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CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
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2024-10-30 19:34:59Related chapters
Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER TWENTY TWO
The media circus was exactly what you'd expect - all flashing cameras and fake smiles. Isabella walked in wearing that red dress, the one that had been hanging in her closet forever because Richard always said it was "too much." His face when he saw her? Priceless. That little muscle in his jaw twitched while he tried to keep his perfect smile in place."Such an... interesting choice," he'd said through gritted teeth.She just smiled, letting the silence do the work.The divorce papers felt surreal under her fingers. Just a few signatures and it was done. Years of control, manipulation, and pain - all ended with a couple of pen strokes while reporters snapped photos of their "amicable separation."Hey." Seth's voice was gentle as they left the building through a side exit. "You okay?"Isabella nodded, letting out a long breath. "I just... I did it.""You did." Seth smiled. "And you look incredible doing it."A small laugh escaped her. "The dress was worth it just to see his face.""Co
Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER TWENTY THREE
Isabella's Uber pulled away from Rumors, leaving her alone with her spinning thoughts. Her phone buzzed – Seth. She switched it off.Dawn hadn't even broken when she slipped out of the house, heels in hand to avoid making noise. Seth's door remained closed. Good.Her phone stayed in silent mode all morning. Though she kept stealing glances at the screen. She'd spent the day drowning herself in work, volunteering for every project Karen threw her way. The messages kept coming throughout the day:Seth: Can we talk?Seth: Please.Seth: I'm sorry if I crossed a line.She archived each one without responding, but her finger hesitated longer each time.By evening, her office trash can overflowed with coffee cups, and her inbox was cleaner than it had been in months."Either you're gunning for employee of the month, or you're avoiding something." Karen leaned against her cubicle. "Want to talk about it?""Nothing to talk about." Isabella kept typing, shoulders hunched."Right." Karen's tone
Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR
Isabella's head was pounding when she dragged herself to the kitchen. Between yesterday's coffee marathon at work and the wine she had with Seth's pasta last night, her body was staging a full-scale rebellion. She was looking like she'd gone ten rounds with a tornado. Her hair was sticking up in ways that defied gravity, and her usually crisp blouse looked like it had lost a fight with the dryer. "Coffee," she mumbled, making a zombie-like beeline for the coffee maker. "Need coffee." "Whoa there." Seth appeared out of nowhere, blocking her path. Unlike her, he looked annoyingly perfect in his suit, like he'd stepped straight out of a magazine cover. She swayed slightly, and his hand instinctively reached out to steady her. "Morning," she managed, aiming for normal and missing by a mile. “You look..." "Like death warmed over?" Isabella squinted at him. "Trust me, I know." "I was going to say 'in need of fresh air,' but..." His lips twitched. "Don't." She pressed her f
Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE
After work that evening, Isabella and Seth were lounging at home. Isabella was sprawled out on the couch, looking over some design concept for their latest projectLooking up from his book. Seth broke the silence after a moment of watching her, "So," he remarked nonchalantly, although his voice had a trace of anxiety. "What are your plans for the weekend?"Isabella looked up, raising an eyebrow. "Plans? For the weekend?" She tapped her pen against her lip, thinking. "Nothing really. Why?" She could tell he was up to something by the way he was trying to act casually.Seth's lips curved into a hopeful smile. "Well, I was thinking maybe we could go somewhere together. What do you say?""Hmm, go somewhere?" Isabella's eyes sparkled mischievously. "You know," she drawled, "I am a very busy person. My weekends are precious to me." She was enjoying watching him squirm a little. "But...I might be persuaded. If you ask properly, that is."Seth's whole face lit up. He moved closer, his knee br
Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER TWENTY SIX
Isabella sat cross-legged on her bed, her phone propped against her knees as she scrolled through Catherine Fox's Instagram. Each photo was more flawless than the last - Catherine at premieres, Catherine at charity galas, Catherine on vacation in the Maldives. Her figure was perfect in every shot, all elegant lines and graceful poses.“God, even her casual photos look like magazine covers," Isabella muttered, clicking through more pictures. "Look at that waistline...and those legs..." She flopped back against her pillows with a groan. "Who even looks like that at breakfast? She is so perfect.”Isabella glanced down at herself, then back at the phone. "What am I even doing?" she muttered, tossing her phone aside. She got up and stood in front of her closet mirror, really looking at herself. Her reflection stared back - the same face she had seen every morning, but somehow different now. Her wardrobe suddenly seemed...lacking"This is ridiculous," she told her reflection. "I am not doin
Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN
CHAPTER 27Seth stood in his office, studying the certificate on his desk. He'd waited for this moment - planned it, even. His fingers traced the embossed seal as his assistant hovered in the doorway."The papers arrived at 3:47 PM, sir," he said. "Would you like me to have them messengered to Miss Rivera?""No." Seth slipped the documents into a leather portfolio. "Clear my evening meetings."Walking into his house later, Seth found Isabella exactly where he expected - curled up on his couch with her laptop, immersed in her latest design project. She didn't look up immediately, focused on adjusting the structural elements on her screen. Nobody takes their job more seriously than someone who has a lot to prove. You're home early," she said, fingers still across the keyboard."I am." He set his briefcase down carefully, keeping the portfolio behind his back. "Could you take a break?"Something in his tone made her look up. "Seth? Is everything okay?""More than okay." He approached sl
Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT
Isabella sat still, her mother's words still ringing in her ears. The phone slipped from her shaking hands and hit the table. Three days. They expected her to survive three days of their poison."Here." Seth's voice was gentle as he pressed a glass of water into her hands. She had not even noticed him move to the kitchen."They want me there for the whole weekend." Her laugh was hollow.So..." Seth's voice was gentle. "Are you going?"Isabella took a shaky sip of water. "I have to go.""No, you don't." Seth knelt in front of her, his eyes fierce. "These people threw you to the wolves once. They will do it again.""That is exactly why I have to go." Isabella set the glass down with a sharp click. "If I skip this family event, they would paint me as the evil ex-wife who can not handle seeing them happy. The poor, bitter woman who lost everything." Her voice cracked. "I am tired of being their cautionary tale."Seth’s expression softened. “I understand wanting to reclaim your narrative,
Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER TWENTY NINE
Once they reached their room, Isabella waited until Seth unlocked the door before whispering, "I'll pay you back for the room.""Absolutely not." Seth's voice was firm but kind as they stepped inside. "Consider this my thank-you for rescuing me from another weekend of work files. I needed a break, even if it's an... unconventional one.""Seth—""Isabella." He turned to face her, his expression gentle but determined. "You're doing me a favor. When was the last time I actually took a weekend off?"She gave a small laugh. "Fair point. You're basically a workaholic.""See? You're saving me from myself." His eyes crinkled with amusement. "Though I have to admit, this wasn't exactly what I had in mind for my first vacation in months."“I'm sorry," she whispered, looking down. "About all of this. About dragging you into my mess. About the room situation."Seth's arms came around her, solid and steady. "Stop apologizing. I'm exactly where I choose to be." He pulled back slightly, meeting her
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Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER FIFTY SIX
"Guess who brought lunch?" Isabella burst into Seth's office, dramatically posing with her lunch box like she was presenting a game show prize.Seth looked up, a slow smile spreading across his face. "Let me guess. McDonald's?"She rolled her eyes. "Do I look like I'm bringing fast food to the CEO?""Well, you look like you're about to win 'Lunch Presenter of the Year'," he teased, pushing aside his paperwork."Careful," she warned, setting down the lunch box. "Compliment me too much and I might start believing I'm actually good at something."“Something?” Seth laughed. “Is there anything Isabella isn’t good at? I haven’t seen it.”Their conversation was always easy. Comfortable. Like they'd been doing this dance for years, not months.Isabella started unpacking containers. Homemade food, each dish carefully prepared. No takeout. No quick fixes. This was deliberate. Thought out."Wow," Seth said, looking at the spread. "You actually cooked all these for me?"She rolled her eyes. “Is t
Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER FIFTY FIVE
