My CEO Ex: Let Me Go.-Chapter 138

Alexander’s gaze was fixed on me, his expression intense.

He looked so pitiful, so vulnerable, like an abandoned puppy.

A faint shiver ran through me, almost making me feel sorry for him.

But it was he who had initiated the divorce.

The woman he loved wasn’t me.

It was Isabella.

I didn’t want to keep dragging this out for the sake of the child.

I lowered my gaze. “This has nothing to do with you being the CEO of Vanguard GE.”

“I have nothing left now but you and the child.”

Suddenly, Alexander pulled me into an embrace, pressing his head to my stomach. His face softened in a way I had never seen before.

This was the kind of scene I had longed for countless times in the past. I would’ve given anything for this moment.

But now, I felt nothing. My heart was as still as water.

Alexander didn’t love me, and I wasn’t foolish enough to believe he ever would again.

“When the baby is born, you’re welcome to visit him anytime.”

A slight shudder ran through Alexander’s body, and he looked up at me in confusion. “What do you mean? After the baby’s born, you still want a divorce?”

Before I could respond, his voice rose. “You want my child to call Julian ‘Dad’?”

“What does Julian have to do with this? I can raise him on my own.”

“Do you want him to grow up like you did, in a single-parent home, without a father?”

The sharp pain in my chest made my face go pale.

“Or do you plan to find him a stepfather? How much love can a non-biological parent really have for a child?” His eyes were fierce, burning through me.

I felt a knot tighten in my chest, his words suffocating. I replied, “So, the only reason you don’t want a divorce is because of the child? Fine, when the baby’s older, you can take him.”

Alexander’s expression darkened, his eyes stormy. “You’d rather give up the child than stay with me? Do you really hate me that much?”

“Yes.” I lowered my gaze, nodding slowly. “I hate you. And you don’t love me. Why should we force ourselves to stay together? Even if we divorce, we can still be good to the child.”

“Vivienne!” Alexander grabbed my hand. “Vivienne, let me make this clear. I don’t hate you. I love you. I don’t want to divorce you.”

I looked up at him, a faint sarcasm flickering in my eyes. “When exactly did you love me?”

“A long time ago.”

“Then why did you want a divorce before?”

“I...”

Seeing the mockery in my eyes, Alexander opened his mouth, but no words came out. His throat tightened.

“Alexander, stop fooling yourself. All you feel for me is guilt and responsibility. You don’t have to force yourself because of the child. After we separate, you can visit him, show him you love him. That’s enough.”

“I’m not fooling myself...” Alexander forced a bitter smile, finally understanding the mess he had created.

No matter what he said now, she probably wouldn’t believe him.

If he told her he had just started loving her, she’d probably wonder how someone could change their feelings so easily.

It was his fault. He’d hurt her, and now she couldn’t trust him anymore.

“You don’t believe me? That’s fine. I’ll prove it to you. Slowly.”

Seeing the persistence in his eyes, I furrowed my brow.

What did he really want? Did he not want me to leave, or was it just about not wanting his child raised by someone else?

It was probably the latter. A man as proud and cold as Alexander could never allow his bloodline to live outside of his control.

My face darkened, and I didn’t want to continue arguing. Changing the subject, I spoke more to myself than to him.

“Do whatever you want. By the way, did Grandpa skip the board meeting today?”

If Grandpa had been there, he would have supported Alexander for sure.

It seemed Alexander hadn’t expected me to change the topic so quickly. After a long pause, he nodded. “Yeah, Grandpa didn’t come. I didn’t want to disturb him. His health hasn’t been great lately.”

"Do you have any idea what their goal is today?"

"Do you honestly think I’m naive enough not to see through it?"

I let out a soft sigh. "Who’s the new CEO of Vanguard GE? Sebastian?"

"Mm. How did you know?"

So it really is Sebastian.

"Olivia called me."

Alexander’s expression shifted slightly. "Did she say anything important?"

I didn’t respond, but added, "It sounds like she might have known about today’s events in advance?"

Alexander nodded slightly. "When I left the company earlier, I saw Sebastian walking with her."

"...Seems like this was planned. I wonder what role Sebastian plays in all of this..."

Honestly, before this, I never would have imagined Sebastian being involved with Jaxon, let alone becoming the CEO of Vanguard GE.

Back when I was living at Ashford Manor, Sebastian was always warm and considerate toward me, a stark contrast to Alexander’s usual cold demeanor. Whenever I found myself in a bind and couldn’t talk to my grandparents about it, I would turn to Sebastian for help. Like the time a boy at school started pursuing me—after I rejected him, he became relentless. It was Sebastian who stepped in, and after that, the boy never bothered me again.

As for why Alexander, the younger of the two, became the CEO of Vanguard GE instead of Sebastian, that was my grandfather’s decision. At the time, I believed my grandfather had made the right call.

When I was in love with Alexander, I always thought he was far superior to Sebastian in everything—academically, professionally—except for his personality.

Looking at it now, from an outside perspective, I still feel the same.

Maybe from the very beginning, Sebastian just wasn’t willing to accept it.

"Stop overthinking," Alexander said. "Even if I’m not CEO of Vanguard GE, I can still make enough to buy baby formula."

After being CEO for so many years, Alexander had built up his own investments and enterprises.

"Are you really okay with giving up the CEO position to your brother? I’m not trying to stir the pot, but this could’ve been his plan all along. I know you’ve always felt guilty toward him and have given in, but the CEO position was assigned by Grandpa because of your abilities, not by chance. You don’t have to step aside."

Alexander gave me a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Don’t worry. I know what I’m doing. There’s only one constant: interests. There are no permanent enemies. Those board members, though they don’t get involved in the day-to-day, will act when their interests are at stake. Whoever can deliver profits, they’ll support. Not everyone gets to be CEO of Vanguard GE."

I glanced at him. "But what if Sebastian really does a great job with Vanguard GE?"

"Then I’ll accept my loss."

Seeing Alexander’s calm demeanor made me feel a little lighter.

He placed his hand gently on my belly and asked softly, "Has the baby moved yet?"

I shook my head. "Not yet."

"Let’s get you checked tomorrow," he said, his voice low and concerned.

Alexander’s POV

I lightly touched Vivienne’s belly, and for a moment, I thought back to a line I had read once: Statistically, at 17 weeks of pregnancy, the miscarriage rate for those who’ve felt fetal movement is 3%, while for those who haven’t, it’s as high as 98%. Even with a threatened miscarriage, 90% of babies survive if there’s movement.

Vivienne is 18 weeks along now, and the baby still hasn’t moved.

The last time we were at the hospital, the doctor mentioned a threatened miscarriage, but the baby’s heartbeat was strong, even though the development was slightly behind.

It would be wise to go for another check-up.

I need to protect our child. Our first child.

"Alright," Vivienne said, nodding.

Just then, my phone rang.

I glanced at the screen—Nana.

A sudden feeling of dread washed over me. I calmly told Vivienne, "I’ll step outside to take this."

"Okay."

I left the master bedroom and stepped out onto the second-floor terrace, answering the call. "Hello, Nana?"

"Alexander, come to the hospital right away. Your grandfather is in emergency surgery—"