Lahat ng Kabanata ng EX-HUSBAND’S LAST CHANCE AT LOVE: Kabanata 211 - Kabanata 220

THIRD PERSON’S POVAlaric’s ringtone pierced the air, returning his mind to the road ahead. He flickered before stretching his hand to the other seat and retrieving his phone.“He agreed to see you in three hours. You are going to Georgia. It is time to fight for what you love, don’t be like me.” John’s voice recoiled through the phone. “Don Salvatore Martinelli. He’s old-fashioned, respects tradition, and the hierarchy. You call him Don Martinelli, not just Salvatore. We need to be honest about where we are, but let me tell you, he’s doing this now as a personal favor to me, not because he doesn’t have the right to decline being a part of this fight.” There was no doubting the seriousness in John’s voice."And Alaric? Take nothing for granted. This is a man who built an empire. He can see past lies so try not to tell one.” And then it went silent before Alaric could respond. The next was a ding on his phone of a notification popping up from him. The address and code.It felt like wa

THIRD PERSON’S POVGolden chandeliers cast a warm light over a packed auction hall on the final day of the prestigious art auction. Isabella was standing at the rostrum, fidgeting as the auctioneer's hammer came down for the final time. The applause, which roared through the elegant hall, sounded as though it might shake the very walls“Ladies and gentlemen,” The auctioneer's voice rang out from the microphone, which broadcast the event to millions of people around the planet, through the live feed, “We have just made history tonight. Phoenix has reached a record high, with over ten million dollars worth of pieces sold in one auction."As she took the crystal award, Isabella’s hands shook. It was surreal to experience this after all the efforts she had put in it. “It’s an absolute honor,” Isabella said into the mic, still maintaining her composure despite the surge of emotions. “Art has always been my sanctuary, my way of communicating what words can’t get at. For my art to be recogn

THIRD PERSON’S POVThe Alabama sun beat mercilessly when Alaric straightened his tie and stepped out of the conference room. The meeting with Southern Construction Supply had gone better than expected — his building materials company would be expanding into three new markets by the fall. The handshakes were exchanged, the contracts penned, and another profitable venture was quickly making its way into his expanding kingdom.Alaric exited the factory and entered the road leading to the highway. The buzz of the motor and the fresh air on his face were calming enough that some of the tension started draining out of his shoulders. The road lay before him, and along the side of it stretched a line of oak trees covered in Spanish moss. He saw something up ahead that caused him to slam on the brakes. His heart sank as he spotted the figure hunched over a trash can on the side of the road, digging through garbage.Chris.His stepbrother bore no resemblance to the haughty man in his tailored

THIRD PERSON POVThe knife moved rhythmically across the tray as Isabelle diced up the carrots and lettuce. The steaming pot on the fire already gave off a faint aroma. It almost reminded her of the times Alaric and she baked cookies in the kitchen, when they laughed and shared jokes over kneaded dough and cream. It was just her now."Isabella, don't you think they're shredded enough?" Hazel had come up behind her.Isabelle glanced at the chopped vegetables, almost as tiny as a grain. She hadn't even realized that she had spaced out again. She had been spacing out since she stood up for him. She shoved his name out of her head and dropped the knife. "Sorry, Mom—" Isabella muttered, putting the vegetables into a plate. They were supposed to go into the pot with the onions and garlic."I'll do it," Hazel took it from her, walking across the kitchen, opening the pot. "You must be under a lot of stress," she added. "With the baby on its way and all." "Um, yes," Isabellela settled on t

THIRD PERSON POVThe call came at 3:47 AM, jolting Alaric and Isabella from sleep. Alaric cursed under his breath, rolling away from her. He grabbed the phone that sat on the table, ringing out and cutting through the night like the ending of a perfect dream. Isabella leaned forward on her elbow as a cold, detached voice came through from the other end of the line. "Mr. Alaric Wolfe?" Alaric felt a chill pill in his stomach. "This is Love Hospital. I'm calling about Valeria."Isabella sat up immediately, her heart already racing. Something was wrong. She didn't need a seer to know that. Her heart hammered in her chest as her mind went through a hundred terrible scenarios. As though he noticed her fear, he reached out to her and held her palm in his."She's given birth," The nurse continued. "A healthy baby girl. But there's been a complication. Ms. Valeria—she passed away an hour ago. Heart failure. I'm sorry for your loss." The phone slipped from Alaric's hand, dropping onto t