My CEO Ex: Let Me Go.-Chapter 119

I clenched my fingers slightly.

It seemed Sebastian could read my thoughts. “Don’t worry. Pop-Pop’s not unreasonable. Above all, he just wants you to be happy, and I’ll help talk to him...”

“I...” I was about to say something when footsteps approached, followed by Alexander’s voice. “Vivienne? Why haven’t you gone back yet? Is Big Brother here too?”

Sebastian smiled at Alexander. “Just talking with Vivienne for a bit.”

Sebastian’s nature was gentle, and when I stayed at Ashford Manor, I’d actually gotten along better with him than with anyone else.

Alexander didn’t suspect anything and simply said to me, “I noticed you didn’t eat much earlier. How about going back and having a little more?”

“Okay,” I replied quietly.

Sebastian’s gaze flickered between us for a moment, then he spoke up. “I’ll head back too. Otherwise, Lydia will start suspecting I’ve been smoking outside again.”

Alexander’s eyes lingered on the cigarette butts on the ground, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly.

Sebastian whispered, “Don’t tell her.”

“You smell like smoke,” Alexander raised an eyebrow.

Sebastian paused, sniffed his shoulder, and sighed. “I’ll go for a quick walk outside and come back.”

...

After lunch, two cars drove out of Ashford Manor and stopped at the foot of the cemetery hill.

From the moment we left for the cemetery, Alexander had become unusually quiet.

It had always been this way.

I used to find it strange that Alexander, having grown up by his grandfather’s side, didn’t seem to miss his father much, especially after his father passed away when he was young. They hadn’t been close, and it had been over a decade—he shouldn’t feel such a strong longing.

Now, I understood.

Sebastian placed the flowers in front of the gravestone.

“Dad, Mom, Lydia and I brought Eleanor to see you! Eleanor, say ‘Hi’ to Grandpa and Grandma.”

Eleanor, confused and still young, looked at the gravestone but obediently said, “Grandpa, Grandma.”

As for Alexander, he simply squatted beside the gravestone, silently wiping the dust off it. He didn’t speak, not even calling his father’s name. I couldn’t tell if it was because of a lack of emotional connection or simply because Sebastian was there.

Watching the silent Alexander, a complex feeling stirred within me.

After the tribute, we drove back.

“Home, or Ashford Manor?” Alexander’s hand rested on the steering wheel as he kept his eyes on the road.

“Let’s go to Ashford Manor! We don’t get time like this often, and I want to spend time with Grandpa and Grandma,” I said.

“Alright, I’ve got a few things to take care of. I’ll drop you off at Ashford Manor, then I’ll pick you up in the evening.”

“Okay.”

After dropping me off at Ashford Manor, Alexander drove away.

By the time Alexander finished his work and arrived back at Ashford Manor, it was already past eight.

Grandpa, feeling weak, had already prepared to rest.

Before Alexander had the chance to say anything, we both quietly said our goodbyes to Grandpa and Grandma and left.

Once we were in the car, Alexander started the engine, reached into the glove compartment, and handed me a small square jewelry box. “I bought this on the way here. See if you like it.”

I opened the box with a calm expression, revealing a platinum necklace inside. Its design was perfect for her—understated yet luxurious.

"Thank you," I said, my face betraying little surprise as I closed the box and tucked it into my bag.

Alexander furrowed his brow slightly.

Does she not like it?

"Are you still busy with work tonight?" I asked suddenly.

"Why?"

"I have something I need to tell you."

"Can’t it wait?"

I glanced at the traffic ahead. "Let’s talk when we get back."

I feared that a tragedy like the Matthews-Hawthorne affair might repeat itself.

Back at The Crescent Estates, Alexander placed the car keys on the table, took off his coat, hung it on the rack, and poured water for both of us.

"What is it you want to tell me?" he asked.

"Alexander, let’s divorce," I said calmly.

