Divorce To Restart: Vengeful Ex-Wife Strikes Back!

Chapter 71 Side Talks© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

X&J EMPIRE, NEW YORK. Xander parked the car and glanced at Nina. She has been extremely distant from him for a couple of days. He was sure the incident from the other night still angered her. They haven’t discussed it yet, and he is beginning to feel exhausted from the silence. “Nina, why are you doing this? I thought we were adults and more mature than all these complexities?” He queried. Nina stared down at her hands. She hasn’t been able to look at him because of her dark thoughts. The doctors said the desire to be touched isn’t strange. However, Nina knows deep within her that the urge is beyond just wanting to have sex. She wants Xander. The thought of him disrupts her nights, and it’s frustrating that she cannot masturbate with her fingers as she always does because of her big belly. Being close to him makes her heart race beyond average, and the hesitation to follow through with the burning need to jump at him and kiss him even now is due to her thin restraint thread holding her down. She feels terrible for her emotions and for betraying the promise she made to herself to not pay any interest to the male gender. It’s such a shame that Xander is exceptional, and she is human, after all. Nina is no longer surprised that Dawn would do anything to have him. Who wouldn’t in the first place? Not when he is a total package and has plenty of love to give. “Nina,” Xander whispered, bringing her back to the present. Nina jolted, gulping hard. Her eyes landed on his lips, and she felt a thump in her clit. Her throat bopped up and down like someone who has been sex-starved. In actual truth, she is genuinely sex-starved. His perfume clung onto every corner of the car, and she wouldn’t mind melting into him to smell like him forever. He’s becoming irresistible. Suppose Nina had a chance, she would devour him and have Xander do a lot to her body. She can’t forget how she always scolded herself for thinking about what sex would be like with him again. The kiss, his touch, his stronghold-all driving her insane. “Xander,” she drawled, moving closer to him. But what if she’s about to get burnt again? A voice whispered in her mind. Xander isn’t Asher. Nina tuned out all of the insecure whispers in her head and met his lips with hers. His lips felt cold against hers and became warm as they moved in rhythm. Nina moaned into his mouth when his hand cupped her neck protectively, and he tilted his head to the side to deepen it. They remained like that for ten seconds, exploring each other subtly. The kiss came to an abrupt stop when Nina pulled back. Xander paused and stared at her in wonder. “Is it your hormones at work again?” She blushed shyly. “Don’t make me regret my actions.” He reached for her hand and caressed it. “You know I would hate for you to do something you don’t want. I don’t mind waiting for you until you are sure if you want any of me.” She reached out to trail her finger down his face. “You are so handsome.” He laughed. “Are you just noticing? Wow! I feel offended.” She mirrored his expression. “I never said I was just noticing. I just had to admire you once again.” Nina sighed heavily, dropping her hand.

“What’s bothering you?” He asked.

