ON YOUR KNEES, EX-HUSBAND のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 41 - チャプター 50

Carla~The moment I stepped out of the vehicle, a familiar noise hit me.Cameras flashing relentlessly, voices overlapping as reporters shouted my name from every direction. The entrance to the ballroom glittered under golden lights, but all I could focus on was the chaos waiting for me at the steps.My fingers tightened instinctively around Damian’s arm.Security moved fast, forming a barrier as paparazzi surged forward, microphones stretching toward my face like weapons.“Carla! Is it true you’re working with Damian Reeves now?”“Miss Lockwood...are the rumors about your divorce accurate?”“Is this a comeback?”My heart pounded violently in my chest, and for a split second, I wanted to turn around and run. I shrank closer to Damian without even realizing it, my shoulders curling inward.“Straighten up,” he murmured beside me.I looked up at him, startled.“And smile for the cameras,” he added calmly. “Trust me.”I hesitated, but only for a moment.Then I did exactly that.I lifted m

Carla~The rest of the night had been going really well.So well that I'd almost forgotten the actual reason we were here.Damian and I were seated at a large round table tucked away from the noise of the main ballroom. The laughter and music outside felt distant here, muffled by thick walls and closed doors. This hall carried a different kind of weight; the type that crushed all sense of humor or playfulness.Why? Because power lived here.Around us sat some of the wealthiest men in the city. Men whose names alone could open doors or shut them permanently. Their suits were understated but expensive, their expressions calculating. This wasn’t a party anymore, it was business.They were discussing the terms of my sponsorship, voices low, measured. Numbers were mentioned, exposure, contracts and image control.From the looks of it, they all seemed to be in agreement.All except one; Fernando.I recognized him immediately; the same older man who had welcomed Xavier earlier with open arms

Carla~The city glittered proudly from a mile afar.Neon lights blinked endlessly, cars flowed through the streets below, their horns blaring as loud as ever. Laughter drifted faintly upward from somewhere in the distance. From this height, everything looked beautiful. It looked controlled and predictable.Nothing like my life.“Thank you,” I murmured softly as a server topped up my glass with wine.The crystal chimed gently as I lifted it, the deep red liquid catching rays of city lights. I took a slow sip, letting the warmth settle in my chest as the server quietly retreated.For the first time in a long while, there was silence.No cameras and any of that extra stuff.Just me.My thoughts spiraled whatever I wanted them to or not; Headlines and interviews...even passing whispers. My name plastered everywhere like it belonged to a stranger. Carla Dunbar: reborn, redeemed, controversial.Dangerous.And then… Ryan.And like always, the thought of my son tightened something in my che

Xavier~"Mr. Lockwood?"I looked up at the secretary as she peeked from the doorway.She suddenly held up an envelope for me to see."The photos you requested."That instantly got my full attention and I was stretching out a hand and motioning for her to bring it to me.Once the envelope was in my hand, I wasted no time in tearing it off to reveal the content inside.I held my breath without meaning to, as my gaze finally swept through the photos.From that night at the gala, where Carla and Damian shared a kiss.I had initially thought it was a baseless rumour. But now that I was looking right at it, something flared right up inside me. Something that had me gritting my teeth in contempt.I finally had my weapon of retaliation in hand now and I wasn't going to hesitate to use it.I lifted my gaze to the secretary, the photos still clenched tightly in my hand.“I need more,” I said flatly. “Dig into everything.”She straightened immediately. “Everything, sir?”“Everything,” I repeated

Xavier~“Throw it higher, Dad!”Ryan’s voice cut through the open garden, bright and insistent. I smirked, adjusting my stance as the frisbee spun between my fingers.“Alright,” I said, squinting at him. “But don’t complain if you miss it.”“I won’t!” He grinned, already bouncing on the balls of his feet.I sent the frisbee sailing through the air. It arced cleanly, slicing through the breeze before dipping. Ryan sprinted after it, laughing as he leapt and barely caught it with the tips of his fingers before tumbling onto the grass.“I got it!” he crowed, scrambling up with grass stains on his knees.I laughed under my breath, feeling a hint of pride as I watched him. Nothing else mattered to me in moments like this.Just my son and a wide stretch of green.Ryan hurled the frisbee back at me with more enthusiasm than accuracy. However I caught it easily, watching him applaud himself for the wonderful throw.God, he was just like me.The soft crunch of heels on gravel pulled my attenti