Their eyes met.
“Why are you running from me again and again?” he asked hoarsely.
Mia took a step back, putting distance between them. Her voice came out cold, edged with restraint.
“I need you to stop appearing in front of me,” she said. “We’re divorced. Have you forgotten that?”
Her hands clenched at her sides as the words poured out.
“We separated. We decided to live our own lives. You are living yours. I am living mine. So why are you suddenly everywhere I go? Why aren’t you just… gone—like always?”
James’s expression hardened. His jaw clenched, teeth grinding.
“Is it because of that bastard husband of yours?” he snapped. “Is that why you’re avoiding me?”
Mia stepped forward sharply, anger flaring in her eyes.
“Watch your mouth,” she said. “He is my husband. You don’t get to talk about him like that.”
James stared at her, eyes dark and burning. “So itisbecause of him.”
Mia inhaled slowly, forcing herself to stay calm. “Yes. And also because this has nothing to do with you.”
Her voice steadied as she lifted her chin.
“I need you to stop dragging yourself back into my life.” Her gaze held his—unwavering. “I don’t want to be entangled with you anymore.”
She turned to leave.
Before she could take more than a step, James reached out and wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her back against him.
Mia stiffened instantly.
She struggled instantly, hands pushing at his arms, but instead of releasing her, he drew her closer.
His forehead dropped against her chest.
She froze.
A shudder ran through his body. Then another.
Warm wetness soaked through the fabric of her clothes as she realized that he was crying. His grip tightened as his shoulders shook violently, his breath breaking apart in rough, uneven pulls.
“Can you stop… behaving like this?” he asked hoarsely, but the words lacked the strength they once carried.
His grip tightened.
“Please,” he choked. “Don’t leave me.”
Chapter 18 That’s My Husband
Her body went rigid.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered, his voice muffled against her chest. “I’m sorry for everything. I know I ruined our marriage.” His fingers clenched into her clothes. “But don’t walk away again. I really can’t take it anymore.”
Her hands hovered helplessly in the air for a second, torn—then she pressed hard against his shoulders, trying to push him away.
“Let go,” she said, her voice shaking despite herself.
