Ch. 161..170
After the Divorce: Crushed on My Lawyer Ex-wife Chapter 161
#161 “I don’t know about any collection.”
Sophia’s evening was filled with nervous anticipation as Sandro hadn’t returned her call. Pacing around the dining room, she considered her options to help Evelyn, her mind racing with worry.
As the night progressed, Sophia found it increasingly difficult to relax.
Nervously checking her phone every few minutes, she fervently hoped for a resolution.
By two in the morning, Sophia conceded that sleep wasn’t coming easily. Resigned, she decided that being well-rested and focused for the next day would be more beneficial in helping her friend.
Just as Sophia was settling into bed, strange noises disrupted the silence.
Her heart raced as she cautiously peered through the gap in her bedroom door, only to witness a group of men entering her apartment.
Suppressing panic, Sophia forced herself to breathe. A surge of fear compelled her to hide and call the police. Silently retrieving her phone from the nightstand, she stealthily moved towards the closet, hoping to remain undiscovered long enough to make the call.
As she reached for the wardrobe handle, the voice of one of the intruders cut through the tension.
“We know you’re here. We also know there are people you care about. Evelyn? Does this name ring a bell? Also Alexander? If you don’t want something to happen to them, come out and show yourself.”
Sophia’s blood ran cold. Realizing the imminent threat to her friend and boyfriend, she knew she had to act swiftly. Clenching her hands into fists, she made a bold decision and emerged from her hiding spot.
“You found me,” she said harshly. ” What do you want?”
The leader of the group, a stern-faced man with a tattooed neck, stepped forward. “Sophia, we know about your grandfather’s collection. You control it now, and we want to know where it’s hidden.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” snapped Sophia. “My grandfather was a farmer.”
“This number does not go through. We want to get to the collection.”
“I don’t know where it is.”
Sophia had only heard of this collection, a mysterious inheritance from her grandfather, but never thought it was of any significance. However, if these men needed it, it meant there was more to it so she must protect it.
“Let’s try with his house,” suggests the man. “Tell us the address.”
“He didn’t have a house,” Sophia lied. ” He only had this apartment, which he bequeathed to me.”
Sophia points to her apartment. She wouldn’t let them get to her grandfather’s house for anything in the world, but she has to figure out a way to save Evelyn and Alexander.
The men start searching her apartment, giving her time to think. They won’t find anything here, she thought.
They throw possessions and smash them, but it doesn’t bother Sophia. It’s important to her to keep whatever her grandpa has collected hidden.
“There’s nothing here,” their leader states, irritated. He glanced at Sophia, a sly grin on his face. “You’re not as cooperative as we’d like, but we’ll get what we need.”
Sophia, trying to stay composed, retorted, “If you harm my friends, you won’t get anything from me.”
“You’re coming with us. We can’t leave anything to chance,” the leader declared.
The leader gestured to his accomplices, and they forcefully dragged Sophia out of her apartment and into a waiting car parked discreetly nearby.
“We have ways to make you talk,” he declares.
The car sped through the city streets, Sophia feeling a mixture of fear and determination. She knew she had to protect her family’s secrets, but the safety of Evelyn and Alexander weighed heavily on her mind.
As they reached their destination, an isolated warehouse on the outskirts of town, Sophia’s thoughts raced. The leader of the group, still wearing a tattooed expression of authority, led her inside, flanked by his henchmen. The interior was dimly lit, filled with an eerie silence broken only by distant echoes.
They brought her to a small room. The leader gestured for her to sit in a solitary chair, a harsh spotlight illuminating the space. The atmosphere was tense, and Sophia’s mind raced to find a way out of this precarious situation.
“You can save yourself and your friends a lot of trouble if you cooperate,” the leader said, his tone a threatening whisper.
Sophia, her eyes locked on him, took a deep breath. “I’ve told you, I don’t know about any collection. My grandfather was just a farmer.”
The leader scoffed, “We’ve been in this business long enough to recognize when someone is hiding something. You control the collection now, and we won’t stop until we find it.”
Sophia needed a plan, a way to buy time and protect her family’s legacy. The leader signaled to his henchmen, and they advanced, a menacing presence in the dim room.
As the pressure mounted, Sophia knew she had to stay strong. She couldn’t let them see her vulnerability. But the weight of the situation bore down on her, and she couldn’t shake the fear for Evelyn and Alexander’s safety.
The leader leaned in, his face inches from hers. “We can do this the easy way or the hard way. You decide.”
In that tense moment, Sophia’s determination solidified. She may not fully understand her grandfather’s collection, but she was determined to keep it hidden and protect those she cared about. The dangerous game had just begun, and Sophia was prepared to play her cards carefully to outsmart the menacing force that now held her captive.
After the Divorce: Crushed on My Lawyer Ex-wife Chapter 162
#162 “God, No…”
Alexander had been seated at the airport, eagerly anticipating Sophia’s arrival. The prospect of a vacation away from the city had fueled his excitement, and he couldn’t wait to spend quality time with her.
They had agreed to meet at 10:00, but by 10:15, Sophia was nowhere in sight. Knowing Sophia’s preference to go through her office in the morning before heading out, Alexander patiently waited for her. He even took the initiative to grab coffee for both of them, hoping she’d arrive soon.
As minutes ticked away, Alexander found himself growing more anxious. The plane was theirs, and it wouldn’t take off until they boarded, but the absence of Sophia was starting to gnaw at him. He glanced at the gate, scanning for any sign of her.
Twenty more minutes passed, and the coffee intended for Sophia had long gone cold. Concerned, Alexander decided to give her a call. To his dismay, the phone rang only to be met with the disheartening message that Sophia’s phone was switched off.
Frowning, Alexander found it odd for Sophia to have a dead battery, especially when they had plans to meet. Another ten minutes passed without her appearance, intensifying his worry.
The fact that she hadn’t called him the night before, breaking their routine of exchanging good night wishes, added an extra layer of concern. Something didn’t feel right, and Alexander’s imagination started to run wild with possibilities.
