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CHAPTER 011
Terakhir Diperbarui:
2024-11-15 08:09:46
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Goodbye, Ex-Husband, Next Please CHAPTER 012
ALEX'S POVI walked into the conference room, my gaze moving over the woman seated across from me.It was a familiar sight. Corporate companies often sent their most attractive female employees to try to win me over with charm in hopes of securing investments or partnerships. It had become routine, almost predictable.But it never worked on me. I wasn’t here for distractions or flattery. I was here for one thing—business.She was striking, of course—dark hair, confident posture, and those eyes, sharp and focused. But that was irrelevant. I wasn’t here to make friends. I was here to assess if her pitch was worth my time. When I entered, she stood to greet me, offering a smile that was friendly but not overly eager. That was good. A professional. “Mr. Grey, thank you for taking the time to meet with me,” she said, her voice calm but sure. I nodded and took a seat. “Let’s get started, Ms.…,” I glanced at the file in front of me. “Taylor, right?” “Yes, Ava Taylor,” she confirmed
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-11-15Goodbye, Ex-Husband, Next Please CHAPTER 013
AVA'S POV I sat in the conference room, absentmindedly scrolling through my emails as I waited for Alex. My mind was far from work, though—it was tangled up in thoughts of Jason, and everything that seemed to be falling apart between us. The ache in my chest was constant, but I did my best to ignore it. The door opened, and there was Alex with a slight smile. “Hope I didn’t keep you waiting too long, Ava.” I shook my head, managing a small smile back. “Not at all. Thanks for making time tonight.” “Of course,” he said, holding the door as we headed out. “It’s my pleasure.” The drive to Nino’s Bistro was peaceful. Alex kept the conversation light, mostly work-related, not pushing too much, which I was grateful for. It was nice to step away from everything, even if I knew it wouldn’t last long. When we arrived, the restaurant had the same cozy elegance I remembered. Jason and I had been here before. The dim lighting, the jazz in the background—it was like a small
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-11-16Goodbye, Ex-Husband, Next Please CHAPTER 014
AVA'S POV Finally, it was Alex who broke the intense eye contact between me and Jason “Ava, are you enjoying your meal?” he asked, looking up from his plate and glancing at me. The simplicity of his question startled me, and for a brief second, my gaze faltered. I blinked, trying to shake off the tension that had settled in my chest, but I couldn’t deny the unease that still lingered in the air. I gave a quick, forced smile. “Yes,” I answered, pushing my plate aside a little. “I’ve always had a weakness for Italian food.” Alex smiled back, his posture relaxed as he picked up his wine glass, "Good to hear,” he said, his eyes glancing down at his plate before returning to mine. Before I could gather my thoughts, the sound of footsteps drew my attention, and I looked over to see Jason approaching from across the room. My heartbeat pace kept increasing with each step he stood. “Hey,” Jason said casually as he reached our table, his eyes flicking between me and Alex.
