《Tangled Desires: Ex Husband Wants Me Back 》全部章節：第 21 章 - 第 30 章

AVA'S POV.I never thought the moment would come when I’d have to look at my father like this—lifeless, cold, and unresponsive. The morgue smelled faintly of antiseptic and something else I couldn’t quite place, a sterile sharpness that made my stomach churn. The sight of him lying on that metal slab shattered the fragile wall of denial I had built around myself.I had been holding onto a thread of hope that this was all just a cruel misunderstanding, but the truth was right in front of me now. My father was gone.The first sob escaped me in a broken gasp as I stepped closer to him. I barely noticed Jerome’s hand on the small of my back, guiding me forward. My legs felt like they would give way any second, but somehow, I made it to the slab. My hands trembled as I reached out and took one of his in mine. It was ice-cold, the warmth of life completely drained from his body.“Daddy…” The word barely escaped my lips before I broke down entirely.I pressed his hand against my cheek, as if

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR: Crimson ShadowsAUTUMN“What part of stand down don't you understand huh? I specifically told you to not ruin my plans, Damian!” I half yelled at the man who was smoking his life away and couldn't be bothered with me and that irritated the fuck out of me..“Relax, Babe, everything is going according to plan.”He whispered as he puffed out smoke.“How's everything going according to plan? Are you seriously telling me you don't know your plans failed and Jerome found your man? Tsk! Be for real,Damian! You're going to get us killed!” I barked and he covered his ears like I was some mad dog.Damian knew how to get under my skin with his words and I hated it to a point of wanting to kill him but I guess that would have to wait till I'd gotten everything I wanted.“He won't talk… So take a chill pill.. It's only a matter of time before Jerome realizes that he's useless to him and kill him but rest assured that my man won't say a word.” He assured me but deep down I was s

AVA MAXWELL.I couldn’t get Damian’s voice out of my head, the weight of the gun against my stomach replaying in my mind like a haunting melody. My hands trembled as I gripped the steering wheel, my knuckles white from the pressure. The city lights blurred around me as I drove back to the condo, Damian’s threats looping in my head. Twenty-four hours, he said. Something was terribly wrong and I couldn't shake off the feeling that Autumn was very much involved ? It wasn’t just about money. I knew him well enough to know there was something deeper, something more sinister.Damian wasn’t just after a payout—he wanted control. He wanted to remind me of the power he once had over me, to drag me back into the nightmare I’d escaped. But I wouldn’t let him. Not this time.As I parked in the underground garage of the condo building, I let out a shaky breath. My body was stiff, my mind frayed, but I knew what I needed to do. I couldn’t handle this alone, and for better or worse, I had to tell Je

AUTUMN MAXWELL’S POV.I walked into the high-end boutique with a soft, fragile smile, my hands delicately clasped in front of me. The air inside was thick with expensive perfume, the scent of luxury wrapping itself around me like an embrace. Every step I took was measured, every glance intentional. I knew exactly what I was doing.The scandal involving Jerome, Ava and me had settled somewhat, but whispers still followed me like shadows. I could feel the weight of their stares, the way customers and employees alike stole glances at me, some filled with curiosity, others with barely concealed judgement. I didn’t mind. In fact, I had counted on it.A sales associate approached me hesitantly. She was young, early twenties perhaps, with perfectly curled hair and a pristine uniform. Her nervous smile widened when I turned my soft gaze on her.“Miss Maxwell,” she greeted, dipping her head respectfully. “It’s such an honor to have you here. How can I assist you today?”I sighed lightly, as if

AVA MAXWELL'S POV.The stack of documents on my desk seemed never-ending, a mountain of contracts, reports, and proposals demanding my immediate attention. The general meeting was only days away, and if I wanted to prove to the board and the shareholders that I was the right choice for chairman, I couldn’t afford to falter. Every signature, every decision, every detail mattered. Yet, as I reached for another document, my phone buzzed with a notification.I shouldn’t have looked. I should have ignored it, buried myself in work. But curiosity got the better of me, and I unlocked my phone to see what had stirred up the internet this time.Another scandal.Another fabricated story, twisting the truth into something grotesque and cruel.I let out a breath, my fingers tightening around the phone as I scanned the headlines. Accusations, assumptions, whispers disguised as truth. I had grown used to it—being in the public eye meant living under constant scrutiny. But today, it hit differently.