At my words, Alexander froze, the water in his hand momentarily forgotten as he stared at me in disbelief.

"What did you say?"

He didn’t even notice he’d filled the cup to the brim, water spilling over the edge.

"I said, let’s divorce," I repeated, meeting his eyes.

In that moment, Alexander felt as though his heart had been struck violently. He stared at me, eyes wide with shock, unable to hide his disbelief. He hadn’t noticed the water overflowing, the hot liquid scalding his fingers and soaking his sleeves.

When he remained silent, I continued, "Let’s get the divorce certificate without telling Pop-Pop for now. We can keep it a secret as long as possible."

Alexander just looked at me, still silent.

"Oh my god, Sir, what are you doing with that water?" Gabriella rushed out of the room when she saw Alexander spilling water onto the floor. She quickly took the cup and kettle from his hands. "Did you burn yourself? I’ll get some ointment."

"I don’t need it! Go back to your room!" Alexander suddenly snapped, his voice icy.

Gabriella froze, sensing his anger, and didn’t say another word. She hurried back to her room.

Before closing the door, she remembered I was pregnant and, with a cautious glance, warned, "Sir, take your time to talk, but don’t act impulsively!"

Once Gabriella’s door shut, Alexander turned his gaze back to me, his eyes dark with questions.

"Why bring up divorce now?"

"We’ve always planned to divorce, haven’t we? There’s no point in dragging this out any longer."

"It’s not for you to decide whether it has meaning or not!"

"I don’t want to argue about this anymore. I’ve made my decision."

"I don’t agree!"

"I remember Pop-Pop saying that after his death, if we still wanted a divorce, we could, and Nana wouldn’t stop us. You promised him. What’s the point of waiting? It’s meaningless now."

The last time Grandpa was hospitalized, I was caught off guard. I heard the doctor’s insinuation that Grandpa didn’t have much time left.

After all this time, I had slowly come to accept this truth—that Grandpa would eventually leave me.

Yes, now I was trying to keep this quiet for Grandpa’s sake, only daring to bring up divorce in private.

If we waited until Grandpa was really gone, I would find a way to separate—file for divorce, or just disappear without a trace, leaving him unable to find me. Even if he dragged out the divorce, it would leave an empty marriage, and we could never go back to how things were—living like a normal couple.

"Then tell me, why divorce now? Is it because of the leak? I’ve already..."

"It’s not that!"

Before Alexander could finish, I cut him off. "If there’s one reason, it’s that I don’t like you!"

Alexander stared at me, his eyes burning. "Then who do you like? Julian, is it?!"

Before I could respond, he suddenly lunged forward, pushing me onto the couch. He pinned me down, gripping my hands tightly. His eyes were bloodshot as he growled, "Do you like him that much?!"

I struggled beneath him. "Alexander, let go of me!!"

But Alexander only pressed harder, trapping my legs between his. With one hand, he slid under my shirt, tracing circles on my stomach, his touch sending chills down my spine.

I froze, unable to fight back.

In his fury, Alexander didn’t notice my stillness. Hoarsely, he asked, "If you were carrying our child, would you still want a divorce?"

Alexander’s POV

This afternoon, I had been interviewed by a television station.

The questions had been arranged by the host beforehand, mostly centered around finance, with a few personal ones tacked on to address the recent public speculation about my private life.

I hadn’t chosen to go public before—partly because of Isabella’s career, and partly because I didn’t like others prying into my privacy. I didn’t feel the need to explain myself to the online community.

Those two reasons, one concerning Isabella and the other about me, had kept me silent.

I had overlooked Vivienne’s feelings.

Now, I had agreed to the interview for one reason: I didn’t want Vivienne to bear the brunt of the criticism anymore. She deserved to stand proudly by my side.

After speaking those words in front of the camera, I felt a weight lift off my chest, and a sense of relief washed over me.

After dinner, I rushed to see Vivienne. On my way, I passed a jewelry store, and a necklace caught my eye.