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CHAPTER TWENTY THREE
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2024-10-30 19:43:55
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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
Last Updated : 2024-10-30Regrets 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
Last Updated : 2024-10-31Regrets 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
Last Updated : 2024-11-01Regrets 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
Last Updated : 2024-11-01Regrets 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,
Last Updated : 2024-11-02Regrets 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
Last Updated : 2024-11-03Regrets 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
Last Updated : 2024-11-04Regrets 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
Last Updated : 2024-11-05
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Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY SEVEN
The hotel staff greeted them with practiced elegance, whisking their luggage away as a manager personally escorted them to their suite."Mr. Donovan, everything has been arranged as requested," the manager said discreetly, handing over their key cards.Isabella raised an eyebrow at Seth, “Everything is arranged?...What did you do?”Seth just shrugged and kept smiling mysteriously.Once in their suite, Isabella gasped at the panoramic city views. "Seth, this view is incredible.""I know that's why I picked this room. I also have dinner reservations at La Casa Elegante for eight," he said, watching her explore the luxurious space. "It's one of the best restaurants in Mexico City.""I'm pretty tired," Isabella hesitated, then smiled. "But a Michelin-star restaurant? That might be worth staying up for."Seth checked his phone quickly - another message from his mother confirming the final details with Rosa. Everything was falling into place. He planned to introduce Isabella to Rosa after d
Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY SIX
"Seth Donovan, what are you up to?" Isabella asked, watching him pack their suitcases with an air of mystery. They were leaving for Mexico City in the morning, and he didn't want Isabella to get a whiff of where they were going, but she was suspicious about how he had been acting. She knew they were travelling but didn't know where."Just trust me," he replied with a grin, carefully tucking something into a hidden compartment of his suitcase when he thought she wasn't looking.Isabella narrowed her eyes playfully. "I saw that.""No, you didn't," he said smoothly, closing the suitcase. "And even if you did, it's still a surprise."She hopped on top of their bed, watching him walk around the room. "I am tired of surprises, I don't think I can take anymore. Out with it please,”"Relax, you will like this one," he promised, pausing to kiss her forehead before pulling out a black silk blindfold "Put this on," Seth said with a mischievous smile.Isabella stared at it suspiciously. "You're
Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY FIVE
The drive home from the Riverside Hotel was quiet, Isabella staring out the passenger window, the envelope clutched in her lap. Seth kept glancing at her, wanting to say something but knowing she needed this silence to process everything.When they pulled into their driveway, they spotted Edward sitting on their front steps. He stood as they approached, his usual easy smile fading as he caught sight of Isabella's tear-stained face behind her sunglasses."Hey, boss," he said to Seth, then more gently to Isabella, "Everything okay?"Isabella attempted a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Not really.""Come inside," Seth said, unlocking the door. "We'll explain everything."They settled in the living room, Isabella curling up in her favorite corner of the couch, still holding the envelope like a lifeline. Seth brought her a glass of water before sitting beside her."I've been trying to reach you at the office," Edward said to Seth, his tone concerned. "When you weren't there for th
Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY FOUR
James pulled out his phone. "I can call them. Set something up for tomorrow, if you want." Isabella nodded slowly. "Tomorrow then." She looked at Seth. “Is that okay with you?" "Of course," he assured her. James stood, wiping his face one final time. "I'll let them know. And Izzy?" He hesitated at the doorway. "Thank you. For listening. For giving me a chance to explain." After he left, Isabella collapsed against Seth, finally allowing her tears to fall. "All these years," she whispered. "I thought I must have done something terrible to make them hate me so much. And it turns out...it turns out I just wasn't theirs." Seth held her tighter, his voice fierce. "You are worth so much more than their prejudices, Isabella. So much more than their narrow definition of family." She nodded against his chest, then straightened, wiping her eyes. The Rivera’s dining room felt too small, too intimate for the weight of the moment. Isabella strode in, her heels clicking against the fl
Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY THREE
