Divorce To Restart: Vengeful Ex-Wife Strikes Back!

Chapter 65 Not who she is!© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

X&J EMPIRE, NEW YORK. Xander exhaled when he tried Nina’s line again, but she didn’t call back. He didn’t need anyone to tell him she was trying to avoid him because of the kiss. A smile settled on his face at the reminder. It kept his heart jumping every time. It felt like he could die and be peaceful knowing he got a chance after such a long time to kiss Nina again. His entire body was practically floating when their lips met. He wasn’t surprised that Nina called the kiss a mistake. Her denial hurts him, but he doesn’t care much. Mistake or not, Xander intends to make it happen again. A message notification popped up on his phone; he checked it and shook his head, grinning. Nina had sent a text saying she was busy and couldn’t speak to or see him as he requested. The hiding game was too familiar to him. He would only give Nina until the end of the day before showing himself again. Feeling satisfied with his decision, he returned his attention to work. Being away had resulted in piled-up work for him. A frown settled on his face when he caught sight of the report from Nina’s department. Xander blinked back in shock at the details of the document. He reached for the phone and dialed Lisa. “To my office, now.” He ordered. Lisa arrived in less than a minute. “You called for me, sir.” “Come see this.” He said. “What does this mean, Lisa? How did I miss this?” The lady looked confused. “I vetted every mail sent when you were away, sir. This report was not there.” “Who authorizes this?” “Miss Baker, sir.” “Get her here right this minute,” Xander said. He cursed under his breath as he looked at the computer screen again. He can’t help but wonder how Nina had scaled through. It must have been why everything had overwhelmed her. He felt bad all of a sudden for not paying much attention. The door to his office opened, and Dawn made her way in. There was an eager smile on her face, like she had been expecting Xander’s call. “Xander….” She drawled, but he cut her short. “What is this, Dawn?” He questioned in a low, unfriendly tone. Dawn raised a brow, confused. She had thought he called for her to apologize for how he treated her the last time they met. “What is it?” “Why the hell did you cut X&J Foods’ budget short? It is way lower than normal. What were you thinking?” She gulped hard, trying to find the correct response. “I. I thought the budget might be too much?” Xander scoffed and clasped his hands together. “How long since you started working here, Dawn?” “Five years.” “And when have I ever approved a budget cut?” “None that I remember.” “Not only did you cut the budget, you did that to a company sector just starting. What the hell do you think you were doing? How could you?” “I…i….” “Stop it!” Xander bickered. “Despite your intention to sabotage their hard work, they still managed to get the best out of it. Where exactly is your conscience? Do I need to clip your wings? Are you feeling too powerful now that you do not mind making other people’s jobs hard for them?” Dawn clenched her fist, flaring her nose at him. “W…what is it with you? What makes her so special? Yes! Yes, I did it. I cut the budget because you give her too much room, and she thinks highly of herself. You hardly give anyone a freehand. Yet you allow her to move around like she owns a part of this place. Why do you desire her so much? She is even that good looking….” “Dawn!” Xander yelled, jolting out of the chair with anger dancing in his eyes. “She is heavily pregnant, Dawn! And yet, she does her job like it’s second to her breath. How dare you!” She squared her shoulders adamantly. “It’s not my fault that she got dumped by her baby daddy. Why should I feel pity for a person like that? She wouldn’t have needed to work if she had made the right decision.” Xander heaved, letting out a feral growl. His respect and affection towards Dawn are the only thing holding him back from saying the harsh words on the tip of his tongue. “Get out, Dawn! Leave right now!” Tears filled her eyes as she thinned her lips to keep herself from crying. “Will you have asked her to leave? Xander, I have been here with you through thick and thin. You know I love you very much and have always wanted beyond friendship with you. Yet you act oblivious to it. And now she shows up from nowhere, and the next thing you deem fit to do is toss me aside? How dare you, Xander?” He maintained a straight face, unblinking. “I have only liked you as a friend, and it will never extend beyond that. Whichever way you intend to handle that information is none of my business. I will not allow any disrespect in my business. Letting your selfish thoughts into the office space is a stretch. And you will be reprimanded as required. Leave my office.” Dawn’s lips quivered as she stared intently at him. She knew she already lost the battle, and it was useless to keep arguing with him. Wiping off the tears that rolled down her face angrily, she stormed off. Xander punched the table furiously. He got distracted by the sound of his phone ringing. He frowned at the caller and answered immediately. “Is she okay?” He asked. “Yes, but I need to have a word with you.” “Send me the location. I will be right there.” He said, hurrying out of the office. ************

