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Chapter 35: Hate over love
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2025-03-08 12:44:47
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My Ex, the Widowed Billionaire Chapter 36: Callum's Call
I stared at the phone, its vibrations buzzing relentlessly in my hand. For a moment, I debated not answering, but deep down I knew it wouldn’t matter. Callum never let me ignore him. No matter how hard I tried, he always seemed to have a way of pushing through my defenses.Reluctantly, I swiped the screen. His voice came through immediately, sharp and insistent, unmistakably demanding.“Where are you? Can I talk to Ryan? How is he?”I rolled my eyes, irritation bubbling up from the pit of my stomach. Why did he have to do this? Why was he so relentless?“I’m not in the hospital where Ryan is, sir,” I said, my voice clipped. “Why do you care so much, anyway?”“I just need to talk to him,” he replied, his tone tight. “I want to hear it from him. I want to know how he’s doing. Not from you.”His words twisted in a strange way inside me. Wasn't it strange that he wanted to talk to Ryan now, when she treated me so cold inside the company lately?The whole time I’m working under him, he nev
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-09My Ex, the Widowed Billionaire Chapter 36: Jealous Ex?
As I continued to stare at Daniel, my mind reeled. His words hung in the air, surprising me more than I expected. I had never considered Callum’s actions from this perspective—never thought of him as someone who might actually feel threatened by Daniel. Callum had always been cold, distant, and professional, but hearing Daniel's take on it, I started to wonder if there was more behind his sudden interest. I’m being confused again.“Are you serious?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. It wasn’t that I didn’t trust Daniel; it was just that the idea of Callum being jealous seemed so... out of place. Callum never seemed like someone who cared about anything beyond his work now. Yet, here was Daniel, suggesting that my former boss might actually be threatened by us.Daniel didn’t answer immediately. He simply gave me a knowing look, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips, and then he shifted the car into gear, pulling out onto the road. His expression, despite the underlying amus
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-11My Ex, the Widowed Billionaire Chapter 37: Obviously
The next morning, I walked into my office feeling sick to my stomach. A gnawing unease weighed on me as I settled behind my desk. The faint headache lingering at the base of my skull only added to the discomfort, and my mind refused to stop racing.The past few days had left me drained, but today felt different. Maybe it was the unresolved tension with Callum or the fact that my brother Ryan was still in the hospital. Either way, I had no energy to face anything.I leaned back in my chair, rubbing my eyes, hoping the fog would lift. It didn’t. My mind kept drifting to Callum. Why had he been so cold lately? Why did it feel like he was pulling away just when I needed him most? And yet, despite everything, I still thought about him—about the way he made me feel.My phone buzzed. Callum.I sighed, knowing what that meant. Even when he wasn’t around, he loomed over me. I didn’t want to answer, but as his employee, I had no choice.“Hello?” I said, keeping my voice neutral."You’re late,"
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-12My Ex, the Widowed Billionaire Chapter 38: Driver
I frowned and told him that I didn't know him, so why would he say that? And then he uttered the words that made my stomach sink. "It’s an order from Mr. Callum Stone."I hated it.Why would Callum do this? I was perfectly capable of handling myself. I didn't need someone babysitting me, especially not at his command. My jaw tightened as I crossed my arms, glaring at the man. He seemed unaffected by my irritation, standing there with a quiet resolve."I don’t need a driver," I said, my tone firm. "I can get home on my own."The man exhaled, shifting slightly. "Ma’am, I don’t mean to intrude, but if I don’t follow this order, I’ll lose my job. I have a family to feed."Was he trying to make me pity him?I clenched my teeth, my mind spinning. This wasn’t about him—it was about Callum’s need for control. The way he making decisions without consulting me. He had no right."Look," I said, my voice tight, "I understand your situation, but this is my life. I never agreed to have a driver, an
