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Chapter 8: Old Habits
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Ex Mate's Regret: Love Rehab for Her One-Sided Mate Chapter 9: Love-struck Idiot
CeciliaCould the city’s most eligible bachelor Emeric Garvalle’s true mate be Victoria?It’s become rampant tabloid fodder. It’s everywhere, the news of them being spotted together at events, and the rumors that their packs might soon be uniting.Now, it’s only a matter of time before everyone I know hears about all of it, and knows my life’s been changed forever. Before everyone knows Emeric and I are finally over, because he’s found someone better for him than me.Some are just better informed.My first big meeting for Roy’s firm is a lunch meeting with social media celebrity Caroline Collins—who just so happens to be pals with none other than Victoria Cambridge.I knew she wouldn’t make it easy for me.“So what was your problem with Emeric?” Miss Collins squints at me, sneering. “I have no problem with Mr. Garvalle,” I answer politely. Like a lawyer. “He was an excellent employer, but it was time for me to move on.”“Hmm. And why’d you quit, exactly? With no notice, if what I’ve
Ex Mate's Regret: Love Rehab for Her One-Sided Mate Chapter 10: Distracted
Cecilia Speak of the devil.Flushed with embarrassment, I’m overwhelmed with a sudden desire to disappear off the face of the earth. I can only hope Emeric didn’t overhear anything I was saying to Tony. Hopefully he only just walked up behind me.I turn to face my former boss and gulp.My mate’s scent strikes my senses right away, awakening an ache inside me. A craving for his touch. And he looks so goddamn handsome, it should be a crime. He’s wearing an expensive, dark green dress shirt under a jacket without a tie. The top two shirt buttons are unbuttoned, revealing a glimpse of his strong chest. And his thick, jet black hair is longish and a bit unkempt, like he’s overdue for a haircut. I hate how much I want to run my fingers through that soft, fluffy mess… Emeric steps close and takes my shopping bag right out of my hand. He looks down into my eyes, catching me into an intense eye contact that makes me feel like the world around us has melted away. “Let’s have dinner,” he sa
Ex Mate's Regret: Love Rehab for Her One-Sided Mate Chapter 11.1: Good Company
CeciliaOf course I put on my big girl pants and bailed him.What is unrequited love? A great sacrifice of yourself. You would be happy and ecstatic for days with just a look or a waving finger from him. You know very well that no matter what you do, he will never love you and he doesn't owe you anything. I willingly gave him the power to hurt me. I had it coming.So I didn’t go meet him at the hotel for whatever he planned.I go home instead, where I pour myself a large glass of wine and put my phone on Do Not Disturb mode so I can’t be tempted to pick up if he calls again. Then I open up the pictures on my phone and navigate to an album where I’ve collected a few photos of Emeric.There aren’t many. I don’t actually have a single picture of the two of us together. The other photos in the album I’ve taken in secret over the years. I go through and delete them all, one at a time. I’m left feeling lonely when they’re gone. My love failed, as my mother told me, "Finding someone you l
Ex Mate's Regret: Love Rehab for Her One-Sided Mate Chapter 11.2: Everybody Wins
Cecilia“Miss Thornhill,” the lithe blonde says as the trio enters the barn, casting long shadows in their wake. "What an unexpected pleasure.” Victoria smiles at me, and if I didn’t know any better, I’d think she actually looked happy to see me. Until she showed me her true colours, I didn't hate her that much; she was one of those sweethearts who grew up with everything she wanted, treated people kindly, and probably never took public transportation in her life. As it turns out, even the nicest girl can get ugly in love.I do know better now. I know she’s just a good actor.I avoid looking Emeric in the eye for as long as possible. When I finally do, I find a staggering intensity in his gaze. But he doesn’t greet me. He doesn’t say a word.We've all known each other for so many years to know that no action is the best reaction.Dalton rushes forward as I get up from the couch. Victoria tugs on Emeric’s arm, and he lets her pull him over to the bar.“It’s really you,” Dalton says,
Ex Mate's Regret: Love Rehab for Her One-Sided Mate Chapter 12.1: Go Our Separate Ways
Cecilia“What’s your problem, Cecilia?” Emeric glares down at me like I’m a child. Like I’m being a brat over something that’s a non-issue. I hate his tone. I hate the look in his eyes.It’s like he didn’t hear a word I actually said.I want to yell at him. I want to cry. I also want to just fucking walk away. I’m so tired of all this.But Emeric Garvalle, it’s becoming quite clear, will simply not take no for an answer.He is a werewolf billionaire with noble lineage, good background, good career, never take no for an answer. I I am a hybrid who needs to work 24/7 to earn a living. How could I ask for someone who had whatever he wanted to love or understand me? I take a deep breath. And then another.Emeric tries to close the distance between us and I twist away, winding up with my back against the door of my cabin. I wish I could say something that would hurt him. I wish I could make my mouth form the words: I just don’t love you anymore.But that would be a lie. Even now, when
Ex Mate's Regret: Love Rehab for Her One-Sided Mate Chapter 12.2: So Be It