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-11-16Goodbye, Ex-Husband, Next Please CHAPTER 015
ALEX'S POV I sat across from Laura, watching her reaction to my greeting. Silence filled the space, thick and charged. Ava’s gaze darted between Laura and me, sharp and discerning as if she could sense there was something off about the greeting. Jason, on the other hand, sat there, unaware of the growing tension between us, his expression one of confusion. Laura’s hands trembled, and I could see her struggling to keep a calm facade. Her gaze flickered from me to Jason. “Hi, Alex, same here, it’s been a while,” she muttered, acting as if everything was fine. She then sat down, fixing her eyes on the wine glass in front of her, but I wasn’t about to let her off the hook that easily. “It’s been a while since I last spoke to my brother,” I said, letting my words hang heavily in the air. Laura’s face went pale, as if drained of blood. A flash of panic crossed her face before she could mask it, and she forced a tight, uneasy smile. "Oh?” she said, her voice barely audibl
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-11-17Goodbye, Ex-Husband, Next Please CHAPTER 016
AVA'S POV The dinner with Alex Grey lingered in my thoughts the next day, but it wasn’t the food that stayed with me. It was the moment—the silence between Alex and Laura. Something was strange and suspicious about the way they interacted, it was as if an unspoken secret hung between them. The thought nagged at me, leaving a knot in my stomach. I wanted to question Alex again, to get to the truth, but I couldn’t let myself get distracted—not right now. Work had to come first, and besides, Alex was just a business partner, I didn’t have the right to ask him about his personal life. As I entered the office, I pushed the thoughts aside and decided to focus on the designs for Alex’s upcoming jewelry show. Models would be showcasing my work alongside Alex's soon, and this was my shot to leave a lasting impression. Still, Laura’s pale face and guarded expression intruded on my thoughts, like a weight I couldn’t shake. I tried to push it away, but the questions remained,
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-11-17Goodbye, Ex-Husband, Next Please CHAPTER 017
AVA’S POVI knew what I had to do, but that didn’t make it easier. Every part of me screamed to leave, to stand up for myself, to stop being Jason's second choice. But I couldn’t. Not with everything at stake—the designs, the show, everything I’d worked hard for. I had to keep going. For the work I’d put in, even though I still didn’t know where I stood with Jason. I promised myself that after this project, after Grey’s jewelry launch, I’d file for a divorce. I would walk away and let Jason be with Laura. I’d stop pretending this marriage was anything but a lie. But for now, I had to play along. I had to finish the job. So, I agreed to meet Marcus. When I walked into the restaurant, my stomach twisted. The last place I wanted to be was here with Marcus Hale, but I couldn’t back out. Marcus was known for not respecting women, but since we were meeting in a public place, I didn’t think anything would happen. The waiter led me through the dining room, down a hallway, an
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-11-18Goodbye, Ex-Husband, Next Please CHAPTER 018
ALEX'S POVI stormed out of the private dining room, my chest heaving with anger. Seeing Ava lying helpless in my arms, looking vulnerable and defenseless, had ignited something deep within me that I didn't expect. I assumed it was Laura who would attend the meeting. That was why I sent a representative instead of going myself. I couldn’t stand the sight of her again. But then, my representative informed me that it was Ava who had shown up. He detailed how the meeting unfolded, and I could sense the unease in his voice. For Laura to let her subordinate handle such a high-stakes meeting in her place, there had to be an ulterior motive. And knowing Marcus’s reputation and his ties to Laura, I immediately knew something was off and rushed over here. If I had been just a minute late, I didn't want to think about what might have happened to Ava. Jason was the one who should have been protecting her, not me. But now, I couldn’t bring myself to leave her side. “Max,” I said
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-11-18Goodbye, Ex-Husband, Next Please CHAPTER 019
AVA'S POV I slowly regained consciousness, a pounding headache clouding my thoughts. I blinked, realizing I wasn’t at home. My eyes darted around, and then I saw him, Alex, sitting by the window. I quickly sat up, the blanket slipping off me. “Mr. Grey?” My voice was weak, barely more than a whisper. He immediately stood, his expression a mix of relief and something I couldn’t quite place. “You’re awake,” he said, stepping closer to the bed. “Why… why are you here?” I stammered, flashes of the previous night returning in pieces. “You don’t remember?” His voice was calm. I frowned, trying to recall everything. I remembered the dinner with Marcus, the strange feeling after I’d drunk the wine he offered, and then everything going hazy. The last thing I remembered clearly was being scooped up and carried out by Jason. “Jason…” I blurted out. “Why isn’t he…” Alex’s jaw tightened. He didn’t answer right away, and the silence stung more than words could. It wasn't Jason who had com
