My Ex-Husband Begged Me to Take Him Back - Chapter 88

Chapter 88: An expensive gift

Dylan stood in front of Ava, with a proud look on his face. He had come after her, hoping to give her a surprise. But when he heard her arguing with Gianna and claiming that she had the capability of buying the entire shop, he went to find the manager and acted quickly to buy it for Ava.

“From now on, this shop is yours,” he declared, handing her a folder. “You can kick out anyone you want.”

Ava couldn’t believe what was happening around her. Her heart raced as she fumbled to open the folder. But when she finally pulled out the documents, her hands trembled slightly.

The ownership papers of the shop lay there, bold and undeniable. Dylan had indeed bought it—and transferred it all to her.

She could hardly process it.

Before she could react, Gianna stormed over, closing the gap between her and Dylan. She tugged sharply at his arm, her lips forming an exaggerated pout with a mix of frustration and resentment. “Why did you spend so much on her?”

“She is my wife, and I can spend as much as I want on her,” Dylan grumbled sharply, jerking his hand off her grasp. “Do you have a problem?”

The room suddenly fell silent. Those, who had been speaking ill about Ava, didn’t dare open their mouths. They looked all nervous and terrified.

Gianna’s face tightened as Dylan’s harsh response landed like a slap. A sour taste crept into her mouth; this was not what she had anticipated. She hadn’t expected Dylan would still support Ava. Struggling to keep her composure, she muttered, almost pleading, “I thought you had already ended things with her.”

“Well, I haven’t,” he replied firmly, wrapping an arm around Ava’s shoulders and pulling her close as if to erase any doubt in the room. His gaze softened when it met Ava’s.

But Ava’s body stiffened instantly at his touch. With a sharp twist, she shrugged out of his hold, glaring at him. “I don’t need your help,” she snapped, shoving the folder against his chest. “I could buy it on my own.”

Her sharp and cutting words left Dylan and the onlookers momentarily stunned.

Grabbing Lola’s hand, Ava hurried out of the door, her heart pounding as if trying to outrun her own emotions. Her mind whirled, tangled in a storm of hurt and confusion.

‘Why is he doing all this?’ She couldn’t help but wonder.

After all he had put her through, he thought buying a jewelry shop would fix everything. Did he really believe forgiveness could be bought so easily? The scars his neglect had left were too deep, too painful to be covered by any gift.

She quickened her pace as if trying to escape. Lola, struggling to keep up, nearly stumbled beside her.

“Slow down!” Lola urged, tugging on her hand. But Ava didn’t hear, or perhaps she didn’t care. She kept her gaze fixed forward, walking with a fierce determination toward the mall doors.

Dylan turned around, intending to follow Ava, but Gianna’s voice stopped him. “Wait a minute, Dylan, please.”

He grimaced, barely masking his irritation as he turned to face her.

“What’s going on, Dylan?” Gianna asked with disbelief. “You’re in the middle of divorcing her. Why are you buying her a shop?”

“Are you questioning me?” Dylan glared at her coldly.

Gianna hesitated, then softened her tone, reaching for his hand. “No… I’m just concerned. You give her so much, and she just storms off without a word of thanks. She doesn’t appreciate anything you do, and she certainly doesn’t value you. So why waste money on her?”

“It’s my choice. Do you have a problem with it?”

Gianna opened her mouth, fumbling for a response. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. This was the same man who once showed nothing but disdain for Ava, and now he had appeared out of nowhere to buy her an entire shop.

‘Fuck!’ A surge of jealousy twisted in her gut, resentment taking the shape of a storm in her gut.

“No, I have no issues.” Gianna shrugged, trying to keep her tone neutral.

“Good.” Dylan turned to walk away, but Gianna called out again, a last-ditch attempt to hold his attention.

“Did you… block my credit card?” she asked tentatively, hoping he’d say it was a mistake.

His response was a slap on her face that left her embarrassed. “That’s my card that I allowed you to use. But lately, I’ve noticed you’ve been spending far too much. So I blocked it. It’s time you learned to manage your own expenses. You can’t keep spending money recklessly because you have a credit card with no limits.”

Gianna’s face went red. She tried to keep her composure, but embarrassment and fury twisted within her. Dylan’s blunt dismissal left her standing alone, watching as he turned away without a second glance.

Gianna seethed in anger, clutching the shopping bag tightly. “Ava, you witch!” she grunted out. “You bewitched him, seduced him somehow. But I won’t let you keep him. Dylan will be mine, no matter what.”

When Dylan came to the parking lot, he saw Ava and Lola speaking with each other.

“Ava!” he called, striding over. Both women turned, taken off guard by his approach. “Get in the car,” he commanded.

Ava’s body stiffened, instinctively shrinking back. The last thing she wanted was to be around him, not now—not with her mind tangled in confusion and old wounds. “I’m going to my dad’s place.”

“I am going to my papa’s place,” she said hastily.

Dylan’s response was calm, yet firm. “Fine. I’ll drop you there.”

“No…I’m going with Lola.” Ava linked her arm with her friend’s.

Lola caught the tension instantly. Ava’s reluctance was unmistakable, and she backed her friend up immediately. “Yes, we’re going together. We’ll be having dinner together.”

“Dinner!” Dylan felt a twinge in his heart. His wife would invite her friend to dinner but wouldn’t even consider inviting him. He felt a flicker of something—pain, jealousy, maybe both. His lips pulled into a smile, but it was empty.

“Alright, enjoy your evening,” he said half-heartedly. “But come home early tomorrow. We’re going to an art exhibition.”

“Art exhibition!” Ava blinked, momentarily thrown off, her mind immediately going to the exhibition Nicholas had mentioned earlier. “Are you going there too?” The question slipped out before she could stop herself.

“So you already know about it!” Dylan’s expression shifted to a curious one.

Ava felt her pulse quicken, realizing her slip. She couldn’t afford for Dylan to find out Nicholas had already invited her. Thinking quickly, she mustered a casual tone. “Yes, I know. Lola told me about it, and I agreed to go with her.” She discreetly pinched Lola’s arm, urging her to back her up.

“Yes,” Lola chimed in, her face stretching into a forced smile. “We’re going together. You’re late, Dylan. You should have asked her sooner.”

Dylan, speechless, stared at Ava helplessly.

Ava was worried her lies would be exposed. “It’s getting late. We should head home.”

They got into the car quickly and drove off.

Dylan stood there motionless, clearly sensing Ava’s attempts to avoid him. He was disappointed but wouldn’t give up.

“Fine, go with Lola. I’ll still be there to see you, Ava. Let’s see how long you can keep running.” He smirked, his eyes sparkling with a newfound resolve.