Semua Bab AFTER MY EX-WIFE : Bab 51 - Bab 60

Camilla"Ava... she's my daughter, too," Alex said, his voice calm but shaking with passion.The words struck me like a blow to the chest, forcing the air from my lungs. My hand tightened around the phone, fingers twitching as I battled to maintain my grip. The world slanted for a brief instant. The walls of the room appeared to close in, making it difficult to breathe.Ava his daughter?The prospect of treachery made me feel ill. My heartbeat pounded in my ears, drowning out everything else.I wanted to say no and shout that he was wrong. But the reality was already breaking through the barriers I'd painstakingly created over the years. My heart pounded like a drum in my chest, each beat filled with anxiety.I wrapped my arms around myself, attempting to control the swirl of feelings. Confusion. Disbelief. Panic. They swirled together, making it difficult to think properly.No. He couldn't have known. How could he? Was Alex guessing? Was he attempting to manipulate me? Or did someone

ALEXThe drive to work felt longer than usual, though traffic was not an issue, but silence. It was the kind of silence that grabs you by the throat and won't let go. My mind was racing with ideas, all of which circled back to the same instant. Camilla's voice rang in my head, trembling like it had when I told her the truth."Ava is my daughter too." * The line I had crossed. I couldn't keep the truth buried any longer. But rather than bringing down her walls, it appeared to strengthen them. There was a long pause after I said that, a hush so thin it felt like it would snap. I could still picture it. Her fingers was presumably clasped tightly around the phone, her thoughts racing. Then her voice broke through, piercing and icy. * "I'm done with this." * I called her after she hung up, desperate to repair the damage. But each time, it went directly to voicemail. I called again. And again. Nothing. The silence at the other end was deafening. Her phone was off, which was unusual f

CamillaAva's enthusiasm twisted my heart. She took Alex's hand as they walked to his car, her little feet leaping with each step and her face beaming with joy. I could not bring myself to stop her. I wanted to, I truly did. I wanted to call her back and remind her of the boundaries I had set. But, how could I? How could I ruin that joy, that innocence, simply because I was afraid?She was so carefree and full of faith. And there it was: the terrible sting of jealousy. She was more than just thrilled to see him. She was thrilled to be with him. How readily she welcomed him into her world, without hesitation, and without the barriers I had built up over the years. It was as if he had never hurt me, as if his absence for all these years had no significance.My hands tightened over the steering wheel, my fingers throbbing as I struggled to keep my emotions under control. This wasn't only about Ava's happiness. No, it was about him. It always returned to him. Alex. The man who crushed my

Camilla. As soon as I opened the door, Ava jumped off the couch, her bag still hanging on one shoulder and her drawing book held securely in one hand. Her big, expectant eyes looked beyond me, filled with hope. "Where is Big Uncle?" she said, her voice brimming with innocence and delight. I froze for a moment, my stomach wrenching. I expected this question, but that didn't make it any simpler to answer. "Honey," I murmured, attempting a grin that did not reach my eyes; "he had an important meeting to attend. He promised to return another day. The words tasted harsh and heavy as they left my tongue. I could feel the tightness rising in my chest, my fingers clenching into fists at my sides. Alex had no plans to return—not if I had anything to say about it. I couldn't dispute that Ava adored him. It terrified me how quickly she'd become attached. Her sparkling eyes faded, and her little shoulders sagged under the weight of disappointment. She fiddled with a corner of her sketc

ALEX Camilla stepped in with her head held high and her presence imposing. She donned a navy-blue dress that matched her beautiful assurance. Julie walked behind her, carrying some documents, but Camilla remained focused on the task at hand. Her professionalism served as a screen against the mayhem that lingered around her. I couldn't take my gaze away. She noticed me gazing and softened her eyes briefly before turning away. My heart wrenched cruelly. ______We took our seats on the elevated platform. The hall was packed with expectant faces, including investors and staff. Camilla and I sat side by side. The Q&A session began, and the room fell silent. Investors, journalists, and company executives sat forward in their seats, eager to examine every word. The first query came from a man dressed in a gray suit, his voice steady and professional. "How do you plan to ensure this product stands out in such a competitive market?" Camilla leaned closer, her expression confident yet