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CHAPTER 44
Last Updated:
2025-03-29 19:46:04
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RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 45
I didn’t sleep that night.Instead, I sat in my office, my fingers tracing the edges of Nolan’s contract as if the ink itself could burn me.Four weeks.That was all I had.And the longer I waited, the more suffocating the inevitability became.I was running out of time.The thought made my stomach twist as I reached for my phone, scrolling through my contacts until I landed on the one name I had been avoiding for weeks.Jeff.My pulse quickened. I knew this was reckless. Stupid. But I needed answers.I needed to understand why he had resurfaced. Why he was suddenly lurking in the shadows of my life again, like a ghost refusing to be forgotten.Before I could second-guess myself, I pressed call.The line rang once. Twice.Then, he picked up.“Well, well,” Jeff’s voice dripped with amusement. “I was beginning to think you’d never call.”I swallowed hard, gripping my phone tighter. “We need to talk.”A pause. Then—“Are you sure about that, Demi?” he asked, his tone laced with something
Last Updated : 2025-03-30RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 46
I spent the next few days rewriting the contract, making sure every clause benefited me instead of Nolan. If he wanted me as part of his empire, he would have to do it on my terms.But I knew one thing—Nolan wasn’t stupid.He wouldn’t accept these changes without a fight.And that fight was coming.⋆⋆⋆The moment I walked into Nolan’s office, his eyes locked onto me.“Demi.” His voice was smooth, but there was a sharp edge beneath it. “I was beginning to think you were avoiding me.”I tossed the contract onto his desk. “I made some changes.”Nolan arched a brow and leaned back in his chair. “Changes?”I folded my arms. “Read it.”His eyes darkened with intrigue as he picked up the papers. Silence filled the room as he skimmed the pages, his expression unreadable.Then, after a long pause, he let out a low chuckle.“You’re bolder than I expected.”I lifted my chin. “You thought I’d just roll over and accept your terms?”His smirk widened. “I hoped.”I clenched my jaw. “You wanted contr
Last Updated : 2025-03-30RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 47
I didn’t sleep that night.Even after I agreed to Nolan’s ridiculous demand, my mind refused to settle.Every scenario, every worst-case outcome, played on a loop in my head.I wasn’t stupid.I knew Nolan was doing this for control.He had already taken over my engagement, my future, and now—my home.And I had let him.I stared at the ceiling until the first light of dawn peeked through my windows.Then, without giving myself time to overthink, I got up and packed.Chelsea nearly exploded when I told her.“Are you insane?” she hissed, pacing my bedroom. “Living with Nolan? Do you have any idea what you’re walking into?”I rubbed my temples. “It’s temporary.”Chelsea shot me a sharp look. “That’s exactly what people say before they get stuck in a situation they can’t escape.”I sighed. “I don’t have a choice.”“You always have a choice, Demi.”I swallowed hard. Not this time.She exhaled, shaking her head. “At least tell your dad.”I flinched. “No.”“Demi—”“No,” I repeated, my voice h
Last Updated : 2025-03-31RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 48
The next morning, I woke up to the sound of my phone vibrating against the nightstand.I groaned, rubbing the sleep from my eyes before grabbing it.Chelsea.I exhaled sharply, already knowing this wasn’t going to be a pleasant conversation.“Hello?”“You didn’t call me last night,” she snapped.I sighed, sitting up. “I was tired.”“You were avoiding me,” she corrected.I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Chelsea—”“Tell me you’re okay,” she cut in.I hesitated.Because was I okay?No.Not even close.But I also wasn’t about to admit that.“I’m fine,” I said instead.Chelsea sighed. “I don’t believe you.”I forced a laugh. “Shocking.”There was a pause.Then, her voice softened. “Demi, you don’t have to do this.”A lump formed in my throat.“Yes, I do.”“Demi—”“I have to go,” I murmured. “I’ll call you later.”Before she could protest, I ended the call.Then, I buried my face in my hands.This was my life now.And I had no choice but to live it.By the time I made my way to the kitchen
Last Updated : 2025-03-31RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 49
