CHASING MY EX-WIFE

CHAPTER 54

Richard's POV

Feeling the quickened beat of desire as I stare at her beautiful brown eyes and the white bridal silk dress she is putting on, revealing way too much.

Her skin is so soft against the silky dress, making a memory suddenly jump into my head from years ago.

The memory of that one night.

My mouth is dry as I recall the night and how hot and tight her body was against me.

“You know each other?” A strange man demands, and I see him approaching Arabel.

This is when I realize I called her that. Quickly, I turn to Ashley, who shrugs at Arabel. Ashley knows her as Bella, and I am sure she doesn't want people to know the relationship between us.

Aside from that, Ashley didn't tell me she was here. She never mentioned inviting her. In fact, I never knew they had gotten this close.

“You know the bridesmaid, Richie?” Caleb grins widely and gives me a wink.

“Yes.”

"Hello," Arabel greets me, prompting me to turn back to her and smile in response when I realize she's not addressing me, but rather the strange man who was approaching her earlier.

“I have heard so much about you,” he states, stretching his hand for her to take.

The fact that she chooses to ignore me in front of everyone irks me. However, the fact that she is smiling down at this man is even more annoying.

“Hi,” Someone taps my shoulder. “The idea is for everyone to pick their partners. Since we are both partner-less, I guess we are stuck together," she says in a seductive tone, making me spare Caleb another look.

I told him not to push any woman on me. I know the kind of person he is. He is always trying to match me with every single girl that comes his way, as long as he isn’t dating them.

Besides, I never knew the party was going to be for us both. I only stepped out for a call, and now this?

Before I can do or say anything, music begins to float, and everyone stands up to dance with their partners.

The girl hovering over me reaches out to dance with me once more. My attention is on Arabel, who has simply ignored me as if I didn't exist.

What is that supposed to mean?

I know we had a fight about Alex, but I thought it was over? Is it still because of the argument, or is she choosing to do this so I don't have to reveal to everyone that she is my ex-wife?

Absent-mindedly, I hold the girl as we begin to dance, my gaze flitting to Arabel and the guy every second until the girl in my arms notices.

“You want to switch?” She suddenly asks, surprising me. Obviously, she is quick witted and sharp enough to have noticed.

"If you do not mind," I manage to flash her one of my cute smiles, hoping not to annoy her so I can have my way.

If we don't switch, I might never get to talk to her tonight or even tomorrow at the wedding. Dancing with her is the only way we can communicate, even with all the prying eyes.

Caleb must be wondering how I got to know Arabel. He knows I am divorced, but he doesn't know Arabel.

We became friends four years ago, which was after she left. We met at a convention, and we started to talk about business. It turned out we had the same interest, and we became partners.

When he arrived at the company, he saw Ashley and mentioned that they had previously met at a party, and he had developed a fondness for her. I never knew he was serious about her until he told me about his proposal, which I missed.

“Ashley is trying to match those two. I know how determined she can be. So even if you want to try, you may not be lucky enough,” she says, flashing me a wicked smile. “But I like you.”

I want to tell her that I am Ashley's boss. She will do whatever I tell her. If I want her to match Arabel and me instead, she will.

But I only grit my teeth and answer her. “Let's switch.”

Disappointed, she nods anyway, and we stylishly move closer to Arabel and the guy, as we pretend to be dancing.

The others are hitting it off on the right foot. Scott and one blonde are hugging each other so intimately that you will think they knew each other before now.

Arabel and I know each other, but we aren't even acting like we do. Well, she isn't. I made it clear that I know her.

Not only do I know her, But she is my ex-wife and the mother of my beautiful princess.

“Hi,” the girl with me waves at the guy. “Can we switch? My sweetheart wants to have some time with his friend here.”

I am grateful she is doing the talking, but when she mentions the word “sweetheart”, I almost shout at her to shut up.

The guy is hesitant, staring at me coldly before finally letting go of the silent woman. He grabs the girl, and off they go, dancing off, leaving me to stay in front of Arabel, completely speechless.

“Are we going to dance or just continue watching each other, attracting attention and raising people's curiosity?” She asks, a flicker of irritation flashing across her face.

I grab her hands, and we begin to dance.

“Why the pretense again?”

“Excuse me?” Anger shimmers in her expression, making me wonder what I said wrong.

“Why did you just pretend as if you don't know me?”

“What was I supposed to do? Jump on you and shout it out that you are my ex-husband, and I have a child for me even though we are divorced?” She tries to keep her voice down.

“No, you should have at least acknowledged my presence. I don't even know you would be here,” I assert quickly.

“I didn't know either.”

Obviously.
If she knew, she wouldn't have come. Perhaps this is because it is a wedding, and it might remind her of how we failed as a couple while we are both here to celebrate the beginning of Ashley and Caleb's love.

It's all in the past, though it will surely keep haunting us forever.
Even if she forgives me completely.
Even if Arabel acknowledges me as the father of her child.

It doesn't change anything. Or the fact that we are divorced and there is a limit to what we can do now.

“I'm sorry.” I apologize, looking down.

She stops. “What for?”

I stare at her, guilt flickering in her brown eyes. I don't know what I am sorry for. I don't know if I should say I am sorry for coming here when she is going to be here too. Or I am sorry for everything.

I just don't get why she is this mad. Not at anyone but me. She was practically smiling with that guy earlier.

“You did nothing,” she mutters and continues to dance, even though her eyes are cold. “I just don't want anyone to know.”

“I understand,” I murmur quickly. “It's fine.”

But it isn't. Deep down, my heart is hurting. Pounding with pain and apprehension. If only it is so easy to erase our mistakes and rewrite a new story.

I thought getting her forgiveness would make it so easy to get her back, but now I know I have a long way to go. I have a lot of convincing to do.

Perhaps I will never have her back. Arabel might never give me a chance.

Realizing I didn't even ask for forgiveness anymore after she told Daisy I was her dad, I decide now is the right time to know.

“Have I been forgiven?” I ask her again, watching her face for emotion.

“You think I would be doing this if you weren't?” The expected cold reply comes, and I nod.

Apparently, she wouldn't. She would still detest seeing me with Daisy, and she would still be pretending.

But coming out clean and telling Daisy I was her father was her own way of forgiving me.

“I am sorry once again for everything. I wish I could take back the hands of the clock to make things right…”

“It doesn't matter.” The reply is brief, but it pierces deep into my heart.

We continue to dance until the guy comes back with a more determined look.

“I believe I have given you enough time to catch up. Can I continue dancing with my lady?” He asks questions with a smile, which I find irritating.

I wish I could use my power here. Ask Ashley to throw him out, and let me stay with Arabel until the end of the wedding.

I am about to ask him to give us more time when Arabel beats me to it.

“You came at the right time. He was just about to leave.” Arabel let's go of my hand, stepping sideways to give room for her object of affection.

Does she like him? How much? Is he rich? Does she want to go into another relationship?

She makes a joke, and he throws his head back and laughs. It irks me so hard.

The girl from earlier makes her way to me, and I throw her a cold, icy glare, hoping she will notice.

Instead of going back or halting, she continues to approach, and I do the only thing I think is the solution to avoid her: stop watching Arabella and the guy with jealousy and not ruin Caleb and Ashley's night.

With rage bubbling inside of me, I stalk out.

****
Does he have any right to be mad?

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One more chapter coming in