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CHAPTER FORTY TWO
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2024-11-13 16:59:26
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Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER FORTY THREE
Isabella came downstairs the next morning, finding Seth already at the kitchen counter with his laptop. The silence between them felt heavier than usual."Are we still not talking?" she asked, reaching for the coffee pot."Didn't know we were not." Seth kept his eyes on his screen.Isabella took a deep breath. "Well, since we apparently are...I could use your advice about something.""Sure, what is up?" His tone was carefully neutral."It is about Sterling." She noticed how Seth's jaw tightened at the name. "He has not returned any of my messages.”"And that surprises you?" Seth finally looked up. "The guy was practically force-feeding you wine.""He was not force-feeding me anything," Isabella protested. "I just...I feel like I handled it badly.""By choosing not to leave with someone who was clearly trying to get you drunk?""You make it sound so calculated.""Because it was." Seth closed his laptop. "Look, if he actually cared about you, he would be more concerned about your safety
Last Updated : 2024-11-14Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER FORTY FOUR
The look in his eyes told Isabella he wasn't just talking about the house. Still, she decided to play along "Really?" She tried to hide her smile but failed."Really." He pressed his credit card into her palm. "And speaking of perfect things, this has no limit. Get whatever makes you happy.""You're not going to let this go, are you?" Isabella shook her head, amused by his persistence."Not a chance." Seth grinnedShe studied the card in her hands. "Are you serious about this?""Very." His eyes sparkled with amusement. "Go crazy.""You're going to regret this, you know." She turned the card over, still not quite believing his offer."Somehow, I doubt that." He winked. "Go spoil yourself. You deserve it."Isabella wandered through the mall until a Gucci handbag caught her eye. As she reached for the store's door, a voice behind her made her freeze."Well, isn't this cute?"Isabella didn't need to turn around to know it was Eliza."Look who's window shopping,” Eliza said, her heels cli
Last Updated : 2024-11-14Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER FORTY FIVE
Victoria Stone stared out the window of her study, her nails tapping against the crystal tumbler in her hand. That confrontation with Eliza had shaken her more than she cared to admit. Not from fear - Victoria Stone didn't do fear - but from pure, unadulterated rage. How dare that girl challenge her?She took another sip of whiskey, letting the familiar burn steady her nerves. The family photo albums she'd brought lay untouched on her desk - a prop in a play that hadn't gone according to script. Victoria reached for her phone, then hesitated. This needed finesse. Precision.She dialed Richard's number."Mother?" He answered on the third ring. "This is a surprise. I'm just heading into a meeting-""Oh, I'm sorry, darling." Victoria kept her tone light, and conversational. "I don't mean to interrupt. I just..." She let her voice trail off."What's wrong?""Nothing, really. It can wait until-""Mother." She heard rustling, then a door closing. "You never call during work hours unless it'
Last Updated : 2024-11-15Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER FORTY SIX
Eliza stared at her phone screen until it blurred. Twenty-seven missed calls, all sent straight to voicemail. Richard hadn't come home last night. She'd waited up until 3 AM, alternating between calling him and pacing their bedroom, her mind racing with increasingly terrible scenarios.Standing in front of her bathroom mirror, Eliza barely recognized herself. Her mascara was everywhere from the sleepless night, her hair a mess from running her hands through it too many times. That bitch Victoria had actually done it. She'd turned her son against her.Eliza's hands curled into fists. She couldn't lose everything. Not when she had come this far. If Victoria wanted to play dirty, she would play dirty. But first, she had to get Richard back. And that meant doing the one thing she had sworn she would never do.Beg.She wiped her face roughly with a washcloth. She'd go to Victoria's house and put on the performance of her life if she had to. Say all the right things, act all sweet and sorry
Last Updated : 2024-11-15Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER FORTY SEVEN
"I received an email with the prompt needed to move to the next phase," Seth announced, walking into the conference room where he had summoned Leo, Paige, Karen, and Isabella. He didn't waste any time with pleasantries, immediately handing his tablet to Leo. “Pull this up on the projector.”Leo quickly connected the tablet and displayed the email for everyone to see. He let out a low whistle. “This is going to be a serious challenge.”Karen leaned in, studying the requirements. High stakes, massive visibility, and the budget to match.” She whistled softly. “They weren’t kidding about the scale.”“But hey, look at this.” Leo pointed at the screen, his excitement obvious. “It has our name written all over it.”Seth shook his head, but there was a ghost of a smile on his face. "Don't get ahead of yourself, Leo. Every top firm in this city wants this project." He paused, his expression growing serious. "Listen, I know we're good. But one slip-up, one moment where we think we've got it in
Last Updated : 2024-11-16Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER FORTY EIGHT
The presentation hall buzzed with nervous energy as teams filed in, clutching portfolios and tablets like lifelines. Seth's team arrived early, their polished appearances masking the sleepless nights and endless revisions that had brought them here."I'll get us some water," Paige offered, noticing Isabella's hands shaking slightly."Make it vodka," Leo whispered, earning an elbow from Karen. “What? Like we're not all thinking it."Has anyone else noticed how packed it is?" Paige asked, trying to lighten the mood. "I counted at least twelve teams outside.""Thirteen," Karen corrected, smoothing her blazer. "I recognized Jason’s team.”"The ones with the disaster app?" Leo perked up. "Man, that demo crash was epic. Almost made me feel better about my own presentation jitters.""Almost?" Isabella managed a small smile."Yeah, well, when I was a rookie," Leo shook his head at the memory. "It was my first presentation, fresh out of college, thought I knew everything. And guess who was ove
Last Updated : 2024-11-16Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER FORTY NINE
The light from Kelly's Bar sign shone on Seth's face as he waited outside, checking his watch for the third time. Edward’s Tesla pulled up right on time, bringing a small smile to his tired face. After thirty-two years of friendship, he knew Edward would always come through."You look like death warmed over," Edward said, pulling him into a quick hug."Yeah, well, death would be a vacation right about now."Inside, they claimed their usual corner booth – the same one where they'd planned Seth's first startup pitch nearly a decade ago. Edward ordered his standard club soda with lime while Seth went straight for the whiskey.So," Edward said after their drinks arrived, "what is so urgent it couldn't wait until morning?"Seth took a long sip before answering. "Remember that project I told you about? The one we have been killing ourselves over?""The Tuberose project? Yeah, you mentioned it was a make-or-break for the company.""Well, it broke." Seth's fingers tightened around his glass.