Seth's overly large living room felt smaller with James in it. Isabella sat rigidly on the couch, watching her brother pace back and forth. The silence between them was heavy with years of hurt."Izzy," James finally began, using her childhood nickname. "I've been trying to reach you for weeks.""I know." Her voice was flat, controlled."I saw everything on the news. The Stone case, Victoria's death..." He ran a hand through his disheveled hair. "It made me think about a lot of things. About what I did. About who I became."Isabella remained silent, her hands clasped tightly in her lap."I was wrong," James continued, his voice cracking. "So wrong. When Richard offered me money..." He shook his head. "I convinced myself that you were the one who was wrong. That you weren't living up to his expectations.""Expectations," Isabella repeated softly. "What kind of expectation requires a man to beat his wife to a pulp, lock her up for days, sleep with her cousin, and talk down on her consta
Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY TWO
The common room of the women's correctional facility was quiet except for the droning of the television. Victoria Stone sat alone; her greying hair pulled back severely, her prison uniform neat despite its wear. Her eyes were fixed on the screen where her son's face filled the frame."Breaking news," the anchor announced. "Richard Stone, once considered untouchable, has been sentenced today. The business mogul faces forty years before the possibility of parole..."Victoria's hands began to shake. The paper cup of coffee she held slipped from her fingers, spreading a dark stain across the linoleum floor. No one moved to help her clean it up."My boy," she whispered, her voice breaking. "Oh, my Richard."The news showed footage of him being led away in handcuffs, and Victoria pressed her hands to her mouth, trying to stifle her sobs. She saw what others might miss - how he held his head, just like his father used to. The same proud tilt of the chin, even in defeat."I taught him that,"
Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY ONE
Frederick stood at the podium, his earlier confidence now radiating through the courtroom. "Your Honor, I'd like to call Special Agent Tara Winters to the stand."A sharp-featured woman in a crisp jacket strode to the witness box. After being sworn in, she met Richard's gaze unflinchingly."Agent Tara, please tell the court about the Operation.""For three years, we tracked Mr. Stone's network of influence. I was in charge of cracking codes, following the trail and everything techy. We got encrypted USB drives detailing payoffs to judges, politicians, and law enforcement officials across five states; we got videos of Richard's trafficking of human, arms and drugs, which were labelled as medical supplies." Frederick collected all the said evidence and handed them to the bailiff.Richard's face was drained of color. He had always been too careful, but Louis and his team had somehow gotten to the root of his operations.Next came Marcus Reynolds, one of Richard's former enforcers; he jus
Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY
Isabella, Seth, Louis, and Frederick gathered in a little corner out of sight during the break. There was enough tension in the room for a knife to pierce it. Isabella paced while her heels clicked on the ground. "I do not like this," she said, running her hands through her hair. "Barrett is too confident. What if Richard actually walks free?"Frederick leaned back in his chair, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "That's exactly what I want them to think."Seth raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?""I'm playing dumb," Frederick explained, his eyes gleaming. "Let them attack our evidence. Let them think they're winning. They have no proof of Richard's innocence - not a single piece. But me?" He tapped his briefcase. "I'm just getting started."He turned to Louis sharply. "Tell me you collected everything by the book. We can't have any of it thrown out on technicalities."Louis shifted uncomfortably. "About that evidence...There's something else you should know," he said, his voice
Regrets From Ex Won't Win Me Back CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND NINETEEN
“Take this and deliver it to my son,” Victoria said, more as a command than a request.“Ma…” his objection was cut short by Victoria's steely gaze and commanding presence that left no room for argument.Barrett carefully folded Victoria's letter and tucked it into his briefcase. Her intensity was unchanged, even behind bars - she was a woman who always found a way to exert control.Two days later, Richard sat in his cell, looking like a shell of his former self. “Your lawyer is here to see you,” the guard announced as he banged on the gate rails of Richard's cell“Richard, it's nice to see you, how are you holding up?” Barret asked although he already knew the answer to that one just by looking at him. He tried talking to Richard about their court hearing happening the next day, but he seemed lost and resigned, so Barrett resorted to his last option. He discreetly handed him the letter his mother had written.“What's this?” Richard asked uninterested“Something from your mother, She
