CHASING MY EX-WIFE

CHAPTER 109

Arabel's POV

By the time I drive into the open gates of Ashley's home, I can't keep my left hand from trembling with intense pain.

My decision to drive here with one hand unbandaged and the other in cast is an impulsive one, but I was too desperate to be here to think of another alternative.

I carefully park the car in the garage and exit, a wince leaving my mouth.

I am not supposed to drive here myself, but the tension around Richard and I since I found out about my pregnancy has been so awkward.

We haven't talked about it, and Ashley was the first person who came to mind. I could barely stay calm back at the hospital. All I was thinking of was Ashley and about coming here to see her.

When I get to the front door, my phone begins to ring, but I ignore it as I hasten to go in.

Ashley doesn't know I'm here. The moment I see her maid, I flash her a quick smile. “Where is she?”

“In the living room,” she answers after greeting me politely.

Without hesitation, I practically jog to the living room, where I see Ashley with a laptop on her lap and a glass of wine on a stool beside her.

Before I can make my presence known, she snaps her head up to see me, and her jaw drops.

“Bella?” She jumps up and stalks me.

"Careful," I murmur with a smile, acknowledging her condition, even though her stomach isn't visible yet.

Looking emotional, she drags me into a tight hug with my right arm raised above her head. The gesture makes me feel teary.

We are in the same boat. With slightly different pilots.

She is married and pregnant. I am divorced and pregnant.

How do I even tell her about this? This is not something to be proud of, but I am running over to her because I know she likes Richard and thinks he is the best for me.

What will she think of me being pregnant for my ex-husband?

“Oh, God! I miss you!” She pulls away to stare at me, her gaze flickering to my arm. “How is it now?”

“Much better. It will be off in a week's time, but I managed to drive here with it.” I let out a short chuckle as she drags me over to the couch.

“When did you arrive? Was it with Richard?” She demands, making me recall my pathetic situation.

I am here because of him. I wanted to make things right by coming with him, so he could focus on work.

Learning about my pregnancy almost made me reconsider my decision to come.

“Is everything okay?" Did you two have a fight again?” She asks, her expression a mix of concern and worry.

I shake my head, managing to plaster another joyless smile on my face. “I came to see you because there is something I need to tell you.”

“Really? What is it? Is everything okay?” Her tone is still filled with concern about my welfare, and it makes me smile genuinely.

Shutting my eyes to gather courage, I inhale and exhale before revealing. “I am pregnant. Five weeks gone.”

Silence falls.

When I flick my eyes open, I see her mouth drop open as her eyes grow wide in surprise.

“What?!” She exclaims with excitement, which is visible in her expression. “Bella!”

Unsure of how to react, I remain silent as I watch her rise up and grab my hand. “That's excellent news.”

When she sees the sad expression on my face, reality suddenly dawns on her. Her smile disappears, and she slumps back on the couch. “Is everything okay? Is the baby Richard’s?”

“This is exactly my concern. He doesn't even know if the baby is his, yet he's excited about it. Why am I even pregnant in the first place? We aren't together?!” I am rambling. Ashley sits shocked, her mouth still hanging in the air.

Confusion clouds her face as she asks. “You mean the baby isn't Richard's?”

I shake my head. “It's his.”

“Then what are you talking about?”

“He found out before I did, and he was all excited. It made me wonder what would happen if it turned out I had an affair with another man and the baby wasn't his…”

“But you didn't have an affair, did you?” She cuts me short, her eyes darting with anticipation.

“I didn't,” I reply firmly.

“Then what is the problem?”

I sigh deeply. I don't know what I am saying or what to tell her. I don't know how to explain myself so she can understand my point.

After a moment of silence between us, her touch jerks me back to life, and she flashes me a sweet smile.

“The baby is Richard's, Ash, but I don't know if I'm happy or not. I didn't expect this. It was just a one-day thing, which was before the day I found out he had recovered his memory already. I never saw this coming. I don't think I can be with him. I don't know what to think. I'm scared about what the future holds for us. We have a child already, we are separated, and now, another is on the way. I don't know what to think, what to do, or how to act….”

“Bella!” Ashley's loud voice cuts my rambling short. She caresses my hand and leans forward. “Take a deep breath.”

I do as she says, allowing her to calm my nerves with a caress.

When I lock eyes with her, she smiles. “You love Richard, don't you? You still love him, right?”

I shake my head. “I don't know.”

“You do.”

Sighing again, I finally nod. I know I do. I can't keep denying it. Even though I wanted him gone and encouraged him to come back to New York, whenever I woke up to his absence, I always felt a panging ache in my heart at the thought of him gone.

We've been through a lot. He betrayed me, but he is trying to make it up to me.

I know all this, including the fact that he loves me as much as I do. I can't love another man the way I love Richard, but I can't totally ignore the fear in my heart.

I am terrified whenever I entertain the notion of a second chance with him.

“Then what is the problem? You obviously love him, and he does too. What exactly is stopping you two from being together?”

I can't give her an answer. This is what I came here for. A reality check.

“I’m scared,” I finally reveal, staring down at my trembling hands.

“Scared he would betray you again?”

Silence ensues.

Is this fate playing his games? How can I conceive a child for a man I divorced? I already gave him a chance to prove himself, but he lied to me.

“Just let it go. If a divorce scares you, you two don't need to remarry. If he makes you happy, then do what you can. You can be together and sort yourselves out while getting to know each other better. Give him a chance to prove his love for you. The kids have the right to know him as their father, and if he makes you happy, nothing should stop you from being together.”

“You can tell him about your fears. Tell him what you want and what you don't. Give him another chance to prove himself. I believe you two are destined to be together. Meant for each other. If you weren't meant for each other, you would have fallen in love with another man within the four years of your separation, and he would have also found another woman. However, your love for each other kept you both single despite your separation and years of not seeing eye to eye. Doesn't the coincidental nature of your partnership with him serve a purpose too? Not only that, but now you are pregnant for him again?!” As I think about everything, a short laugh leaves her mouth, easing my tension.

All the drama. The coincidence.

Everything.

Our separation was for a reason. I probably wouldn't have realized any of my dreams if we hadn't divorced. Richard would probably never have realized how much I meant to him.

We met again, and both our worlds were thrown into a web of anger, confusion, love, and forgiveness.

If we hadn't met, I would still be angry with him, not knowing all about his secret love for me. Perhaps I would have forced myself to reciprocate Alex's feelings.

My phone's ringing sound jolts me out of my reverie. When I stare down at the screen, Richard's name pops up, and wicked laughter erupts from Ashley's lips.

“Talk of the groom, talk of the devil!” She mocks me, and I hit her arm playfully.

“Ouch!”

When I pick up the call, his voice booms into the phone, laced with worry. “Arabel, where are you?”

“At Ashley's,” I mutter calmly, with Ashley making faces at me.

“What?! You drove there yourself?” He asks, and I nod, as though he can see me. He takes my silence for an answer as he exclaims. “Are you serious? I'm coming over right away.”

“Don't bother. I can manage,” I say quickly, so he doesn't bother about me. He left for work as soon as we landed. Instead of staying back at the mansion, I took the car keys from his room and drove here.

Maybe he is home already.

“Nope, I'm coming over. See you shortly,” he insists, and disconnects the call before I can protest.

Ashley begins to laugh again, making my face flush red in embarrassment.