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CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN
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2024-11-01 19:54:54
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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
Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER THIRTY
The sound of shattering glass echoed through Eliza and Richard's hotel room. "Are you even listening to what I am saying?" Eliza's voice trembled. "Or are you too busy thinking about how cozy and loved up they looked in the elevator?" Richard stood by the window, his jaw tight. "Do not start." "Start? Start what? Tell me Richard. I saw how you looked at her. Like you are dying of thirst and she is the last drop of water on earth." Eliza's laugh was bitter. "And here I am, carrying your child, watching you pine over a woman who could not—" "Enough!" Richard spun around. "You are being—" "What? Paranoid? Hormonal?" She cradled her belly protectively. "I saw you flinch every time she laughed at his jokes. The great Richard Stone, reduced to watching his ex-wife move on while his pregnant lady is right beside him.“ "I do not want to have this conversation." "Of course you do not! Because God forbid we talk about how you are still hung up on her while I am growing your baby inside m
Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER THIRTY ONE
"Hey," James caught them just outside the bar, glancing between Isabella and Seth. "Before you head up – there's a breakfast thing tomorrow. For Dad. Eight AM sharp."Isabella nodded. "Thanks for letting us know.""Well, someone had to," James shrugged, already walking away. "Since you're not exactly in the family group chat anymore."Seth waited until James was out of earshot. "You okay?"Isabella turned to him, a genuine smile breaking through her exhaustion. "More than I could have imagined." Her voice softened. "Thank you. For being here.""Always."The next morning, the private dining room buzzed with forced cheer as servers arranged platters of fresh fruit and pastries. Isabella's father sat at the head of the table, looking uncomfortable with all the attention."A toast," Isabella's mother announced, raising her glass. "To my darling husband, and all our loved ones gathered here." Her eyes pointedly skipped over Isabella. "Especially those bringing new life into our family."El
Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER THIRTY TWO
"You’re right mom," James's voice carried that perpetual note of superiority, "we should all go. This whole breakfast was clearly a mistake.""The only mistake," Isabella muttered, "was expecting anything different.""What was that?" Her mother's eyes narrowed."Nothing." Isabella reached for her water glass, hands trembling slightly. "Just wondering why we're still pretending this is about Dad's birthday.""And here comes the attitude." James rolled his eyes. "Can't you just behave for once?""Behave?" The word tasted bitter. "Like you…”"Isabella," her father's warning was soft but clear. "Not today.""Then when?" She set down her glass carefully, too carefully. "When exactly is it appropriate to discuss how this family works? Or should I just keep smiling while you all fawn over the people who—" She caught herself, breath hitching."The people who what?" Her mother's voice turned sharp. "Go on, Isabella. Say it. The people who actually bring joy to this family instead of constant d
Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER THIRTY THREE
The elevator doors hadn't fully opened when Richard stormed out, his footsteps echoing through Stone Corps' executive floor."Richard, wait!" Eliza struggled to keep up. "You can't just leave me—""Find your way home," he snapped, already pressing the intercom. "Alice, emergency meeting. Everyone. Now.""But what's going—""Not now." He shook her off, barking into the intercom again. "I said everyone, Alice. Design team, project leads, everyone. Five minutes."Within minutes, they filed in like condemned men, fighting for the seats furthest from the head of the table. Eliza appeared in the doorway, breathless from trying to keep up with Richard's stride. She claimed her spot beside his empty chair, one hand protectively over her belly, the other scrolling furiously through her phone."What's this I'm hearing about Tuberose rejecting our designs?" His voice was deadly quiet. "Someone explain."Mark from the design team cleared his throat. "Sir, they've been... particular. They keep ref
Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR
Isabella smoothed her hand over the curve-hugging dress as she stood in front of the mirror. Tonight, she wanted to be someone else, someone who lived fearlessly. She was about to leave when she ran into Seth in the hallway, and his eyes scanned her slowly, his gaze catching on every detail.“What’s going on?” Seth finally asked, his voice low and wary.“Going on?” she repeated, feigning nonchalance. “I’m just going out. To a club.”He arched a brow, clearly not buying her casual tone. “And you’re dressed like this because…?”“Because it’s a club,” she said, exasperated, already feeling her resolve wavering under his intense gaze. “What else would I wear?”“Isabella,” he said, a note of concern softening his voice. “This isn’t you. Is something going on? Do you need to talk?”“I’m fine, Seth,” she replied quickly, brushing past him. “I’m just… ready to start living a little. My Uber’s waiting, I need to go.”“At least let me drive you there,” he offered, grabbing his keys.“I’m a big
Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE
Seth sat at his desk early Monday morning, a rare quiet settling over the office before the day officially began. A steaming cup of coffee in his hand, he scanned through his emails when one subject line caught his eye: "Tuberose Project - New Opportunities". His eyebrows shot up as he clicked it open. The panel of judges for the prestigious Tuberose design project had decided to expand their search for innovative designers. They were inviting other firms to submit preliminary designs. Seth's company was among those selected. A slow grin spread across his face. This was big—huge, even. He quickly forwarded the email to his assistant, instructing him to notify the design heads with a note: Urgent meeting at 9 AM. Conference Room A.By nine, the conference room buzzed with energy as the design team leaders filed in. It fell silent immediately Seth walked in. The quarterly design standings board behind him showed the stark numbers: Paige’s sustainable urban renewal designs had earned h
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Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER FIFTY SEVEN
Richard sat in his study. He leaned back in his chair, one hand massaging his temple while the other clutched a glass of water. His head throbbed, the fresh stitches pulling every time he moved. He glared at the water, clear and tasteless – a poor substitute for what he really wanted. His eyes drifted to the cabinet in the corner where he kept his scotch, eighteen years old and smooth as silk. The bottle stood there, taunting him"Try to stay away from alcohol while this heals," the doctor had said just yesterday, looking between him and Eliza. "Both of you need rest." Richard had nodded along, but now, with his head pounding like someone was using it as a drum, that promise seemed impossible to keep. He took another sip of water and made a face. Might as well have been drinking nothing.The painkillers sat on his desk, still in the pharmacy bag from last night. They helped with the pain, yeah, but they made his brain feel like it was stuffed with cotton. The scotch... now that would
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.
