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CHAPTER 0143
Huling Na-update:
2025-03-22 23:41:40
Kaugnay na kabanata
Goodbye, Ex-Husband, Next Please CHAPTER 0144
AVA'S POV Jason reached the restaurant first. I wasn’t surprised since it was Ben driving. As I approached the entrance, he pulled the door open for me. A gentleman’s habit. One he did so naturally as if it were ingrained in his very being. I didn’t acknowledge it. Not because I wanted to be rude, but because I refused to let the past creep into the present. I stepped inside without a glance in his direction, feeling the weight of his gaze on my back as I walked past him holding Emma's little hands. The restaurant was warm, elegant, and buzzing with low conversation. The kind of place Jason and I would have visited years ago. The thought was unwelcome, but I shoved it aside, focusing instead on Emma, who was already chattering excitedly about the menu. Jason took the seat opposite me, and I could feel the tension settling between us like an unspoken presence at the table. It was controlled, and contained, but it was there. The waiter arrived, pen-poised, waiting for our ord
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-23Goodbye, Ex-Husband, Next Please CHAPTER 0145
AVA’S POV Jason’s face hardened, his expression cloudy, but I didn’t give him the chance to respond. The air inside the restaurant had already become thicker and suffocating. I needed to leave. I pushed back my chair, the legs scraping lightly against the floor as I stood up. He didn’t move, but I felt his gaze follow me as I turned away. Without another word, without so much as a glance in his direction, I walked out. The moment I stepped outside, the cool evening air hit me, grounding me in reality. I inhaled deeply as if trying to cleanse the remnants of that conversation from my system. Jason’s car was parked right in front, and through the window, Emma’s bright eyes met mine. She smiled, her tiny fingers pressing against the glass as if reaching for me. I walked over and pulled the door open. “Aunt Ava!” Emma chirped, wiggling in her seat as I unbuckled her seatbelt. “Did you have fun with Mason?” I asked, lifting her out. She nodded enthusiastically. “Mason said h
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-24Goodbye, Ex-Husband, Next Please CHAPTER 0146
JASON’S POV The drive to Laura’s apartment felt longer than it should. My hands tightened on the steering wheel, my jaw clenched so hard it hurt. My mind kept circling back to that moment outside Ava’s house. Seeing Alex standing there like he belonged, like the man of the house dug a deep hole in my chest. It shouldn’t have bothered me. But it did. More than I wanted to admit. Mason sat in the backseat, eyes glued to his game, oblivious to the storm raging inside me. By the time I pulled up to Laura’s apartment, my patience was razor-thin. Mason didn’t wait. The second the car stopped, he was out, his little feet pounding against the pavement as he rushed inside. I took a second before following, running a hand over my face. I needed to shake this feeling off. Inside, Laura sat on the couch, curled up under a blanket with a cup of tea in her hands. The TV was on, but she wasn’t watching. She barely glanced up when Mason kicked off his shoes, his voice bubbling with excite
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-24Goodbye, Ex-Husband, Next Please CHAPTER 0147
AVA’S POV Alex didn’t say a word as he pushed open the front door, but his silence was louder than any accusation. The second we stepped inside, Rose, the housekeeper, emerged from the hallway with a warm smile. “Miss Ava, you’re home. Welcome, Mr. Alex,” she said, wiping her hands on her apron. Then her eyes fell on Emma, and her smile widened. “And how’s my little princess?” Emma giggled, letting go of Alex's hand and running toward her. “I made a new friend today! And Aunt Ava let me eat ice cream!” Rose gasped dramatically. “Ice cream? Before dinner? Oh dear, we’ll have to make sure you eat something healthy for dinner.” Emma pouted but let Rose scoop her up into her arms. I couldn't help but let out a small laugh. “I’ll take her upstairs and get her changed,” Rose said, giving me a respectful look before disappearing up the stairs with Emma. And just like that, the moment I had been trying to avoid arrived. Alex shut the door behind us. The air between us thicke
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-26Goodbye, Ex-Husband, Next Please CHAPTER 0148
