All Chapters of Dear Ex, I Am Not Your Backup Anymore : Chapter 61 - Chapter 69

Ellie's P.O.V.Zack's gaze snapped toward Theo. His fingers loosened around my wrist, and I immediately pulled away, sliding to the other side of the seat.Zack’s gaze turned cold as he answered the call.“Nonno.”I blinked. “Italian?”Zack spoke rapidly, his tone clipped as he listened to the person on the other end. I couldn't understand anything except his grandfather’s displeasure. Despite visiting Italy twice, my vocabulary consisted of basic greetings. I turned toward the window, watching the city lights blur past us. By the time Zack ended the call, the car had taken the final turn to the mansion.“Pack your bags,” he announced. “We are going to Milan this weekend.”I turned so quickly I nearly hit my head against the window.“What? Milan?”“Do you need me to repeat it?”“No, I heard you!” I straightened in my seat. “But why? What kind of order is that?”Zack raised an eyebrow.“There is some pending business for my company. And my Nonna wants to meet the lady of White Mansion

Ellie's P.O.V.Jared’s confidence startled me. I frowned. “The prison?” “Yes,” his voice turned cold. “People who stole designs go to prison.”I stared at Jared, unable to believe the words coming out of his mouth. “Stolen designs? What are you talking about?”Then I pointed at the dresses displayed behind me.“I designed every single dress here! These are the results of my hard work. How can you call them stolen?”His condescending smile irked me. I pointed a finger at him.“Think twice before making false accusations, Jared. You don't get to walk into my business and call me a thief!”He merely chuckled before wrapping an arm around Alice's waist.“You were right, baby. Some people never change.”Alice leaned against him, her lips curving into a pitiful smile.“All my life, I had to beg for my rights in our home, Ellie. I never complained. But now you've stolen my designs and opened a stall using my work. How could you do that to your o

Ellie’s P.O.V.“Kneel? Are you nuts?”I stared at Jared, unable to believe what I was hearing.“If you think I stole her designs, take me to court! Let the law decide who’s guilty. You don’t get to turn this expo into your personal courtroom and pass judgements!”Maria stepped forward, her face red with anger.“Exactly! Since when did you become a judge, Jared? You wave a few papers around, and suddenly you can order people to their knees? Who the hell do you think you are?”Jared barely glanced at her.“Another word, and I’ll have security remove you.”Theo moved between them before Maria could say anything else.“Enough. These documents need to be investigated. Anyone can manipulate records or forge papers. If your evidence is so solid, Mr. Jared, why are you afraid of a proper investigation?”Jared’s smirk deepened.“Because I don’t need one. The evidence is right here.”He eyed his assistant, and the watermark ownership certificate

Ellie's P.O.V.“Uncle Zackary, when did you inherit Astor Jewels?”Jared's question froze everything inside me.Uncle Zackary?I spun around sharply, watching Jared approach Zack with disbelief written across his face.“Sorry for my curiosity, Uncle. We never heard anything about this.”The ground seemed to slip beneath my feet.I turned toward Jared. “Why are you calling him Uncle?”His expression stiffened before a mocking smile spread across his face.“You married my uncle, so now I can’t address him properly?”He sneered. “Get over yourself, Ellie. The Walton family had stronger bonds long before you came along.”My ears rang.I slowly turned toward Zack.He stood motionless, his amber eyes cold and his expression unreadable.The pieces began falling into place, one after another.Jared was calling him Uncle. Which meant…No!My gaze darted toward Maria. She looked as horrified as I felt.“Ellie,” she whispe

Ellie’s P.O.V.My anguished sobs echoed through Maria’s bedroom.If Zack had only lied about our relationship, I would have fought him. Maybe even I would take revenge.But this was so much bigger than a lie. He planned everything meticulously.Zack helped me get over Jared. He tricked me into signing contracts so we could work together. Little by little, he became part of my life until I couldn't imagine a day without arguing with him.And all that time, he knew the truth.I looked at Maria, whose eyes glistened with tears.“For three months, I kept telling myself I was imagining things,” I whispered quietly. “Every time he acted possessive, cared for me, or gave me a thoughtful gift, I reminded myself he was my stepson. I thought I was wrong for even thinking about him… that way.”Maria sighed.“And all this time, he was your husband. You didn't have to feel guilty for having feelings for him.”“Exactly!” I wiped my cheeks. “I started hating