’s thoughts raced. Perhaps he could suggest dinner afterward, his mind already forming a plan for a date with Ava.

Later that day…

Ava made her way to the car parked just up the street from her office, where Lola was waiting with the engine idling. She slid into the passenger seat, flashing Lola a grateful smile.

“Thanks for agreeing to come shopping with me,” she said cheerily.

“Of course, I’d never say no to you,” Lola asserted, the relief evident in her eyes. “Thank goodness you are alright. You have no idea how worried I was last night when you just left without telling me anything!”

Ava’s smile wavered as she looked down at her hands. The events of the previous night were still too fresh, and the last thing she wanted was to talk about it and add to Lola’s worries.

“I wasn’t feeling well,” she replied, choosing her words carefully.

But Lola’s expression darkened, interrupting her before Ava could say anything more, “It’s all because of that moody Dylan. He ruined the entire evening. I confronted him, you know? I gave him a piece of my mind and told him off for the way he has been treating you! I almost exposed him for his cheating right then and there in front of everyone.”

Ava’s eyes widened in surprise. “You…argued with him? When did this happen?”

“When you went to the restroom,” Lola answered with a shrug.

“Lola don’t do things like that,” Ava cautioned her gently. “I know you’re looking out for me, and I appreciate it more than you know. But please, don’t pick fights with him for my sake. I don’t want you getting into trouble.”

“Are you scared of Dylan?” Lola regarded her with a squint, surprised and confused.

“No, I’m not,” Ava replied immediately. “I just don’t want you getting wrapped up in all this. And…he actually helped me last night.”

“Really?” Lola hadn’t expected to hear it. “He helped you!”

Ava nodded. “He took me home and looked after me.”

Lola raised her eyebrows skeptically. “So…Dylan took care of you, huh? That’s definitely a surprise. But isn’t it a little late for him to start playing the protective husband? Why now?”

Ava shrugged. “He claims he wants a chance to fix things, to try and make this marriage work.”

“Seriously?” Lola’s eyes widened in disbelief. “A chance? He is actually asking you for that?”

“Yeah.” Ava sighed exaggeratedly. “He practically pleaded with me.”

Lola’s jaw dropped, her mouth forming a wide ‘O’, as if she had just heard something unbelievable. “Wait…he pleaded with you?” she repeated, still stunned. “And? What did you say? You’re not actually planning to…you know, reconcile with him, right?”

Ava shook her head dismissively. “Not a chance. In three months, our divorce will be final. There is nothing he can do to make me change my mind.”

She allowed a bitter smile to play on her lips. “But I’m letting him think he has a shot. I just want to see what his plan is, what he thinks he can do to make up for everything.”

“Ava, be careful,” Lola cautioned. “You can’t let emotions cloud your judgment. Don’t forget everything he put you through.”

Ava’s face hardened as the painful memories resurfaced in her mind. “Trust me, Lola. I’ll never forget what he did. Don’t worry, I’m not taking him back.”