Isabella was flying high. Not only had she woken up in the same bed as the man she could confidently call the sexiest alive, but she'd also gotten a follow from Catherine Fox. Yes, *the* Catherine Fox. The actress. The style icon. The queen of "effortless glam." She had met Catherine twice before, and Catherine had even asked her for a favor, but this was different. This was a social media validation that everyone could see. A follow from her wasn't just a notification—it was a whole event. Isabella felt like she'd hit a double jackpot.The morning couldn't get any better. She savored every bit of it, knowing mornings like this don’t come often. Some days, life just decides to be ridiculously good to you.She smiled to herself as she grabbed her things and headed to work. Today was already shaping up to be one for the books.At the office, she was relieved to find no whispers or gossip about Paige. It was a sign Seth hadn’t shared what he’d uncovered—something that could have demolis
Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER FIFTY FOUR
Richard tripped as he entered the front door and knocked the umbrella stand over. He had his jacket creased and clenched in his hand, his tie was half undone around his neck."Where the hell have you been?" Eliza's voice pierced through the entryway from where she stood at the base of the stairs, her arms crossed so tightly they seemed to be holding her together. "You didn't come home last night. Not a word. Nothing."Richard's bloodshot eyes struggled to focus on her. "Weren't you—" he swayed slightly, "—weren't you supposed to be at some doctor's thing?""Seven hours ago," she spat. "You missed it. Again. Couldn't even be bothered to send a text, could you?"He made a dismissive gesture that nearly threw him off balance. "But you're back now, aren't you? That's what matters." A hollow smile spread across his face. "I'll make it up to you. How about that necklace you were eyeing at Cartier's?""This isn't about jewelry, Richard."Her voice turned cold. "Where the hell have you been?"
Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER FIFTY THREE
Seth sat for a long time in his car, his hands on the driving wheel. His head heavy from processing everything that had happened so far, he finally turned on the engine and drove home. He pulled into the driveway and found Isabella sitting on his front steps. She saw the fatigue in his movements as soon as he stepped out of the car and stood up. Without a word, she opened her arms.Seth hesitated for just a moment before stepping into her embrace. All the tension he'd been holding finally broke, and he let his head drop to her shoulder."I got you," she whispered, holding him tighter. "It's okay. Everything's going to be okay."They stayed that way for several minutes, Isabella's hand making small circles on his back. When they finally pulled apart, Isabella kept one hand on his arm.Come on," she said softly. "Let's get inside."Inside, the house felt unusually quiet. Seth headed straight for the stairs, exhaustion was evident in every step."I'm going to change," he said, loosening
Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER FIFTY TWO
Paige stumbled out of the restaurant, her whole body trembling. She could feel the scorching sensation of the wire under her blouse. Her legs failed her and she slumped into a concrete barrier, struggling to breathe, immediately she reached the parking lot. David was already listening to the recording through his earpiece so he and Monica hurried to her side."Breathe, Paige," Monica said softly, kneeling beside her. "It's over now.""Did you—" Paige's voice caught. "Did you get what you needed? Please tell me this wasn't for nothing.""We got everything," David confirmed, carefully removing his earpiece. "Multiple admissions of blackmail, detailed accounts of the corporate espionage, even his plans for future theft. He handed us everything we needed."Seth stepped forward from where he'd been leaning against his car. "The security team will be with you to make sure Richard doesn't try anything stupid. Go home, Paige. We'll handle things from here.""Seth, wait." Paige stood on shaky
Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER FIFTY ONE
"Everyone else can go," Seth said quietly. They filed out, shooting mixed looks of anger and pity at Paige as they left. But Isabella remained behind, standing near the door.Paige sat hunched in her chair, tears still streaming down her face. Seth waited until the door closed before speaking again."I meant what I said about helping you," he said. "But I need something from you first."Paige looked up, wiping her eyes. "Anything. I'll do anything to make this right."Seth pulled out his phone. "I'm calling our legal team. We're going to need their help to handle this properly." He paused. "Are you willing to tell them everything? About Richard, the blackmail, all of it?""Yes," Paige whispered.Twenty minutes later, two members of the legal team, David and Monica, arrived. Seth gestured for them to sit."Go ahead, Paige," he said. "Tell them what you told me."Paige took a shaky breath. "It started three months ago. Richard... he got hold of a video from a party. I was drunk, I did s
Regrets 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
Regrets 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.
Regrets 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
