Trapped with My Billionaire Ex-Husband
Chapter 108

BLAIRE

I gulped as my throat suddenly felt dry. My eyes landed on his lips as he waited for my answer. I want him, yes. But aren't we moving too fast? Although we already waited for a year to try to patch things up, I feel like we are still rushing things.

"I-I'm sorry," I said before pressing my palm against his chest.

"Oh, you don't have to apologize. It was my fault that I assume it was fine," he said as he quickly took a step back, putting distance between us.

I took a step back, putting some distance between us. "I know we said we'd try to patch things up," I began, choosing my words carefully, "but I don't think we're ready for this." Or at least me.

His forced smile barely hid his disappointment. "I completely understand, Blaire. You don't have to explain."

The guilt hit me hard, seeing the hurt in his eyes. It felt like I had led him on, only to pull away at the last moment.

An awkward silence engulfed us until his phone rang, breaking the tension. He pulled it from his pocket, glanced at the screen, and signaled that he needed to take the call.

I stood there, frozen and unsure of what to do. Should I leave now or wait for him to finish? My uncertainty grew until I heard the name he mentioned as he answered the phone. The name made my decision for me and I chose to stay and listen to their conversation. "Jackie, what's wrong?" he asked, answering the phone immediately. He stayed silent for a moment, his eyes never leaving mine. "Me?" he repeated, his gaze still locked on me as if he was weighing a decision. Please visit J o b nib.com and search the book title to read the entire book for free. "No, it's okay. I'm free. I'll just grab my keys. I'll be at your hotel in ten minutes," he said, ending the call.

Though I knew I had no right to feel jealous, I couldn't shake the emotion. It was already past midnight, yet he was willing to drive to her place just because she asked.

"There's some trouble with our proposal, and Jackie needs my help," he explained, his tone neutral.

I forced a smile, trying to hide my feelings. "You don't have to explain. It's your business. I have nothing to do with it," I replied, keeping my voice as steady.

"Yes, this is purely business," he added, almost as if trying to convince me.

I shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "If you say so."

He hesitated when he heard my answer, opening his mouth as if to say something but then deciding against it.

"I'll just go change and grab my keys," he said, excusing himself and heading back to the guest room he was occupying.

I could have gone back to my room and let him lock the door as he left, but I chose to stay and watch him go.

A few minutes later, he returned wearing a fresh set of clothes. I had no idea where he got them, but the thought of him changing into a new outfit before meeting Jackie didn't sit well with me.

He seemed surprised to see me still standing in the kitchen, watching him.

"You can lock the door after I leave. You don't have to wait up for me. I might not come home tonight," he said.

"Okay," I replied blandly. "I'll just tell Blaze that you're busy."

"You don't have to. I'll be back before he wakes up," he assured me.

I nodded in response.

"I'll see you later," he said before bidding goodbye and walking out the door.

A heavy lump formed in my throat as I watched him leave to see another woman. I wasn't sure if it was the trauma from my past, but I felt the same pain I had endured before. The feelings of abandonment and insecurity washed over me, making it hard to breathe. I stood there for a long moment, the silence of the house amplifying the loneliness I felt. The kitchen light cast long shadows, and I wrapped my arms around myself trying to find some comfort in the emptiness.

Finally, I forced myself to move. I locked the door behind him and walked slowly back to my room. The house felt colder, more unwelcoming as if his departure had drained the warmth from it.

As I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, I couldn't stop my mind from racing. Was there something more between him and Jackie? I know he already told me that he was just a business partner, but I can't help but feel jealous. Especially because of the timing. I rejected him, then he quickly run in the arms of another woman right after that.

Sleep was elusive, my thoughts were filled with anxiety and fear. I couldn't shake the feeling that I was losing him, he was slipping away.

I knew I had to trust him, but it was so hard. The shadows of my past loomed large, making it difficult to see clearly. All I could do was hope that this time would be different, that he would not do what he did before. And that the promises he made would hold true.

*

I woke up the next morning with a heavy feeling. I hadn't slept a wink last night. My mind had been too restless, thoughts of him and Jackie swirling in an endless loop. As soon as I noticed the time, I jumped out of bed in a panic.

"Fck!" I cursed loudly. It was already nine in the morning, and Blaze would be late for school if we didn't hurry. I quickly ran out of my room, ready to rush through the morning routine, but I was stopped in my tracks by the sound of rich laughter coming from the kitchen.

Confused, I made my way toward the kitchen, the sound of laughter growing louder. As I reached the doorway, I saw Blaze sitting at the table, giggling uncontrollably. He had a mouthful of cereal, and milk was threatening to spill from his mouth with each laugh. And there, standing by the counter, was him, still in his clothes from last night but with an apron tied around his waist, flipping pancakes with an exaggerated flourish.

"Morning, sleepyhead!" he greeted me with a wide smile, his eyes twinkling. "We thought we'd let you sleep in today."

I stood there, dumbfounded, taking in the scene. The kitchen was filled with the warm aroma of pancakes and freshly brewed coffee. Blaze's backpack was already packed and sitting by the door, and his lunchbox was neatly placed beside it. "H-How did you get in?" I stammered, still trying to process everything.

"I rang the bell, and Blaze answered the door," he answered.

Blaze looked up at me, his eyes sparkling with happiness. "Daddy made funny faces with the pancakes, Mom! Look!" He pointed to his plate, where a pancake decorated with chocolate chips and whipped cream smiled up at me.

"Thank you," I said softly, forcing a smile on my face, completely ignoring the heavy feeling I was carrying inside my chest because of what happened last night.

"You're welcome," he replied, placing a plate of pancakes in front of me. The warm, sweet aroma filled the kitchen, but it did little to stir my appetite. "Now, sit down and eat. Blaze is all set for school, and we've got some time before we need to leave." "No, thank you. I have no appetite," I declined, pushing the plate away gently.

He frowned, concern etched across his face. "Blaire, you need to eat something. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day."

"I said I'm not hungry," I insisted, slightly raising my voice.

He was obviously surprised by my reaction, and so was Blaze. The tension in the room became palpable, an uncomfortable silence settling over us.

"Is everything okay, Blaire?" he asked worriedly. He reached out to feel my forehead, probably to check if I was sick, but I quickly shoved his hand aside, moving my head away.

"I'm fine," I said irritably, my patience wearing thin. "Thank you for taking Blaze to school. Just lock the door when you leave. I'll be in my room, getting ready for work."

I turned away, avoiding his concerned gaze. I walked over to Blaze, who looked up at me with wide, confused eyes. I softened my expression and planted a gentle kiss on his head, hoping to reassure him. "Have a great day at school, sweetie," I whispered, trying to inject some warmth into my voice.

"Okay, Mom, Blaze replied hesitantly, sensing the tension but not understanding its source.

I could feel Sebastian's eyes following me as I moved away, his unspoken questions hanging in the air, but I chose to ignore him. The kitchen suddenly felt suffocating, and I needed space to clear my head.

As I walked down the hallway to my room, I could hear Blaze asking his father, "Dad, why is Mom upset?"

"It's okay, Blaze. Your mom's just having a rough morning. Let's get your things and head to school," Sebastian replied, his voice calm and steady despite the situation.

Once in my room, I closed the door behind me and leaned against it, taking a deep breath. The emotions swirling inside me were overwhelming-anger, guilt, confusion. I needed to compose myself before I could face the day. I knew I had to pull it together.