CeciliaCinderella only exists in fairy tales.Everyone knew that Emeric Gravalle didn't have an official partner, only a secretary who bothered him madly for years.And privately, Emeric's friends of comparable stature laughed at me for years about how Emeric's former companions received expensive gifts and unlimited credit cards. I also had to remember the preferences of his female companions and make arrangements.I'm the lowest of the low, the one who offers to do it. I've been taking care of him for years, and from the day I first lay in his bed seven years ago, I thought I was special. It turns out I am not.It's no use fooling myself, nothing can fool me into thinking I'm not completely pathetic right now.“You really wanted to be together?” he asks, still with that critical expression on his face, as if I am a project report waiting to be evaluated.No matter how excited I had just been, how much I held back, how restrained I was, I was irrational in his eyes.Obviously not l
Ex Mate's Regret: Love Rehab for Her One-Sided Mate Chapter 13.1: Luxuries
Cecilia Emeric’s words keep drifting back into my mind. “Move in with me if you must.” In that huffy, irritated tone of voice.I still start shaking with anger every time I think about it, even though it’s been two days since it happened.I kicked Emeric out of the cabin after he stormed inside behind me. And then I avoided him and his friends for the rest of the trip. Back home now, I’m wandering my apartment aimlessly and replaying the whole thing in my mind for probably the millionth time. Next thing I know, I’m in the kitchen, pouring myself a big glass of cabernet. I pause, though, when the glass is about half full. Because I’ve just realized that I don’t actually want to drink it. I dump the glass out in the sink. And then the rest of the bottle, too. I really don’t need to get drunk again and make another ill-advised phone call to my mother. And I don’t need to develop another bad habit to replace Emeric, either.I need to find a way to deal with this whole thing properly a
Ex Mate's Regret: Love Rehab for Her One-Sided Mate Chapter 13.2: Restraint
CeciliaThe top floor is Emeric's separate office area, with everything you need for a living apartment. This sprawling, beautiful office has been like a second home to me for the better part of a decade. It does feel different now. Now that I’ve been gone a few weeks.It feels foreign. It feels like I shouldn’t be here.“Anna, get us two coffees.” Emeric clicks an ink pen closed and tosses it down onto a mess of paperwork on his desk.“Right away, sir.” Anna turns on her heel and hurries out of the office.“Have a seat.” Emeric gestures to the client chair opposite him.I don’t want to sit, though. I shake my head slowly and remain where I am.His dark eyes narrow just a little.“Blocked my number?” He gives me a hard, blank look, reclining in his big leather chair. I just shrug. His question was rhetorical. He knows I blocked him. Emeric outright glares at me now. “Listen, what day are you moving in?” he says. “Call my driver if you have a lot of stuff to bring over. You have hi
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Ex Mate's Regret: Love Rehab for Her One-Sided Mate Chapter 21: Pride
CeciliaWhat is past is over now.After the day, my mind was calmer than ever, as if after that day, I could not feel a single emotion towards Emeric even when I thought of him.I don't know if this is a good or bad situation, but because I'm no longer devastated by people, I still feel quite a bit of sarcasm when I think of Emeric──this is the man I've loved for ten years, this person is so formidable that he only needs to use a few words to sweep away ten years of my feelings, leaving no residue at all.He is really deserving of the industry's most favoured Alpha of our generation.The whole city is discussing when this formidable Alpha will marry his Luna, and now it is rumored that Emeric has already met Victoria's parents back in the country, and he has also gifted Victoria's parents a villa by the lake.There are also people who saw his mother Mrs. Garvalle and Victoria teaching abroad, now retired back to the country parents at the restaurant had dinner. Both parents have met, t
Ex Mate's Regret: Love Rehab for Her One-Sided Mate Chapter 20: Still in Love
DaltonI never should have given up on her the first time. I shouldn’t have just walked away and let Emeric have her.I knew she loved him, though, and I wanted Cecilia to be happy. That was the reason I clung to when I went abroad, leaving the two of them alone. I told myself I was being selfless.But I know the real reason I gave up on chasing Cecilia.It wasn’t just because it seemed she liked Emeric more than me. It wasn’t just to make her happy.It was because Emeric threatened to beat the shit out of me if I went after her, and I knew I couldn’t win that fight.No one could.&n
Ex Mate's Regret: Love Rehab for Her One-Sided Mate Chapter 19.2: You Would Die for Me
Cecilia“Didn’t you tell me you loved me so much, you’d give up anything just to be near me?” Emeric tightens his grip, making me whimper in pain. “Didn’t you say you wanted me to marry you? And what, now that I need your help, you don’t care whether I’m dead or alive?”Breathless and devastated, I nearly collapse on the spot. But Emeric holds me in place.The room falls silent, and his words echo in my mind. I thought I knew Emeric well. But I never imagined he could be so cruel as to mockingly repeat in public things I’d said to him in private, intimate moments.I always thought that he just
Ex Mate's Regret: Love Rehab for Her One-Sided Mate Chapter 19.1: I Mean Every Word I Said
CeciliaMrs. Garvalle looks shocked for a moment. She probably didn't expect Emeric to say that.But after a brief hesitation, she smiles and says, “Of course not. I would love for you to move in with Emeric, Cecilia. I’ll feel much better knowing my son has you there to take care of him.”Emeric’s dark eyes slide from his mother to me, his lips curled in a satisfied smile.What a touching scene of love between a mother and her son. Too bad I can't enjoy it one bit. “I’m afraid I must rudely decline the both of you,” I say politely. “I’m busy with my new job and my own life. Mr. Garvalle will have to find someone else to be his live-in caretaker.”
