My Ex-Husband Begged Me to Take Him Back - Chapter 98

Chapter 98: The birthday party

The grand hall buzzed with energy, laughter floating through the air like champagne bubbles. Actors, producers, and influencers mingled with ease, exchanging handshakes.

Reporters hovered nearby, cameras flashing relentlessly to capture each glamorous arrival, though their primary focus was on one person: Gianna. She had promised something spectacular, a night no one would forget, and the anticipation hung thick in the air.

Gianna moved through the crowd like a queen, radiating confidence and charm as she greeted her guests. But her eyes moved to the entrance from time to time. She had been waiting for Dylan eagerly. The main event of the party would start after his arrival, but what made him late? She turned her gaze to the entrance, her fingers absently twisting her bracelet.

He had agreed to come early. Everyone important had arrived, and the party was in full swing—but there was no sign of him. A hint of worry shadowed her features, marring her perfect, composed expression.

Meanwhile, a commotion at the entrance caught everyone’s attention. Gianna’s face darkened the moment she saw Ava stepping inside. Dressed in a striking red gown, Ava commanded attention effortlessly, the photographers’ flashes popping as they captured her entrance.

Gianna’s irritation bubbled up, threatening to crack her poised demeanor. ‘What is she doing here?’ Her mood immediately turned sour. She had been under the impression that Ava’s health had deteriorated—that the fire had weakened her enough to keep her away. Yet here she was, defiant and dazzling, turning heads at her party.

‘You bitch!’ Gianna clenched her teeth. ‘Why didn’t you die?’

Gianna had ensured that Ava couldn’t escape the fire, but fate had saved her somehow. And now, she dared to show up, stealing the attention.

With hurried steps, Gianna strode through the crowd toward Ava. “What a pleasant surprise!” Gianna said with an acidic smile. “I didn’t know you would show up without an invitation.”

Ava returned the smile. “Oh, I believe, I’m quite welcome here,” she replied smoothly. “You did invite my husband, didn’t you? Naturally, I’d accompany him.” She gestured to the entrance.

Gianna’s smile froze in the corners of her lips as she saw Dylan entering.

Dylan looked dashingly handsome in his crisp, tailored blue suit, his sleek black hair combed back. The lights caught the sharp contours of his jaw, his intense green eyes fixed straight ahead, making him appear poised and intimidating.

Gianna felt her heart leap at the sight of him, but it quickly twisted into something darker as he approached Ava, his arm protectively wrapped around her waist. It was a sight she hadn’t anticipated, and jealousy clawed at her insides.

‘When did this happen? How could Dylan and Ava come together?’

“Happy birthday, Gianna.” Dylan’s voice broke through her thoughts he said with a smile.

Gianna couldn’t believe what she was seeing. She had planned to propose to him, but he was here with Ava like a loving couple. How could she miscalculate so wrongly?

Ava leaned on Dylan’s shoulder slightly, a glint of mischief in her eyes. “He wished you a happy birthday, Gianna. Aren’t you going to thank him?”

Gianna managed a forced smile. “Thank you, Dylan, for coming.” She seized his arm, a desperate attempt to reel him back into her world. “Come with me; my friends have been asking about you all evening.”

Dylan had no intention to go with her, his arm slipping effortlessly from her grasp. “If they want to talk to me, bring them here,” he replied coolly. Then, pulling Ava even closer, he added, “I’d love to introduce my wife to them.”

Gianna’s mask of composure slipped as her gaze shifted between Dylan and Ava, a storm of conflicting emotions in her eyes.

Ava stood with quiet satisfaction, her chin slightly lifted as if savoring this moment of victory. And beside her, Dylan stood like an unbreakable wall. His unyielding stance beside Ava left her with no room to challenge it.

“Fine. Enjoy the party. I’ll go check on my friends.” Gianna turned around and walked away, silently clenching her fists. She couldn’t allow this to be the end. No, she would find a way to turn this around, to twist the situation in her favor.

A plan began to form in her mind. She had already prepared a series of photos from her childhood with Dylan. Photos that displayed their closeness, their shared memories.

Originally, these were meant to showcase the depth of her feelings for him when she planned to confess her love in front of everyone. Now that the situation had changed, she would use them to show how close the bond they shared.

‘This would be enough to make Ava distressed,’ she thought.

With a sly smile, she approached her manager and relayed her instructions, outlining exactly how she wanted the images displayed. The manager nodded without question and quickly moved off to carry out her orders.

On the other side of the hall, Dylan couldn’t take his eyes off Ava. His heart raced with a blend of joy and anticipation. It had been two days since their last encounter at the hospital and they had not contacted each other. Though he had been avoiding her—hurt by her words—seeing her here, in front of him, changed everything.

During these days, she had been recuperating in her father’s place. But unexpectedly, she had come to the villa early this morning, taking Dylan by surprise.

Ava, aware of his intense stare, couldn’t help but meet his eyes. “What are you looking at?”

Dylan quirked his lips into a sly grin. “I wasn’t planning on coming to this party, but you insisted. Now, tell me, what’s really on your mind?”

Ava stepped closer, her fingers lightly brushing his tie, adjusting it with a delicate touch. The soft movement made Dylan’s breath hitch slightly, his pulse quickening at the closeness.

“You’ll find out soon enough,” she murmured. “I just hope you won’t regret trusting Gianna in the past.”

Dylas soon realized Ava was planning to expose Gianna tonight—on her birthday. He glanced around the hall, noticing the media teams who had come to cover the event. It was the perfect stage for a revelation, the perfect opportunity to tear down the facade Gianna had worked so hard to maintain.

Ava’s bold move stunned him. He hadn’t expected her to be so strategic, so calculating in her approach.

“You’re quite cunning, I must say,” Dylan murmured as his arm coiled around her waist and he pulled her closer to him.

Ava feigned innocence, looking up at him with wide, unassuming eyes. “What do you mean? What did I do to deserve that compliment?”

Dylan chuckled. ‘Still pretending!’ He was starting to understand just how much she had planned. Tonight was going to be a game-changer. He leaned over to her and whispered in her ear, “I can’t wait to see how you make me regret my actions.”

Ava felt her heart flutter at his closeness. She quickly broke eye contact, feeling a sudden urge to pull away from his grasp. But his hold was firm, unyielding, keeping her close to him despite her attempt to escape.

“Where are you going?” His grip around her remained unyielding.

“I…” Ava hesitated for a moment, her mouth opening to say something, but before she could, a voice rang out through the hall, silencing everything.

“Hello, everyone!”

All eyes turned to the podium, where Gianna stood, a microphone in her hand. With a confident smile on her face, she began, “Thank you for coming here tonight to celebrate my birthday. I want to share some moments of my life with all of you.”

She gestured grandly at the large screen behind her. Photographs of her younger self began to appear on the screen. The crowd oohed and aahed, their admiration clearly visible. Gianna was as beautiful as ever, each photo more stunning than the last.

They all were busy praising her beauty, but Ava’s eyes flashed with cunningness.

‘The show will start soon,’ she murmured in her mind.

“From my childhood, there is someone who stood by my side, helping me to become a popular actress,” Gianna continued.

All eyes were glued to the screen, eager to discover who this mysterious person was. Then, unexpectedly, the screen went black. The anticipation reached a fever pitch as they waited for the screen to light up again.

Moments later, the screen flickered back to life, and a few intimate photographs of Gianna and Brian appeared, taking everyone by surprise.