With a knot in his stomach, Alexander considered the various scenarios that could explain Sophia’s absence-was she caught up in a work emergency, facing some personal issue, or worse?
His attempts to reach her continued to be met with the frustrating message that her phone was off.
Concerned, Alexander decided to call Evelyn, but her phone yielded the same result as Sophia’s – switched off. He decides not to waste any more time and calls Kyle. He had left him an emergency number and Alexander took advantage.
As the phone rang, each tone echoed with increasing anxiety for Alexander. He waited nervously, the soft hum of the airport around him a stark contrast to the turmoil within. Finally, Kyle’s voice broke through, tinged with a touch of amusement, “You need me already?”
Feeling apologetic, Alexander responded, “Sorry to bother you, but I think something is wrong.”
“What’s happening?” Kyle inquired, ready to address the unfolding situation.
“I tried calling Sophia, but her phone is off. It’s not like her, Kyle. We were supposed to go on a trip, and Sophia wouldn’t just vanish like this without letting me know,” Alexander explained.
“Did you have a fight with her?” Kyle asked, still amused by Alexander’s concern.
“No. I am telling you something is not right.”
Kyle paused, contemplating the implications of Alexander’s worry. After a moment, he said, “I was informed here that another gang kidnapped some lawyer…”
“God, no…” The exclamation carried Alexander’s visceral reaction to the possibility of Sophia being in trouble.
“Alexander, calm down. I’ll check, and if it’s her, I’ll take care of it.” Kyle’s reassurance aimed to calm the rising tension in Alexander’s voice.
“There is more, Kyle. I tried calling Evelyn, and her phone was off too.”
The revelation about Evelyn intensified the complexity of the situation.
Kyle instantly tensed at this information but forced himself to breathe deeply and stay calm. Kyle’s effort to remain composed hinted at the gravity of the unfolding events.
Kyle’s tone shifted. “I’ll look into it, Alexander. I have some connections that might help us figure out what’s going on. Stay where you are, and I’ll get back to you as soon as I have any information.”
As the call ended, Alexander couldn’t shake the worry gnawing at him. The anticipation of a vacation had turned into an unsettling mystery, leaving him restless at the airport. He anxiously waited for Kyle’s update, hoping for some clarity and assurance regarding the safety of Sophia and Evelyn.
Kyle paced across the room, his mind grappling with the urgency of the situation. He dialed the familiar number, his relative’s voice picking up on the other end, “What’s going on, Kyle?”
An edge of frustration crept into Kyle’s tone, “You tell me. I just got word that the Alberto’s gang kidnapped a lawyer. It’s by any chance Sophia Johnson?
“How do you know?”
“Why the hell is she involved?”
The relative, well-versed in navigating the intricacies of the underworld, responded, “I don’t know, Kyle. You know I don’t mess in other gangs’ business. Maybe she stumbled upon things she shouldn’t have.”
“Tell them to release her immediately, “Kyle commanded, his voice brooking no argument. “And tell me where they are keeping her. I’m on my way.”
Before hanging up, a note of hesitation lingered in the relative’s voice. ”
There’s another problem, Kyle. A woman’s been asking questions about you. We’ve got her, and soon we will interrogate her.”
Kyle’s brow furrowed in suspicion. ” Who is she?”
The relative’s answer hit him like a hammer blow. “Some woman named Evelyn Crimms.”
After the Divorce: Crushed on My Lawyer Ex-wife Chapter 163
#163 “This is My Woman.”
Kyle’s blood boiled, his jaw clenching with a lethal intensity.
“Some woman, huh?” Kyle growled through gritted teeth, his voice carrying the dangerous edge of a predator. “This is my woman,” he roared, a declaration laced with possessiveness that echoed through the air.
“Yours?”
“Yes, mine. If I find out that a hair has fallen from her head…” Kyle’s threat hung in the air, a warning to anyone who dared harm what belonged to him.
“Relax, she is fine. However, she will be interrogated soon, and as far as you know, they don’t carry phones. I will call to get her released, but I make no promises. And for Sophia, you have to deal with Alberto alone. I’ll call his people to let them know you’re coming.
“I’ll go to Evelyn first, and you contact Alberto. Tell him that if anything happens to Sophia by the time I get to him, we’ll have a problem.”
“I was texting him as we speak,” he replies. “He says he will refrain from violence but will not let Sophia go until you go in person.”
“Tell me where Evelyn’s address is and keep in touch with Alberto during this time. Keep me posted.”
“She’s at the old warehouse on 7th Street, but Kyle, you need to be cautious.”
A sinister grin played on Kyle’s lips as he absorbed the information. “Thanks for the heads up. You better make sure nothing happens to Sophia while I mess with my gang, or I’ll personally dismantle everything you’ve built.”
The relative, well aware of the consequences that could follow, assured, “I’ll take care of it, Kyle. Just get there fast.”
Kyle ended the call, a storm of determination in his eyes. He reached for his keys, ready to unleash the fury that only someone like him could muster.
His mind raced with thoughts of Evelyn, his woman, and no one dared threaten what belonged to Kyle without facing the consequences. The underworld was about to witness a storm, and Kyle was the tempest at its center.
Meanwhile, Alexander continued to pace at the airport, his worry escalating with each passing moment. The airport, once filled with the anticipation of a getaway, now felt like a cage of uncertainty. He couldn’t shake the feeling that the clock was ticking, and every passing second brought them closer to an unknown danger.
Alexander’s phone buzzed, jolting him out of his restless thoughts. Kyle’s voice echoed through the receiver, sharp and determined. “I’ve got some leads. Stay where you are. I’ll update you soon.”
Relief washed over Alexander as he hung up. At least they were making progress. But the ominous cloud of worry lingered, casting a shadow over the anticipated vacation that now seemed like a distant dream.
Back in the city, Kyle revved his engine, the roar of his powerful car a symphony of impending retribution. The warehouse on 7th Street awaited. Kyle’s expression was steely, his eyes reflecting a dangerous resolve.
Kyle’s car tore through the city streets. As he approached the old warehouse on 7th Street, shadows danced along the weathered bricks.