Ex Mate's Regret: Love Rehab for Her One-Sided Mate Chapter 18.2: Cat and Mouse
CeciliaEmeric doesn’t look good. He looks thin.He’s sitting on the edge of the bed when I enter his hospital room. His eyes snap up to meet mine, but he doesn’t greet me. He just nods, then looks at his mother and says, “I’m ready to be discharged.”She slips out of the room to summon a doctor, and Emeric stands up. He takes a single step in my direction and holds out his hand, as if he expects me to take hold of it.But I am not about to do that. I just look at Emeric and wait for him to say something. To explain why he’s forced me to meet him here.But he only stares right back at me. His unblinking eyes narrow slowly, like he’s
Ex Mate's Regret: Love Rehab for Her One-Sided Mate Chapter 18.1: No Second Choice
Cecilia“I’ll tell him I can’t reach you,” Roy is just as cunning as any businessman, putting the whole thing on me.“If you really want to dodge Garvalle,” Roy says after a pause," Maybe you should leave town for a while.”It might not be a long-term solution, but some time out of the city doesn’t sound like a bad idea. What more can Emeric or Anna actually do, after all, if they can’t reach me? An early morning phone call from my paralegal provides one answer to that question. He informs me that Anna showed up at the firm looking for me, storming into the office with several others from AtCap. Security had been called. Anna was still on the property, though. They still haven't left even now. Still waiting for me.“Don’t come in today, Cecilia,” Danny warns needlessly. I thought about what Anna said yesterday, about her boyfriend being sacked from Emeric. I guess that's why she came to see me. But I'm not on speaking terms with her anymore. If something happens, she should go t
Ex Mate's Regret: Love Rehab for Her One-Sided Mate Chapter 17.2: Let Him Suffer
Cecilia:I leave the office without telling anyone, a couple hours early. Somehow I felt like I should leave early today, as if something bad was going to happen.I can’t focus on work. That disturbing call with Anna has me rattled. I’m not surprised Emeric’s been moody. He hasn’t been eating right. And I’m sure he’s been drinking too much coffee, too, if he’s struggling with sleep.I also know that Emeric will have a period of adjustment after I leave. After all, I have taken care of him for almost ten years, and I have given him the best and most comfortable things in every way. To be honest, maybe Emeric Gravalle doesn't understand his own stomach and body as well as I do.I used to take pride in keeping such a beautiful and important man in top shape. Of course, the credit was never all mine. Emeric worked hard in his home gym to maintain his stunning physique, and genetics are to blame for his gorgeous face. But I did keep him calm and healthy. I always knew it made a differen
Ex Mate's Regret: Love Rehab for Her One-Sided Mate Chapter 17.1: Pushed Too Far
Cecilia“I’m just calling Miss Thornhill,” Anna pleads.The fearful warble in her voice almost makes me feel sorry for her. But then I hear Emeric’s voice again and I remember I’m supposed to have already wrenched myself free from all this. “You know that I told you—” my ex-boss starts shouting. I’m so tired of that voice. That anger. And I don’t have to listen to it anymore. I hang up. I tell one of our paralegals that I need help screening my calls.“Put clients through, but anyone else, tell them I’m not here and take a message. Especially anyone from AtCap.” I suspect my paralegal had already heard the rumours about me. He knew that I had got a new mobile phone, that only he and our boss Roy knew the number.The young man nods. “Of course. I’ll talk to the front desk.” I don’t have any more meetings today and I’m not expecting any calls. So I tell the paralegal to close my office door behind him, and then I unplug my desk phone and power down my cell.Anna has only herself
Ex Mate's Regret: Love Rehab for Her One-Sided Mate Chapter 16.2: Not A Date
Cecilia“Isn’t that enough?” he asked the last time we spoke, with disgust in his voice.He thought I wanted too much from him. And yet he took everything I had to give. My services as a personal assistant, personal chef, dry cleaner, caterer. My loyalty and devotion. My body.I even moved to be closer to him when I first started working at AtCap, and it’s expensive to live in this part of the city. It crossed my mind that I could move now to somewhere more affordable, but I’ve grown pretty attached to my modest but beautiful little apartment and the gorgeous downtown skyline view I’ve got from my bedroom window. Anna’s call started me thinking about all the things I’ve poured money into for Emeric’s sake. The laundry, the food, the gas I spend going to and from his place all the time. I have to admit, I’d be in much better financial shape if I hadn’t done all that. It’s almost funny that Serena thinks I’m a gold digger. She has no idea how much money I’ve spent on services for Emer
