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CHAPTER 9: Trust
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2024-11-19 14:36:34Related chapters
You Can't Win Me Back, Ex-husband CHAPTER 10: Doubt
LEONARD'S POV, I think Claire and Charlotte had a quarrel. Something must have happened between them. I heard Charlotte’s scream from the garden and ran as fast as I could, my heart trembling with fear imagining the worst. As I stepped outside, I saw the chaos unfold in front of my eyes. Charlotte’s wheelchair lay tipped to one side, her pale body sprawled on the ground, blood trickling from a cut on her forehead. Claire was kneeling beside her, panic etched across her face as she tried to help Charlotte up. But Charlotte flinched, shrinking away from her as though afraid of Claire. The sight filled me with a surge of anger and fear. Without thinking, I pushed Claire aside when she came to explain, and stepped in to pick up Charlotte. Claire stumbled and fell to the ground, but at the moment, I didn’t care. “Charlotte,” I whispered as I lifted her into my arms. Her small frame trembled, and she rested her head weakly against my shoulder, staining my shirt with her blood.
You Can't Win Me Back, Ex-husband CHAPTER 1: Phone Call
CLAIRE'S POV,Thunder rumbled in the distance, and lightning flashed, casting a brief, eerie glow through the dark bedroom. Rain hammered against the windows, but it wasn’t the storm that had pulled me from sleep.It was a sound I’d come to dread—the special ringtone my husband Leonard had set just for her so that he’d never miss a single call.The ringtone that always meant he’d leave.Leonard stirred beside me, reaching for his phone before the sound even had a chance to finish. I didn’t need to check who it was. It was always her. Charlotte Spring, Leonard’s childhood best friend.Leonard’s voice was soft and comforting as he sat up in bed. “Charlotte? What happened?” he asked, the grogginess slipping away as he spoke. His whole face changed, shifting from sleep to focus, like he’d been waiting for this moment.“Don’t cry. I’ll be there soon,” he murmured into the phone, his tone gentle and reassuring.Before I could process it, he threw back the covers and stood, already gettin
You Can't Win Me Back, Ex-husband CHAPTER 2: Restaurant
CLAIRE'S POV, My hand trembled as I held the phone, Leonard’s name still glowing on the screen. I forced myself to breathe; each inhales stinging as I tried to push back the bitter ache clawing its way up my chest. “Did you two sleep in the same bed last night?” I asked, my voice barely steady. I could only imagine what I must have looked like—pale and hollow, shadows clinging to my face as I struggled to ask the question. I knew he took care of her personally, that he’d go to any lengths for her, but the thought of them sharing a bed, like a couple… It was more than I could accept. Charlotte’s chuckle drifted through the line, as light as if we were discussing the weather. “Oh, Claire, don’t blame him,” she said, her tone laced with amusement. “He was just so exhausted last night that he fell asleep in my bed.” The casual way she said it—like this was normal for them—cut me to my core. My fingers turned white from clutching the phone, each word sinking deep, spreading a du
You Can't Win Me Back, Ex-husband CHAPTER 3: Bracelet
CLAIRE'S POV, I stood at the entrance, frozen, unsure where to go or what to say. For minutes, no one noticed me. I lingered, feeling like a ghost, a silent witness to a life I didn’t belong to. Finally, Charlotte’s eyes flickered in my direction. A slow, pitying smile curled onto her lips as she said, in that sweet, saccharine voice that made my skin crawl, “Oh, Claire is here.” “What?” Leonard’s mother’s voice rang out in sharp, cold surprise, her glare like a dagger. “What is she doing here? Who invited her?” A small smile tugged at Charlotte’s lips, a look of pure, practised innocence on her face as she gazed up at Leonard. “I’m so sorry. I know today is your anniversary,” she said with an apologetic sigh. “But we just got some wonderful news, and Leo was so excited to share it with everyone.” A chill spread through my body, cold and unrelenting. I felt as though the ground was slipping from beneath me. I couldn’t move. Couldn’t speak. All I could do was stare at her
You Can't Win Me Back, Ex-husband CHAPTER 4: Accident
