My CEO Ex: Let Me Go.-Chapter 16

"I’ll try," Alexander said.

"What’s wrong with Miss Blackwood?" I mustered the courage to ask.

I had a sinking feeling that Alexander wouldn’t be coming back after he left, just like yesterday. I wasn’t sure why Isabella had called him away, but it had happened two days in a row. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Alexander turned to look at me, frowning. "Vivienne, you never used to ask so many questions."

My face paled. "My foot hurts. Could you..."

"Your injury isn’t serious. If you need anything, call Maggie," Alexander replied coldly, not bothering to look back as he walked away.

I watched his retreating figure, a bitter feeling flooding my chest. I had rarely allowed myself to be vulnerable, but when I did, he called me troublesome.

When someone has no interest in you, showing weakness is useless. We were already heading for divorce—what right did I have to ask for anything?

I had been foolish. Alexander applied some medicine to my wound, and I had fallen so hard for him that I lost myself. Once again, I had humiliated myself.

What I didn’t expect, though, was that Alexander’s departure wasn’t just for one night—it stretched into the next day and even the night after that.

I refused to accept it. I sat on the bed, waiting late into the night, scrolling through my phone. When I could no longer stay awake, I finally drifted off to sleep, with the bedside lamp still on.

The next morning, I woke up to find the sheets smooth and undisturbed—no sign that anyone had been there.

I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, sighing deeply. What was the point?

I thought to myself, if we were going to divorce, why should I still have any hope? But he had been the man I loved for ten years. He had been my husband for three years, sharing a bed with me. How could I just let go?

Maybe, as Alexander continued to disappoint me, slowly eroding all my love for him, I would stop holding on to hope.

I lay there for a while longer, struggling to get up and wash. Today was Sunday, and tomorrow was the day we’d go to get the Divorce Decree. Once we had it, there’d be no more ties between us.

But we still had to live together, without the binding force of marriage.

No matter how close he and Isabella became, I had no say in it anymore. I would have to watch as my husband became someone else’s man.

Living like that would be unbearable.

I didn’t want to live that way, nor did I want to become a resentful woman. I leaned on my crutches and made my way up to the library on the top floor, sitting in the rocking chair to soak up the sun.

Just then, my phone buzzed with a WhatsApp notification.

I picked it up to find a message from Julian.

Julian: "Didn’t you say you’d come over to my place in a couple of days? It’s the weekend now, and you still haven’t come?"

I had completely forgotten about the promise I made to Julian. I quickly replied.

Vivienne: "Sorry, I don’t think I can make it today. Please apologize to Uncle and Aunt Steele for me. I’ll definitely visit them when I have time."

Julian: "What’s wrong? Are you too busy with work? I haven’t seen you around the studio these past couple of days."

Vivienne: "It’s a long story. I haven’t been to the studio because I got hurt last time I went. I was knocked by a shelf inside and twisted my ankle. I’m still resting at home..."

There was a pause before Julian replied. Suddenly, he video-called me.

I answered, and Julian’s handsome face appeared on the screen, his expression filled with concern. "How’s your foot? Is it serious? Did you go to the hospital? What did the doctor say?"

I reassured him, "Don’t worry, I went to the hospital right away. The doctor said it’s not serious. I just need to rest for a few days."

As I spoke, I switched the camera to show Julian my wrapped right ankle, which was visibly swollen.

"Isn’t that serious? How did things get to this point?"

"Maybe I’m just unlucky, having a bit of a rough patch lately," I said with a smile.

"Ah, I’ve been off these past few days, and my mom is about to go to church for a prayer. Should I have her ask a priest to help you out?"

"That sounds great!" I switched the camera to the front-facing one.

"Hey, where are you staying? Since you can’t come over, how about I come see you instead? What would you like to eat? I can bring you some things. Would that be okay?" Julian said, almost casually.

Julian and I were childhood friends, but we only properly reconnected last year. Because of his job, we were both extremely busy and barely saw each other, mostly meeting up for meals or me visiting his parents at his house. He knew nothing about my situation, only that I had been adopted by The Hawthorne Dynasty.

When Julian suggested coming over, I didn’t refuse, especially since Alexander wasn’t home.

I smiled and agreed, "Sure, come on over. It’s at The Crescent Estates. When you reach the main gate, let me know, and... when you come, could you bring me the Crispy Duck Breast from Silverwood District and the Black Forest Cake from the bakery on the first floor of Silverwood Plaza?"

"Man, those two places aren’t exactly on the way..."

"Then just make a little detour. Since you’re coming to see me, at least show some sincerity."

"Alright, alright, I’m on my way," Julian laughed helplessly, his tone a bit indulgent.

Julian arrived close to noon.

The security at the gated community made a video call to confirm before allowing him in.

By then, with Maggie’s help, I had already moved from the second floor to the first and was sitting in the living room.

Julian found the villa using the house number I gave him.

As he walked in, he commented, "The property prices here must be pretty high, huh?"

I smiled. "You’re a big star. Are you really worried about a little rent?"

"It’s not that. I just wanted to see how The Hawthorne Dynasty treats you. If they’re not treating you well, I’ll just have you move in with me," Julian said, half-joking, half-serious.

Just then, a maid came out from the kitchen and asked, "Miss Vivienne, what would you two like for lunch today?"

The "Miss" was something I’d specifically asked Maggie to use.

I was about to divorce Alexander, and none of my friends knew about the situation, which was a bit complicated. I didn’t want him finding out just yet.

After the divorce, this villa would be in my name, so inviting Julian over wasn’t a problem.

I listed a few of my favorite dishes and then added, "You can tell Maggie what you’d like. She’s an amazing cook—she can make anything."

"Well, I’ll be polite then," Julian said, naming a few dishes he liked.

Maggie headed back to the kitchen, and I said to Julian, "Quick, take out the Black Forest Cake you brought me. I want to have some now."

"Alright."

Julian had brought a ton of gifts this time. He even went back to his car twice to bring everything inside. Nothing too fancy, just some thoughtful gifts from his parents.

I pointed to a spot in the living room and said, "Just leave everything there. After lunch, Maggie will clean up."

Julian nodded and then took the Crispy Duck Breast to the kitchen.

During lunch, we laughed and reminisced about our childhood, and it didn’t take long for us to be in stitches. The atmosphere was light and easy.

Around 1 p.m., Julian headed out.