บททั้งหมดของ Get Down On Your Knees And Beg, Ex-Husband : บทที่ 21 - บทที่ 30

**Nia's Point of View**"No."The word came out way too fast. I winced the moment I said it, knowing exactly how it sounded.There was a beat of silence on the other end of the line. I could practically hear Jenny processing my response, picking it apart like the lawyer she was.Then I heard the sound of her leaning back, the soft creak of her couch, followed by another sip of wine."Okay," she finally spoke, drawing out the word.I waited, gripping my fork tighter, knowing she wasn't done."Be careful, Nia.""There's nothing going on," I insisted, setting down my fork and pushing the container of pasta away. My appetite was completely gone now. "I'm serious. It's nothing.""Then why did you pause?""Because..." I struggled to find the right words. "Because there's this man who's been on my tail since I got here. Tracking me, showing up everywhere, inviting me to dinners and museums and whatever. But that doesn't mean anything is going on. It just means he's persistent and annoying."

**Nia's Point of View**I didn't take the call.Of course I didn't.I stared at that unknown number flashing on my screen for a few more seconds, then deliberately turned away and went back to dealing with the mess I'd made on the floor.Should've blocked that number the moment I left the aquarium today. Should've deleted it entirely, erased any trace of him from my phone.The ringing stopped.Then started again almost immediately.I ignored it.I focused on carefully picking up the larger pieces of crystal, being more cautious this time now that I had a bleeding palm wrapped in a towel. Each shard went into a small pile I was making near the wall, away from where I might accidentally step on them.The phone rang again.And again.And again.He wouldn't stop. The sound was relentless, filling the room every few minutes like some kind of torture designed specifically to break my concentration.Wasn't he supposed to be at that gala? On that red carpet with his gorgeous fiancée, smiling

**Nia's point of view**"Niamh...""She doesn't deserve this," I pushed on. "She doesn't deserve to be with someone who would do this to her. And I don't deserve to be used as some kind of pawn in whatever nonsense this is."I walked over to where my suitcase sat, fully packed and ready to go, and gestured to it."So there's your answer. That's why I wasn't picking up your calls. That's why I was packing. That's why I want you to leave right this second."He was quiet for a long moment, just standing there near the door, watching me with an expression I couldn't quite read.Then he spoke, his voice calm and steady despite everything I'd just thrown at him."Are you done?"The question caught me off guard. "What?""Are you done yelling at me? Making assumptions? Working yourself into a state over something you don't actually understand?"I opened my mouth to argue, but he held up a hand."Because if you are, I'd like to explain. I'd like to tell you about the woman at the gala. About w

**Nia's Point of View**"I understand your point," Khiron responded, "I really do. And I respect it."He moved slightly, and I could see him choosing his next words carefully."But it would be temporary," he continued. "That's the key difference between what I'm asking and what you went through before. This wouldn't be forever. It would have a clear end date. A specific purpose. And then you'd be free to continue discovering who you are without any strings attached."I opened my mouth to argue, but he held up a hand."And there are benefits," he went on. "Real, tangible benefits that could help you move forward. Financial security. Connections. Resources. All the things that could make rebuilding your life so much easier.""I don't need your money," I interjected."Maybe not," he conceded. "But think about what you could do with it anyway. Think about the power it would give you."There was something in his tone now. Something darker and more intense."You're angry," he stated, and it

**Nia's Point of View**I had boarded a cab outside the hotel, hauling my suitcase and bag into the back seat before sliding in after them."Train station, please," I told the driver.He nodded and pulled away from the curb, merging into London morning traffic.I turned to look out the window, watching the city pass by in a blur of buildings and people and movement. I tried to focus on the scenery, tried to let it distract me from the weight sitting heavy in my chest.But it wasn't working.I should have felt satisfied. I should have felt some sense of peace or closure or victory.Caspian's company was collapsing. His reputation was destroyed. The entire world knew what he'd done, knew about the affair, knew about the hotel room video.And Isla was clearly spiraling. Those emails made that obvious. She was angry and desperate and lashing out in every direction.They were both suffering. They were both facing consequences.That should have been enough. That should have made me feel lik