Semua Bab Tangled Desires: Ex Husband Wants Me Back : Bab 31 - Bab 40

CHAPTER THIRTY ONE.AVA MAXWELL'S POV.The moment Jerome’s lips touched mine, all logic evaporated. Every reason I had for staying away, for keeping my guard up, crumbled like sand beneath the waves of desire crashing over me.This was dangerous. Being with him again, giving in to this pull between us—it was a mistake. And yet, I couldn’t bring myself to stop.His hands, strong and sure, traced over my body like he was rediscovering every inch of me. My skin burned beneath his touch, my breath hitching as he moved lower, his lips leaving a scorching path down my neck, my collarbone, my stomach.“Jerome,” I whispered, my voice barely above a breath.He glanced up at me, his dark eyes filled with something raw, something intense. “You want me to stop?”I should have said yes.But my body answered before my mind could catch up, my legs parting instinctively as his hot breath fanned against my skin.I gasped as his mouth found me, his tongue teasing and tasting, unraveling me with every s

CHAPTER THIRTY THREE.AVA MAXWELL POV.The elevator ride to the top floor felt longer than usual, the seconds stretching into eternity. I clenched my fists to keep my hands from shaking, inhaling deeply as I tried to steady my nerves. Today was a defining moment—a test of everything I had been fighting for.James, my father’s long-time secretary, stood beside me, his presence a source of comfort even though my mind was racing with a thousand possibilities. He had been with my family for years, loyal and unwavering, and I trusted him more than most people in this company.“You’re going to nail it,” he reassured me, sensing my unease.I nodded, grateful for his confidence, but I wasn’t so sure. I had spent weeks preparing for this meeting, throwing myself into work to escape everything else. The stares, the whispers, the scandal—I pretended they didn’t bother me, but they did.And then there were the flowers.Every morning, a fresh bouquet was delivered to my office—my favorite flowers,

CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE. AVA MAXWELL POV. I stared at my reflection in the mirror, my fingers ghosting over the barely noticeable curve of my baby bump. It still felt surreal—this tiny life growing inside me, a life that complicated everything even more. With a sigh, I pulled my hand away and focused on the real task at hand: this so-called friendly date with Jerome. I wasn’t sure what had possessed me to agree. Maybe it was exhaustion from fighting him at every turn, or maybe it was curiosity—curiosity about why he was suddenly showing me a side of himself I had never seen when we were married. Either way, I had set the terms in my mind: one date, nothing more. I adjusted my emerald-green silk dress, smoothing the fabric down before picking up my bag and phone. The color complemented my complexion, and the material was soft and light, perfect for a night out. I kept my makeup subtle—just a touch of mascara and a nude lip—but I still looked put together, a reminder that no matter what

AVA MAXWELL POV. The sterile scent of antiseptic filled my nostrils as I sat outside the operating room, my fingers tightly gripping the edge of my dress. My heart pounded so loudly that it almost drowned out the beeping monitors and the muffled voices of the doctors inside. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t think. Jerome was in there—fighting for his life. I pressed my hands together, my knuckles white as I whispered prayers under my breath. My nerves were already frayed, but Adrian’s next words shattered what little composure I had left. “The shooters followed us here,” he said, his voice low yet firm. “But I called for backup. They won’t make it inside.” A cold chill ran down my spine. “What?” I whispered, my voice barely audible over the rapid thumping of my heart. Adrian stood beside me, his posture rigid, his sharp gaze scanning the hallway. “They weren’t just some random gang, Ava. Whoever sent them wanted to finish the job completely. But don’t worry—our men are already on

AVA MAXWELL POV. The moment Marcus texted me that Jerome was waking up soon, I didn’t waste a second. I grabbed my coat, ignored James calls, and rushed straight to the emergency clinic owned by Jerome . My heart pounded in my chest, a chaotic mix of anxiety and relief swirling inside me. He was finally waking up. After hours of waiting, hoping, and praying—he was finally coming back to me. The ride back felt awfully and I have never been this impatient to go somewhere like this before. After what felt like forever, the car pulled up at the block, the guards made sure to check the perimeter before I got out of the car. The clinic smelled like antiseptic, the harsh fluorescent lights making everything seem too sterile, too cold. But nothing mattered except seeing Jerome. I walked past the reception, nodding at the familiar nurses who had been taking care of him, and headed straight for his room. As soon as I entered, I found Marcus standing near Jerome’s bedside, flipping through h