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CHAPTER 32
Last Updated:
2025-03-22 21:15:52
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RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 33
I sat there for what felt like an eternity, staring at the spot where Jeff had just been, my mind tangled in a web of disbelief.What the hell just happened?A part of me wanted to laugh at the absurdity of it all—Jeff Ortega, the man who had once thrown away our marriage like it meant nothing, was now offering me a deal that required me to move in with him again.Why?What was his real angle?I curled my fingers around my coffee cup, trying to steady myself. My heart was pounding, and my emotions were swinging between anger, confusion, and something else I refused to name.Jeff wanted me back under his roof?The same man who had once signed the divorce papers without hesitation?The same man who had walked away as if I had been nothing more than a passing chapter in his life?I clenched my jaw.It didn’t make sense.And the worst part?I didn’t want to ask him why.Something about that question—about admitting my curiosity—felt too dangerous.I didn’t want to give Jeff the satisfacti
Last Updated : 2025-03-23RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 34
I had barely gotten any rest in the past few days. Between my father’s condition, the chaos at Perez Group, and Jeff’s relentless interference, I felt like I was suffocating.As I sat beside my father’s hospital bed, I watched his peaceful, sleeping face. He looked so frail, a far cry from the powerful businessman I had always known him to be. Seeing him like this made my heart ache.I reached for his hand, gripping it gently.“Dad,” I whispered, my voice trembling, “I know you’d probably scold me if you were awake right now. You’d tell me I should be at the company instead of hovering over you. But… I just don’t know what to do anymore.”The weight of my failures pressed down on my shoulders like a boulder.The company was crumbling. Investors were pulling out. Lorenzo Cruz was circling like a vulture, and Jeff… Jeff was forcing me into a corner I never wanted to be in.And now, I was running out of options.Just as I was lost in thought, my phone buzzed violently in my hand. I sighe
Last Updated : 2025-03-24RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 35
I sat in my office, staring blankly at the document in front of me, but I wasn’t reading a single word. My mind was elsewhere.Nolan’s offer replayed over and over in my head.“I don’t want anything in return. Just trust me.”It sounded too good to be true.I had spent years surrounded by men who only helped when they had something to gain—whether it was control, power, or even me.And yet, here was Nolan, offering me a way out without asking for a single thing.It didn’t make sense.Was he playing some long game I wasn’t seeing? Did he have a hidden agenda?I wanted to believe he was different. That maybe, for once, someone was actually looking out for me.But I also wasn’t naïve.I knew better than to trust people at face value.A knock on my office door made me flinch. “Come in.”Brent stepped inside, his expression tense. He shut the door behind him before walking toward my desk.“You’re thinking about it, aren’t you?” he asked, crossing his arms.I sighed. “You already know the a
Last Updated : 2025-03-25RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 36
The next few days were absolute chaos.Despite my best efforts to stay focused, the pressure was crushing.Lorenzo wasn’t slowing down. If anything, he was accelerating his takeover plans. More investors were pulling out. More rumors were circulating. And every time I thought we had a moment to breathe, another headline would appear, twisting the knife deeper.But through it all, I waited for Nolan.I had no idea what he was planning.I hated that.I hated sitting in my office, staring at my phone, waiting for a call that might never come.Brent and Chelsea were both wary of the situation. Brent especially.“You’re relying on a man we barely know, Demi.”I knew that.But at this point, what choice did I have?Finally, on the fourth day, Nolan called.“Meet me.”That was all he said before hanging up.I grabbed my coat and left.***I found Nolan at a private lounge in one of the city’s most exclusive hotels.He was sitting in a leather chair, sipping whiskey like he had all the time i
Last Updated : 2025-03-26RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 37
I barely made it to my car before my hands started shaking.Damn it.I gripped the steering wheel tightly, trying to steady my breath.Nolan’s words echoed in my mind."I want you to marry me.""If you refuse, I can always bring Lorenzo back into the picture."I closed my eyes, frustration bubbling in my chest.I had worked so hard to keep Lorenzo from completely taking over my father’s company. And now, Nolan—the one who had helped me get rid of him—was using the same threat against me.I should have seen it coming.I should have never trusted him.A bitter laugh escaped me.I was an idiot.***I didn’t go home right away.Instead, I found myself driving aimlessly around the city, my thoughts a tangled mess.I knew Nolan wasn’t bluffing.If I refused him, he would absolutely bring Lorenzo back just to pressure me further.And I couldn’t let that happen.I had barely regained control of the company. The shareholders were finally regaining confidence. If Lorenzo came back into the pict
Last Updated : 2025-03-27RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 38
I barely slept that night.My father was awake. That should have been good news—great news—but instead, my mind was in turmoil.I had been seconds away from signing that contract with Nolan. Seconds away from locking myself into a deal I desperately didn’t want.And now?Now, I had a chance to delay it. Maybe even stop it completely.But how?I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at my phone, my fingers hovering over Nolan’s number.I had to call him. Had to tell him that I wasn’t signing anything yet.But that meant going against him. And I knew how he played this game.I had agreed to this deal. If I backed out now, even temporarily, he’d make me regret it.Still, I had no choice.Taking a deep breath, I dialed his number.He picked up on the first ring, like he had been expecting my call.“Demi,” Nolan’s voice was smooth, but there was a hint of amusement there. “I was wondering when you’d call.”I gripped the phone tightly. “I need to delay the agreement.”A pause.Then—“Excuse me