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-11-19
Bab terbaru
Goodbye, Ex-Husband, Next Please CHAPTER 0191
JASON’S POVI leaned forward and rubbed my face with both hands. My eyes burned from reading too many headlines. I picked up my phone again, even though I already knew it would just make things worse. Another headline popped up. “Jason Campbell’s Silence Makes Him Look Guilty.” I tossed the phone onto the desk like it had burned me. I stood up fast, the chair sliding back behind me. Enough. I couldn’t just sit here and do nothing. Everything was falling apart around me, and I was just stuck – frozen like a deer in headlights. I grabbed my phone again and typed out a message to Ben. “Call a meeting. Everyone. 30 minutes. Executive floor.” I didn’t know exactly what I’d say. I didn’t even have a plan. I just needed to do something. Anything. Sitting around wasn’t helping. Every second we waited, the company died a little more. I threw on my blazer and stood in front of the mirror. I looked like hell. My eyes were bloodshot, my jaw was tight, and my tie was crooked. I fixed
Goodbye, Ex-Husband, Next Please CHAPTER 0190
AVA’S POVBy the time I got to the office that morning, the building was buzzing. People didn’t say anything directly to me, but I could feel it in the way they paused their whispers when I walked by. A few glanced at their phones and then at me, their eyes full of questions they wouldn’t dare ask.I already knew what it was about.Laura’s arrest was everywhere. Online. In the news. Even trending on Twitter. Her mugshot was floating around, and so were screenshots of her chats with the blogger who tried to ruin me. Some posts even claimed that Campbell Group’s stocks were starting to dip. Investors were nervous. Some were pulling out.All because of her.I walked straight into my office and gently shut the door behind me. My heels clicked quietly against the floor as I walked toward the window, taking a moment to breathe. The city looked the same – cars moving, people in a hurry – but everything was different now.I had told Rose earlier that morning to keep Emma and Mason home so the
Goodbye, Ex-Husband, Next Please CHAPTER 0189
JASON’S POV The morning after everything exploded was a disaster. I woke up to the blaring sound of notifications and headlines. “Laura Martinez Arrested for Defamation,” “Campbell Group Tied to Scandal,” “CEO Jason Campbell Linked to Controversial Figure.” The words hit me like a slap in the face. The chaos was everywhere – on social media, in the news, across every single online platform. Laura’s name was everywhere, and unfortunately, my name was tied to it. No one seemed to care that I wasn’t the one behind the rumors; they only saw me as the man who had defended her, the one who was still somehow connected to her and engaged to her, even though she had ruined everything. First the Milan fashion show crises and now this. I felt my stomach turn. Investors were pulling out left and right. Clients were dropping off, and the stock price was plummeting faster than I could track. I’d never seen anything like this in my years as CEO. It wasn’t just the company at risk anymore – it
Goodbye, Ex-Husband, Next Please CHAPTER 0188
AVA'S POV Still holding the edge of the staircase, I let out a tired breath. I walked back down slowly, half-expecting Ben again. Maybe he forgot to give me something. I opened the door and called out, “Ben, did you forget..." But it wasn’t Ben. It was Naomi. Ohh... It should already be 6 PM since she was here. She stood there in a sharp black blazer and heels, a leather bag slung over one shoulder. Her hair was in its usual sleek bun, and her makeup looked like it hadn’t moved since this morning. She was always put together like that, the kind of woman who never looked flustered, even if the sky was falling. Her eyebrows lifted slightly as she looked at me. “Ben?” she repeated. “Who’s that?” I blinked, caught off guard. “No one,” I said quickly. “Never mind. Just… someone from earlier.” I didn’t want to explain. Naomi might be my lawyer now, but I’d known her for years – since college, actually. Back then, it was always me, Sally, and Naomi. We had our little trio. Sal
Goodbye, Ex-Husband, Next Please CHAPTER 0187
