Divorce To Restart: Vengeful Ex-Wife Strikes Back!

Chapter 64 The Bitter Truth

DAWN’S HOME, NEW YORK. Dawn chewed helplessly on her nails as she kept calling Xander’s contact. He seemed to have put his phone on Do Not Disturb. The line kept saying the user was busy. She gripped the phone hard and screamed at the top of her voice. She can’t seem to get over the embarrassment he had put her through sending her out of his house in front of his brother. She feels bothered about his sudden change of behavior. The Xander she knows would never ask her to leave his house unless they were to do so together. Dawn couldn’t help but think that Nina had snitched on her and made him turn his back on her. At the same time, Xander isn’t the type to hide away when he finds something displeasing. Standing up, she let out a shaky breath, pacing the room back and forth. Dawn tapped on her phone and redialed his contact; he eventually answered, causing her to let out a long breath of relief. “Xander! What happened to your phone? Why haven’t you been reachable?” She bombarded him with questions. There was a brief movement in the background before his response came. “I have been out all day. Didn’t think there would be any important call coming in.” “Wow!” She mumbled, surprised at his response. “So, why have you been calling?” Dawn bites down on her lower lip, feeling tears sting the back of her eyes. “Do I need to have a reason to call you now? So my calls are no longer important enough for you to be active with the phone?” Xander groaned into the receiver. “I have no idea what this drama you are about to begin is about, Dawn. But I want none of it. I have a meeting to attend to soon. Let’s talk later.” He said and hung up. “Xander-” She called out too late. With a wild rage, she threw her phone against the wall, breathing hard like someone had punched in her guts. Minny walked in just in time, shocked at the disaster on the floor. “What is it this time?” She asked, sounding tired. Her sister always has something working her up every time. Seeing her in a drunken mood isn’t much of a surprise. Dawn heaved, kissing her teeth. She got up and headed to the kitchen, snatching a bottle of vodka from her wine rack and drinking straight from the bottle. Shivering from the effect, she raised a brow at Minny. “Why are you just coming home now?” She asked. Minny scoffed, dumping herself into a bean bag. “I didn’t realize I was on a curfew.” She retorted. Silence reigned between them; the only thing that made a noise was the collaboration between Dawn’s throat and the liquor. Minny snapped her finger, looking excited all of a sudden. “That reminds me. I thought you said you were certain this time around that Nina and Xander would never get talking again. What changed? Isn’t what you did separate from the rumor circling the company?” Dawn paused her reckless drinking and furrowed her brows. “What do you mean?” “I mean this.” She replied, showing her the image she took of Xander and Nina at the restaurant. “I bumped into them after I had lunch with my date. I was quite amused; they looked pleased.” “Are you stupid? Why would you say such a dumb thing to my face?” Dawn gritted as she snatched the phone from her hand. Her eyes bulged out of their sockets when she saw the picture. Xander looked lost in love as he held Nina’s hand. Her breath hitched as she stumbled onto the couch. She couldn’t believe her eyes. “A…are you sure about this?” She stuttered. Minny snickered. “Does it look photoshopped to you? I think Mum might be right; this is a lost cause.” “Shut up!” Dawn hollered at her. “I don’t expect you to understand. Do you know how many things I have got myself in to get Xander to be mine and no one else’s? Who the hell is this bitch that has so much grip on him?” She questioned no one in particular, stomping her feet on the hard floor. “Then this is probably a sign for you to let it go. That woman smitten Xander. He’s in love with her. You are too beautiful for this, Dawn.” “That’s enough. Hold your peace if you won’t give me the support I desire.” Refusing to back down, Minny stood up with her arms folded against her chest. “What is wrong with you? Is there something about Xander that you are hiding away? Many men will beg to have a moment with you. Why the obsession with this particular one?” Dawn snorted. “Says someone who runs after a man who doesn’t give a fuck about her. At least Xander respects me enough to concern himself with my feelings.” She mocked. Minny chuckled dryly. “Wow! How long have you been waiting to tell me a piece of your mind?” “Oh, please. Don’t try to play the victim like it isn’t true. Do you think Reece would want to see your cheating ass ever again when he learns the ugly truth about you?” “You know what? I blame myself for thinking you are worthy of being reasoned with. Mum will never look at me the same way again because you always have to stand out, and she thinks I am the bad egg because I do not hide how I feel and who I am. It would help if you dropped the facade of being hurt. You know deep within yourself that you are the reason why that innocent man became aggressive. You always make everything about you, even when there is no need to.” Dawn laughed coldly. “It’s not my fault that I know how to prioritize myself better than you do.” “Well, good luck handling that.” Minny spat in distaste, storming off to her room. Tears filled Dawn’s eyes, blocking her vision for a while. She kicked at the floor, pulling at her hair tightly. She won’t give up so quickly, and no one will have Xander except her. Nina would have to disappear from the face of the earth if that is what it would take to get what she wants. With that determination, she chugged down the remaining vodka, grabbed her car keys, and hurried out of the house. *************