Sleep didn’t come easy that night.Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Jeff’s face—contorted in pain, eyes filled with fear.Fear of Nolan.It should have scared me.But the only thing that truly terrified me was how much I didn’t feel afraid of Nolan.He had done something violent, something brutal.And yet, a part of me—the part I didn’t want to acknowledge—felt a twisted sense of satisfaction.Jeff had deserved it.And Nolan had delivered it without hesitation.What did that say about me?I shoved the thought away and turned over in bed, forcing myself to focus on the future.Jeff would return the money in three days.I could finally put this behind me.But something told me it wasn’t going to be that simple.Because nothing in my life ever was.The next morning, Chelsea was already waiting for me when I walked into my office.She had that look—the one she always wore when she knew I was hiding something.“So,” she said, crossing her arms. “Are you going to tell me what happened las
Last Updated : 2025-03-31RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 50
I stared at the unfamiliar ceiling, my mind racing with the weight of what I had done.I had moved in with Nolan.Not because I wanted to.But because I had no choice.His penthouse was sleek, modern, and everything I had expected—cold, controlled, and completely impersonal. It was the kind of place that didn’t feel lived in. The kind of place that had no warmth, no real comfort.I sat up, brushing my fingers through my hair, exhaling slowly.It had only been a few hours since I arrived, and already, I felt trapped.The door to my room opened without a knock.I turned, narrowing my eyes as Nolan stepped inside."Ever heard of knocking?"He ignored the jab, crossing the room like he owned it—like he owned me. "We need to go over a few things."I sighed, rubbing my temples. "Can it wait? I barely got settled.""You can settle in after we go over the rules."My lips parted, heat flashing up my spine. "Rules?"He nodded, completely unfazed. "If you’re going to live here, there need to be
Last Updated : 2025-03-31RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 51
I spent the entire drive to Nolan’s penthouse gripping the steering wheel so tightly that my knuckles ached.I had rehearsed what I was going to say. Over and over again.But none of it would matter if Nolan was playing me.Because if he was—if he had been working with Lorenzo this whole time—then I wasn’t just walking into a confrontation.I was walking into a war.By the time I reached his building, my anger had settled into something colder. Sharper.I didn’t bother waiting for permission. I stormed through the lobby, ignoring the concierge’s startled look, and stepped into the private elevator that led to Nolan’s penthouse.He had given me access weeks ago.He probably thought it was a gesture of trust.I pressed the button and watched the numbers climb.Liar.Manipulator.Traitor.The doors slid open, revealing Nolan standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows, a whiskey glass in hand. He turned at the sound, his sharp gaze flicking over me.A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.
Last Updated : 2025-03-31RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 52
We left the warehouse in a convoy of black SUVs, Nolan’s men securing every angle as if Lorenzo might try something last-minute. My father was weak but stable, his head resting against the seat as he exhaled heavily. I held his hand, my fingers gripping his like a lifeline.The drive back was silent.I kept replaying the night in my head—Lorenzo’s threats, Nolan’s calculated control, the way the power shifted so quickly. My mind was spinning, trying to process what it all meant.But one thought stood out among the chaos.This isn’t over.Not by a long shot.We pulled up to a private estate—one of Nolan’s, no doubt. The moment we entered, medical staff was waiting for my father. They whisked him away into a large, well-equipped room that looked more like a high-end hospital suite than a bedroom.Chelsea was already there.She rushed forward the second she saw me. “Oh my god, Demi—”I barely had time to react before she pulled me into a tight hug.“You’re okay,” she whispered, her voice
Last Updated : 2025-03-31
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RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 58
I should have walked away.Should have turned my back on Victor and whatever game he was playing.But I didn’t.Because his words were still echoing in my head."He wasn’t hiding it from you. He was hiding you from it."And I needed to know what the hell that meant.I forced myself to meet Victor’s gaze. “Then tell me. If Nolan and Lorenzo aren’t running this, who is?”Victor smirked, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “That’s the right question. But you already know the answer, don’t you?”A slow chill crept up my spine.No. No, that wasn’t possible.I shook my head. “If I knew, I wouldn’t be standing here asking you.”Victor’s smirk faded. He studied me for a beat, like he was weighing something in his mind. Then he took the folder, flipped it open again, and pulled out a single page.I felt my stomach drop the second I saw the name printed at the top.My father.My hands curled into fists at my sides. “What does he have to do with this?”Victor let out a quiet chuckle, shaking his head.
RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 57
My heartbeat pounded in my ears, a frantic rhythm of anger, fear, and something I refused to name.Lorenzo's words settled over me like a vice, tightening with every second of silence."This has always been about you."I forced my breathing to stay even, controlled.Nolan didn’t move.Didn’t speak.Just stood there, watching me with that impenetrable gaze, like he was waiting.Like he was gauging my reaction.I hated that.I hated that he still had power over me, even now.I took a slow step back, distancing myself from them both. “What the hell does that mean?”Lorenzo smiled, slow and knowing. “Exactly what it sounds like.”I turned to Nolan.He owed me this.After everything, after all the lies, I deserved the truth.But Nolan—Nolan just sighed, rubbing his temple like this conversation exhausted him.Like I exhausted him.“Demi—”“No.” I cut him off. “No more stalling. No more vague bullshit. Tell me the truth.”A flicker of something passed through his expression.Something like
RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 56
I didn’t have to wait long.Jeff replied almost immediately.Jeff: That was fast. Have a change of heart, sweetheart?My fingers tightened around my phone.Demi: Where are you?Jeff: Somewhere fun. Want to join?I didn’t have time for his games.Demi: I’m serious, Jeff. Where?A pause. Then:Jeff: My place. Half an hour. Come alone.I had no intention of obeying that last part.But I was going.Because if I wanted to destroy Nolan, I needed a new ally.Even if that ally was a snake.Jeff’s apartment was exactly what I expected—expensive, sleek, and deliberately impersonal.The kind of place a man like him never really called home.He was waiting for me, sprawled lazily on his couch, a whiskey glass in one hand and a smirk already in place.“Demi,” he drawled. “That was quicker than I thought. What changed?”I didn’t sit.Instead, I pulled out my phone, opened the screenshot I’d taken of Nolan’s text conversation with Lorenzo, and tossed it onto the table in front of him.Jeff picked i
RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 55
I gripped the flash drive so tightly that the edges dug into my palm. The weight of it felt heavier than it should, as if the truth it carried had already begun pressing down on me before I even plugged it in.I didn't go straight home. I couldn't.Instead, I drove around aimlessly, my fingers tapping against the steering wheel, my mind spinning with possibilities.Jeff was a liar. A manipulator. But so was Nolan.I didn't trust either of them, but I needed to know what I was up against.Eventually, I pulled into the underground parking lot of my apartment building, shutting off the engine. My stomach churned as I stared at the device in my hand.I had a choice.I could throw it away and pretend this meeting never happened. Pretend Jeff never reached out. Pretend that I was still in control.Or I could plug it in and open Pandora’s box.I inhaled sharply, grabbed my bag, and stepped out of the car.By the time I reached my apartment, my hands were trembling. I locked the door behind m
RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 54
Nolan leaned back in his chair, his smirk lingering as he watched me.“Go on,” he said, steepling his fingers together. “What’s on your mind, sweetheart?”I ignored the endearment, keeping my expression neutral.“We need to set some boundaries,” I said. “Rules.”His brows lifted slightly, amusement flickering in his dark eyes. “Rules?”“Yes.”I took a steadying breath, forcing myself to remain calm. I had spent the whole night thinking about this—about what I could control in a situation where I had already lost so much.If I had to play this game, I needed to be clear about my terms.“No unnecessary public displays of affection,” I said firmly. “Nothing more than what’s required to sell the engagement.”Nolan hummed, tapping his fingers against the desk. “You do realize we’ll need to be convincing, right?”I met his gaze without flinching. “Convincing doesn’t mean excessive.”His lips twitched like he wanted to argue, but instead, he just nodded. “Fine. What else?”“No unannounced vi
RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 53