Last Updated : 2024-11-17Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER FIFTY
The presentation hall felt different this time. Seth's team sat in the waiting area, each lost in their own thoughts. No one was sharing stories about Dr. Vivian now - they'd been through too much for small talk."Is everyone ready?" Seth asked, though he already knew the answer. They'd spent days perfecting each section."All set," Karen said, gripping her portfolio. The others nodded."Good." Seth stood up. "But I'll be handling the presentation today.""What?" Leo straightened in his chair. "You don’t have—"“Trust me,” Seth said softly. “I know how hard you all have worked, and I’m so grateful for each of you. No matter what happens today, I want you to know you gave it your all. So let me carry the weight this time.”In the presentation room, Richard was waiting with his team. Before they began, he raised his hands to speak.“Go ahead, Mr. Stone.” One of the judges said “I want to apologize in advance,” Richard began. “It looks like we’ve ended up with the same design again. I r
Last Updated : 2024-11-17
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Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWELVE
"You have loads of nerve, don't you?" As Eliza's figure vanished beyond Zenith's glass doors.Isabella's mother muttered something under her breath. James Sr. responded, "Calm down," but there was little conviction in his voice. He stirred his coffee absently. "There is nothing to be gained by creating a scene here."“Calm down?” She snapped, throwing her napkin onto the table. “That ungrateful little—” She caught herself, looking at the surrounding tables where diners were beginning to take notice. She lowered her voice to a harsh whisper. “We brought her up! Took her into the fold like she was one of ours. And this is the thanks we get?”With an astonished look on his lips, James Jr, who had been drinking an expensive gin and tonic, sat back in his chair. "You didn't exactly act with good intentions when you did that, Mother, and I hate to tell you that. Let’s not rewrite history.”She shot him a warning look. “Don’t you dare speak to me like that?”James Sr. pinched the bridge of h
Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND ELEVEN
Eliza couldn't sleep.How could she, when Jackson's entire apartment looked like some crazy rich person had exploded all over it? Not that she wasn't used to his place by now - God knows she'd spent enough time here while Richard thought she was at "pregnancy yoga." The thought made her smile as she snuggled deeper into Jackson's chest, his steady breathing usually enough to lull her to sleep.But not tonight.Maybe it was the millions in stolen goods scattered around them. Or maybe it was just that their son was at Maria's place. Although, JJ always slept better with Jackson around - probably because he was actually his father, not that Richard had ever figured that out, but they needed alone time."You're thinking too loud," Jackson mumbled against her hair, pulling her closer. Even half-asleep, he knew exactly how to hold her."Sorry, baby." She turned in his arms, pressing a kiss to his jaw. "Just worried about JJ.""He's fine. Maria's got him." His hands slid under her (his) t-sh
Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TEN
Louis couldn't shake the feeling of déjà vu as he walked through the precinct door. It all felt like yesterday and a lifetime ago at the same time.The first person to spot him was Robin from records. Then Paul. Then Angela. One by one, they started clapping. Louis felt his ears grow hot as more officers joined in, some whistling, others calling out. "Welcome back, Detective.""Alright, alright, save some noise for the actual criminals!" The captain's voice cut through the applause. He stood in his office doorway, arms crossed, trying and failing to hide a smile. "Detective Louis. My office."Louis made his way through the crowd, accepting handshakes and back pats. Inside the captain's office, he couldn't help but smile at the memories that kept flooding his mind - back-to-back countless briefings and debriefing"Something funny, Louis?" Captain asked."Just thinking, Cap. Happy to be back." "Sit down, son," He said, closing the door. "It's nice to officially have you back. Not like
Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND NINE
Jackson left with all that was given to him, and Eliza went back to grabbing whatever else she could find. That's when she saw it - a picture that had fallen behind Richard's desk. The one from that night they'd finally broken Isabella.She picked it up, a smirk playing on her lips as she remembered how Isabella had stood there, clueless about what was coming. Her own cousin, so trusting, so stupid. The glass was cracked now, right through where Isabella should have been standing."How fast things can go wrong?" Eliza traced the crack with her nail, remembering how Isabella had cried and begged her to tell the truth. Like she'd ever admit that getting Richard into bed had been the easiest part of her plan.“The strongest family now a laughing stock."All those family dinners, all those times Isabella had confided in her about her marriage problems. God, it had been almost too easy. And Victoria - she'd played right into Eliza's hands, doing the dirty work of destroying Isabella's repu
Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHT
The patient's dog eats the fattest bone – or so they say. But sometimes, that patient dog might just starve to death waiting for scraps that never come. But that wasn’t the case for Eliza. Oh, no, Eliza was no ordinary dog. She watched, calculated, and planned. The bone had always been her target, fat and juicy, waiting just out of reach. She had endured Richard Stone's controlling behaviour, his condescension, and his family's thinly veiled disdain. And now? The universe had finally served her dinner on a silver platter, and she was ready to devour every last bite. Eliza lay back on her chaise lounge, her silk robe draped loosely around her. The morning sun streamed through the tall windows, hitting the marble floors in a way that could blind you if you looked directly at it—but that was the charm of having floor-to-ceiling windows in a Bali villa, wasn’t it?She couldn't stop scrolling through her phone, biting back the smile that threatened to take over her whole face. Her lip glo
Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SEVEN
There was a buzz about the precinct that Louis hadn't experienced in a long time. Officers hurried back and forth, their footsteps resonating against the worn vinyl floors, as phones rang nonstop. Richard Stone's downfall had caused confusion, but it was the correct kind of upheaval, as if justice had finally found its feet.Louis couldn't help but lean forward on the bench near the holding cells, his hands clasped together as he watched the scene unfold. His suspension might have kept him from being in the thick of it, but wild horses couldn't drag him away now. Not when they were this close.The main doors swung open with a bang. Lieutenant Rodriguez strode in, flanked by two officers who had Richard Stone between them. Even in cuffs, Stone carried himself like he owned the place. His expensive suit was only slightly wrinkled, and that insufferable smug smile still played on his lips."Get him processed," Rodriguez ordered, his voice cutting through the noise. "Full intake. I want p
Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SIX
Tara could not sit anymore. She leaned back from her laptop, her mind was racing a million miles an hour as she paced back and forth across her kitchen floor. Holy shit. Holy. Actual. Shit. Oh my god, she thought. Human trafficking. And all these powerful people involved. They were way over their heads.Louis watched her from his seat, his fingers drumming lightly on the table as he gave her space to process. “What is the problem, Tara?” he finally asked.She spun around to face him, her eyes wild. “What is the problem?” she echoed. “Louis, this could kill us. You know that, right? Come on, let’s be realistic! I know we are happy we have this, but”She ran her hands through her hair for probably the hundredth time, making it look even more of a mess, but she couldn't care less right now. This is bigger than them and they need to face it. She began pacing again and gestured to the screen like it was a bomb about to explode. “This isn’t just a little dirt we can throw at Richard. This
Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FIVE
Louis nodded. “How is her dad?”“Pre-op tests all morning. Surgery's scheduled for two." Seth said, leaning against the hallway wall next to Louis. "Man, the chairs here are brutal."The sound of footsteps made them both turn. Tara walked towards them, holding a paper cup of what was probably the world's worst coffee. "Tara.” Louis’s voice cracked slightly, betraying the emotions he was trying to hold backShe froze for half a second, her grip tightening on the flimsy coffee cup. "Louis," she said back, her voice carefully steady, but her eyes told another story. They always did when it came to him.Seth looked between them, then cleared his throat. "I should...check on Isabella. My girl should be starving.” He squeezed Louis’s shoulder. “Text me if you need me.”The silence that followed felt heavy enough to touch. Louis’s eyes stayed on Tara as she lifted the cup to her lips, taking a small sip. Her nose wrinkled at the taste. It was such a small, familiar thing, but it hit him har
Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FOUR
No one spoke for what felt like forever. Barry stared at his daughter, his face pale. For a second, it looked like he might actually pass out. "My God," he whispered. "All this time, I thought..." He trailed off, shaking his head. "I was so wrapped up in my own problems, I didn't even notice you were in danger." "That's exactly why I didn't tell you," Tara said softly. "You had enough to worry about." Isabella stepped forward, unable to stay quiet any longer. "Tara, what exactly did you find? While you were investigating?" Tara glanced at her father, then back at Seth. "Remember we found financial records. Massive transfers through shell companies, money disappearing into offshore accounts and we all thought it was just standard corporate fraud, but..." She took a shaky breath. "The deeper I dug, the worse it got. These weren't just cooking the books – there were connections to weapons deals, human trafficking, drug cartels." Seth leaned against the counter, his expression gr
