Hello, Ex! I Finally Found My Worth!-Chapter 168: Apologies And Forgiveness

He was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, watching her intently. Their eyes met, and Emma's heart skipped a beat. Jake gave her a slow, almost mischievous smile—the kind of smile he used to flash when they were together, the kind that had once made her feel like the only person in the world. Now, it only made her uncomfortable.

Emma shifted in her seat, trying to focus on something else. But Jake didn't stop. He raised an eyebrow and gave a subtle wink, his expression playful yet knowing. The flirtation was unmistakable.

What is he doing? Emma's thoughts spiraled. Is he trying to get me back? Is this some kind of joke?

Her chest tightened, and a swirl of confusion and frustration flooded her mind. Memories of their past together, both good and bad, flashed in her mind. She didn't want to feel any of this—she was over him. Wasn't she?

Trying to mask her discomfort, Emma looked down at her lap, clenching her hands until her knuckles turned white. But the longer she sat there, the more disoriented she felt. Jake's presence was too much.

"I need to get some water," Emma said abruptly, standing up. She avoided Alex's curious gaze and quickly excused herself, heading toward the kitchen.

The kitchen was dimly lit and blessedly quiet. Emma gripped the edge of the counter, her head hanging low as she tried to steady her breathing. Her mind raced with conflicting emotions.

Why is he acting like this now? After everything he did?

Emma opened a cupboard, retrieved a glass, and filled it with water. She took a long sip, hoping the cool liquid would help clear her head. It didn't.

You're stronger than this, Emma. You don't need to fall apart just because he's trying to mess with you.

She was startled when Alex walked into the kitchen.

Seeing Alex there, Emma didn't need anyone to tell why he was there, looking worried.

Though she had thought she had hidden her discomfort, she knew better now. How could she ever think she could hide her discomfort or worry from Alex?

"Emma," he said gently, leaning toward her the moment he got to her. "Are you okay?"

Emma forced a smile, trying to appear nonchalant even though she knew it wouldn't work not after she had told him off the other time.

"I'm fine," she said.

But Alex wasn't convinced. He'd known Emma long enough to spot when she was hiding something. He had seen her at her lowest so he could tell when she wasn't fine.

"You sure? You were okay yesterday even though you were worried about Claire. You've been like this since..." He trailed off, his mind flashing back to the last time Jake and Margaret had been to his house unannounced.

Emma had been unusually quiet then too, and now that he thought about it, her discomfort had started the moment Jake and his mother arrived abd it was worst now that they weren't so bothered about Claire.

"Is it Jake?" Alex asked, his tone soft but direct.

Emma's eyes widened slightly, caught off guard. She opened her mouth but quickly shut it, taking a moment to compose herself. She couldn't let Alex know the truth.

He would be disappointed she was getting all worked up because of Jake and more than that, he might blame himself or even approach Jake and she didn't want that. She thought and then shook her head.

"No," she said firmly. "It's just... everything's been overwhelming, you know? With everything that's happened with Claire and all the emotions running high, it's just a lot to process."

Alex studied her for a long moment, but Emma held his gaze, determined not to let her true feelings show. Finally, he nodded taking her word for it. "I get that."

There was a brief silence before Alex leaned back, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "Well, at least it's all over now." He gave her a reassuring smile. "You should stop worrying and instead of worrying about all this, you should start thinking about what you want for your birthday next week."

Emma blinked, surprised and touched that he'd remember her birthday since she had only just mentioned it once to him. "I'd almost forgotten about that."

"That's why I'm here, baby," Alex said with a grin. "To remind you of every important date and time in your life."

Emma couldn't help but laugh. "You really are the best, you know that?"

Alex's smile softened. "I try."

A warm feeling spread through Emma's chest. She reached out and squeezed Alex's hand. "I love you," she said, her voice filled with sincerity.

This chapter is updat𝓮d by freēnovelkiss.com.

"And I love you too," he said looking into her eyes.

Emma looked back at him and found herself thinking about everything she had been through with Jake—how much pain he had caused her, how confused and vulnerable she had felt around him. But Alex had always been there, steady and dependable.

Deep inside, Emma reminded herself of what she already knew. It was Alex she loved. He was the better man, the better partner—the one who had stood by her through everything.

