All Chapters of His Tears, My Freedom (Ex-Husband Wants Me Back): Chapter 141 - Chapter 150

158 Chapters

141 Hope stirs

Liam’s POVI stand by the side, just far enough to remain unseen, watching everything unfold.I came early tonight. Earlier than I ever planned to. The moment I found out Lila would be showcasing her first collection, her very first step into the fashion industry, I knew I had to be here. Not to interfere. Not to insert myself into her world again. Just to witness it.That was all I wanted.I tried my best to stay neutral, to blend into the crowd, careful not to cross her line of sight. I was scared of how she might react if she saw me. Scared of the anger I know she carries where I’m concerned. I’ve earned it, after all.Still, I wanted to be part of this phase of her life. Even if it was from a distance.I brought flowers. I just couldn't give them to her myself. So when her friends arrived, I handed the bouquet to someone else and asked him to give it to them. That way, they could pass it along and say it was from a well-wisher.That was enough.Or so I thought.I never imagined it

142 When the masks slip

Lior’s POV I dash into her house, my pulse hammering.“Mom!”My voice echoes down the hallway as I move fast, barely slowing until I reach the living room. And there they are.My mother sits on the couch, spine straight, legs crossed, hands folded neatly on her lap. Calm. Composed. As if nothing in the world has happened tonight. As if my sudden arrival means nothing at all.Unbothered. Untouched by the storm burning through me.Beside her, Aurelia stiffens.She shoots to her feet the moment she sees me, the movement sharp and rushed. Her fingers curl into the fabric of her dress as her eyes widen.“Li… Lior, you’re here?”The words come out uncertain, almost breathless, like she did not expect me. Like she hoped I would not show up.I do not answer her.My eyes dart to her face, cold, assessing.“You,” I say flatly. “What are you doing here?”Her lips part, ready to respond, but my mother speaks first.“Mind how you talk to her, Lior,” she says coolly. “She’s your fiancée.”A sharp

143 The woman in the video

Venessa’s POVI sit behind my desk, the office unnaturally quiet, my thoughts anything but.That face from last night refuses to leave me.Lila’s.The woman at the prestige fashion show. She sat there so confidently, holding my gaze. And had come to showcase her collection? The shock in my head seems not to be leaving me as everything replays.She looked exactly like her.Exactly like the poor, no identity Lila I’ve always known.I frown, my chest tightening as the questions pile up. How is that even possible? And how did she get there? If she is truly the Lila I know, then something is very wrong somewhere. Lila should not have been able to step foot into such a space, not without help, not without access.I drop my elbow onto the desk, resting my jaw against my folded hand as images from last night crawl back into my mind. Clear. Sharp. Unforgiving. The lights. The moment. Her face turning slightly as though she sensed my stare.The door suddenly bursts open.I jolt, my thoughts sna

144 Web of lies

Aurelia’s POVMy eyes dart between Claudia and Venessa, back and forth, too fast to be unnoticed. My fingers tighten around the strap of my bag, curling slowly as if grounding myself will keep my thoughts from spilling out. My mind reels, but one truth anchors me.This is what I have to do.I cannot let Venessa find out about my involvement in any of this. Not now. Not ever. And Claudia’s threats are not empty words. I know that much. If I don’t step in, if I don’t control the story, she will turn on me without blinking. I have to come up with something, and fast.“Aurelia.”Venessa’s voice snaps my name, sharp and impatient.“Tell me,” she says, her eyes narrowing, “who did it?”I lift my gaze to her, forcing my shoulders to relax. I let my voice soften, careful, measured.“I’m sorry, Aunt Venessa,” I begin slowly. “But I overheard Emma that night.”The lie tastes bitter, but I keep going.“She was talking about how much she hated Claudia. She said Claudia didn’t deserve to be the he

145 Power play

Lila’s POVI look closely at Colette as she walks into the room, her steps quick, her shoulders tight.“What news?” I ask.She does not answer. Instead, she reaches for the remote, turns on the television, and steps aside.A live stream fills the screen.“See,” Colette says, pointing sharply. “See how Venessa is holding a press conference, denying every allegation about them.”She begins to pace, her hands flying as frustration spills out of her. Then she stops abruptly.“I can’t believe this,” she says, her voice shaking. “They are not even remorseful. Not apologizing. Not even pretending to feel sorry for what they did to you. Instead, they are…”Her voice trails off, the words too painful to finish, as if speaking them aloud would hurt her more than keeping them inside.I move closer to the screen.Venessa sits behind the table, poised and immaculately dressed, her spine straight, her chin lifted. Her lips curve into a practiced expression of calm concern. Her eyes hold just enough