NINA’S HOME, NEW YORK. Nina rubbed at her belly slowly while staring blankly at the ceiling. She almost jolted out of her skin when her alarm sounded so loud. Nina sat up and smiled brightly, realizing she would resume work. A light chuckle escaped her lips at how the sound of work excites her when she should be longing for her bed. She dragged herself gently out of the bed because of her bump. She stared at the mirror, marveling at how round her belly was. She would carry her child in her arms in less than two months. It made her scared and excited at the same time. Many nights, when it gets burdensome and lonely, Nina wishes things didn’t go wrong between her and Asher for their own sake. At the same time, she can’t help but think of how unworthy he is of knowing her child. It would be best if he remains in the past. Asher had denied fathering it in the first place. Her mood almost shifted at the worrisome thought, but she shook it off. Instead, her fingers reached up to her lips and caressed it delicately. It tingled as the memory of the kiss she had shared with Xander returned. She had no idea what had come over her that day. It is the hormones, but a part of her knows it is beyond that. She finds it hard to admit it to herself. Her clit ached when she pulled away from him. It didn’t occur to her just how horny she was until that moment. “Stop it!” She exclaimed, rebuking herself. It would be best if she avoids Xander as much as she can. Bumping into him would only bring back haunting kisses, so she avoided his calls and responded to his texts instead. She erased her thoughts and prepared for the day as if someone controlled her to do so. The first thing she did on getting to the office was seek Dani out. She had learned that Dani was still at the office and wasn’t relieved of her job through Carlos when he called to check on her. Since everyone who started the rumor and passed on more than they knew got dismissed, Dani is still at the office, which only means she has nothing to do with it. Nina’s inability to make amends for what she said had made her restless throughout her stay at home. “Good morning, Nina. How are you doing?” Matilda and the rest asked. Nina smiled lightly at them. “I am fine, thank you. Where is Dani?” “She just stepped out a while ago,” Carlos replied. Nina stepped out of the office in a bid to wait for Dani. As soon as Dani sighted her by the door, she bowed her head quickly to avoid meeting her eyes, but Nina stayed in her path. “Please, Dani. Can we talk?” She requested. Her face had a skeptical look before she eventually nodded in response. They moved farther away from their office door to talk. Nina cleared her throat, suddenly looking uncomfortable. “I know you might probably think all I am about to say right now might be too late. But I want you to know that it is genuinely from my heart. I am so sorry for accusing you wrongly, Dani. I couldn’t think of anyone else who would know about my closeness with the CEO except you. I felt hurt that you had spread the rumor despite me telling you there is no such thing between us. I apologize sincerely, Dani. Forgive me.” Dani pulled her lip into her mouth and exhaled slowly. “I just couldn’t understand why you think I would do something so spiteful. I know I might appear like someone who enjoys gossiping. But I will never do anything to ruin someone in such an awful manner. And I am sorry you have been through this much. And I am glad the truth is out in the open now.” “Forgive me, Dani. Please.” She chuckled. “Yes, Nina. I do not hold a grudge against you. I hope you are better now. We were quite concerned when you didn’t show up at work for that long. We worried the backtalks must have gotten to you.” Nina smiled weakly. She didn’t tell Carlos she had been at the hospital and only said she was resting. “Well, I am so glad I no longer have to walk on eggshells. Thank you so much for your concern. Can I hug you?” Dani laughed lightly, stretching out her arm. “Of course.” Nina felt better after apologizing to Dani. She had not settled into work much when Carla’s call came in. It surprised Nina. Carla rarely calls and wasn’t at the house that morning because she had been away the day before to sort out some family matters. “Hello, Carla. Is everything okay?” She asked the second she answered the phone. Carla breathed heavily into the phone. “I need to talk to you, Nina. But I wasn’t sure how busy you might be.” Nina could sense the shakiness of her voice. “Calm down, Carla. Just tell me what is happening.” “It’s my son; he got involved in an accident last night.” She gasped, clasping a hand over her mouth. “I am so sorry to hear about that, Carla. I understand you will need to be away. Please take as much time as you desire. I will keep in touch.” Carla hesitated. “What about you? Who is going to look after you? I am considering staying with you for a few days while I seek someone who can temporarily stay in my place. You shouldn’t be by yourself.” As if on cue, Nina felt a sudden discomfort under her belly. She shut her eyes tightly until the pain passed on. “There is no need for you to worry about me, Carla. I promise I will be fine. Who knows, Tania might be back sooner than expected. Just make sure to take care of yourself. I will send you some cash to help you settle. Bye.” She hung up before Carla could give further excuses. Nina thinned her lips and threw her head to the back in despair. There is only little she can do by herself with her large belly. There is no doubt that it would be hard to get by. Still, even in her desperate state, she can’t just let anyone into her life and home and trust them to take good care of her. “Nina, the meeting is about to start,” Dani called out to her. She snapped out of her thoughts and stood up. There will be a way out eventually.Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.