LEVI’S DINER, NEW YORK. “What’s going on?” Xander asked, almost out of breath as he slipped into the booth. Carla gave him a side glance and shook her head at him. “Did you drive at a high speed down here?” She asked He mumbled a thank you to the waiter who brought water and took a few sips. “I was just so concerned about what you have to say and made sure to beat the traffic. What is going on?” She sighed. “Ben got into an accident.” “What? Is he alright? Do you need some money? I can pay his hospital bills and get him a better room.” He rambled on. “Relax.” Carla urged. “It’s not such a terrible thing. But it will take a while before he gets out of bed, and I have to be there to look after him.” She explained. Xander let out a breath of relief. Ben is Carla’s teenage son, who loves to get into trouble, which has prompted her to put him in a boarding school. But aside from that, he has a sweet soul like his mother’s. “Just let me know if you will need anything. Or is there something you need now?” “No. What I need is not for me, Xander. As you know, Ben has a disability at the moment. I won’t have the chance to look after Nina. And when I suggested I get her temporary help, she declined. As the doctor said, she is close to her delivery date and needs to be checked closely. Moreover, her condition needs someone to be by her side. Tania would have been an amazing option, but she is busy at school. I know Nina wouldn’t ask for help, and my conscience won’t be at peace knowing she is alone. I couldn’t think of any other way out and called you instead.” Xander had a troubled look on his face. “Nina will be my death. Thank you so much for telling me, Carla. I will handle it. You focus on looking after Ben. Where is he admitted?” “Remington Hospital. The health insurance benefits as your worker does pay off.” She joked, easing off the tension. He chuckled dryly. “It’s nice to know that you enjoy spending my money.” “Can’t complain.” “Shouldn’t you be with him now?” “His father is with him now, and I do not want to be in the same space as that man.” She shivered as the thought of him bothered her. Carla’s ex-husband wasn’t precisely the dream man she expected, and she could live her life for herself with the help of Xander, who made sure to keep him away from her by getting him arrested. That was over ten years ago. Xander reached out for her hand and patted it gently. “You are such a strong woman, Carla. Every time I see you, I see Nina too. She is just as resilient as you are.” She smiled, nodding in agreement. “She is such a sweet girl. I only hope for her happiness.” “I will make sure of it and do whatever it takes.” They stayed quiet for a while, basking in their silence. Carla was the first to clear her throat after looking closely at him. “What happened, Xander? I know that worried face of yours.” She said. Xander gulped, moistening his lips. “I saw a side to Dawn today that scared me.” Carla scoffed at his words. “How is anything she does a new thing? You have always been too kind to pick out that side to her; that is what makes you, you.” “No, Carla. It is different, I promise. It’s not like I don’t know she can be self-absorbed. I just wanted to be her safe space. Dawn doesn’t have many friends, and I am the only one who can handle her best. This time, I felt stupid for all the leverage I had allowed her for so long. You won’t believe she had Nina’s project budget cut into half just because she doesn’t like the thought of me and Nina being close.”‘ “I am sorry, but I am not surprised. I agree, though. How dare Dawn give Nina such a hard time? No wonder she worked later than usual. She always mumbled to herself, and then the office rumor topped it. I am so glad that her health isn’t in a worse state. To think that which was part of the reason all along. She doesn’t deserve your kindness, Xander.” Carla hissed. Xander rubbed at his forehead; he wouldn’t know who deserved his kindness or not. But he is well aware of the shock state he is in from Dawn’s behavior, and the guilt tugs at his heartstrings, too. Xander felt he never should have left the company in Dawn’s hand when he was away. She took too much advantage, and he blames himself. As if she could read his thoughts, Carla patted his hand comfortingly. “It’s not your fault, Xander. She is just who she is.” “I know.” He mumbled with a weak smile. They chatted for a while before going apart. Xander couldn’t focus much on work due to everything that ensued in the morning. An hour of work ended, so he left the office and went home to pack some of his clothing. “Have you lost your mind?” Jace yelled from the other end of the phone. Xander winced at the echo of his voice in his ear while making a turn with his car. “Can you not yell, please? I have sensitive ears.” He can imagine Jace slumping his shoulder in frustration. “Why do you always do this? Can you not hire a nurse? Why do you have to go there yourself?” Jace asked. “Because that way, I know she is fine. I still want her, Jace. That’s it. I just admitted my feelings. What is so wrong with that?” “I am not sure you are ready for the emotional roller coaster involved.” Xander grinned to himself proudly. “I can handle that much, can’t I?” “What if she finds out after you get closer and hates you for it?” He snickered. “It will take a while before that boat sails. Let’s get to the bridge first. I will talk to you later. I need to park the car.” After parking it right, Xander ended the call and exited the car. He grabbed his bag from the back seat and stealthily approached the door. Pressing on the doorbell, it opened immediately. Without a word, he took his hand off his bag handle and pulled her into a bone-breaking hug.