CLAIRE'S POV, As Leonard turned to leave, I reached out, grabbing his hand as it rested on the door handle. “Leo, please don’t go,” I whispered, the desperation seeping through my voice. I almost went to grab the pregnancy report, as if holding it might somehow hold him back. “I really have something important to tell you.” My voice shook, barely more than a plea. I was almost begging him at this point, dissolving my pride. “Listen, Claire, I need to be there to help Charlotte.” Leonard sighed, running his hand over his hair. His eyes flashed with annoyance, but there was also a hint of sadness in them. “We can discuss whatever it is you want to say when we are back at our home, okay?” “Please…” I tried again, but the words tangled in my throat, fragile against the cry for help from Charlotte. “Claire,” he said, his voice tired, firm. “Don’t make me choose.” His hand slipped from mine, and with it, so did the last piece of my hope. I watched him leave, watched the door clos
You Can't Win Me Back, Ex-husband CHAPTER 5: Move Away
CLAIRE'S POV,I had never seen Leo look at me like this. His eyes were burning. A part of me had thought he would trust me—that he would hear me out, believe that I’d only been trying to help. “Leo, the wheelchair got stuck on a stone,” I eagerly explained. “I squatted down to fix, but—”“Move away,” he snapped, cutting me off with a glare as he stepped between me and Charlotte.My chest tightened a wave of nausea washing over me as I stumbled backwards, the world spinning for a brief, terrifying moment. I was still catching my breath from running, and my legs were too weak to hold me. I fell to the ground, my hands instinctively covering my stomach as fear clawed its way through me. My child! I thought, terror tightening around my heart.But Leonard didn’t notice. He lifted Charlotte into his arms, his expression softened by worry as he cradled her against his chest, and carried her back toward the house. He didn't even look at me. However, I knew I couldn’t let him walk away fr
You Can't Win Me Back, Ex-husband CHAPTER 6: Jordan Taylor
CLAIRE'S POV,I gasped, disoriented, and looked up to see a familiar pair of concerned eyes. Jordan Taylor—a senior from my college had his strong arms wrapped around my waist, steadying me before I could collapse to the ground.“Claire? Is that really you?” he asked softly, his voice still the same. “I-I… I need to get to the hospital.” I was barely able to get the words out. Without hesitation, Jordan guided me to his car, his hand gentle but firm on my shoulder as he helped me into the passenger seat. The pain still twisted in my stomach, fear gripping me as I wondered if the baby—our baby—would make it through this ordeal. I barely registered the passing streets as he drove. When we arrived at the hospital, Jordan hurried to help me out of the car, his hand never leaving mine as he led me through the doors and into the Emergency room. The doctors called for me right away, seeing the urgency in my pale face and trembling frame. We were brought to a small room by a nurse who
You Can't Win Me Back, Ex-husband CHAPTER 7: Hospital
LEONARD'S POV, The first time Claire walked into my office, I felt a strange flicker of familiarity. It was the eyes, something about them—like I’d seen them before. But I brushed it off, drawn instead to the focus she brought to her work and the way her professionalism quickly made her invaluable. As we settled into our roles, I forgot about that fleeting feeling. We worked together seamlessly. Her quiet determination and her ability to anticipate my needs before I even voiced them—made her stand out. Then one day, after a long call with my parents urging me to find someone and settle down, I felt the familiar pressure settling in. I was tired and a headache started to make its way. I had relationships before with women who were wonderful and who had genuinely cared for me. But each one ended the same way, as soon as Charlotte came into the picture. None of them could accept the attention I gave her or the special bond we shared. They wanted me to distance myself from her, t
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You Can't Win Me Back, Ex-husband CHAPTER 10: Doubt
LEONARD'S POV, I think Claire and Charlotte had a quarrel. Something must have happened between them. I heard Charlotte’s scream from the garden and ran as fast as I could, my heart trembling with fear imagining the worst. As I stepped outside, I saw the chaos unfold in front of my eyes. Charlotte’s wheelchair lay tipped to one side, her pale body sprawled on the ground, blood trickling from a cut on her forehead. Claire was kneeling beside her, panic etched across her face as she tried to help Charlotte up. But Charlotte flinched, shrinking away from her as though afraid of Claire. The sight filled me with a surge of anger and fear. Without thinking, I pushed Claire aside when she came to explain, and stepped in to pick up Charlotte. Claire stumbled and fell to the ground, but at the moment, I didn’t care. “Charlotte,” I whispered as I lifted her into my arms. Her small frame trembled, and she rested her head weakly against my shoulder, staining my shirt with her blood.
