Semua Bab Goodbye, Ex-Husband, Next Please: Bab 191 - Bab 200

JASON’S POVI leaned forward and rubbed my face with both hands. My eyes burned from reading too many headlines. I picked up my phone again, even though I already knew it would just make things worse. Another headline popped up. “Jason Campbell’s Silence Makes Him Look Guilty.” I tossed the phone onto the desk like it had burned me. I stood up fast, the chair sliding back behind me. Enough. I couldn’t just sit here and do nothing. Everything was falling apart around me, and I was just stuck – frozen like a deer in headlights. I grabbed my phone again and typed out a message to Ben. “Call a meeting. Everyone. 30 minutes. Executive floor.” I didn’t know exactly what I’d say. I didn’t even have a plan. I just needed to do something. Anything. Sitting around wasn’t helping. Every second we waited, the company died a little more. I threw on my blazer and stood in front of the mirror. I looked like hell. My eyes were bloodshot, my jaw was tight, and my tie was crooked. I fixed

JASON’S POV I drove like a man chasing time. My hands were tight on the steering wheel, and my heart wouldn’t stop pounding. I kept glancing at the clock on the dashboard, even though I knew I’d be early. My chest felt heavy. I couldn’t stop thinking about him – my grandfather. What he’d say. How he’d look at me. How disappointed he’d be. I kept hearing his voice in my head, not loud, but cold and steady. The kind of voice that didn’t need to shout to tear you apart. I’d only heard him raise it once in my life – and even then, it wasn’t a scream. It was worse. It was quiet, disappointed. I swallowed hard and tapped the steering wheel. I hated this. I hated how small I felt right now. I was supposed to be the CEO. I was supposed to be leading. Instead, I was driving to pick up the man who built the empire I was now watching burn. He was already there when I pulled up. Standing near the curb in a sharp gray coat. Hands behind his back. Luggage neatly beside him. His eyes locked

AVA’S POV The sky was already dark when I pulled out of the parking lot of the company building. Streetlights glowed soft yellow, casting long shadows on the wet road ahead. It had rained earlier the roads still looked shiny and slick. The traffic was crawling as if the whole city had decided to move in slow motion tonight. I kept one hand on the wheel, the other resting on my lap, fingers tapping nervously. I didn't know why I was doing this. I should’ve just gone home but I told Sally I’d go. I told her I’d stop by Alex's penthouse and check on him. Now I was halfway across town, stuck in traffic second-guessing everything. Heading to Alex’s penthouse like some lost girl hoping for answers she wasn’t sure she wanted. The silence in the car wasn’t helping. No music, no podcast, nothing to distract my thoughts. Just me and this heavy feeling sitting in my chest. I glanced at my phone in the passenger seat. Still no messages, still no calls, nothing from Alex. His number sti

AVA'S POV I stepped out of the building, pulling my coat tighter around me. The night air was colder than I expected. The city lights blinked in the distance, but everything around me felt… too still, too quiet, like the world was holding its breath. My chest felt tight. I couldn’t stop thinking about what Cindy said. About Alex. About how he just left, without saying anything. He didn't even inform me like he used to, no call, no message, not even a note. It was like I didn’t matter anymore. Like I’d been erased from his life overnight. That hurt more than I wanted to admit. I didn’t want to overthink it. But I couldn’t help it. My thoughts were loud, crashing into each other like waves. Where did he go? Why didn’t he tell me? Was he okay? I reached my car and slid into the driver’s seat, shutting the door slowly. The silence inside was thick. I didn’t even turn on the radio. I just sat there for a second, hands on the wheel, staring out at the road ahead. “Get it togeth

AVA'S POV The lights suddenly came on. I gasped, my heart jumping into my throat. My eyes squinted from the brightness, and for a second, everything blurred. Then I heard a voice. “Ma’am?” I blinked quickly and looked toward the hallway. A figure stepped into view – it was Rose. I let out a long, shaky breath and leaned harder against the wall, pressing a hand to my chest. “God, Rose… you scared me.” Her face was tight with concern. “I’m sorry. I thought I heard something downstairs, then I noticed your car in the driveway. I didn’t realize you were just getting home.” “Yeah,” I mumbled, still trying to calm down. “Just walked in.” Her eyes scanned my face. “You okay? You look like you’ve been through something.” “I’m fine,” I said quickly, brushing hair out of my face. “Just tired.” She studied me a second longer, not buying it. “Are you sure, ma'am?" “Yeah. I promise,” I said, forcing a small, fake smile. My voice was still shaky, but I hoped she wouldn’t push more. And