And he always would.

After a few moments after Alex left her, Emma composed herself. She straightened her posture, took another deep breath, and walked back into the sitting room.

Jake's eyes immediately found hers as soon as she reentered the room. Emma braced herself, determined not to react.

But he didn't stop. He leaned forward slightly, his smile widening. He gave her another wink, more obvious this time.

Emma's jaw tightened. She tried her best to ignore him, forcing herself to focus on Claire and the conversation happening around her. But every time she glanced up, there was Jake, his eyes locked on her with a teasing, almost predatory look.

Why won't he stop?

Emma crossed her arms over her chest, hoping to shield herself from the overwhelming sensation of being watched. She felt trapped in her own thoughts, battling against the old emotions that Jake's presence stirred up.

I won't let him get to me.

But even as she thought it, Emma couldn't deny the storm brewing inside her.

The atmosphere in the living room was calm but filled with a quiet tension as everyone sat together.

Emma was now more focused on the conversation s going on around her. Though Jake was still there, but she had tuned him out telling herself he wasn't worth her time.

Claire sat with Chris and Ivy, her shoulders visibly relaxed now that the weight of her past was no longer a secret.

Moments later, the doorbell rang and knowing that it was Nicole and Elizabeth, Chris stood up to answer it, after flashing Claire a reassuring smile.

Moments ater, Nicole and Elizabeth walked in. Nicole looked nervous but determined, while Elizabeth's face was lined with regret.

The room fell silent as everyone watched them enter. Claire's expression was unreadable, but her eyes were steady as she met Nicole's gaze.

Nicole stepped forward first, wringing her hands. "Hey, Claire... I.... don't even know where to begin."

Claire remained seated, waiting, her eyes locking unto Nicole's for a moment.

Nicole took a deep breath. "I'm so sorry for what I posted about you. I was wrong. I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions."

The apology was raw, and everyone could hear the regret in her voice. Nicole continued, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I knew Mathew had someone he liked, but I didn't know it was you. We... we had a fight before prom. He told me not to call him or bother going with him because he wanted to be with someone else."

Hearing this, Chris narrowed his eyes. Perhaps this was the issue she had said their had entailed.

Nicole paused, swallowing hard. "He... he threatened me, Claire. He said he'd ruin me if I tried to interfere. I didn't tell anyone because I was scared. And then... when I found out he was dead and you were there, my emotions got the better of me."

Claire's gaze softened, and Nicole continued. "I was angry and hurt, not because I hated you, Claire... God, we weren't even friends. I was mad because I didn't understand. When I saw you, I should have handled it differently. I should have asked you instead of attacking you."

Nicole wiped a tear from her cheek, her voice trembling. "For that, I'm so, so sorry, Claire. I hope you can forgive me for the trouble I put you through."

Elizabeth stepped forward next. "And I owe you an apology too, Claire. I should never have stood by and let my sister treat you the way she did, even if we thought you were guilty. It was wrong, and I deeply regret it. You were still a guest."

Elizabeth's sincerity was evident. "I can't change the past, but I hope we can move forward now."

There was a long silence as everyone waited for Claire's response. Slowly, she stood up. Her expression was no longer guarded but open and thoughtful.

"Nicole," Claire said, her tone gentle. "I accept your apology. I mean, it was thanks to you, I was finally able to come out of my shell and tell the truth. Now, everyone knows what really happened, and I can finally move on."

Nicole let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. "Thank you, Claire. You have such a good heart. Now I can say my nephew is blessed to have you."

Claire gave a small smile. "Thanks. I'm just glad it's over now. And it's time we all let go. I'm also very thankful for the gift of Chris. He helped me get over this," Claire said and Chris smiled, planting a kisß on her hand.

Elizabeth and everyone else smiled, watching the love between Chris and Claire.

"Thank you, Claire. Fir giving my family this chance again. I'm glad you can move forward from this."

The air in the room shifted, lighter than before. Apologies had been made, forgiveness given, and with it, a sense of closure.

As Nicole and Elizabeth took their seats, the group sat together in quiet reflection but not long after, Ivy's phone rang and she picked it up from her purse.

Her brows drew together in confusion when she saw it was a call from Selena. It was a Sunday so why was she calling? She mused before recieving the call.