You Can't Win Me Back, Ex-husband CHAPTER 9: Trust
CLAIRE'S POV, I stared at Leonard in disbelief, his words echoing in my mind. Apologize? To Charlotte? “Leo, how long have you known me?” My voice wavered, trembling under the stress of my suppressed emotions. “You know I would never purposely hurt anyone.” My chest started to feel tight, my nose stinging as I fought back tears. Yes, Charlotte’s constant intrusion into my marriage bothered me—how could it not? But I would never stoop so low as to harm her. I would rather have talked to Leonard and found a way to fix things between us if that was even possible anymore. But he didn’t believe me. Not fully. His attitude was like a blade slicing into my heart, sharp and unforgiving. “But she was hurt,” Leo repeated once again. His eyes were steady, as though that single fact overrode everything else. “And at that time, she only had you by her side.” I closed my eyes, feeling the absurdity of the situation rise like bile in my throat. Of course, I fell into her trap. Charlotte’s
You Can't Win Me Back, Ex-husband CHAPTER 8: Apologize
CLAIRE'S POV, I saw Leonard rushing toward me. His movements were stiff and quick, like a hedgehog bristling with agitation. And when he reached me his arm came around my other shoulder abruptly, possessively. “Let me introduce myself,” he said in a hard-edged, serious tone. “I’m Claire’s husband, Leonard Parker.” Jordan’s hand fell away from my shoulder immediately hearing that, though his expression remained calm. “Hello,” he said smoothly, extending a hand to Leo. “I’m Jordan Taylor, the CEO of Horizon Architects.” Leonard shook Jordan’s hand with a firm grip, his jaw tightening as though Jordan’s very presence was a challenge. “Oh, I know your company,” Leonard replied, his voice was pointed and formal. “We’re in the same business.” Jordan’s brows lifted slightly at that. “So, where do you work?” he asked casually, still polite and respectful. Leonard’s lips curved into a tight, almost triumphant smile. “Sorry, I forgot to say—I’m the CEO of Parker Industries.” Jordan
You Can't Win Me Back, Ex-husband CHAPTER 7: Hospital
LEONARD'S POV, The first time Claire walked into my office, I felt a strange flicker of familiarity. It was the eyes, something about them—like I’d seen them before. But I brushed it off, drawn instead to the focus she brought to her work and the way her professionalism quickly made her invaluable. As we settled into our roles, I forgot about that fleeting feeling. We worked together seamlessly. Her quiet determination and her ability to anticipate my needs before I even voiced them—made her stand out. Then one day, after a long call with my parents urging me to find someone and settle down, I felt the familiar pressure settling in. I was tired and a headache started to make its way. I had relationships before with women who were wonderful and who had genuinely cared for me. But each one ended the same way, as soon as Charlotte came into the picture. None of them could accept the attention I gave her or the special bond we shared. They wanted me to distance myself from her, t
You Can't Win Me Back, Ex-husband CHAPTER 6: Jordan Taylor
CLAIRE'S POV,I gasped, disoriented, and looked up to see a familiar pair of concerned eyes. Jordan Taylor—a senior from my college had his strong arms wrapped around my waist, steadying me before I could collapse to the ground.“Claire? Is that really you?” he asked softly, his voice still the same. “I-I… I need to get to the hospital.” I was barely able to get the words out. Without hesitation, Jordan guided me to his car, his hand gentle but firm on my shoulder as he helped me into the passenger seat. The pain still twisted in my stomach, fear gripping me as I wondered if the baby—our baby—would make it through this ordeal. I barely registered the passing streets as he drove. When we arrived at the hospital, Jordan hurried to help me out of the car, his hand never leaving mine as he led me through the doors and into the Emergency room. The doctors called for me right away, seeing the urgency in my pale face and trembling frame. We were brought to a small room by a nurse who