Parking his car with a screech, Kyle stepped out, his presence commanding the attention of anyone who dared linger in the vicinity. The entrance loomed ahead, a portal to the unknown where Evelyn was held captive. Kyle’s hand tightened around the grip of his concealed weapon as he approached, a storm brewing in his icy gaze.
The creaking door echoed through the desolate space as Kyle entered the dimly lit warehouse. The atmosphere was thick with the scent of dampness and foreboding, the silence disrupted only by the distant sounds of the city outside.
As he navigated through the labyrinth of crates and shadows, Kyle’s acute senses were on high alert. Every step carried the weight of a promise – a promise to protect what was his and unleash fury upon those who dared cross that line.
Suddenly, the sound of muffled voices reached Kyle’s ears. He followed the sound, his instincts guiding him to the heart of the warehouse. There, in a dimly lit corner, he saw Evelyn bound and guarded by the thugs.
Evelyn’s eyes widened with a mix of surprise and relief as she saw Kyle approaching. The room seemed to vibrate with an unspoken understanding that her protector had arrived.
Without uttering a word, Kyle moved with the grace of a predator. As he stepped into the dimly lit corner of the warehouse, the captors’ faces registered a mix of recognition and fear. Their confidence wavered as they came face to face with the notorious figure they had unwittingly crossed.
“Mr. Vitali, we didn’t know she was yours. We apologize,” stammered one of the captors, his voice laced with trepidation.
Kyle’s icy gaze bore into them, his expression unforgiving. “You should’ve thought twice before crossing paths with her. From now on, you do nothing without my knowledge. Understood?”
The captors nodded frantically, their apology coupled with an unspoken understanding of the grave mistake they had made.
Kyle wasted no time. He approached Evelyn, who looked at him with astonishment. Gently, he untied her restraints, his movements deliberate yet filled with a quiet intensity. Without a word, he pulled her to her feet and led her out of the corner.
As they made their way through the warehouse, Kyle maintained an air of authority. The captors parted like the Red Sea, unwilling to incur further wrath from the formidable man in their midst.
Outside, Kyle guided Evelyn to his car. He opened the door for her, and as she stepped inside, a sense of safety enveloped her.
Kyle slid into the driver’s seat, his movements swift and purposeful. As they left the scene behind, Kyle’s focus remained unwavering, his mind already racing towards the next mission – saving Sophia.
Evelyn, her emotions still in turmoil, couldn’t hold back her questions any longer. “Who were those people, Kyle? What’s happening?”
“Now is not the time for questions, Evelyn. Sophia is in danger, and that’s all you need to know for now. I’ll explain everything once we get her to safety,” Kyle replied, his eyes fixed on the road ahead.
Evelyn’s shock deepened upon learning that Sophia, too, was in peril. They drove in tense silence, the city passing by in a blur.
After the Divorce: Crushed on My Lawyer Ex-wife Chapter 164
#164 “Stay Out of My Way, or You’ll Regret It.”
Kyle pulled out his phone and swiftly dialed his relative’s number.
“Tell me you arranged the meeting with Alberto?” he demanded, his voice edged with urgency.
“Everything is ready, I’ll send you the address. Shall I call for backup?” came the prompt response from his relative.
“No, I’ll take care of him myself,” Kyle replied firmly, a steely determination evident in his tone as he ended the call.
With a sense of resolve, Kyle pocketed his phone and refocused on the task at hand. He knew that confronting Alberto would require all of his cunning and strength, but he was prepared to face the challenge head-on to ensure the safety of those he cared about.
Kyle’s grip tightened on the steering wheel as he navigated through the city streets towards the meeting point with Alberto. Every turn brought him closer to the confrontation he had been anticipating, the tension in the air palpable.
Beside him, Evelyn sat in silence, her eyes darting between Kyle and the passing scenery. The events of the past hours had left her reeling, her mind racing with questions and uncertainties. Yet, she trusted Kyle implicitly, knowing that he was her best chance of escaping the danger that loomed over them.
As they neared the address provided by Kyle’s relative, the atmosphere in the car grew heavier. The weight of the impending encounter with Alberto hung over them like a dark cloud, casting a shadow of apprehension over their journey.
Kyle’s jaw clenched with determination as he parked the car outside the designated location. He glanced at Evelyn, his gaze unwavering yet filled with a silent reassurance.
“Stay close to me, and don’t do anything reckless,” he instructed, his voice firm but tinged with an underlying concern for her safety.
With a shared nod of understanding, Kyle and Evelyn exited the car and approached the entrance to the building where Alberto awaited them.
As Kyle and Evelyn entered the building, the tension crackled in the air like electricity. The sound of their footsteps echoed off the walls.
With a calculated glance, Kyle spotted Alberto and his men lurking in the shadows, their predatory gazes locking onto their targets. The air thickened with hostility as the two groups faced off, each silently daring the other to make the first move.
“Kyle,” Alberto greeted with a smirk, his voice dripping with malice. “I wasn’t expecting a visit from you today. What brings you here?”
Kyle’s response was a silent glare, his muscles tensing in anticipation of the coming confrontation. He knew there would be no peaceful resolution to this encounter, not with the stakes so high and the animosity between them so palpable.
“I believe you have someone close to me,” Kyle growled, his voice laced with menace.
Alberto’s smirk widened into a cruel grin as he signaled to his men, unleashing a torrent of aggression as they lunged forward to attack. The room erupted into chaos as fists flew and bodies collided, the sounds of grunts and shouts filling the air.
Reacting swiftly, Kyle pulled Evelyn behind him, shielding her from the onslaught of violence. With a quick and precise motion, he drew his gun as he took aim at Alberto’s advancing men. Shots rang out, echoing through the chaos as several of Alberto’s men fell to the ground, incapacitated by Kyle’s precise marksmanship.
“That’s not what I came for,” he growled, his voice cutting through the cacophony of battle. “I advise you to back down, otherwise our contractual relationship ends.”
