My CEO Ex: Let Me Go.-Chapter 74

Alexander paused at her words.

The memory of that day—Vivienne confronting him with red-rimmed eyes—flashed in his mind.

Vivienne had said: "You must be deeply in love with her, even using our anniversary to remember her."

Vivienne had said: "If you love her so much, why didn’t you just wait for her? Why marry me? I’m not the one you need. Why do you have to demean me like this?"

"I had something that day. You can choose another day, either earlier or later," Alexander had said calmly, loosening his collar.

Isabella’s heart sank.

Something that day?

What could that have been? The answer was all too clear.

She forced a smile, draping her arm around his and teasingly asking, "What was it? Couldn’t you push it back? It’s been so long since you celebrated my birthday."

"Sorry."

"Alexander, this is my first birthday back in the country. It’s rare for us to be together..."

"Behave," Alexander said in a low voice.

Isabella couldn’t muster a smile.

Once in the car, her face darkened with every passing second.

Her premonitions had been repeatedly confirmed.

Alexander was already starting to push her out of his heart.

He had turned to Vivienne time and again.

Had he really fallen for Vivienne?

No. No, she wouldn’t allow it.

Julian, Director Calloway, and the assistant director all got into the car and left.

Watching the car drive away, Alexander turned toward me. "Let’s go home."

Once in the car, Alexander moved closer to me, his arm sliding around my waist until we were almost pressed together.

The overwhelming scent of his expensive cologne hit me, making my stomach churn. I nearly retched.

"Can you move a little farther away from me?" I winced, pulling away from Alexander’s embrace.

"What’s wrong?" Alexander frowned slightly, noticing my pale face. His expression darkened.

"I’m fine. Just ate too much. I’ll be okay if I rest for a bit," I said, leaning away from him.

Alexander’s gaze darkened, but he didn’t speak.

The weekend passed quickly, and the new workweek arrived.

September 20th came swiftly.

It wasn’t a Saturday or a Sunday, but a Tuesday.

Work during the day.

Before the end of the workday, I received a message from Alexander: "Wait for me in the parking garage after work. We’re going out for dinner tonight."

"Okay."

After work, I went to the underground parking lot, found Alexander’s car, and waited in the passenger seat.

Looking down, I noticed a small square box in the glove compartment. It was clearly a ring box.

I opened it, and inside lay a delicately designed ring.

Could this be Alexander’s gift for our anniversary?

I carefully placed the ring back in the box.

When Alexander opened the car door and got in, he looked at me. "Have you been waiting long? Let’s go."

With that, he started the car and drove out of the garage.

"Where are we going for dinner?"

"Michelin. I’ve already made a reservation."

"Sounds good." The car stopped in front of a Michelin restaurant. The valet opened the door for Alexander, and the two of us walked inside, hand in hand. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

The waiter led us to the reserved private room.

When the door to the room opened, I froze for a moment.

The room was decorated in a particularly exquisite and festive manner. Dim, romantic lighting, swaying red candles, a large bouquet of red roses on the table, and heart-shaped pillows scattered on the sofa.

It truly had a romantic touch.

"Congratulations on your third wedding anniversary. May you both grow old together and have children soon. This candlelight dinner was arranged by Mr. Alexander in advance. Please enjoy your meal," the waiter said, then left.

Alexander walked forward, took the bouquet of roses from the table, and stood before me, handing the flowers to me. "Happy third anniversary, my dear."

In the dim candlelight, his handsome features appeared almost sculpted. His prominent brow bones cast sharp shadows in his eye sockets, and his eyes were warm and gentle.

I stood stunned, holding the bouquet, as I heard him call me "my dear." A wave of emotion hit my chest, and my nose tingled.

He had never called me that before. The term was strangely familiar, yet distant.

"Sit down," Alexander said, walking over to pull out the chair beside the table. He took the bouquet from my hands and helped me sit down.

The dishes on the table were also meticulously prepared by the restaurant.

I smiled and asked, "When did you make the reservation for this restaurant?"

"A week ago."

"How do you like this place?"