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-14My Ex, the Widowed Billionaire Chapter 39: Between Two
CALLUM’S POVDaniel’s gaze remained steady as I stepped further into the room, my presence commanding the space between him and Athena.“Athena,” I said, my voice firm yet controlled. “I want to talk to Daniel.”Athena hesitated, her fingers twitching against the desk. She glanced at Daniel, then at me, concern flickering in her eyes. I could see the silent plea there—whatever she was worried about, she didn’t want this conversation to happen. But after a moment, she gave in, nodding slowly.“Daniel,” she said softly.To my surprise, Daniel agreed immediately. “Fine,” he said, straightening his posture. There wasn’t an ounce of hesitation in his voice, as if he had been expecting this moment. But Athena… Athena looked worried.That only fueled my irritation.I turned on my heel, leading the way out of the office, Daniel following closely behind. The moment we stepped outside, he broke the silence.“Let’s have a drink,” he offered, but I shook my head, rejecting the attempt at civility
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-17My Ex, the Widowed Billionaire Chapter 40: Hide it
I stepped in before Athena could finish. “Athena,” I said firmly, giving her a look that warned her to stop.She hesitated for a second before forcing a small smile. “Nothing, Ryan. I just wanted to say that Callum and I are working things out.”Ryan’s expression softened, relief washing over his face. “That’s great. I knew you two just needed time.” He clapped me on the shoulder. “You’re lucky to have my sister, bro. Don’t mess it up.”I gave a tight nod, feeling Athena’s gaze burning into me. I had no choice but to play along, keeping my expression neutral.Ryan smiled, satisfied, before excusing himself. The moment he was out of sight, Athena turned to me, her eyes flashing with anger.I saw the way Athena hesitated before speaking, and I knew exactly where this was going. I couldn’t let her say it—not in front of Ryan.“Athena,” I interrupted, my voice firm but calm. “Can we talk? Outside.”She arched a brow, clearly annoyed, but after a brief pause, she nodded. “Fine.”Ryan glanc
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-17My Ex, the Widowed Billionaire Chapter 41: Pressure
His voice was calm, but there was an edge to it that sent a shiver down my spine. “Just get here. We need to talk.”I felt my heart race, unsure of what was waiting for me when I arrived. The drive to Richard Rhodes' mansion felt like it lasted an eternity, the long, winding road only adding to the unease that had settled in my chest.I parked the car and slowly made my way to the front door, each step heavy with the weight of what was to come.As I stepped out of my car, my hands trembled slightly as I gripped the keys to the mansion. The estate before me, grand as it was, felt far more imposing tonight. The shadows stretching from the towering trees only added to the heavy feeling pressing down on my chest.I took a deep breath and made my way toward the front door, which swung open before I even reached it. He stood in the doorway, his expression unreadable. Without a word, he nodded toward the hallway and turned, expecting me to follow.He led me to the room, the familiar sound of
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-18My Ex, the Widowed Billionaire Chapter 42: Ryan
ATHENA'S POV“Do you think Daniel has a chance with you?” she asked, her tone casual, but her eyes betraying quiet desperation.I didn’t know how to respond. I wasn’t even sure if I had an answer. It was a simple question on the surface, but it carried so much weight. Daniel. His name lingered in the air, and I felt the tightness in my chest when I thought of him. Part of me wanted to say yes—he was kind, thoughtful, and made me feel safe in a way I hadn’t in a long time. But when my mother spoke again, all that calm vanished.“What about Callum?”The question hung in the air like a dark cloud. Callum.“Callum will always be there for you,” she’d told me countless times. And every time, my stomach churned with an emotion I couldn’t name—anger? Resentment? Confusion?“How can you even ask me about him?” I replied, my voice trembling despite my best efforts to stay calm. “You know what he did, Mom. You know how he betrayed me. How many times do i have to tell you?”Her face softened, bu
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-18
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My Ex, the Widowed Billionaire Chapter 74: Richard Rhodes