Alberto’s face contorted with rage as he raised his hand, a silent command for his men to cease their attack. The room fell into an uneasy stillness as the combatants paused, their eyes locked in a tense standoff.
“You’re going to start a gang war because of this lawyer?” Alberto fumed, his voice dripping with contempt.
Kyle’s gaze hardened, his resolve unyielding in the face of Alberto’s defiance.
“This isn’t about the lawyer,” Kyle retorted, his voice cold and unwavering. “This is about respect, Alberto. You crossed a line when you targeted someone under my protection.
Alberto scoffed, his demeanor shifting from fury to arrogance. “Your protection means nothing here, Kyle. You’re just a puppet in this city, and I pull the strings.”
A flicker of fury flashed in Kyle’s eyes at Alberto’s taunt, but he maintained his composure, his grip tightening around his weapon.
“I’m done being your puppet,” Kyle declared, his tone cutting like a knife through the tension-filled air. “From now on, you stay out of my way, or you’ll regret it.”
“And what will you do?”
Kyle’s voice was like ice, his words dripping with a chilling determination. “I’ll sever your ties to the Colombian border. Without your drug imports, your empire crumbles.”
Alberto’s facade faltered for a moment, a flicker of uncertainty betraying his usual bravado. But he quickly regained his composure, his smirk returning with renewed arrogance.
“You think you can take me down that easily, Kyle?” Alberto sneered, his tone dripping with disdain. “You’re just a pawn in this game, and I hold all the cards.”
Kyle’s jaw clenched, his resolve unshaken by Alberto’s taunts. With a steely gaze, he leveled his gun at Alberto, the threat of violence hanging thick in the air.
“Try me,” Kyle growled, his voice low and dangerous. “I’ve faced worse than you, and I’ve always come out on top.”
The tension in the room reached a boiling point as Kyle and Alberto locked eyes, each refusing to back down. But in that moment, it was clear that Kyle’s days as Alberto’s puppet were over. He was ready to take control of his own destiny, no matter the cost.
After the Divorce: Crushed on My Lawyer Ex-wife Chapter 165
#165 “Didn’t He Tell You Something?”
As Kyle’s unwavering gaze bore into Alberto, the room fell into a tense silence, broken only by the faint sounds of heavy. Alberto’s confidence crumbled under the weight of Kyle’s resolve.
“Enough,” Alberto spat, his voice strained with frustration as he raised his hands in a gesture of surrender. ” Fine, you win.”
Kyle’s expression remained stoic as he lowered his weapon, a silent acknowledgment of his victory as he stepped forward to confront Alberto.
“Bring me Sophia,” Kyle ordered, his voice carrying the weight of authority.
Alberto nodded curtly, motioning for one of his men to carry out the order. With a sense of urgency, the man disappeared into the shadows, leaving Kyle and Alberto alone in the dimly lit warehouse, their silent standoff a testament to the power dynamics at play.
As they waited in the tense silence, the distant echoes of their earlier confrontation still hung in the air, a reminder of the volatile nature of their underworld dealings. Kyle’s gaze remained fixed on Alberto, his steely resolve unwavering as he anticipated Sophia’s arrival.
Moments later, the sound of hurried footsteps approached, heralding the return of Alberto’s man, who now led Sophia into the room. She appeared disheveled but composed, her expression stoic as she took in the scene before her.
“Kyle…” Sophia’s voice remained steady, her tone betraying none of the turmoil brewing beneath the surface as she glanced between him and Alberto.
Kyle’s expression softened imperceptibly at the sight of Sophia, his concern for her well-being evident in the depths of his eyes. Stepping forward, he extended a reassuring hand towards her.
“It’s alright, Sophia,” Kyle said, his voice calm yet authoritative. “You’re safe now.”
Sophia nodded curtly, her trust in Kyle unwavering as she moved to stand by his side.
Alberto watched the exchange with a mixture of resignation and resentment, knowing that his power over Sophia had come to an abrupt end in the face of Kyle’s unwavering determination. Reluctantly, he conceded defeat, acknowledging Kyle’s authority with a begrudging nod.
With Sophia now under Kyle’s protection, the balance of power had shifted, leaving Alberto to ponder his next move in the face of this unexpected turn of events. But for now, the immediate threat had been neutralized, and Sophia remained resolute in her stoic demeanor, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
The night air was cool as Kyle, Evelyn, and Sophia stepped out of the warehouse. Kyle’s mind was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions as he led them towards his car.
As they reached the car, Kyle’s resolve wavered, his restraint crumbling in the face of Evelyn’s presence. Unable to resist any longer, he pulled her close, his lips crashing against hers in a desperate, passionate kiss. For a fleeting moment, the world seemed to fade away as they lost themselves in each other, the intensity of their connection electrifying the air around them.
Meanwhile, Sophia watched from the sidelines, a knowing smile playing at the corners of her lips. She couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction at witnessing their love for each other.
As they broke apart, Kyle’s gaze met Evelyn’s, his eyes filled with a mixture of longing and regret. He knew he owed her an explanation, a truth he had kept hidden for far too long.
Taking a deep breath, Kyle finally revealed the truth about his identity, his words tumbling out in a rush as he laid bare the secrets of his past. He explained how he was the youngest son of a Mafia family, sent to the United States by his relatives in a bid to distance him from the criminal underworld they inhabited.
Kyle confessed that he had chosen to keep his true identity hidden, fearing the repercussions it would bring to those he cared about. He had avoided contact with his family, unwilling to drag Evelyn into the dangerous web of Mafia affairs that surrounded him.
But now, with his family in need of his help to take over the business and the weight of his responsibilities bearing down on him, Kyle knew he had no choice but to confront his past. It was a decision that tore at his heart, knowing he would have to leave Evelyn behind without so much as a goodbye.
Evelyn listened in stunned silence as Kyle’s revelations washed over her, her mind reeling with the enormity of what he had just disclosed. She felt a tumult of emotions surging within her anger, hurt, but above all, a deep sense of betrayal.
“Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” she whispered, her voice barely above a whisper, her eyes betraying the pain she felt.