Last Updated : 2025-03-28RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 39
I barely heard the sound of my own heels clicking against the hospital’s tiled floors as I rushed toward my father’s room. My heart pounded so hard in my chest that it felt like it might burst.He was awake.That single thought drowned out everything else.Pushing open the door, I found him sitting up slightly, his face pale but his eyes alert. Relief surged through me so fast that I had to grip the doorframe to steady myself.“Dad…” My voice cracked.His gaze lifted to mine, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I saw warmth in his eyes.“Demi.” His voice was hoarse, weaker than I remembered. But he was awake. He was speaking. And that was all that mattered.I rushed to his side, grabbing his hand. “How are you feeling?”He let out a dry chuckle. “Like I got hit by a truck… and then the damn truck decided to back up and hit me again.”A laugh bubbled in my throat, but it quickly turned into something else—something raw. I squeezed his hand tighter, afraid that if I let go
Last Updated : 2025-03-28RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 40
I let the word hang in the air. Mine.Possessive. Confident. A declaration.The man—someone from a hedge fund, I vaguely recalled—chuckled as he shook Nolan’s hand. “Of course she is,” he mused, his gaze lingering on me a beat too long. “You always did know how to pick them.”Nolan’s grip on my waist tightened slightly, just enough to make a point. A warning.I played my part, tilting my head toward him like a woman perfectly comfortable in his grasp. “He’s very persuasive,” I said smoothly, watching Nolan’s reaction from the corner of my eye.His smirk deepened. “She’s a quick learner.”The man laughed, clearly entertained. “Well, I won’t keep you. Enjoy your evening.”As soon as he walked away, I turned to Nolan, my voice sickly sweet. “Mine?”He didn’t look the least bit regretful. “Would you rather I introduce you as the woman who owes me a favor?”My jaw tightened. “I would rather you not introduce me at all.”He smiled like I had just said something amusing. “But that would be a
Last Updated : 2025-03-28
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RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 73
I stood outside Jeff's apartment, heart pounding against my ribs. The weight of our history pressed down on me, making it hard to breathe. After all the pain, the betrayal, and the years spent apart, here I was, about to step back into the lion's den.I knocked.The door opened almost immediately, as if he'd been standing just on the other side, waiting. Jeff looked... different. Older, perhaps. Or maybe just wearier. His eyes searched mine, and for a moment, neither of us spoke."Come in," he said softly, stepping aside.I hesitated, then crossed the threshold. The apartment was familiar yet foreign. Some of our old furniture remained, but new pieces had taken their places. The walls, once adorned with photos of our shared adventures, were now bare."Can I get you something? Water? Wine?" Jeff offered, his voice tentative."Water's fine," I replied, my throat dry.He disappeared into the kitchen, leaving me alone in the living room. My eyes wandered, landing on a framed photo on the
RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 72
I didn’t know what unsettled me more—the fact that Jeff had admitted he still had feelings for me… or that part of me wanted to believe him.The day after our confrontation, I found myself spiraling. My brain, usually so sharp and logical, was tangled in loops of questions. Why now? Why say it like that? Why come back just when my life was starting to regain some balance?Was he being sincere… or was this just another one of his fleeting whims?Chelsea had a way of reading my face like an open book. The moment I stepped into the office, she glanced up from her laptop and gave me that knowing look—the one that made me feel like I was twelve and hiding secrets from my older sister."So," she said casually, spinning her pen between her fingers, "did you finally talk to your ex-husband, or are you still pretending you don't feel things when he's around?"I let out a slow breath and slid into my chair. “We talked.”She raised an eyebrow. “And?”“And he said he wants me back.”Her jaw dropp
RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 71
Days passed, and Jeff stayed true to his word. He didn’t push. He didn’t call incessantly or ambush me with declarations of love. He was... patient.Too patient.He sent coffee to the office every now and then—always the right kind, always with a sticky note bearing some quiet inside joke or half-forgotten memory scrawled on it. A small, warm reminder of the life we once shared. A life that, despite everything, still lingered in the corners of my mind like the faint smell of cologne on a scarf I hadn’t worn in years.I wanted to believe him.God, a part of me did.But there was still a wall between us—thin, invisible, but tall as hell. And I didn’t know how to tear it down without hurting myself in the process.One evening, I stayed late at the office, going over files that didn’t really need my attention. I just… needed the noise. The distraction.Chelsea wandered in around 7 p.m., her coat draped over one arm and a curious look on her face.“So,” she said, dragging a chair up to my
RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 70
