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Elena: “She’s alive, safe and sound.” Those words didn’t just linger, they echoed, ricocheting inside my head like something determined to break me open from the inside. I stood there, completely stunned, everything inside me was spiralling. The cold air of the burial ground wrapped around my skin, but I barely felt it. My mind had gone somewhere else entirely, somewhere darker, somewhere far more dangerous. Because all I could think was what he said. No. No, this can’t be happening. I don’t want it to happen. I don’t want her. I don’t want some stranger walking into my life, into our life, and tearing apart the only thing that had ever been mine. My father was always mine alone. Even if I felt lonely. Even if I complained. Even if I lay awake some nights staring at the ceiling, wishing for something, someone to fill the silence this wasn’t what I meant. I thought he'd get over her if he didn't find her, if I guess right it's been more than twenty years now.

112

*The Next Morning* Ethan: The silence in my room felt heavier than usual. It wasn’t peaceful, it was suffocating and empty, not filled with Aria’s warmth. I stood in front of the mirror for longer than necessary, fingers working mechanically as I adjusted the cuffs of my black suit. Every movement felt rehearsed, like I was preparing for something far more permanent than just a visit to my parents’ house. The fabric sat perfectly on my shoulders, Unlike me. My reflection stared back at me, calm on the surface, but my eyes betrayed everything. It was filled with restlessness, conflict, and rage carefully buried under obligation. "A fake engagement." The words still taste bitter in my mouth. If this was what it would take to save Aria, then fine, I would do it. I would play along, smile when expected, stand beside a woman I couldn’t stand while waiting for the right moment to tear the truth open. I exhaled slowly, dragging my fingers through my hair. “I’ll get you out,” I mu

113

Ethan:My lips parted slightly as I stared at her, Genevieve or Priyanka. Whoever she might be because I don't understand. I dragged my tongue across my lower lip, buying myself a second to think, to steady the chaos rising inside my head. What the hell is this? Is she playing me? Twisting things just to throw me off balance? Or is Lucien the one pulling strings from the shadows? He was the one who pushed Devi to investigate Priyanka in the first place. Something wasn’t adding up. Honestly, nothing was adding up. But one thing I knew for sure, I couldn’t let her see that I was confused, she might be watching my every move, waiting for a slip. But fine, if she wanted to play this game, I’d play along. “I thought you were Genevieve,” I said, forcing a small, almost embarrassed smile onto my face. “Guess you just look like her. Sorry about that.” Her expression softened instantly, as if relief washed over her. Then, before I could react, she stepped forward and wrapped her arm

114

Aria: I shut my eyes tightly, as though darkness might offer me mercy. For a second, I allowed myself to believe it had all been a nightmare, that when I opened them again, the cold iron bars would be gone, and I would be walking out of the cell freely. But when my lashes fluttered open, nothing had changed. No officer had come. No keys had rattled. No gate had creaked open to grant me freedom. I was still here, trapped within the same suffocating cell, the same oppressive silence wrapping around me like a noose. And worst of all, I was not alone. Madden is with me, this bastard that doesn't want to leave because of his life. The very sight of him sitting there, so at ease in a place that felt like it was slowly choking the life out of me, made something sharp twist inside my chest. He leaned lazily against the wall, his posture far too relaxed for a man behind bars, as though he belonged here or perhaps as though the world outside these walls was no better than this. “The

115

Third Person’s POV Ethan entered the station like a man carrying a storm beneath his skin, restrained only by discipline and purpose. The glass doors slid shut behind him with a soft hiss, but the sound seemed louder than it should have been, echoing faintly in the controlled coldness of the building. Inside, everything was orderly predictable. Officers moved about with practised efficiency, voices kept low, footsteps measured. Papers shuffled, phones rang, keyboards clicked. It was a world built on procedure, on authority. Ethan’s gaze was dark, fixed straight ahead, his expression carved from something harder than anger, his jaw flexed subtly as he approached the reception desk, every step deliberate. The receptionist looked up. “Good morning, sir,” she said carefully. “Good morning,” he replied, his tone polite but devoid of warmth. “I’d like to see your superior officer. Immediately.” The receptionist nodded quickly. “Of course, sir. Right away.” Within seconds,

116

“Please, just drop the gun,” Ethan said, his voice low. “We’ve already got what we came for. Let’s leave. There’s no need to escalate this any further.” But Devi didn’t move. Her arm remained extended, unwavering, the pistol still aimed directly at the officer. Her eyes were sharp, blazing with restrained fury and her gaze never left his face, as though she could see through him, strip away every lie he had tried to hide behind procedure and authority. “You think this is over?” she said coldly, her voice filled with disbelief. “You think I’m just going to walk away after everything he’s done? After the way they dragged her in here like she’s some criminal?” “Devi,” Ethan tried again, a little more force behind his tone this time. “We’ll deal with that. Not like this.” “Not like this? What's going on with you?” she echoed, her lips curling slightly. “Then how, Ethan? By sitting in this stupid man's office and having polite conversations while they forge evidence and manipulat

Todos los capítulos de My Ex-husband's Late Regret : Capítulo 111 - Capítulo 116

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