My CEO Ex: Let Me Go.-Chapter 30
I was startled when the door suddenly opened and looked up at him.
Alexander stepped inside slowly, shutting the door behind him. “Why did you move to this room?”
“I wanted a change of scenery. I’ll move back later,” I replied. “Did you need something?”
Hearing my tone, Alexander frowned. He pulled out a black credit card and placed it on the nightstand, pushing it toward me. “If there’s anything you want, just buy it.”
I glanced at the black card briefly. “No need, you can keep it. I’m not losing anything.”
“This is something I promised you. I went back on my word, and I should make up for it.”
I pressed my lips together. “Really, there’s no need.”
“Don’t be polite with me. Vivienne, I know you’re distancing yourself on purpose, but there’s no need for that. After the divorce, you’ll still be Pop-Pop and Nana’s most cherished granddaughter. We won’t be able to avoid seeing each other forever, so it’s better to face it calmly.”
Face it calmly...
He said it so casually because he didn’t have feelings for me anymore.
Was he asking me to accept seeing him and Isabella, happily married?
I couldn’t do that.
I lowered my eyes, letting out a small sigh. “Just leave it there.”
“Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
Alexander’s POV
I turned and left the room.
On Saturday morning, I went downstairs early to go for a run.
Maggie was cleaning the living room and greeted me with a polite “Sir” as I walked by.
I paused at the door and suddenly stopped, turning to her. “Do you know why Vivienne moved out of the master bedroom?”
“I forgot to tell you, sir. On Tuesday, someone used a delivery to threaten Mrs. Hawthorne. It had some foul substance with a strong odor. It spilled on the sheets and the floor, so Mrs. Hawthorne moved out of the master bedroom.”
I was stunned. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
“You were away on a business trip at the time. Mrs. Hawthorne asked me not to inform you.”
“Did you report it to the police? Do they know who did it?”
“We did report it. They found out it was a high school student. He’s...”
Maggie hesitated.
“What is it?” I pressed.
“He’s a fan of Miss Blackwood.”
Although Maggie didn’t usually follow the news, she always kept an eye on anything that concerned her employers. She had been working here for almost three years now. The employers were kind and generous, and she was very satisfied with her job.
Over these three years, she’d watched the couple go from unfamiliar to familiar, from distant to loving. When she went home to scold her son, she often told him to learn from Mr. Hawthorne. But who would have thought that, after three years, Mr. Hawthorne—like many men—would start looking for other women?
It was Isabella’s fan on Tuesday.
I understood now why Vivienne had seemed so upset that day.
Vivienne had said, “Do you think I’ll just suffer in silence? Do you think I’ll just take all the insults?”
A wave of bitterness surged in my chest, and I felt more conflicted than ever.
I headed back upstairs, moving quietly as I approached Vivienne’s room. I turned the doorknob, and the door opened.
Through the crack, I saw Vivienne still fast asleep.
She didn’t lock her door at night.
I moved carefully to her bedside. Vivienne was curled up on the bed, her hair disheveled, her face almost buried in the blanket. Her small, delicate face was so peaceful, yet the position she slept in spoke of insecurity.
I couldn’t help but think back to ten years ago when I returned to Ashford Manor and found a girl I didn’t know. She looked up at me with cautious eyes and called me "Second Brother."
I didn’t feel much about the new girl in the house. The family wasn’t lacking in money. The little girl was polite and well-behaved. Every time I came to Ashford Manor, she would greet me with courtesy.
Ten years had passed in the blink of an eye.
In the quiet corners of my life, Vivienne had quietly grown into a strong, blooming plum blossom.
I watched as Vivienne stirred, and I slowly retreated, careful not to disturb her.
Vivienne’s POV
I woke up at 8 a.m., had breakfast, freshened up, and did my makeup. By 9 a.m., I left the house and headed for Opal Tower Mall.
Sophie was sitting outside a café, waving at me through the glass.
I walked into the café, and Sophie pushed a cappuccino in front of me. “I just ordered this for you. It’s still hot.”
“Thanks.” I took the coffee, sipping it through a straw as I sat on a high stool.
“So, should we go to the third floor or the fourth?”
Both the third and fourth floors were dedicated to clothing.
“Let’s go to the third floor,” I said slowly, sipping the milk from my coffee. “Why didn’t you bring Ariana with you?”
Sophie burst out laughing. “Don’t even mention it! She’s been pulling overtime these days! She’s got more than just our project to handle. The best part is, I’ve been hearing her complain non-stop about Isabella’s team—‘Her chest is too small, it’s not good. Her chest is too big, that’s a problem too. Even her earlobes need to be fixed—can you believe that? They want to make her earlobes round and drooping, like they bring good fortune.’ She’s about to drop dead from exhaustion!”
I couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
“Don’t laugh, I’m serious. Ariana is a poor thing, really. But Isabella’s chest is truly tiny.”
With that, Sophie’s gaze shifted to me, her expression playful. “Unlike our Vivienne. Your future kids are definitely going to be blessed.”
Flirty old lady.
My face turned red. “Stop saying nonsense.”
“I’m not joking, Vivienne! Teach me the secret. How did yours get so big?”
“Not for public knowledge,” I muttered, turning my gaze away as I nursed my straw.
Before marriage, I didn’t have much, but after tying the knot, things slowly started to fall into place.
We finished our coffee and left the café, hand in hand, stepping onto the escalator to the third floor.
The sales assistant gave us a quick once-over, her smile warm, before she eagerly began recommending the store’s latest bestsellers.
Sophie and I each grabbed two outfits and headed to the fitting room.
“As expected from Vivienne, your taste is flawless. These fit like a dream!” Sophie exaggerated, her eyes sparkling.
The sales assistant, still enthusiastic, kept encouraging us to try on more pieces.
I grabbed two more outfits, and when it was time to pay, I pulled out my wallet. Just as I was about to swipe, my eyes landed on a card tucked away in the corner. I paused, then pulled it out. “Use this.”
The cashier took the card with delicate care, her demeanor shifting to one of even greater respect.
“Oh my god!” Sophie screamed, her voice loud enough to turn heads. “Vivienne, is that an unlimited credit card? Rich lady, take me with you! Please, sponsor me!”
I walked over to Sophie and gently lifted her chin with my index finger. “Beauty, ten thousand for one night. Would you spend the night with me?”
“Forget one night. I’d take the whole night,” she teased with a grin.
“Hahaha, get lost.”
Just then, Alexander’s phone buzzed with a text alert.
He glanced at the screen, his eyes narrowing when he saw a notification about a bank deduction. I had used his card for the purchase.
“Alexander, whose message is that?” Isabella asked, leaning in to peek at his phone.
He quickly turned off the screen. “Nothing important. Have you finished yet?”
“Not yet. Alexander, look at this necklace. Do you think it’s pretty? Does it go with the bracelet?” Isabella tilted her chin, showing off the necklace draped around her neck. It was a delicate wing-shaped design with a sapphire in the center, catching the light beautifully.
“Mm, perfect match,” he said, his voice flat.
“Then I’ll buy it.”
Sophie and I left the clothing store with our bags and moved on to the next shop.
After browsing three clothing stores, we finally made it to a jewelry store.
“Let’s go in and take a look.”
As soon as we stepped inside, the sales assistant greeted us with a warm smile. “Ladies, how may I assist you?”
“We’re just looking at some necklaces,” I replied.
“Right this way, please.”
At that moment, Alexander’s eyes flicked up, and he froze.
I followed his gaze, and our eyes met.
