Semua Bab Alpha Rafael: Chasing My Ex Wife: Bab 181 - Bab 187

AVAAll through the drive back home, my head rings with one statement, echoing like a curse: Ask him what happened the night she died. Nicklaus isn’t who you think he is.The words won’t leave me. They claw at me, digging deeper with every passing second. And all I can picture is the night Nicklaus was so hesitant before he admitted he had a brother. That look in his eyes, that heavy tone. As if even then, he was holding something back. What is he hiding from me?I pull into the garage, the car humming to silence. The same car Nicklaus had gifted me, now feeling like both a luxury and a chain around my neck.I head inside to him standing with his phone in hand. But the second he sees me, he ends the call, no hesitation. He strides over, strong arms wrapping around me, pulling me into a hug so fierce it steals my breath.“Oh, damn it… it feels so good to hug you again. So fucking good.” His voice is rough, his nose brushing against my ear. Then his lips, hungry, restless press kisses a

AVAMy head’s a fucking mess. You know that feeling when someone dumps a bucket of ice over you? Yeah—that’s me right now. My chest is tight, my thoughts are spiraling, and all I can see is that damn picture. Part of me wants to call Fernando and demand why the hell he sent it, and the other part wants to hunt down Nicklaus and shove it in his face.And what do you even do when your mate shuts you out right after an intense make-out? Cry behind closed doors? Beg to be seen? Beg to be heard?Not me. That’s not fucking me.I’ve got one plan and one plan only: find Georgia.I step into the bathroom, run a warm bath, and let the water cascade down my body. If only it could seep into my chest and wash away the hurt lodged there.I hate what Nicklaus is turning me into, a vulnerable, weak mess. I used to be strong. I used to kick ass. I was always the girl who dished out the silent treatment, dumped stupid assholes, and walked away from shitty relationships without blinking.But right now?

AVAMy heart is still thumping from the piece I just put together, when suddenly, there’s a rustle at the door.I freeze.Georgia’s eyes snap to mine, wide and questioning.“I didn’t bring anybody, I swear,” I whisper, my throat dry.The handle twists, the door creaks open, and I almost scream at the top of my lungs.Nicklaus. Busted."Ava?"Y’know that moment when you’re staring at someone you love, but it suddenly hits you he might actually be a murderer? Yeah, that’s me right now—hands clammy, heart racing, eyes desperate for an answer."Leave us." His eyes don’t leave mine, but I know he’s talking to Georgia.Georgia gulps, gives me one last nervous glance, and slips out, the door clicking shut behind her. Now it’s just me and him.My heart keeps screaming he’s my Nicklaus, but my brain won’t stop whispering the odds are stacked against him.One step. Two steps. I inch back."Please," my voice cracks, "tell me you didn’t do it."He swallows hard, his gaze still pinned on me. The s

AVAIt’s been three days since the incident, three days of dreams I can’t piece together. Three nights of visions that slip through my fingers the moment I wake. Voices. Screams. The same chant over and over. But this time, it's not clearer. Scenes of Selene. Begging. Pleading to be forgiven. Her voice filled with desperation. And then, water. She’s drowning, her body going still, lifeless.I don’t know what’s worse, the fact that I’m seeing this, or the fact that I can’t make sense of why it’s happening to me. The visions blur like smoke, and yet they feel too real to dismiss.I Meanwhile, Nicklaus’s lawyer is still busy hammering out stipulations on the contract. Legal jargon and terms that don’t make my head ache any less. And still, i have to keep showing up at work, plastering on a face, pretending Fernando doesn’t want me six feet under. Afterall they say, Fear is a murderer with patience; awareness just pulls the trigger faster.I push my way through the stairs and the busy bo