AVA'S POV Mason’s question hit me like cold water. I stood there, frozen halfway on the staircase, staring into his sleepy eyes. My throat felt tight like something was stuck there. I didn’t know what to say. I couldn’t tell him the truth. That his mother was sitting in a police station right now, facing consequences for all the chaos she’d caused. And Jason? He was probably still at the station trying to clean up the mess Laura made — and on top of that, he still had the Milan International Fashion Show problem and the contract issues with Storm’s Management to deal with too. I took a deep breath and forced a gentle smile. “They’re just… really busy, Mason,” I said softly, crouching to his eye level. “They’ll come to pick you up later, okay?” He frowned. “Can I call them now?” I quickly shook my head. “Not right now. It’s a bit late. Why don’t you go back upstairs, hmm? Get some rest. I promise I’ll call them for you later.” He looked at me for a second, like he didn’t q
Goodbye, Ex-Husband, Next Please CHAPTER 0186
AVA'S POVThe air outside the police station felt heavier than when I walked in. Cold. Stiff. Like the world knew something had changed. I didn’t waste time. The second I stepped out, I reached into my purse and pulled out my phone. My fingers gripped my phone like a lifeline, but I pressed the number anyway. Naomi picked up quickly. “Ava? What’s going on?” “I need you to come over to my house tonight,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “If you’re free.” “Are you alright?” she asked, voice laced with concern. “No. But I will be,” I said. “Can you come around six?” “What’s going on?” she asked. “I’ll explain everything when you get to the house,” I said. “I just… I really need you there.” “I’ll be there,” she said gently. I hung up just as I reached my car, and that's when I saw them – Jason and another man walking beside him. I froze for a second, my hand still holding the car keys. It wasn’t that I was scared or shocked. I just thought he would’ve left the stat
Goodbye, Ex-Husband, Next Please CHAPTER 0185
AVA'S POVI sat in the cold, sterile room for what felt like an eternity. My legs were starting to cramp from sitting still for so long, and the silence seemed to echo against the walls. The quiet was unbearable except for the faint hum of the overhead lights, which only made the air feel heavier.Twenty minutes passed. Maybe longer.I wasn’t nervous anymore, but the weight of the situation pressed down on me. I wasn’t here because I’d done something wrong. I wasn’t the criminal. But somehow, I felt trapped — like this was all spinning out of my control.The door finally opened, and Officer Mike stepped in. He gave a quick nod, almost apologetic, but he didn’t say anything right away. Instead, he pulled up the chair and sat down.“Sorry for keeping you waiting,” he said, his voice smooth but carrying the kind of calm that only came with practice.I didn’t care about the apology. I didn’t care about his calm tone or polite manners. “It’s fine,” I muttered, trying to sound casual as I
Goodbye, Ex-Husband, Next Please CHAPTER 0184
LAURA'S POVThe door slammed behind him, and I just sat there – staring at the cold wall like it had answers. My heart thudded in my chest, heavy and loud, like it was trying to knock some sense into me. But it was too late. Jason walked out. He actually walked away from me after seeing me locked up in here. I blinked, but the hot angry tears kept coming anyway. My cheeks were already wet, but I didn’t bother wiping them. What was the point? The man who used to defend me no matter what – who always came back no matter how bad things I did get – just told me to sort myself out. Just like that. Like I was some random stranger who messed up too many times. And deep down, I knew… this time, he meant it. It wasn’t like before. Jason had always been my shield, even when he didn’t want to be. Even after his divorce. Even when I knew he was still in love and married to Ava. He still had my back. But now, he looked at me like I was nothing. Like I had burned the last bridge I had left.
Goodbye, Ex-Husband, Next Please CHAPTER 0183
JASON’S POV I stood straighter, my eyes narrowing. “Yeah. That’s me.” He nodded once. “I’m Officer Mike.” Before I could even process that, Mark cut in beside me. “Your full name, officer?” The man didn’t blink. “Michael Barone.” That name hit something in the back of my head like a light switch. "Barone." I knew that name. I knew it. “Barone?” I repeated, frowning. “Wait… Nah, that can’t be right. Not him.” Mark raised an eyebrow at me, but I didn’t explain. It couldn’t be the same Barone I’d heard of. Could it? Barone was a powerful family in America — or should I say, the world. Baron Barone, the head of the Barone family, wasn’t the kind of man you saw in magazines or Forbes lists. He didn’t need the spotlight, and he damn sure didn’t chase it. But the people who mattered — presidents, governors, senators, CEOs, even certain folks in the Pentagon — they knew his name. Nobody really knew how much he was worth. Some said he started in mining. Others whispered about pr