The sky outside the kitchen window was a dull, overcast gray—clouds sagging like they carried secrets too heavy to keep. I stood by the sink, phone in hand, staring at the message I’d read over and over again.“I need to speak with you. Today. In person. – Richard Rhodes.”The name alone sent a knot curling in my stomach. Richard Rhodes—father of the late Emilia Rhodes, ruthless tycoon of Rhodes Industries, and the man who made sure I lost my job the moment my relationship with Callum went public. He’d always been a shadow in the distance. Now he was calling me into the light.I didn’t tell Mom or Ryan about the message. My mother was folding laundry in the living room, humming an old tune under her breath. My brother Ryan was sprawled on the couch, eyes glued to his phone, earbuds in. Peaceful. Ordinary.I didn’t want to worry them. Not when things were already tight. I’d been unemployed for weeks. The severance package had been insulting, and my name had been quietly dragged through
My Ex, the Widowed Billionaire Chapter 73: It was over
We thought it was over.The trial. The sentence. The fire pit where we burned his letter. We thought that would be the end of Daniel's reach—that prison bars could hold obsession the way they hold people.We were wrong.Because Daniel didn’t want me back. Not really. He wanted to destroy the version of me that lived without him.He wanted to ruin what he couldn’t own.He started small again—he always did. A new Instagram profile that followed both me and Callum, no posts, no bio. Just a name I recognized from a story we once told together. A callback, like an inside joke only we would get.I blocked it. Thought that would be the end of it.Then Callum started getting emails.At first, they were harmless. Vague phrases like, “Do you really know who she is?” or “Ask her what she isn’t telling you.”Spam folder stuff. Cowardly.But then came the photos.Old ones of me and Daniel. Ones I never remembered being taken. Private ones. Intimate. A weaponized version of nostalgia designed to tw
My Ex, the Widowed Billionaire Chapter 72: Real love
It was a Tuesday when I realized Daniel hadn’t stopped—he had simply changed tactics.The gifts started small. A bouquet of roses on the hood of my car, no card. A song request on the local radio station—our old song, of course—dedicated to “the one who got away.” A flash drive in the mail containing nothing but footage of us from years ago. Silent videos. Muted laughter. Kisses preserved in pixels like relics from a war only one of us was still fighting.He wanted me to remember, but all he did was remind me why I left.The police were sympathetic, but careful. “Until he breaks the order, we can’t make a move,” they said. But Callum’s friend, Miles, was less restrained.“He’s escalating again,” Miles told me one night over coffee and code. “You’re his fixation. He doesn’t care if he gets caught—he just wants you to see him.”“And if I won’t?” I asked, already knowing.Miles leaned back, lips tight. “Then he’ll try to make you.”—It was the podcast that changed everything.I hadn’t p
My Ex, the Widowed Billionaire Chapter 71: Crossing the line
The first time I found the photo, I thought it was a mistake.It was tucked into my coat pocket—an old picture of me and Daniel at his sister’s wedding. My dress was too tight, his tie was crooked, and we were laughing like the world didn’t know how to hurt us yet. I hadn’t seen that picture in years. I didn’t even remember it being taken.But Daniel did.He was making a point. This wasn’t about nostalgia.It was about control.I burned the photo in the sink that night. Watched the edges curl and blacken like the past finally giving up.Callum stood behind me, silent, his hand resting at the small of my back.“He’s crossing lines,” he said.“I know.”“We should call someone.”I turned. “What would we even say? ‘My ex is acting weird and persistent’?”Callum’s jaw clenched. “He’s not just being persistent. He’s stalking.”I exhaled shakily. “Then we gather proof. We do it smart. He wants a reaction. I won’t give him one.”But I felt it. That old, familiar fear, creeping in like a draft
My Ex, the Widowed Billionaire Chapter 70: Daniel
Athena’s POVI should’ve known peace never lasts.It had been a year since Ryan whispered my name in that hospital bed. A year since Callum came back into my life and refused to leave. A year of healing, slow mornings by the water, shared laughter over burnt pancakes, and kisses that melted every last memory of heartbreak.We had a rhythm now. A life. Something we didn’t dare imagine before.But I should’ve known that the past has a habit of clawing its way back. Especially when it’s wearing a three-piece suit and a smile that never quite reaches his eyes.His name is Daniel Grant.And once upon a time, he was the man I almost married.—The first time I saw him again, it was like my lungs forgot how to breathe.I was in town, picking up fresh flowers for the little café table Callum and I had dragged home from a garage sale. It was a small thing, but it made breakfast feel like something sacred.The florist was tying twine around a bouquet of wildflowers when I heard his voice.“Athe