AVA'S POV The soft chime of my alarm pulled me from sleep, but the heavy weight in my chest told me I had already been awake. For a few blissful seconds, I was caught in that hazy space between dreaming and reality. And then it all came crashing back – the rumors, the headlines, my client who stood me up. I stared at the ceiling, my mind replaying every ugly word, every speculative article. Did Ava Taylor Sleep Her Way to the Top? Ava Taylor: Seducing Another Woman’s Fiancé? It was ridiculous. Infuriating. And yet, it was out there. People were talking and worse they were believing. I turned my head to the side and saw the soft rise and fall of Emma’s tiny frame beside me. Sometime during the night, she had entered my room and crawled into my bed. Her little hand was curled into a fist, her lips slightly parted in sleep. Carefully, I slid out of bed, tucking the blanket around Emma before heading to the bathroom. I turned on the shower and let the warm water wash over me,
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-02Goodbye, Ex-Husband, Next Please CHAPTER 0149
AVA'S POV "I understand," I exhaled slowly. "Thank you for the update, Karen." The call ended, but I didn’t move. My phone sat in my hand, Karen’s last words ringing in my head. “Come prepared for anything.” I let out a slow breath, placing the phone on my desk. My fingers curled into fists. First, the whispers in the office. Then, canceled meetings. And now, this my contract, my reputation, everything I’d worked for dangling by a thread because of a stupid rumor about Jason. Who could have started this? What brought about the rumor? I couldn't help but feel someone was instigating all this to bring me down. But who could it be? Is it Laura? Or. Back then I could blame all my misfortune on Laura but now it was hard to know who exactly could have started the rumors because I had lots of competitors not only the Campbell Group. And Avaris Luxe was involved in other businesses including real estate, luxury branding that are thriving so I had lots of enemies and competitors
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-02Goodbye, Ex-Husband, Next Please CHAPTER 0150
AVA'S POV As I stepped out of the building, the cold air hit my face, but it did nothing to cool the fire burning in my chest. My heels clicked against the pavement, sharp and steady, even though my entire world felt like it was tilting beneath me. I had walked out of that meeting with my head high, but now, as I reached my car, doubt started creeping in. Just as I pulled the door open, my phone buzzed in my hand. I glanced down it was a text message from Jason. I stared at his name on the screen for a long moment, my jaw tightening before I even read the message. "I know things are tough right now. I’m checking in on you. I’ll do what I can to lessen the burden." My fingers curled around the phone. He was the reason I was in this mess and now he was checking in on me? Telling me he’d lessen the burden? The audacity. Without replying, I locked my phone, tossed it onto the passenger seat, and slid behind the wheel. I didn’t need his concern. I didn’t need anything from him
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-03Goodbye, Ex-Husband, Next Please CHAPTER 0151
AVA'S POV The meeting room was filled with a thick tension the moment I stepped in. Conversations died down, and all eyes turned to me. The public relations and human relations Executives. They were all here, their faces tight with concern, frustration, and something else I didn’t like – doubt. I walked straight to my seat at the head of the table, set my tablet down, and folded my hands. Sally sat beside me, flipping open her notebook, already scanning the room. I let the silence stretch before I spoke. “Talk to me.” Melissa, head of PR, adjusted her glasses, exhaling sharply. “It’s bad.” I raised an eyebrow. “I figured. Be specific.” She pushed a folder toward me. “Social media is still on fire. Every post we take down is being reposted somewhere else. News outlets keep picking up new angles. Now, some of our retailers are taking a step back. They want to see how this plays out before moving forward with us.” I flipped through the folder. Screenshots of headlines, tre
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-03
Pinakabagong kabanata
Goodbye, Ex-Husband, Next Please CHAPTER 0180
