All Chapters of Dear Ex, I Am Not Your Backup Anymore : Chapter 11 - Chapter 17

Ellie’s P.O.V. “See, you have a very hot stepson.” I stared at Maria across the table, convinced I had heard her wrong. “You are joking, right?” She popped a fry into her mouth, completely unbothered. “No. I am just stating facts.” A disbelieving laugh escaped me. “Maria, I told you that Zack is so insufferable. He is rude, arrogant, and…” I stopped before my voice could rise further. “He is making my life a nightmare.” “So what?” She shrugged. “He can still be hot.” I pressed my fingers against my temple. Of course, this was her takeaway. “I needed some advice. Not… whatever this is.” “I am helping,” she insisted, leaning forward with a grin. “Moral support comes in different forms, Ellie.” Leaning back in the chair, I exhaled sharply, trying to calm the frustration simmering under my skin. After everything that had already happened, I came here to meet my bestie and... feel normal again. And yet, Zack still managed to invade our conversation. “Do you have a pi

Ellie’s P.O.V. “You will attend it.” I mimicked Zack’s deep voice under my breath as I marched down the corridor. “My foot!” The nerve of that man! My blood was still boiling because of our argument. “You sold the pictures to our rivals.” The more I replayed those accusations, the more annoyed I became. Honestly, Zack deserved an award for being insufferable. As I rounded the corner, my gaze landed on Mr. Walton’s room. A mere thought crossed my mind. ‘If I could convince my husband to skip this banquet, Zack wouldn’t be able to do anything about it. ‘ Perfect! Zack couldn’t go against his father!Feeling hopeful, I stepped toward the door and knocked at it before twisting the knob. The room smelled faintly of medicines as I entered. Mr. Charles stood beside the bed while Mr. Walton rested against several pillows. He looked comparatively better as the oxygen mask wasn’t there now, replaced by a thin tube beneath his nose. His face was exhausted, but far more awake than be

Ellie’s P.O.V.The moment I stepped outside the mansion, a black luxury car rolled to a stop in front of me.The driver immediately got out and opened the rear door.“Good afternoon,ma’am.”I nodded and asked carefully.“Where are we going?”“The mall.”He stepped aside respectfully.“Mr. Walton wants you to purchase a wedding gift for your sister and a dress for the banquet.”Again Mr. Walton!My mind raced as I simply stared at him, figuring out who had arranged this trip.Then it occurred to me.“Zack can’t be so generous as to ask me to buy a dress.”So, this was my husband's arrangement.First he gave me the bank cards, and now this, making me feel a bit strange.Nobody had ever handed me money and said, ‘Spend it.’Taking a deep breath, I climbed into the car, ready for this so-called banquet shopping. The engine had barely started when someone suddenly knocked against the window.I looked up.“Lilly?”That old maid stood outside, slightly breathless. Lowering the window, I aske

Ellie’s P.O.V.The Hunt Villa looked exactly the way I remembered, perfect and magnificent.The building glowed beneath thousands of lights, every balcony draped with white roses and crystal decorations. Luxury cars lined the driveway while reporters crowded near the entrance, camera flashes illuminating the evening like bursts of lightning.Everything was beautiful, just like how I had imagined my wedding reception would look.A sharp ache settled in my chest as I simply stood there, my grip tightening on my purse.“Stop it, Ellie.” I reminded myself. “That dream is over.”I wasn't here as Jared's bride anymore. I came here to attend this banquet on behalf of my husband.Mr. Walton had trusted me with this responsibility. I couldn't disappoint him.Straightening my shoulders, I walked toward the entrance.The host immediately stopped me.“Invitation, please.”I smiled politely and handed him the envelope.He opened it and frowned.“I'm sorry, ma'am.”The invitation was returned to m