The days following my conversation with Jeff were a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. His confession had reopened wounds I thought had healed, leaving me questioning everything. I needed clarity, and there was only one person I trusted to provide an unfiltered perspective: Chelsea.We met at our favorite café, a cozy nook nestled between towering office buildings. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the scent of baked pastries, creating a comforting atmosphere. Chelsea was already seated at our usual corner table, her eyes scanning the menu."Hey," I greeted, sliding into the seat across from her.She looked up, a smile spreading across her face. "Hey yourself. You look like you haven't slept in days."I sighed, stirring the sugar into my coffee. "That's because I haven't. It's Jeff."Chelsea's expression shifted to one of concern. "What did he do now?"I recounted our conversation in the park, detailing his admission of regret and his desire to rekindle what we onc
RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 69
I hadn’t slept much.Jeff’s confession haunted me through the night, tugging at every vulnerable corner of my heart. He wanted me back. After all the years, after choosing Stella over me… he wanted me.The worst part?A small, quiet part of me still wanted him too.I hated that part.It whispered doubts and dragged up memories I had worked so hard to bury. The way he used to pull me into his chest during thunderstorms, how he always brought home my favorite coconut milk ice cream, even when I didn’t ask. How he made me laugh in the middle of fights, just to calm me down.But those were old pages in a book I had already shelved.I arrived at the office earlier than usual, hoping to distract myself in meetings and buried emails. But my mind refused to stay focused. Chelsea noticed right away.“You look like a zombie,” she said bluntly as she set a hot cup of coffee beside my desk. “If this is about Jeff, you really need to get a grip.”I glared at her, though without any real venom. “Th
RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 68
The office was unusually quiet that afternoon, save for the rhythmic tapping of my pen against the desk. The bouquet of white tulips Jeff had sent earlier that week had begun to wilt, their once vibrant petals now drooping—a visual metaphor for my dwindling patience. The unanswered questions, the lingering glances, the unsolicited gifts—it was all becoming too much. I needed clarity, and there was only one way to get it.I picked up my phone, my thumb hovering over Jeff's contact. Before I could overthink it, I pressed 'Call'. The line rang twice before his familiar voice answered."Demi?""Jeff, we need to talk. Can you meet me at the park near the office in an hour?"There was a pause, then a soft sigh. "I'll be there."The park bench was cold beneath me, the late afternoon breeze carrying the scent of blooming flowers and freshly cut grass. I spotted Jeff approaching from the corner of my eye, his hands tucked into the pockets of his jacket, his expression unreadable.He sat down b
RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 67
Somehow, the smell of freshly brewed coffee made me more suspicious than comforted these days.Especially when it came wrapped in Jeff’s handwriting.“Thought you could use a pick-me-up. —J.”It wasn’t the first time. In fact, it was the fourth morning in a row that a perfectly warm cappuccino—made exactly how I liked it, just shy of scalding and with extra cinnamon—had been waiting on my desk by the time I got in. And today, there was a twist.A bouquet.White tulips. My favorite. Wrapped neatly in soft brown parchment with a tiny blue ribbon—the kind I used to tie in my hair during law school.He remembered.And now so did everyone in the building.I didn’t even have to turn around to know that heads were peeking over cubicles. The murmurs outside my glass office door were louder than the clicks of keyboards. It wouldn’t take long before the whispers turned into questions. And judging by the way Chelsea barreled into my office ten minutes later, holding a mug of her own coffee like
RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 66
The note said everything and nothing at once.It was written in Jeff’s usual, maddeningly vague way — careful phrases that danced around the truth but never quite landed. Apologies that didn’t dig deep enough. Promises that sounded too much like the ones he used to make when things were already unraveling.Still, I kept it.Tucked away in the back of my desk drawer, behind quarterly reports and receipts I never filed. I told myself it didn’t mean anything. That it wasn’t important. That it was just paper.But the truth?I reread it every morning before I started work.And every time, I hated how it made me feel.Like I missed him.Like some small, treacherous part of me still wondered what might’ve been if things had gone differently.The flowers stayed, too. I told myself I didn’t throw them away because I was too busy, but deep down, I knew the real reason.They were proof.Proof that maybe Jeff was still trying.And I wasn’t ready to admit what that meant to me.It didn’t stop ther
RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 65
I spent the rest of the afternoon trying not to glance at the flowers.Emphasis on trying.They sat there like a soft-colored confession, impossible to ignore. The scent was too sweet, too present, as if Jeff had chosen that particular arrangement to haunt every breath I took. And the worst part? It worked.I caught myself smiling for no damn reason more than once. And every time I did, I mentally smacked myself.It was dangerous, this tenderness. Because it reminded me of the early days, back when Jeff and I used to bring each other coffee just for fun, when our fights were rare and our silences were warm. Before ambition poisoned us. Before secrets built walls between us.Now here he was again, lowering his walls and offering coffee like a truce flag wrapped in caffeine and peonies.But I wasn’t twenty-three anymore. I wasn’t that bright-eyed woman who believed love could fix everything. I was smarter now. Scarred, sure—but smarter.So when the clock hit five and my inbox was finall