"It’s nice."

"I’ve got a gift for you."

Alexander picked up a box, resting on petals, from the table and placed it in front of me. "Open it and see if you like it."

The box was square, about the size of a wrist, painted in exquisite red lacquer with intricate carvings.

It seemed like it might be a bracelet.

"Well, I’ll open it now." I carefully lifted the lid.

A translucent jade bracelet, glowing faintly like gel, appeared before my eyes.

I froze at the sight.

It looked familiar.

This bracelet was strikingly similar to the "Heart of the Ocean" I had seen at the auction.

But this wasn’t the Heart of the Ocean; Alexander wouldn’t have taken the bracelet from Isabella and given it to me.

Seeing my dazed expression, Alexander explained, "Last time, you said the material of the Heart of the Ocean was large, that there was more than one bracelet. So, I had someone keep an eye on it. Sure enough, this is the second one, bought directly from the owner."

"Thank you, that’s thoughtful of you." I closed the box and set it aside.

"Don’t you want to try it on?"

"I’ll try it on when we get home," I replied.

Perhaps Alexander had spent quite a sum on this bracelet, but I felt little joy in it.

From the start, he had gone in the wrong direction.

I didn’t want a bracelet like the Heart of the Ocean. In fact, I didn’t want it at all.

The Heart of the Ocean wasn’t mine, so I didn’t want anything that reminded me of it.

But maybe that was my fate—always playing second fiddle to Isabella.

I’d have to wait until Isabella had it before I could have it.

My mind drifted to the delicate ring I’d seen earlier in the car.

It wasn’t for me, was it? Maybe it was for Isabella’s birthday?

So, was he already planning to end a romantic dinner with me and go meet Isabella?

He certainly had a busy schedule.

I hesitated before asking, “I saw a ring in your car earlier. It’s so delicate and beautiful. I really like it. Do you think you could give it to me?”

We’d been married for three years, and yet we didn’t even have wedding rings.

I’d once bought a pair, secretly wearing one to work, but he refused to wear his, saying that if we both wore the same ring, people would notice.

I had naively said, “If only one person wears it, no one will even pay attention.”

I took my ring off, but he never wore his.

He just didn’t want to.

Eventually, one of the rings was lost, and the other was left forgotten in a drawer.

“That ring is custom-made. If you like it, I can have the designer make you one,” Alexander said.

“Why not just give me that one and have the designer make a new one for someone else?”

Alexander raised an eyebrow and chuckled. “Vivienne, what are you saying?”

“Just pretend I’m being silly,” I murmured, looking down to hide the bitterness in my eyes.

But why, then, was he so eager to give that bracelet to Isabella?

The reason was simple—he was biased.

I could never outshine Isabella.

That ring, judging by its design and craftsmanship, had to have been ordered long ago, and a lot of effort had gone into it.

But the bracelet? That was just money.

That was the difference.

Still, the bracelet was something Alexander had spent a lot of money on, and I didn’t want to ruin his enthusiasm.

He didn’t seem to notice my thoughts, probably thinking I was just sulking. He poured me a small glass of wine. “A little drink?”

“Mm.”

The glasses clinked, a soft “ding” ringing out.

I brought the glass to my lips, took a sip, and began eating.

Just like last time, during our candlelit dinner, Alexander took the steak from my plate and placed it in front of him. He cut it into pieces before returning it to me.

“Thank you.”

“No need to thank me.” I tried a bite of the steak. “It’s delicious.”

“If you like it, I’ll bring you here again next time.”

We clinked our glasses again, gazing into each other’s eyes, and drained our glasses.

My face flushed slightly, unsure whether it was from the wine or from feeling shy.

“I’ll go to the bathroom for a moment,” Alexander said, setting down his knife and fork before standing up.

Watching his tall figure walk away, I touched my warm cheek.

I thought, if tonight Alexander wanted to make love to me, I don’t think I’d refuse.

Suddenly, Alexander’s phone, which had been resting on the table, rang.

I reached out and picked it up, seeing the caller ID: Isabella.