Lahat ng Kabanata ng Her Billionaire Ex-husband's Regret : Kabanata 191 - Kabanata 200

ARIA “Well, look who's waiting,” Caspian muttered behind me. Rowan’s fists were clenched at his sides, his jaw tight, his shirt rumpled from his tantrum, and now clinging to him in the late afternoon humidity like it was tired of him. “Aria, you can change your mind now when you still can.” Rowan said. “I'm begging you, back off now.” “You're begging me? Rowan Zane is begging me. Maybe I need a plaque for that.” I chuckled, lifting my brow. “You really think this’ll last?” Rowan said. “You think they’ll actually respect you?” I kept walking. “You’re confusing respect with fear. I don’t need the first, and I’ve got plenty of the second.” “You don’t deserve any of this,” he snapped. “You’re not qualified. You’re not supposed to be here. Stay down like the…” Was this man singularly the most retarded person on the planet earth? I could feel the anger boiling up in my chest. It was a feeling unlike anything else. “Careful,” Caspian said quietly, stepping in front o

ARIA Waking up the next morning felt like trying to swim through cement. I'd experienced some terrible things, but none of them made my palm sweat in empty rooms immediately I blinked my eyes open. None of them made me feel like my entire existence and truth had been tumbled onto its head. My head was pounding, my eyes dry, my body heavy in a way that said I’d done far too much crying and not nearly enough sleeping. I sat up slowly, blinking at the streaks of light pouring through the curtains. Everything looked the same as yesterday. Except it wasn’t, because now I knew. And the truth had painted everything in all different shades. The floor was cold under my feet, as I walked into the bathroom, pushing off the fatigue pulling me back to bed. Yesterday had been so different, and to feel this way this morning? I wanted to shrivel up and die. My own heart beat was pounding too hard in my chest. Stepping out of the bathroom, I pulled on a two piece lounge set, grima

ARIA I set the phone down and walked into the kitchen. I bit my lip to hold back the smile brushing across my face. That bastard really thought it was going to be that easy? I needed to call Lana and ask her to terminate my contract with his company. Or at least try to, I knew it wouldn't be as easy as asking her to do it. Caspian was already plating the pancakes when I stepped in. He’d stacked them high, like he was compensating for the first two batches he’d apparently burnt. I caught the faintest scent of toasted flour in the air, and it made me weirdly emotional. He looked up as I entered, a spatula in one hand, the other holding a plate steady. “I was just about to bring yours up,” he said. There was something about the way he said it. He sounded casual and warm, as though bringing me pancakes was just what we did, as though last night hadn't changed a thing. I sat next to the kids, watching as he placed one plate in front of Nylah and another in front of Lark

ARIA She stumbled off the man’s lap and nearly fell into me. I caught her before she faceplanted and wrapped an arm around her waist. “Okay, the party's over.” “Noooo,” she whined. “I was just getting to the good part.” Xander stood slowly, the woman next to him glaring like I’d just interrupted her reality show. He met my eyes and his jaw clenched. I tightened my grip on Nyx, who was now giggling into my shoulder. “Let’s go.” “I’m not done,” she mumbled. “You are now.” And if I thought I’d seen the end of the dramatics for the day, I was sorely mistaken. Because nothing quite says emotional whiplash like finding your friend lap dancing a stranger while her very-much-situationship stares from across the bar, beer in hand, jaw ticking like he’s chewing rocks. And of course, the woman next to Xander had the kind of model bone structure that made you want to apologize for existing. “Ariaaa,” Nyx slurred, dragging out the name like it was fun. Her hair was wild, eyeliner dri

ARIAMy first instinct was to check the kids. Lark’s face had gone stiff, Nylah’s brows lifted like she’d just been told Santa kicked puppies.“Camilla,” my father’s voice warned from the bed. “That’s enough.”But she didn’t look away from me.I felt Nylah’s small hand slide into mine, and that kept me from doing something I’d regret.“Come on,” I said quietly, my hand finding hers, then reaching for Lark’s. “We’re leaving.”I didn’t give Camilla the satisfaction of a reaction.I wasn't going to fight her in front of my children, nor would I exchange words with her which was clearly what she wanted. I had come here to see my father, and if that wasn't possible, I would just have to come back another time when they weren't here. “Dad? How are you?” I asked instead, my eyes fixed on him, completely ignoring Camilla. He looked tired and pale, and he was already loosing more of his hairline than he had with old age. Even the bright hospital lights couldn't hide just how tired he was.