JASON’S POV I didn’t expect to see anyone I knew here. Definitely not her. The second I walked into the waiting room, I spotted Ava sitting there, alone, stiff, like she didn’t want to take up space. For a second, I honestly thought my mind was playing tricks on me. Maybe I was more exhausted than I realized but then she looked up and our eyes locked. And just like that, something heavy hit me in the chest. I stopped walking, and just stood there like an idiot, staring at her. What was she doing at a police station? Her hands were clasped together in her lap so tight it looked like she was afraid to let go. She didn’t smile and I didn’t either. We just stared for a few seconds, and in that silence, every memory came rushing back — memories I wasn’t ready for. Finally, my legs remembered how to move and I made my way toward her. “Ava?” I said her name, my voice rougher than I meant it to sound. She gave a small nod. Barely acknowledging me. Her face was calm on t
Goodbye, Ex-Husband, Next Please CHAPTER 0179
AVA'S POV I just sat there, staring at the phone after the call ended, like it might ring again if I held on tight enough. My hand was still wrapped around it, fingers stiff. Officer Daniels hadn’t given me much. Just that I was needed for questioning in an “ongoing case.” That was it. No context. No warning. Just cold, polite words that chilled me to the bone. My stomach felt like it had dropped through the floor. I forced myself to breathe and pushed up from the bed. I needed to keep it together. Emma and Mason were downstairs, and I couldn’t let them see me rattled. Not when things had just started feeling normal again. I changed back into jeans and the same soft sweater I wore earlier. Nothing fancy. I didn’t want to look like I was trying too hard. I didn’t want to look guilty either. God, what was I even thinking? Guilty of what? You didn't do anything wrong Ava. I shook my head and went downstairs heart pounding but face calm. The sound of giggles greeted me before I e
Goodbye, Ex-Husband, Next Please CHAPTER 0178
AVA'S POV The house was warm when we got home, filled with that familiar smell of pasta and garlic and something sweet baking in the oven. I stepped in first, holding Emma’s tiny hand while Mason followed close behind, his eyes quietly taking in the space. He hadn’t said much on the drive, but he looked comfortable beside Emma, and that was enough for now. “Alright, lovebug,” I said softly, crouching to unlace Emma’s little shoes, “bath time first, okay?” She groaned but didn’t fight me. “Do I have to now?” “Yes, ma’am,” I said with a teasing grin. “You’ve been outside all day. We need to wash off the playground.” Emma rolled her eyes dramatically, then grinned and ran toward the bathroom. I turned to Rose, who had just come from the kitchen wiping her hands on a towel. "Welcome ma'am." “Can you keep him company for a bit?” I asked, giving her a quiet nod. “Just until I get Emma cleaned up?” “Of course,” Rose said, her voice warm. She walked over to Mason, crouching so
Goodbye, Ex-Husband, Next Please CHAPTER 0177
LAURA’S POV I couldn’t move. For a second, I honestly couldn’t breathe. My ears were ringing and my heart was pounding so loud I could barely hear what the officer was saying. There must be some kind of mistake,” I managed to say. My voice came out shaky – thinner than I wanted it to sound. They had a f*cking warrant. This had to be serious. “What… what is this about? The officer didn’t flinch. “We’ll explain everything at the station, ma’am. Please come with us.” I looked around the room, begging silently for someone – anyone – to say something. Defend me. Help me. But no one moved. No one even looked at me directly. They all just sat there, frozen. Some stared at the floor. Others avoided my eyes completely. These were people I’d worked with for years –people who’d celebrated wins with me and leaned on me for direction. Now they just looked… uncomfortable. Afraid, even. What was I expecting? They’d just asked Jason to fire me over a silly mistake. Could people like that re
Goodbye, Ex-Husband, Next Please CHAPTER 0176
AVA'S POV It had been hours since that email came in, and I still couldn’t stop smiling. Not even a little. Vogue. Freaking Vogue. Every time I thought about it, my cheeks hurt a little more from grinning like an idiot. I should’ve been tired. I should’ve curled up and napped or maybe done something productive. But I didn’t want the moment to pass without doing something with it. And then it hit me – Emma. I hadn’t picked her up from school in a while. Rose usually handled it with her usual grace and mom's energy, but today… I wanted to do it myself. I tossed on some jeans and a soft cream knit sweater – something simple but still presentable. The weather was light enough for flats, and my hair was still air-dried from the bath earlier, tucked behind my ears. I didn’t even bother with makeup. Just lip balm and a little smile I couldn’t get rid of. The school wasn’t far, and traffic wasn’t terrible for once. When I got there and stepped out of the car, I scanned the small crowd
