Christiana’s POV
I sat at my desk, staring blankly at the screen in front of me. The emails blurred together, the words swimming in and out of focus as my mind drifted to the one place I had been trying to avoid since yesterday morning. Alex.
It had been less than twenty–four hours, but the memory of hit still remained like a shadow I couldn’t shake. My fingers hovered over the keyboard, trying to focus on drafting the proposal for my next exhibition. But every time I blinked, I was back in that bed, naked, tangled in sheets, with him beside me.
1 shook my head, straightening my back. Focus, Christiana.
But how could I? After everything that happened yesterday… Sunday morning had started with me waking up beside my ex- husband. A man I hadn’t seen in years, who had left me to raise our children alone. And yet, somehow, there I was, making love to him. Five times
I rubbed my temples, frustration bubbling up. How did I let it get that far? How could I have been so weak?
“Christiana” Grace’s voice broke through my thoughts, making me jump.
“Yes?” I quickly turned toward her, trying to compose myself.
“Just checking in on the artwork deliveries. Everything’s scheduled for the end of the week. I need you to sign off on this.” she said, placing a stack of papers on my desk
“Right, of course. Just… give me a moment,” I muttered, avoiding her curious glance, Grace had worked with me long enough to know something was off, but thankfully, she didn’t pry
As soon as she left the room, I dropped the pen on the desk, my head falling into my hands. I didn’t want to think about Alex, didn’t want to feel anything about what had happened. But it was impossible.
The way he had kissed me, the way his touch felt so familiar yet foreign at the same time, it all came rushing back in vivid, painful detail. I clenched my fists, trying to push it down, but it wasn’t working. The memories replayed like a movie reel I couldn’t pause.
“What were you thinking?” I whispered to myself, the words bitter in my mouth. “Why did you let him get that close again? I had been fine for years. Fine without him. Fine raising our children on my own. Fine building my career without his support. But the moment he stepped back into my life, I let my guard down. And now I was paying for it.
My phone buzzed on the desk, pulling me out of my thoughts. Igrabbed it, hoping for a distraction, anything to take my mind off of him. But when I saw his name flash across the screen, my heart sank.
Alex
I couldn’t face him right now. Not after the way I had kicked him out yesterday, screaming at hip, telling him to leave as if 1 didn’t care about w had happened between us. But the truth was, I cared too much. That’s what scared me. I couldn’t let him back into my life, not after the way he had hurt me. Not after he had walked away from me and the kids without looking back.
I let the call go to voicemail, my hands trembling as I placed the phone down. A wave of guilt washed over me, but I refused to pick it up again.
You did the right thing, Christiana. He doesn’t deserve to be part of your life again.
I stood up, pacing the length of my office, trying to shake the unease settling deep in my chest. My gaze landed on the picture frame on the corner of my desk, the twins, smiling up age, completely oblivious to the storm brewing inside me.
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10.67%
18.11 Fri, Oct 15
Chapter 79
I had to stay strong for them, I had promised myself that after Alex left. That I would never let him hurt me or my children. again. And yet, here I was, falling back into the same trap,
“Why did I let him back in?” I muttered under my breath, running my hand through my hair in frustration. “Why now?”
The memory of his touch, the warmth of his lips against mine, still lingered, but it only made me feel sick to my stomach. He had no right to walk back into my life and act like nothing had changed. Like he could pick up where we left off, as if the years of silence didn’t matter.
1 slammed my hands down on the desk, the sound echoing in the empty room. My breaths were shaky, and I could feel the tears threatening to spill, but I wouldn’t let them. Not now. Not for him.
1 heard a knock on the door, and Grace peeked in again, her eyes cautious. “Christiana, the meeting with the gallery owners is in ten minutes. Are you.
“I’m fine, I cut her off quickly, forcing a smile onto my face. “I’ll be right there.”
She nodded, but I could tell she wasn’t convinced. As soon as she left, I slumped back into my chair, closing my eyes for a moment. I had to get through the day. I had to focus on my work. But the ache in my chest wouldn’t let me forget.
Alex
I could still hear his voice from yesterday, full of confusion and hurt when I had snapped at him, telling him to leave. His eyes had softened when I pushed him away, but the fire behind them remained. He wasn’t a weak man. No, Alex was strong. resilient. The type of man who didn’t back down easily. But I could see the pain etched on his face as I shoved him out of my life, again.
And now, here I was, unable to let go of what happened, even though I knew it was the right thing to do. Or was it?
I buried my face in my hands, fighting the tears that threatened to fall. I had to let go of the past. I had to forget about Alex. But how could I when everything about him still haunted me?
With a shaky breath, I stood up, grabbing the papers Crace had left. I had work to do. Work that didn’t involve thinking about my ex–husband and the tangled mess he had left in my heart.
But no matter how hard
I tried, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this wasn’t over.