Kyle’s expression softened, his gaze filled with remorse as he reached out to gently cup Evelyn’s face in his hands. ” I’m sorry,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. “I wanted to protect you, to shield you from the dangers of my world. But I realize now that I should have trusted you enough to tell you the truth.”
Evelyn’s heart ached at the sincerity in Kyle’s words, her anger melting away as she saw the pain in his eyes. Despite the hurt she felt, she couldn’t deny the depth of Kyle’s feelings for her, and she knew she couldn’t turn her back on him now.
“I understand,” she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. “But it still hurts that you kept this from me for so long.”
Kyle’s grip tightened around Evelyn’s hand, his eyes filled with regret as he met her gaze. “I know,” he said softly. ” And I promise to make it up to you, to be honest with you from now on.”
“I hope so,” Evelyn said, smiling.
“I told Alexander to give you my farewell,” Kyle admitted, his voice tinged with regret. “But now I understand that I should have explained everything to you myself.”
“What did you say to Alexander?” Sophia interjected, her voice laced with a hint of frustration.
Kyle’s expression darkened as he turned to face Sophia, a flicker of concern crossing his features. “Didn’t he tell you something?” he asked, his confusion evident.
“Not to me,” Evelyn replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
“And he definitely didn’t say anything to me,” Sophia added, her tone sharp with anger.
After the Divorce: Crushed on My Lawyer Ex-wife Chapter 166
#166 “I’ll Try not to Kill Him.”
Kyle had contacted Alexander to inform him that Sophia was out of danger. He also decided to send him a message, warning Alexander that Sophia was furious and advising him to be prepared when he met her.
Alexander suggested taking Sophia to her apartment.
The atmosphere in the car had grown increasingly tense, weighed down by the palpable anger radiating from Sophia in the back seat. As soon as they arrived at her apartment, Sophia stormed out of the car in a fit of rage.
“Sophia,” Evelyn called after her.
“Yes?” Sophia’s response was sharp, her frustration evident in her tone.
“I know we just went through something terrible, but try not to be too harsh on him. I’m sure he had his reasons for not telling us,” Evelyn pleaded, her voice laced with concern.
“I’ll try not to kill him,” Sophia quipped bitterly, a hint of humor barely masking her simmering anger.
She pulled Evelyn into a tight hug before they parted ways.
“I’m so relieved you’re okay,” Sophia said gently, her tone softening as she embraced her friend.
“Me too,” Evelyn replied with a smile, grateful for Sophia’s unwavering support.
Sophia ascended the stairs to her apartment, her mind still reeling from the events of the day. As she pushed open the door, she was met with the unexpected sight of Alexander waiting inside.
“Will men ever stop showing up to my apartment uninvited?” she grumbled, her irritation clear as she crossed the threshold.
Alexander accustomed to Sophia’s fiery temperament, remained unfazed by her terrible mood and disregarded her sharp tone. He closed the distance between them and gently began to assess her well-being, his concern evident in his eyes as he carefully looked her over. His primary focus was ensuring that she was physically unharmed.
Sophia’s mind raced with a torrent of emotions as she sat in her apartment, her anger simmering beneath the surface like a volcano ready to erupt. She couldn’t shake the feeling of betrayal that gnawed at her, fueled by the belief that Alexander was complicit in Kyle’s deception, leading Evelyn into harm’s way.
“Tell me the truth, Alex,” Sophia demanded, her voice dripping with accusation as she confronted Alexander, her eyes burning with fury.” You knew about Kyle’s plans all along, didn’t you?”
Alexander met Sophia’s gaze with a mix of frustration and guilt. “Sophia, I did know,” he confessed, his tone tinged with regret. “But I was trying to protect you. I didn’t want you to get involved in something dangerous.’
“And look what happened? If he had told us now, Evelyn wouldn’t have been kidnapped, I wouldn’t have…” Sophia’s voice trembled with rage, her fists clenching at her sides.
“Sophia, I did it because I was afraid for you,” Alexander explained, his own anger simmering beneath the surface.
“We are a couple, we have to discuss everything together. I don’t need you to protect me, Alexander, or hide information from me,” Sophia spat, her words laced with bitterness.
“Sophia, after what happened in Vegas, I was afraid. I didn’t want you to end up alone again and…” Alexander’s voice trailed off, his frustration evident in his tone.
“But that’s exactly what happened, Alexander. It’s just like in Vegas,” Sophia snapped, her patience wearing thin.
“If you’re going to blame me for this, well then, why didn’t you tell me that Evelyn was missing? Why did you set out to investigate on your own?”
Alexander retorted, his voice matching Sophia’s intensity.
“That’s exactly what I’m trying to tell you. Leave me alone to deal with my problems. And if you had told me now, Evelyn wouldn’t have gone through this,” Sophia’s voice rose with each word, her anger reaching a boiling point.
“And I’m trying to tell you that you’re not alone anymore, Sophia,” Alexander shot back.
“You blame me for not telling you, but I also kept quiet. You say we should share, but you do the exact opposite,” Alexander retorted.
“Don’t you dare blame it on me! Evelyn was looking for Kyle, and that’s why she came across this gang, and I called Sandro…” Sophia’s voice rose with frustration.
“You called Sandro but not me?” Alexander shouted, his anger boiling over.
“He is his relative, Alexander. How do I know you and Kyle are so close? When I told you that Evelyn was heartbroken, you remained silent,” Sophia countered, her voice sharp.
“How many times do I have to tell you that I did it because I didn’t want you to get involved with the mafia, Sophia?” Alexander’s tone was pleading, but Sophia was already too furious to listen.
“I need air,” Sophia said after a moment, her struggle evident in her voice. “I’d rather be alone.”
“You want me to leave?” Alexander asked, his heart sinking.
“Yes,” Sophia replied coldly, her anger unyielding.
After the Divorce: Crushed on My Lawyer Ex-wife Chapter 167
#167 “And You’re Still A Thorn in My Ass.”
Alexander took a few steps towards Sophia and shook his head in denial.
