Lahat ng Kabanata ng Divorced My CEO Husband, He Came Begging: Kabanata 41 - Kabanata 50

The apology—so unexpected, so genuine—left me momentarily speechless. How long had I waited for someone in the Russo family to acknowledge what was happening? To see me?Before I could respond, a nurse entered to check Grandfather's vitals. I used the interruption to compose myself, blinking back unexpected tears."Your numbers are looking good, Mr. Russo," the nurse said cheerfully. "But don't overdo it with visitors, okay? Your heart needs rest.""My heart has been resting for too long," Grandfather grumbled, but there was no heat in it.When the nurse left, Grandfather turned back to me, his expression serious. "Maya, I need to ask you something important.""What is it?" I leaned closer, concerned by his sudden intensity."Are you truly happy at Thorne Designs?"The question seemed oddly specific. "I... yes, I think so. It's been an adjustment, but the work is challenging, and I'm learning a lot.""And Alex Thorne? How is he as an employer?"I hesitated, our argument from earlier fl

When I returned to Grandfather's room, Daniel was sitting beside the bed, head bent close as they spoke in low voices. They both looked up as I entered, their conversation cutting off abruptly."Maya, come in," Grandfather beckoned, his expression brightening. "Daniel was just updating me on company matters."I approached the other side of the bed, acutely aware of Daniel's eyes tracking my movement. "Nothing too stressful, I hope. You're supposed to be resting.""Bah," Grandfather waved off my concern. "Business keeps me sharp. Idle minds are the first to fade."Despite everything, I smiled. Even bedridden, Giuseppe Russo remained indomitable."Daniel tells me you've been having some trouble at your new job," Grandfather continued, his gaze shrewd. "Something about office politics?"I shot Daniel a sharp look. Of course he'd been keeping tabs on me, gathering ammunition for moments like this."Nothing I can't handle," I said carefully. "Every workplace has its challenges.""Indeed." G

Sunset Valley Care Center smelled like industrial cleaner trying to mask the underlying scent of sickness and age. I'd always hated it here, but at least they took good care of Mami Lulu. The nurses knew her quirks, understood her condition, treated her with dignity.Now I might have to move her to a state facility with overworked staff and cramped rooms. The thought made me sick."Maya! So nice to see you." Rebecca greeted me at the billing office, her professional smile not quite reaching her eyes. She was younger than I expected, maybe early thirties, with a practical bob and sensible shoes. "Come in, please."I followed her into a small office cluttered with files and family photos. She pulled up Mami Lulu's account on her computer, angling the screen so I could see."As I mentioned on the phone, the account is three months past due. That's $11,400, plus late fees." She pointed to the total at the bottom of the screen: $12,347.82."I understand." I swallowed hard. "My ex-husband wa

I lost myself in the gentle curve of silver wire beneath my fingers, bending it to my will. This was what I needed—creation instead of destruction. My hands moved with practiced precision, muscle memory taking over as my mind drifted. Three new designs flowed from my fingertips since dawn, each edgier than anything I'd have dared under Daniel's watchful eye.The design floor hummed with distant conversation, but no one approached my corner. Word of my confrontation with Sophie had spread, creating an invisible barrier around me. Fine by me. Solitude was better than fake smiles and whispered judgments."These are... different."I jumped, nearly stabbing myself with the metal pliers. Alex stood beside my desk, studying the pendant I'd just completed—raw crystal wrapped in delicate silver threads like a cage that wasn't quite closed. The gemstone could slip free if turned just right, but appeared securely trapped at first glance."Christ, wear a bell or something," I muttered, setting dow

As we pulled away from the restaurant, I leaned my head against the cool window, watching raindrops race each other down the glass. "Why are you being so nice to me?" The question slipped out before I could stop it."Is being nice so suspicious?" he asked, eyes on the road."In my experience? Yes." I closed my eyes, the wine making me loose-lipped. "Everyone wants something.""What do you think I want, Maya?"I turned to look at him, the city lights playing across his profile. "Control. Isn't that what all men want? To own something beautiful and keep it in a cage?"Alex's hands tightened on the steering wheel. "Is that what Daniel told you?""He didn't have to tell me. He showed me." The words tumbled out, filter dissolved by alcohol and exhaustion. "Every day for three years. My designs, my body, my mind—just pretty things for him to possess.""I'm not Daniel," Alex said quietly."No? Then what's this really about?" I gestured between us, the movement sloppy and uncoordinated. "The j