“Xander, I am a lot of burden. I don’t think it is appropriate to explore this feeling inside me. It feels unfair towards you.” “But I am not complaining, am I? I want you, and wanting you implies wanting every part of you. I would love it if you let me into your world, please. Honestly, Nina, you know how I feel about you.” Nina heaved a sigh. “Can we take it slow?” “How slow do you want?” He teased. Nina slapped his upper arm as she let out a giggle. “Stop it. You know what I meant. Before anything, I want M&M foods. I know this might be too much to ask, but I have a proposal, hoping that you will sponsor it. I have to see them crawl. I will sell out the bonds and shares in some companies. If you can help me out, I would appreciate it. I know I am using my privilege. But you are my only option. M&M foods stocks are at their lowest now and would make an easy buy for someone like myself. Help me out, Xander.” She pleaded with her eyes shooting out with pure innocence. Xander’s heart felt like it would burst out in flames. Since he knows Nina, he has never encountered her begging for help. She always tries to handle it all herself. Hearing her desire directly makes him feel at ease with his intended plan. He wouldn’t need to worry about her thoughts when it all works out. He reached out to hold her hand and kissed the back of it. “Baby, I would love to give you everything I have so you can get back at those bastards. Don’t forget that I made a promise. I still stand by it and will help you as much as possible. You don’t have to worry; your proposal will greatly interest me. I will talk to my uncle and discuss it later.” “I want a part of the shares, to be a board member,” Nina stated with ambition dancing in the corner of her eyes. “Anything you want, mama.” He mumbled, looking proud. “Stop staring at me like that.” She muttered, turning her face away from him. Xander leaned forward and pecked her. “We should head to the office now. Lisa must be having a nervous breakdown at my lateness.” “You can’t blame her,” Nina replied. He exited the car to open her door, and they walked together. Xander could see the staff trying hard to keep their faces away and not get noticed. A quirky smile spread over his face; they must be finding it hard to keep their thoughts to themselves due to the sanctions. He would have loved to hear them talk about the everyday dropping of Nina at work by him, but no one would dare to do so. “Why are you smiling?” Nina asked as they entered the elevator. Xander shook his head. “Nothing.” After seeing Nina off to the office, he went to his. Just as he had predicted, Lisa had a concerned expression as she informed him of his meeting with the executives in the boardroom. She didn’t fail to notice his good mood. Xander mumbled a thank you and went for the meeting. Dawn had resumed, too. The meeting went on for about an hour. Xander looked out for Jace, expecting him to come to him as usual to disturb him unnecessarily. But to his surprise, he found his brother hurrying out of the room with his phone plastered to his ear. Xander’s face fell, and he intended to show off to Jace regarding Nina. Now, he would have to save for later. He got up to leave but was accosted by Dawn. Xander groaned inwardly. Dawn managed to smile at him. “Hi.” He nodded stiffly. “I need to go now, Dawn. I have a lot on my table. Welcome back.” He said, quickening his steps far from her before he got cornered again. Dawn inhaled a shaky breath as she stared around to be sure no one noticed the action. Swallowing the embarrassment, she also walked away, almost falling on her face. Dawn inhaled deeply as she kept scrubbing her hands violently under the faucet. She didn’t expect the cold reaction she got from Xander. Indeed, she had faked the suicide with the hope that Xander would stick to her side. Instead, it only pulled them apart more. Her heart can’t seem to take it. “I think they might be staying together.” Two ladies walked into the restroom discussing. The red-haired lady noticed Dawn and pinched the other to lower her voice. The first one who made the first sentence seemed dramatic as she scoffed. “We are just talking. No one will seek us out. I have been wanting to share my surprise with someone all morning. The CEO might be the one who owns the child. No man in his right sense will care so much for a woman who is carrying another man’s child. They have been coming to work together for the past two weeks.” The second lady gasped. “What? Is that true?” The dramatic lady snickered. “Believe me.” “He might be in love with her then.” “Love my foot. Anyway, they will be fine. Might be an interesting love story eventually.” Dawn could no longer listen to everything they said and left the restroom. She didn’t need anyone to tell her that the gossip was about Nina and Xander. Her legs seemed to be unmoving as she walked. The last time she had been at Xander’s house, Dawn was surprised when he urged her out, refusing to let her stay as usual. Why would Nina be staying at his house? He wouldn’t even let her spend a week, and now he has a pregnant woman sleeping in the same space as him. She bites down on her lips, trying to think hard about what to do. She needed to be sure that the information was correct. Dawn knows confronting Xander will only make him push her away further. Her heart already aches too much from his rejection. She wants him back at all costs. His attention is what she breathes for. Turning around, she headed towards Xander’s office instead. Lisa was seated at her desk with her eyes on the computer screen. Dawn cleared her throat next to her and held up a smile. “Hi, Lisa.” Lisa glanced up, smiling brightly. “Miss Baker, how are you doing? The boss is in; you can go and check him.” “I am okay. I am not here to see your boss. Do you think you can spare me a bit of your time?” The lady furrowed her brows for a brief second before relaxing it. “Okay.” She replied, sounding unsure. Dawn moved closer and lowered her voice while watching the office door closely. “Do you know if Miss Ruiz, the food department research head, lives with Xander?” Lisa’s lips parted. “Ma’am, it would be best to ask him yourself.” She pulled her lip in, steaming down her frustration. “Lisa, I am asking you and not him for a reason. Please. All I want to know is if that is the truth.” “Miss Baker….” “Do you need me to pay you?” She queried, dropping the formality. “Ma’am!” Lisa looked offended. “Please, Lisa. I am sorry if that came out wrongly. But I need your help. Just tell me.” “Is this some sort of trap?” “No, Lisa, I promise. It is just me looking out for Xander, that is all.” Lisa took a quick look at Xander’s door and inhaled deeply. She wouldn’t do anything for Dawn out of the goodness of her heart. Dawn never regards her whenever she comes around, and now that she needs help, she might as well sponge on it. Clearing her throat, she said. “Five grand.” Dawn scoffed. “Really? I thought you didn’t want to expose your boss?” “You said you would pay.” She chewed on her tongue and reached for her phone in her pocket. “Your details.” Lisa drawled it out, enjoying Dawn’s desperation. “I have wired the money to you. So, I need an apt response, and you had better tell me.” “Yes,” Lisa replied. “Yes, what?” “I wanted to drop a document at his house. And he gave me another address. Only to get there and have Nina open the door.” “They are staying together then?” “I guess. And the boss might just be visiting.” Dawn sucked her teeth and didn’t wait to hear anything else Lisa might have to say. She didn’t even worry that she had given five thousand dollars out for something she could have driven to the house to find out. When she returned to the office, her head spun in rage. Nina has finally taken the place that she had guided so hard for years. She stood up and paced the office, feeling restless. She sat down again, tapping her feet anxiously on the floor. Reaching out to Xander at a time like this is pointless. She would have to seek another way out. An idea popped into her head, making her smile wickedly. Someone will always back her up, even when the world turns against her. She typed a message and sent it; the reply came in immediately. Venus never disappoints. She had asked that they meet up. Dawn picked up her bag and left the office. Venus had arrived at the restaurant by the time Dawn got there. She looks happy to see her. “Hello there, darling. How are you doing? Dawn beamed, embracing her. “I am fine, Venus. How are you too? Thanks for responding to my text.” “Come on, darling. You know I would never ignore anything that has to do with you. So, how has it been going back to work? If you still need a break, take as long as you want.” “I am okay. I feel good knowing that Xander won’t be far from me.” “So, have you both talked?” Dawn sighed, taking a sip of water from the glass before her. “No, he has been avoiding me. I went to his house, and he wasn’t there.” “He probably was out when you went. Xander is always home.” Venus stated, sounding very sure. “I am very sure he isn’t at the house. I have checked many times, and he shuns me whenever I try to talk to him at work.” She frowned, tapping on the table. “Xander didn’t tell me anything about moving. I should call him.” Venus said, attempting to reach for her phone, but Dawn stopped her. “Don’t do that. There is a chance he might not want you to know that he isn’t at the house. He is an adult, after all. It’s my fault that he is hellbent on avoiding me.” “Don’t be like that, Dawn. You made a normal mistake. He shouldn’t have taken it that far. But do not worry, darling. I will make him see reason. You are too good to be ignored. I don’t want him to feel regrets when he loses you. I want you to be a part of my family, Dawn. And I mean it.” Dawn smiled, mentally high-fiving herself for a job well done. “I want to be a part of you too, Venus.” “And I will make sure of it. Trust me.” She said confidently.