“I’m not leaving until we get this straight,” he stated. “I love you, Sophia, and I do not budge at the first difficulty.”
Sophia’s jaw tightened as she met his gaze, her resolve unyielding. “You may not leave, but I refused to talk to you. I needed peace right then,” she declared, her voice laced with frustration.
With a heavy sigh, Sophia headed for the kitchen, putting some distance between them. She could feel Alexander’s eyes on her, but she refused to look back. Pouring herself a glass of wine, she tried to calm her nerves, the bitterness of the situation lingering in the air.
Sophia looked over her shoulder and was glad Alexander wasn’t following her. He was sitting on her couch, angrily digging through his phone. Sophia retreated to her office, the familiar surroundings offering a temporary refuge from the turmoil of her emotions.
As she delved into her work, hours passed by unnoticed, the only indication of time’s passage being the soft glow of her laptop screen.
Eventually, exhaustion caught up to her, and Sophia realized it was already three in the morning. With a weary sigh, she decided to call it a night, but as she made her way to the bedroom, she noticed Alexander still asleep on the couch.
Despite her anger, Sophia couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt seeing him there. She grabbed a blanket and pillow, gently covering him before retreating to her bedroom. Before she could fully shut the door, she heard Alexander’s sleepy voice.
“No matter how much you say otherwise, you care about me, Sophia,” he murmured.
“I didn’t say that I didn’t care, but that I was terribly angry with you,” she replied softly. “Sleep, Alex.”
In the quiet of her room, Sophia tossed and turned, the events of the day weighing heavily on her mind. She contemplated inviting Alexander to join her, to seek comfort in his arms, but her pride kept her rooted in place.
The next morning, Sophia awakened to find Alexander in the kitchen, preparing breakfast for them both. The tension from the previous day lingered in the air, the unresolved conflict simmering beneath the surface.
“You’re still here,” Sophia remarked, her tone guarded.
“And you’re still a thorn in my ass. Now eat, love,” Alexander retorted, his voice laced with frustration as he took a seat at the table.
Sophia managed a small chuckle at his reply, a flicker of amusement breaking through the tension. “Should I be worried that you’ve poisoned my food? ” she joked, attempting to lighten the mood.
Alexander’s response was a mischievous grin, the hint of a playful spark in his eyes.
Their breakfast proceeded in silence, each bite punctuated by the weight of unresolved tension hanging in the air. Despite their attempts at levity, the underlying issues between them remained unaddressed, casting a shadow over their morning meal.
As Sophia sipped her coffee, she stole glances at Alexander, observing the way his brow furrowed with concentration as he ate. Despite her anger, she couldn’t deny the familiar warmth that his presence brought, a reminder of the bond they shared.
“Are you planning on staring at me all day, or are you going to eat?” Alexander’s voice cut through the silence, breaking Sophia out of her reverie.
Sophia offered him a wry smile, a mixture of irritation and amusement dancing in her eyes. “Sorry, didn’t mean to ruin your appetite,” she quipped, though the tension in her voice was palpable.
Alexander’s response was a soft chuckle. “Trust me, you couldn’t ruin my appetite if you tried,” he retorted, his tone teasing.
Despite the lingering unease between them, Sophia found herself relaxing slightly in Alexander’s presence. There was a comfort in their familiarity, a sense of belonging that transcended their current conflict.
After breakfast, Sophia and Alexander retreated to the living room, the weight of their conversation hanging heavily in the air. They both knew that they needed to address the issues between them, but neither was quite ready to broach the subject.
As they settled into the couch, Sophia could feel Alexander’s gaze on her, a silent question lingering between them. She met his eyes, her expression softening with unspoken understanding. For all their disagreements, there was a bond between them that couldn’t be easily broken.
“Look, Sophia, I know things got heated yesterday,” Alexander began, his voice tentative. “But I want you to know that I was here for you, no matter what.”
Sophia’s heart softened at his words, a wave of emotion washing over her. Despite their differences, she knew that Alexander meant well and that his intentions were rooted in love and concern.
“I know, Alex,” Sophia replied.” However, I was still angry.”
“Me too, I guess,” Alexander replied with a sigh. “I had to go to work, but we had to talk it out that night.”
“Okay,” Sophia agreed.
After the Divorce: Crushed on My Lawyer Ex-wife Chapter 168
#168 “You’re Pushing Me Away.”
Sophia’s nerves were frayed all day, her mind consumed by thoughts of her tumultuous relationship with Alexander. Despite her desire to remain angry with him, she couldn’t shake the understanding of why he had acted as he did. However, she knew deep down that their relationship couldn’t thrive on unspoken truths, no matter how well -intentioned they may be.
Throughout the day, Sophia and Alexander exchanged biting messages, each word laden with the weight of their unresolved conflict. As the evening approached, Sophia made her way to Alexander’s apartment as they had agreed upon.
She knocked on the door, and Alexander opened it, inviting her inside with a weary expression. Without hesitation, Sophia launched into the conversation.
“Alexander, we can’t go on like this,” she stated firmly.
“I agree,” he replied, gesturing for her to take a seat at the table.
“I want to be able to trust you,” Sophia continued, her voice tinged with frustration.
“Don’t you believe me?” Alexander questioned, his tone defensive.
“Not when you hide the truth from me, “she shot back.
“I think you did the same, Sophia,” he countered.
“It’s not the same at all. I was acting to save my best friend, and I didn’t have time to think about whether or not to call you. Because that wasn’t important right now.”
“And you think that justifies it?” Alexander challenged.
“I think if your friend was in trouble, you would go and help him without even thinking to call me,” she asserted. “But the important thing is that you knew about Kyle for a week or so and you didn’t say anything.”
“You know why I kept quiet, Sophia,” Alexander replied.
“And you don’t even think you were wrong to do it? Because once you didn’t apologize.”
“I don’t think I should apologize for wanting to protect you.”
“You’re playing the hero again, Alexander,” Sophia scoffed. “If you want to be with me, you should know that I’m not a woman who needs saving. I am a woman who can work in a team if something goes wrong. And that you don’t trust me…”
“I didn’t say I didn’t trust you, Sophia, “Alexander protested.
