Chased By My Billionaire Ex-husband
Chapter 19: Our Dead Child!?

Chapter 19: Our Dead Child!?

Claire’s POV

"Let’s leave," I said sharply, cutting off Susan mid-sentence as she shot me a venomous glare, her teeth clenched in frustration.

I could feel the tension between us like a rope about to snap. What is wrong with this man? And what is she even trying to prove? My thoughts raced as I gave Evander one last furious look. His cold, unreadable expression only fueled the storm building inside me.

Without another word, I grabbed Sissy’s hand and turned on my heel, walking away with my heart pounding wildly in my chest. I could feel the heat rising to my face, a mix of rage and something far more dangerous—confusion.

As we walked, my mind swirled with anger and disbelief. How could Evander stand there, acting like he owned me, when he was the one who broke me in the first place? And Susan—what did she want? To humiliate me, to claim a victory she never earned?

"Can you believe that guy?" Sissy asked, her voice low but full of disbelief. "And that woman—ugh, the nerve of her!"

I didn’t answer. I couldn’t. I was too lost in the whirlwind of emotions that had taken over me. But one thing was clear—I was not going to let Evander, Susan, or anyone else drag me back into that darkness. I had fought too hard to free myself from them.

And yet, there was still that pull—a twisted, magnetic force that made me loathe how much he still had control over my heart. It was maddening, infuriating, and most of all, painful.

"Let’s not talk about them," I muttered, trying to push the conversation away from him as I returned to my seat. Our food had arrived, but I could barely focus. Sissy was saying something, but her words were distant, like background noise in a world where only Evander’s face lingered in my mind.

I picked up my cup of coffee, hoping the warmth would calm the storm inside me, but as I sipped, my heart remained in turmoil. The frustration bubbled up again, filling every part of me until I felt like I was drowning in it.

Why did it have to be this way? Why, after all these years, after all the pain he caused, could he still make my heart ache? Why did one word from him send my thoughts spiraling, pulling me back to the past I was desperately trying to escape?

I gripped the cup tighter. And then it hit me—the brutal truth I’d been avoiding for so long, the truth I hated to admit. I was still in love with him.

My mind recoiled at the thought, but I couldn’t deny it anymore. He was my first love, the one who had shattered my heart, yet no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t shake him from my soul. It was as if he was etched into my very being.

I felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes. How could I still feel this way about someone who had brought me nothing but misery? How could I be so foolish, so weak?

Sissy glanced at me, her expression softening as she noticed the turmoil in my eyes. "Claire, you okay?" she asked gently.

I nodded quickly, blinking back the tears, refusing to let them fall. I had to be stronger than this. "Yeah," I whispered, my voice barely audible, "just...thinking."

But deep down, I knew it was more than just thinking. It was confronting the feelings I had buried for so long, the truth that I still loved Evander despite everything. It wasn’t just frustration; it was heartbreak, all over again.

I hated him. I loved him. And I hated myself for loving him.

Sissy reached across the table, placing a hand over mine. "You don’t have to pretend with me, Claire," she said softly, her eyes full of understanding.

I looked at her and everything came out that I’d been holding inside finally. "I thought I could move on," I confessed, my voice shaky. "I really did. But every time I see him, it’s like... it all comes rushing back. The love, the hurt... everything."

Saying it out loud made it feel more real, and I hated that. I wanted to be stronger than this, to be free of the feelings that tied me to him. But I wasn’t. And I wasn’t sure I ever would be.

I swallowed hard, pushing the cup aside. "He’s my first love, Sissy. And no matter how much I try to deny it... he might just be my last." I said as I rose to my feet and rushed toward the lavatory.

I rushed inside, barely holding myself together, my body shaking as tears spilled uncontrollably. Thankfully, the room was empty. I collapsed into a corner, my breath coming in ragged gasps. I didn’t want to break down like this in front of strangers, but I had no strength left to hide it anymore.

Sissy followed close behind, wrapping her arms tightly around me, trying to comfort me as I sobbed into her shoulder. She patted my back gently, her voice soft but firm. "Claire... I know you don’t want to hear this right now, but all I’ve ever seen in Evander’s eyes is love. I think he truly loves you."

I pulled away from her, my eyes wide, shocked at her words. "What?" I nearly screamed. "You can’t be serious, Sissy! After everything he’s done? After everything I’ve been through because of him?" I shook my head, my hands trembling as I tried to make sense of it. "I don’t even know why he did what he did, but I’ve been through hell, Sissy! And yes, I know he’s been through a lot too. He lost his brother, and his sister-in-law, but what about me? What about what I’ve lost? And what about that woman?!"

Sissy grabbed my shoulders, shaking me gently. "Claire, stop! Why are you thinking about everyone else but yourself? What about your pain? What about your heart? You’ve been sacrificing yourself for too long.

"I can’t..." I whispered, my voice barely audible. "I’ve forgiven him, Sissy. I’ve forgiven him for everything he’s done to me. But every time I look at him, I see..." My voice broke as I struggled to say the words. "I see our dead child. His face alone brings it all back, the pain, the loss... it makes me sick to my stomach."

I hugged myself, as if trying to hold the pieces of myself together, while Sissy knelt beside me, her face full of sympathy and sadness.

But before Sissy could say anything, a cold, stunned voice shattered the air.

"What... what did you just say?"

I froze, the blood draining from my face as I turned slowly toward the door. There, standing in the doorway, was Evander. His usual confident, cold demeanor was gone. Instead, he looked pale, his eyes wide with shock and pain.

"Our dead child?"

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What will happen? Keep reading to know more!