You Can't Win Me Back, Ex-husband CHAPTER 5: Move Away
CLAIRE'S POV,I had never seen Leo look at me like this. His eyes were burning. A part of me had thought he would trust me—that he would hear me out, believe that I’d only been trying to help. “Leo, the wheelchair got stuck on a stone,” I eagerly explained. “I squatted down to fix, but—”“Move away,” he snapped, cutting me off with a glare as he stepped between me and Charlotte.My chest tightened a wave of nausea washing over me as I stumbled backwards, the world spinning for a brief, terrifying moment. I was still catching my breath from running, and my legs were too weak to hold me. I fell to the ground, my hands instinctively covering my stomach as fear clawed its way through me. My child! I thought, terror tightening around my heart.But Leonard didn’t notice. He lifted Charlotte into his arms, his expression softened by worry as he cradled her against his chest, and carried her back toward the house. He didn't even look at me. However, I knew I couldn’t let him walk away fr
You Can't Win Me Back, Ex-husband CHAPTER 4: Accident
CLAIRE'S POV, As Leonard turned to leave, I reached out, grabbing his hand as it rested on the door handle. “Leo, please don’t go,” I whispered, the desperation seeping through my voice. I almost went to grab the pregnancy report, as if holding it might somehow hold him back. “I really have something important to tell you.” My voice shook, barely more than a plea. I was almost begging him at this point, dissolving my pride. “Listen, Claire, I need to be there to help Charlotte.” Leonard sighed, running his hand over his hair. His eyes flashed with annoyance, but there was also a hint of sadness in them. “We can discuss whatever it is you want to say when we are back at our home, okay?” “Please…” I tried again, but the words tangled in my throat, fragile against the cry for help from Charlotte. “Claire,” he said, his voice tired, firm. “Don’t make me choose.” His hand slipped from mine, and with it, so did the last piece of my hope. I watched him leave, watched the door clos
You Can't Win Me Back, Ex-husband CHAPTER 3: Bracelet
CLAIRE'S POV, I stood at the entrance, frozen, unsure where to go or what to say. For minutes, no one noticed me. I lingered, feeling like a ghost, a silent witness to a life I didn’t belong to. Finally, Charlotte’s eyes flickered in my direction. A slow, pitying smile curled onto her lips as she said, in that sweet, saccharine voice that made my skin crawl, “Oh, Claire is here.” “What?” Leonard’s mother’s voice rang out in sharp, cold surprise, her glare like a dagger. “What is she doing here? Who invited her?” A small smile tugged at Charlotte’s lips, a look of pure, practised innocence on her face as she gazed up at Leonard. “I’m so sorry. I know today is your anniversary,” she said with an apologetic sigh. “But we just got some wonderful news, and Leo was so excited to share it with everyone.” A chill spread through my body, cold and unrelenting. I felt as though the ground was slipping from beneath me. I couldn’t move. Couldn’t speak. All I could do was stare at her
You Can't Win Me Back, Ex-husband CHAPTER 2: Restaurant
CLAIRE'S POV, My hand trembled as I held the phone, Leonard’s name still glowing on the screen. I forced myself to breathe; each inhales stinging as I tried to push back the bitter ache clawing its way up my chest. “Did you two sleep in the same bed last night?” I asked, my voice barely steady. I could only imagine what I must have looked like—pale and hollow, shadows clinging to my face as I struggled to ask the question. I knew he took care of her personally, that he’d go to any lengths for her, but the thought of them sharing a bed, like a couple… It was more than I could accept. Charlotte’s chuckle drifted through the line, as light as if we were discussing the weather. “Oh, Claire, don’t blame him,” she said, her tone laced with amusement. “He was just so exhausted last night that he fell asleep in my bed.” The casual way she said it—like this was normal for them—cut me to my core. My fingers turned white from clutching the phone, each word sinking deep, spreading a du