My Ex, the Widowed Billionaire Chapter 69: Whisper
The day Ryan whispered my name was the same day the sun finally broke through a week of gray clouds. I stood at the hospital window, watching light spill over the parking lot like a quiet promise, while inside, my brother blinked slowly at me, his lips dry, cracked—but alive.“You came back,” I murmured, tears gathering fast.His throat worked, but he couldn’t say much else yet. Still, it was enough. That one word—my name—was everything. And when I held his hand this time, I could feel the strength slowly returning beneath the fragile skin.I sent a voice message to Callum. I didn’t trust myself to talk without sobbing. “He said my name,” I whispered. “Callum, he said my name.”He called me back immediately, and when I answered, I could hear it in his voice—he’d stopped whatever he was doing. “I’m on my way.”“No,” I said quickly, though my heart clenched at the thought. “You have work.”“Screw work. I told you, I’m in this. I’ll catch the next flight. Just… stay with him. I’ll be the
My Ex, the Widowed Billionaire Chapter 68: Struggle
The storm between us quieted.He didn’t say anything else for a while, and neither did I. The only sounds were our breathing and the tick of the wall clock, each second reminding me that peace like this wasn’t promised—it was chosen, earned, fragile.Callum's fingers curled around mine slowly, deliberately. A silent act of truce.I leaned into his shoulder, resting my forehead against the curve of his neck. He smelled like sun-warmed cotton and faint traces of my lavender soap. I’d missed this. Not just the feel of him—but the safety of him. The softness that still existed beneath the sharp edges life had carved into both of us.“I didn’t mean to ruin this morning,” I murmured.He sighed. “I know.”We sat like that for minutes or maybe hours—it was hard to tell. The past still hummed in the corners of the room, but something new was blooming too. Fragile, but real.Eventually, he spoke again. “What if this doesn’t work out?”I pulled back slightly. “Us?”“No,” he said, shaking his hea
My Ex, the Widowed Billionaire Chapter 67: Come back
He stepped closer, not touching me, not demanding anything—just close enough that I could feel the heat of him in the chilled wind.“You’ll find her,” he said softly. “I know you will.”His voice was full of something reverent. Like belief. Like hope. Like he saw a version of me I hadn’t fully stepped into yet but he already loved anyway.We stood there like that for a while, the waves crashing far below, the clouds slowly drifting across a sky painted with late afternoon gold. And then I did something I hadn’t planned.I reached for his hand.It felt like stepping off a ledge—but instead of falling, I found solid ground.His fingers threaded with mine instinctively. Familiar. Easy. And when I looked up at him, something shifted. Deep and quiet and real.“Come back with me,” I said.His brows lifted slightly, surprise flickering behind his eyes.“Just for tea,” I added quickly. “Don’t make it weird.”He grinned, and for a moment, we weren’t two broken people trying to figure out how t
My Ex, the Widowed Billionaire Chapter 66: His Choice
They say closure is a myth. That healing doesn’t come in clean arcs, but in spirals—circles that loop back on themselves when you least expect it. I used to believe healing was about moving forward, about choosing growth. But what they don’t tell you is sometimes healing means looking backward, straight into the eyes of what broke you, and asking if maybe… just maybe… you still want it.Callum was standing in my kitchen.He moved like a man walking through a dream, unsure of what was real and what he’d only imagined during the countless sleepless nights I suspected we both had. The air between us was thick—heavy with memories, words left unsaid, and the quiet pull of things unresolved.He hadn’t shaved. A small thing, but for Callum Hastings, that was a kind of confession.“You look tired,” I said quietly, unsure of what else to say.“I am,” he admitted, his voice rough. “But I’ll sleep better if you hear me out.”I nodded and poured him a cup of coffee, not because I had to, but beca