“You didn’t say it, but you show it,” she declared.
“And what have I shown it with?”
“By hiding things from me. You’re so afraid of losing me that you don’t realize that with your excessive protection, you’re pushing me away.”
“And how can I not be afraid, Sophia,” Alexander shouted, his voice breaking with emotion.
Sophia was startled by his outburst, her anger momentarily overshadowed by his raw vulnerability.
“I lost you when we were married because I was too stupid to realize that everything I wanted was right in front of me. Then a thousand more times I almost lost you because you despised me. You’ve been kidnapped a few times, you’ve been involved in a murder scandal, and I know you can handle it, but I’m afraid the world is too cruel and they could hurt you. You still don’t tell me you love me, and I’m starting to believe it’s true. And no matter how confident I am, I die every time I don’t know if you’ll be okay with me today. And because I know you can handle yourself, I don’t know if you’ll ever need me and just walk away.”
Sophia’s heart ached as she absorbed his words, realizing the depth of his fear and insecurity. Her anger dissolved, replaced by a profound sense of compassion for the man before her.
“I’m sorry, Alexander,” she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. “I didn’t realize…”
“It’s okay, Sophia,” Alexander interrupted gently, his tone softening.” I didn’t mean to explode like that.”
“Alexander, let me tell you that a relationship should not be built out of need. Because I may not need you, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to be with you. Because when it’s needed, it’s control, and I don’t want you to control me, and I don’t want me to control you. I want to be together because we chose each other. And I won’t stop choosing you, not because I need you, but because I love you.”
As Sophia spoke, she felt a weight lifting from her shoulders, a sense of clarity washing over her. She knew she loved him, but for the first time she allowed herself to say it out loud and it felt right.
As Sophia finished speaking, Alexander’s heart swelled with admiration for her strength and honesty. Without hesitation, he leaned in and gently pressed his lips to hers, his kiss a tender expression of his love and devotion.
Sophia’s breath caught in her throat as she melted into his embrace, the warmth of his lips igniting a spark of passion within her. In that moment, all their doubts and fears melted away, replaced by a deep and abiding connection that bound them together.
Their kiss lingered, a silent promise of the love and understanding that they shared. And as they pulled away, their eyes met, filled with a newfound sense of trust and unity.
“I love you, Sophia,” Alexander whispered, his voice soft but unwavering.
“I love you too, Alexander,” Sophia replied, her voice filled with warmth and affection.
After the Divorce: Crushed on My Lawyer Ex-wife Chapter 169
#169 “Jealous, Mr. Stone?”
In the morning, Sophia felt a strong reluctance to leave the comfort of their bed. She was nestled against Alexander, finding solace in his embrace, unwilling to part from him.
As her phone emitted a new message notification, Sophia reached for it with a begrudging scowl, not wanting to disturb their moment of intimacy.
“Stay here,” Alexander murmured, pulling her back into his arms. ” Whatever it is can wait.”
“What if they’ve kidnapped someone again?” Sophia joked, a playful smirk gracing her lips.
ga “I don’t like how this is becoming a routine for us,” Alexander grumbled sleepily.
Sophia chuckled as she extricated herself from his embrace and glanced at her phone. Benjamin’s message flashed on the screen.
“I’m thinking of visiting our childhood homes. Do you want to come with me?” the message read.
Sophia read it aloud, noting Alexander’s furrowed brow.
“No,” he responded curtly.
“Why not?” Sophia countered, turning to face him.
“I’m not letting you go. We’re spending the rest of our lives in this bed.”
Sophia laughed and shook her head.
“Alex, I want to uncover the secrets my grandfather has been hiding. I haven’t pieced the puzzle together yet.”
“Alright, then I’ll come with you.”
“Don’t you have work?” Sophia asked. ” Plus, Benjamin and I haven’t seen each other in ages, and you two don’t exactly get along.”
Alexander pondered for a moment. He hadn’t been entirely focused on his duties lately, and Sophia was right about him needing to be present at the office. However, the thought of her traveling with Benjamin made him uneasy.
“Should you really be going with him?”
“Jealous, Mr. Stone?” Sophia teased, a playful glint in her eyes.
“I don’t like the idea of you being away from me with another man. Call it jealousy if you must.”
“He’s my childhood friend,” Sophia protested. “He would never…”
“What, Sophia?” Alexander raised an eyebrow. “Because I know what I would do with you when it’s just the two of us.
“And what’s that?” Sophia countered, teasingly.
Alexander’s gaze darkened with desire at the challenge. He pulled her back into bed, looming over her as he pinned her arms above her head.
“Let me show you exactly what I mean.
And without further ado, Alexander silenced her with a passionate kiss, igniting a fire between them that consumed all other thoughts and worries.
*
The next day, Sophia found herself at the airport with Benjamin. While Alexander wasn’t exactly thrilled about her traveling with him yet, he had stopped protesting. Deep down, he understood the importance of Sophia uncovering her grandfather’s secrets.
“Are you excited, Sophia?” Benjamin asked as they made their way through the terminal. “It’s been ages since I’ve been home.”
“Me too,” Sophia admitted. “I feel like there’s so much to explore in that house, I don’t even know where to start.
“And we definitely need to grab some of those ice creams we used to devour from the neighborhood store.”
“Do you think it’s still open?” Sophia chuckled.
“It better be, or I’ll be devastated,” Benjamin replied with a grin.
Sophia nodded in agreement as they approached their gate. Before boarding the plane, Benjamin suggested they take a picture to commemorate the journey.
“Sure,” Sophia agreed with a smile.
Pulling out his phone, Benjamin quickly pulled Sophia close for a selfie. Sophia was taken aback by how tightly he held her, but she brushed it off as his excitement.
After snapping the picture, Benjamin released her and Sophia boarded the plane. As she settled into her seat, Benjamin lingered behind.