146 Unexpected encounter

Liam’s POVThe weekend traffic is light, which makes sense. Most people are home, resting, spending time with family. For me, weekends mean one thing only.Zara.It’s my turn with her, my allotted time, the only hours in the week that feel entirely mine. That’s why I’m here, parked outside Claudia’s apartment with the engine already off, my hands resting on the steering wheel longer than necessary. I don’t come here for Claudia. I come here because this is where my daughter is.I step out and head inside, already mentally prepared to keep this quick and clean. No unnecessary words. No lingering.As I walk in, I hear Claudia’s voice from inside the living room.“I think you already know what to do.”I slow down.What to do?The question repeats softly in my head as I move closer. Her tone isn’t casual. It’s tight, controlled. I step fully into the room just in time to see her standing with her phone pressed to her ear, her grip firm, almost tense. Her shoulders are stiff, and there’s s

147 Between two betrayals

Lila’s POVI stand in the middle of Funland Ice Cream Park, the noise of children and clinking spoons swirling around me, but all I hear is the message from earlier.“They’re at Funland Ice Cream Park.”I scoff under my breath, folding my arms loosely as my eyes sweep through the crowd. Couples. Teenagers. Parents with sticky-fingered toddlers. My gaze keeps moving, sharp and calculated, until it lands on her.Zara.Her small frame is wrapped in a pale yellow dress, her hair bouncing as she walks beside him toward the counter. She’s holding his hand, swinging it lightly, pointing at the menu board with animated excitement. Liam bends slightly so he can hear her better, nodding at whatever she’s saying.Of course.I inhale slowly, straightening my shoulders. Time to get into character.I step forward, weaving through the crowd with purpose. My heels tap lightly against the tiled floor, my expression softening into something casual, almost distracted. I arrive at the counter just as the

148 We get to see again

Venessa’s POVI sit across from the private investigator, fingers laced on the desk to hide the tension in them. I had given him clear instructions days back. Look into Lila. Quietly. Thoroughly. I wanted background, inconsistencies. Something I could use if necessary.Now he sits before me with a file thicker than I expected.“So you’re telling me,” I say slowly, keeping my voice level, “that The Ivory Pavilion, where we have our private showroom, is owned by Lila Armitage?”He nods once. Calm. Certain.“Yes, ma’am. It is. This isn’t public knowledge yet. Legally, the properties are under Lady M. Armitage’s name. She manages all the assets, investments, and shares on behalf of her granddaughter. Lila’s name appears only in trust documents and as a beneficiary. On paper, she is protected and not directly visible.”The words settle into the room like dust.Shielded.Hidden.Managed.Three years ago, we’d been approached about having a private showroom at The Ivory Pavilion. At the time

149 Calculated moves

Lila’s POVDressing up means one thing.Claudia must have gotten my message.And now she has finally decided to see me.Of course I have to look my best. Like they say, first impression matters. And if this is going to be a confrontation, then I will walk into it looking untouchable.I hum softly under my breath as I slip on my black jacket, smoothing it over my shoulders. The fabric fits perfectly, sharp and structured. Powerful.My reflection stares back at me from the mirror.Confident. Composed. Dangerous.For a second, my mind drifts to that night at Funland Ice Cream.The lights. The laughter. The staged warmth.I made sure every angle was captured perfectly. Every touch Liam placed on me. Every smile. Every lean-in that could be mistaken for intimacy.I made sure stepping into his apartment with Zara in my arms was seen.Perfect.A picture of the ideal little family.Father. Child. Woman.So when she sees it, she feels it.A threat.A warning.If you are not careful, I will tak

150 Because of you

Lior’s POVMy eyes stay locked on the plant by the side of my office.It sits near the floor-to-ceiling glass window, leaves a deep shade of green, stretching quietly toward the light. The sunlight hits its edges, soft and warm. Calm. Alive.My mind isn’t here though.It drifts back to that day.The day Lila walked into my office two men behind her carrying the plant.She had stood right where it is now. Her voice clear as she gives commands to the men carrying the flowers, instructing them on how to place it.“I brought you something,” she said, watching them place it down carefully.I remember looking at her, confused. “A plant?”She had laughed softly. That laugh. Light. Almost shy.“Yes. Because I want you to always think about me.”My chest tightens at the memory.I stand slowly from my chair. My legs move before I even register it. I walk toward the plant like I’m being pulled by something invisible.The watering can sits beside it.I pick it up and begin to water it, the steady

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