The gala was a blur of expensive suits, designer gowns, and the clinking of champagne glasses. Laughter echoed around the grand ballroom, but it was all a carefully constructed illusion—just like everything else in my life.I smiled when I was supposed to. Laughed at all the right moments. Nodded along as people talked about stocks, mergers, and the latest scandals.But inside, It felt like I was drowning.Chelsea hovered nearby, keeping an eye on me like she always did. I appreciated her concern, but there was nothing she could do to fix this.Nolan was here somewhere.I had yet to see him, but I could feel his presence.And then—A hand brushed against my lower back.I stiffened, my breath catching in my throat.“You look stunning,” a deep voice murmured.I turned my head, my heart pounding.Nolan.He was dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit, his tie crisp, his posture effortless.And his eyes—they held that same dark amusement, like he knew something I didn’t.I swallowed hard
RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 52
We left the warehouse in a convoy of black SUVs, Nolan’s men securing every angle as if Lorenzo might try something last-minute. My father was weak but stable, his head resting against the seat as he exhaled heavily. I held his hand, my fingers gripping his like a lifeline.The drive back was silent.I kept replaying the night in my head—Lorenzo’s threats, Nolan’s calculated control, the way the power shifted so quickly. My mind was spinning, trying to process what it all meant.But one thought stood out among the chaos.This isn’t over.Not by a long shot.We pulled up to a private estate—one of Nolan’s, no doubt. The moment we entered, medical staff was waiting for my father. They whisked him away into a large, well-equipped room that looked more like a high-end hospital suite than a bedroom.Chelsea was already there.She rushed forward the second she saw me. “Oh my god, Demi—”I barely had time to react before she pulled me into a tight hug.“You’re okay,” she whispered, her voice
RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 51
I spent the entire drive to Nolan’s penthouse gripping the steering wheel so tightly that my knuckles ached.I had rehearsed what I was going to say. Over and over again.But none of it would matter if Nolan was playing me.Because if he was—if he had been working with Lorenzo this whole time—then I wasn’t just walking into a confrontation.I was walking into a war.By the time I reached his building, my anger had settled into something colder. Sharper.I didn’t bother waiting for permission. I stormed through the lobby, ignoring the concierge’s startled look, and stepped into the private elevator that led to Nolan’s penthouse.He had given me access weeks ago.He probably thought it was a gesture of trust.I pressed the button and watched the numbers climb.Liar.Manipulator.Traitor.The doors slid open, revealing Nolan standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows, a whiskey glass in hand. He turned at the sound, his sharp gaze flicking over me.A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.
RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 50
I stared at the unfamiliar ceiling, my mind racing with the weight of what I had done.I had moved in with Nolan.Not because I wanted to.But because I had no choice.His penthouse was sleek, modern, and everything I had expected—cold, controlled, and completely impersonal. It was the kind of place that didn’t feel lived in. The kind of place that had no warmth, no real comfort.I sat up, brushing my fingers through my hair, exhaling slowly.It had only been a few hours since I arrived, and already, I felt trapped.The door to my room opened without a knock.I turned, narrowing my eyes as Nolan stepped inside."Ever heard of knocking?"He ignored the jab, crossing the room like he owned it—like he owned me. "We need to go over a few things."I sighed, rubbing my temples. "Can it wait? I barely got settled.""You can settle in after we go over the rules."My lips parted, heat flashing up my spine. "Rules?"He nodded, completely unfazed. "If you’re going to live here, there need to be
