My CEO Ex: Let Me Go.-Chapter 85

In truth, it was I who insisted on this. Given his relationship with Isabella, it wouldn’t be a big deal for him to celebrate her birthday.

Had this been any other time, if Alexander had gone to celebrate Isabella’s birthday, I might not have reacted so strongly. After all, the bond between them wasn’t something that could just be severed. It was complicated, something that couldn’t be erased so easily.

But our wedding anniversary happened to fall on the same day as her birthday. No one would allow their husband to insist on spending that day celebrating another woman’s birthday.

From the very start, I could never compare to Isabella. I never could, and I never would.

“I was just planning to drop off the gift and leave...”

“Drop off the gift and leave?” I sneered. “Do you really think you could have? That night, you left in the middle of the night and didn’t come back until the early hours. Did you think I wouldn’t notice? I woke up when you were on the phone!”

Alexander’s face turned pale.

The things he had worked so hard to hide, I had already known all along. I’d just been pretending not to notice.

It made sense. Vivienne had a light sleep, so it wasn’t that surprising.

I lowered my gaze. “Alexander, just admit it. You love Isabella Blackwood. No matter what promise Pop-Pop made, we can only get along in peace. You’ll never love me. We’re going to get divorced sooner or later.”

“No, you’re wrong!”

Alexander placed both hands on my shoulders. “If that were true, things would be so much easier. All we’d have to do is put on a show in front of Pop-Pop and Nana. But you can’t control a person’s heart. I thought I loved Isabella, too. But now, when I close my eyes, even in my dreams, all I think about is you.”

“Vivienne, I think I’ve really fallen for you.”

I froze, staring into Alexander’s eyes in disbelief.

He said... he had fallen for me?

How was that possible?

He looked back at me, earnest and sincere, as if he wasn’t lying.

Could it be true?

The man I had waited for all these years suddenly confessed to liking me.

Should I be happy?

No, I wasn’t happy at all.

All I felt inside was a cold, deep sadness.

In an instant, I came to my senses and smiled. “Stop joking, Alexander.”

How could he like me? All these years, I hadn’t even come close to warming his heart.

And now, with Isabella back in the picture, his true love had returned, yet he was telling me he liked me?

This was absurd.

“I’m not joking, Vivienne. You know I would never joke about something like this.”

After a long pause, I laughed again.

“What’s so funny?” he asked.

“I just think it’s laughable. If your ‘liking me’ means you’re still tangled up with me while maintaining ties with Isabella, then I’d rather not have it.”

“I’ve already told her. This will be the last birthday I spend with her.”

I stared at him, trying to read his expression, looking for any signs of dishonesty.

But to my disappointment, I couldn’t find a single crack. If he was acting, he was playing the role of a master.

I let out a cold laugh. “So you’re saying... we’re not getting divorced?”

Every year, September 20th would be their wedding anniversary, not Isabella’s birthday.

“Yes. We’re not getting divorced.”

I stood there, frozen, unsure how to react.

The thing I had hoped for so long was suddenly here.

Was I happy?

Of course, I should be. But it didn’t feel as exhilarating as I imagined.

It was hard to believe.

Lately, all I had dreamed of was divorcing Alexander. I had never dreamed of not getting divorced. And now, the thing I never even dared to dream about was happening in reality?

“Are you dumbfounded with happiness?” Alexander teased, seeing my stunned expression.

“No.” I denied it.

Alexander frowned and spoke softly. “Vivienne, Isabella’s illness is related to me. I promised her that if she stayed in the country, I would ensure her future was set. I couldn’t just cut ties with her completely, but I will reduce the number of times we meet. If nothing important comes up, I won’t see her. From now on, my heart will only be with you. Can you accept that?”

I stood in silence, not knowing what to say.

I had grown resentful of Alexander and no longer trusted him.

Seeing my silence, Alexander spoke, “I’ll never meet with Isabella alone again. If you’re okay with it, I’ll bring you along whenever I see her. If not, I’ll bring someone else, or you can choose someone to be my secretary and supervise me.”

“There’s no need to supervise you. Just answer me this—if Isabella calls again next time, saying she’s unwell or in trouble, what will you do?”

“I won’t go. If it becomes absolutely necessary, I’ll bring you with me.”

“I hope you keep your word,” I said softly.

I knew Isabella wouldn’t back down easily.

The real test would be how Alexander handled things when she came after him again.

As for me, I had no more expectations. I only wanted my grandfather’s final days to be peaceful and happy.

Alexander didn’t understand my thoughts. He believed I had forgiven him and let out a breath of relief. His eyes softened, and he pulled me into an embrace. “Vivienne, thank you.”

His hands rested on my waist, his chin gently against my temple, pressing me into his chest.

I remained silent, gently pushing on his shoulder.

Alexander noticed the unspoken resistance in my actions and loosened his hold. “Let’s go home.”

“Mm.” I nodded lightly.

Alexander made a call to the hotel manager, who quickly arranged for a car to take us back.

Before long, the car stopped in front of The Crescent Estates. Alexander and I got out and walked into the house side by side.

Our steps were in sync, but neither of us spoke.

Gabriella noticed we had returned together. Although we didn’t show any overt affection, the atmosphere between us felt different.

Had we made up?

But it didn’t seem like we were fully reconciled either...

“Sir, you’re back,” Gabriella said, eyeing both of us before glancing at Alexander. “Miss’s secretary came by earlier and dropped off a suitcase.”

I nodded. “Alright, I’ll go upstairs and unpack.”

I hurried upstairs, my footsteps quick and light.

Alexander hesitated for a moment before following me.

In the master bedroom, I had already opened the suitcase and was sorting through the clothes and personal items inside.

Alexander watched me, busy as a little whirlwind, then sat on the sofa and grabbed my wrist. “You can finish packing later.”

I didn’t sit down but kept organizing the suitcase, chatting briefly with Alexander about my work trip.

“Mm, just handle it however you see fit. What do you want for dinner tonight?”

I paused, raising my eyes to meet his. “You’re cooking?”

“Mm,” he said, meeting my gaze.

“Mm...” I thought for a moment before responding, “I want pasta.”

“Alright, anything else?”

“That’s fine for now.”

Alexander stood up and went downstairs.

The door to the master bedroom opened and closed as his footsteps left.

I sighed softly, watching the door close, then returned to packing.

At that moment, even if Alexander said he loved me, I couldn’t trust him the way I once did—wholeheartedly and completely.

Isabella’s presence in my heart felt like a ticking time bomb, ready to explode at any moment.

Once I finished packing, I took the dirty clothes downstairs.

As I reached the stairs, I saw Alexander in the living room on the phone. It didn’t sound like business.

I softened my steps and listened carefully.

“Take him to the hospital and come straight back,” I heard Alexander say. “Tell her this trick won’t work on me. It’s her body, and in the end, she’ll be the one to suffer.”

“Alright, that’s enough.”

Alexander hung up the phone.