It was no coincidence that he had invited Sophia on this trip. The rumors about Alexander and Sophia’s relationship still bothered him, and he had decided to take matters into his own hands.
Sending the photo to Alexander with a text, Benjamin wrote:
“Don’t we make a cute pair?”
Once he caught up with Sophia at the gate, Benjamin suggested, “It wouldn’t hurt to switch off our phones.”
“I’ll just put it on airplane mode,” Sophia suggested.
“It’s safer to have it completely off. Plus, I want to have some uninterrupted conversation with you. It’s been too long since we caught up,” Benjamin insisted.
Sophia agreed, and they powered down their phones before settling into their seats for the flight.
As the plane took off, Sophia couldn’t shake off a sense of unease. Benjamin seemed unusually eager about this trip, and his behavior, particularly his insistence on turning off their phones, left her feeling slightly wary. However, she pushed aside her concerns, attributing them to pre-flight jitters.
During the flight, Benjamin engaged Sophia in animated conversation, reminiscing about their childhood memories and discussing their plans for exploring Sophia’s ancestral home. Despite her initial reservations, Sophia found herself gradually relaxing in Benjamin’s company, enjoying the nostalgia of their shared past.
On the other side, Alexander was looking at the picture Benjamin had sent him. He was clutching the phone until his knuckles turned white. He tries to call Sophia only to find that her phone is switched off.
After the Divorce: Crushed on My Lawyer Ex-wife Chapter 170
#170 “Why won’t You Answer?”
As soon as their plane landed, Sophia was eager to return to her grandfather’s house. She and Benjamin hailed a taxi, the anticipation of revisiting her childhood home palpable in the air. Upon arriving in front of the house, Sophia reached for her phone to inform Alexander of their safe arrival.
“I’ll just write to Alexander that everything is fine and we’ve arrived,” she announced, her fingers hovering over the screen.
But before she could proceed, Benjamin swiftly snatched the phone from her hand, eliciting a frown from Sophia.
“You can write to him as soon as we enter. Come on, Sophia, you haven’t been here for years, let’s get settled in first,” Benjamin suggested, his tone persuasive.
Sophia chuckled at Benjamin’s eagerness. “God, Benjamin, you’ve really missed this place,” she remarked, a fond smile playing on her lips.
“Of course, my best years were here,” he replied nostalgically, his arm draped casually around her shoulders as they approached the entrance.
As Benjamin led Sophia into the house, Sophia remained unaware that he had discreetly stowed away her phone in his own pocket, a subtle act that did not escape his calculated intentions.
Once inside the familiar surroundings of her grandfather’s house, Sophia couldn’t help but feel a rush of nostalgia. Memories flooded back to her, evoking a sense of warmth and comfort that she hadn’t felt in years. Benjamin watched her with a knowing smile, his own fondness for the place evident in his demeanor.
“It’s just as I remember it,” Sophia remarked, her eyes scanning the familiar surroundings with a mix of nostalgia and curiosity.
Benjamin nodded in agreement, his gaze lingering on Sophia as if trying to capture the moment. “Some things never change,” he mused, his tone wistful.
Sophia couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something more to Benjamin’s demeanor, a subtle undercurrent beneath his seemingly innocent demeanor. But she pushed aside her suspicions, choosing instead to focus on the present moment.
As they settled into the house, Sophia’s curiosity grew, her eagerness to uncover her grandfather’s secrets intensifying with each passing moment.
As the day wore on, Alexander found himself unable to shake the restless agitation that gripped him like a vice. Despite his best efforts to focus on his work, his mind kept drifting back to the image Benjamin had sent him, tormenting him with visions of Sophia and Benjamin together, their smiles mocking him from the screen of his phone.
Pacing his office with an air of nervous energy, Alexander’s thoughts churned with jealousy and insecurity. He couldn’t understand how Sophia could be so carefree in Benjamin’s company.
Hours passed like an eternity, each minute dragging by with agonizing slowness as Alexander waited for a sign from Sophia. But as the afternoon wore on and his calls went unanswered, his frustration boiled over into a seething cauldron of anger and doubt.
With a trembling hand, Alexander dialed Sophia’s number once again, his heart pounding in his chest as he waited for her to pick up. But to his dismay, the call went straight to voicemail, leaving him with a sinking feeling of despair.
“Where are you, Sophia?” he muttered to himself, his voice thick with emotion. “Why won’t you answer?”
As the minutes stretched into hours, Alexander’s anxiety reached a fever pitch, his mind racing with a thousand worst-case scenarios. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong, and the thought of Sophia in Benjamin’s company filled him with a sickening sense of dread.
Just as Alexander was about to give up hope of reaching her, his phone buzzed with a new notification. With trembling hands, he unlocked the screen to see yet another message from Benjamin, accompanied by a photo that sent a fresh wave of anger coursing through his veins.
In the image, Sophia and Benjamin were seated at a quaint little café, their faces illuminated by the soft glow of the setting sun. Sophia’s smile was radiant, her eyes sparkling with genuine happiness as she enjoyed an ice cream cone.
The message that accompanied the photo was like a dagger to Alexander’s heart, each word a cruel reminder of his own insecurities and doubts.
“She seemed happier with me than she will ever be with you.”
The words burned into Alexander’s mind, stoking the flames of his jealousy and resentment until they threatened to consume him whole. He couldn’t bear the thought of Sophia finding happiness in someone else’s arms, of being replaced by Benjamin in her affections.
With a roar of frustration, Alexander hurled his phone across the room, the sound of shattering glass echoing in the empty office. He felt like a fool, and the realization filled him with a sense of impotent rage.
But even as anger boiled within him, a tiny voice of doubt whispered in the back of Alexander’s mind. Could it be true, he wondered, that Sophia was happier without him? That she had found someone else who could give her the love and happiness he so desperately longed to provide?
The thought was like a knife twisting in his gut, tearing at the fragile threads of his self-confidence and leaving him feeling more alone and lost than ever before. As the sun dipped below the horizon and darkness descended upon the city outside, Alexander was left to wrestle with his demons in the cold, unforgiving silence of his office.