Goodbye, Ex-Husband, Next Please CHAPTER 0175
JASON’S POVThe moment they all noticed my presence, chairs pushed back and everyone stood up fast like soldiers waiting for orders. No one said a word. The air felt heavy, like the tension had soaked into the walls and the only sound heard was the low hum of the AC above.I looked around the table every face tight with nerves. Some tried to look busy. Some looked right at me. But when my eyes landed on Laura again, she looked away fast, pretending to focus on her notepad.I walked straight to the head of the table, pulled out my chair, and sat down. Everyone else followed. Laura was the last to sit. She moved slowly like her body knew what was coming even if she hadn’t admitted it to herself yet.I opened the folder in front of me and flipped a few pages. The sound echoed in the silence. No one dared speak. I didn’t rush. I let the quiet stretch. Let it press on everyone’s shoulders a little more. A few people glanced at each other. I caught Steph glancing toward Ben. Laura’s fingers
Goodbye, Ex-Husband, Next Please CHAPTER 0174
JASON’S POVI ended the call and tossed the phone on my desk. It landed with a loud thud. Steph and Ben stood there like statues like they were too scared to even blink. The room was thick with silence, and I could feel their eyes on me, waiting for whatever was going to happen next. “Steph, you can go,” I said, not even looking at her. She hesitated. “Uh… sir, my phone?” I looked down and realized I was still holding it. I picked it up from the desk and handed it to her without a word. She grabbed it and practically sprinted out of the office. I didn’t blame her. I could be very scary when I am angry. Ben shifted a little like he wasn’t sure if it was safe to speak. “Should I still gather the design team?” he asked quietly. I leaned back in my chair, staring at the wall for a second. I let out a slow breath, trying to cool the anger in my chest before I answered. “Push it back one hour.” Ben blinked. “One hour?” “I said one hour. We wait for Laura.” I said, my voice s
Goodbye, Ex-Husband, Next Please CHAPTER 0173
JASON’S POV I slammed the tablet on my desk so hard that Ben flinched. “Have you seen this crap?” I barked. Ben shifted awkwardly, standing a little straighter. “Yes, sir. It’s all over the internet.” I dragged a hand down my face, then leaned over the tablet again, jaw clenched. The headline burned into his eyes. I stared at the screen, my fists clenched. Every word in that article made my blood boil. “Storm Management Faces Backlash After Campbell's Group Runway Disaster.” “Campbell Group’s designs labeled uninspired, rushed, and low-quality.” And then the photos. One of Storm's management top models in Milan walked down the runway while the sides of her dress split wide open. I could see the moment on her face – shock, embarrassment, trying to stay professional while the cameras flashed. It was a disaster. A very public one. And my company’s name was all over it. Everyone in the world already knew about it. Beneath that, editorials ripped the collection apart. “Un
Goodbye, Ex-Husband, Next Please CHAPTER 0172
AVA’S POV I arrived at the hotel and it was ridiculous. In a good way. Like, over-the-top, velvet-everywhere, fountain-in-the-lobby kind of ridiculous. The kind of place that didn’t just want to impress you – it wanted to slap you in the face with money and say, this is how the other half lives. I’d been in luxury spaces before, obviously, but this one was on a different level. It was the kind of place you don’t just walk into – you glide, like you’re supposed to belong. A sharply dressed concierge met me the moment I walked in, addressed me by name, and immediately led me to the elevator without asking any questions. It was like she knew me already. No waiting, no nonsense. Just pure efficiency wrapped in gold trim. I took a quiet breath as the elevator rose. I don’t know why I was nervous. I shouldn’t have been. This was my world. This was what I did. I have met a lot of important people – she wasn't the first and she wouldn't be the last. Still… I guess something about bei
