He Left Her for His First Love, Only to Regret It When a CEO Spoiled Her
Chapter 3
Daniel spent the entire evening avoiding Emily.
At least, he tried.
Then Alexander saw him.
“Daniel Cross?”
Daniel turned.
“Yes.”
Alexander extended his hand.
“I’ve heard of your company.”
Daniel shook it.
“Likewise.”
Alexander glanced toward Emily.
Then back at Daniel.
“You know my creative director.”
Daniel’s jaw tightened.
“She’s my ex-wife.”
Alexander paused.
Emily had not told him much.
Not because she was ashamed.
Because she didn’t want her past to define her future.
Alexander nodded.
“I see.”
Emily approached.
The moment she saw Daniel, the smile disappeared from her face.
“Hello.”
Daniel stared.
“Hi.”
“How have you been?”
“Good.”
She nodded.
“I’m glad.”
He expected more.
There wasn’t any.
No anger.
No longing.
Just politeness.
That hurt more than hatred.
“You look great,” he said.
“Thank you.”
Alexander noticed the tension.
“We should go.”
Emily nodded.
Before leaving, she looked at Daniel.
“I hope you’re doing well.”
Then she walked away.
Daniel stood there.
He had imagined this meeting a hundred times.
In every version, Emily still loved him.
In reality, she barely looked back.
He returned home late.
Sophia was waiting.
“You saw her.”
“Yes.”
“And?”
Daniel loosened his tie.
“She was with Alexander.”
Sophia smiled.
“That’s good.”
“For whom?”
“For her.”
Daniel looked at her.
She laughed.
“You wanted her to be miserable forever?”
“No.”
“Then what?”
Daniel said nothing.
Sophia’s eyes narrowed.
“You still love her.”
He immediately denied it.
“No.”
But his voice wasn’t convincing.
Sophia heard it.
And suddenly, she became afraid.
Meanwhile, Emily and Alexander were leaving the gala.
“You okay?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“You don’t look okay.”
Emily smiled.
“I am.”
“Your ex?”
She nodded.
“I’m sorry.”
“You don’t have to be.”
Alexander opened the car door.
Emily stopped.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Anything.”
“Why do you care so much about me?”
He looked at her.
“Because you’re important to me.”
“That doesn’t answer it.”
He smiled.
“I’m trying not to scare you.”
She laughed.
“What if I already know?”
He looked at her.
“Know what?”
“That you like me.”
Alexander paused.
“Yes.”
Emily’s heart raced.
“I don’t know if I’m ready.”
“I know.”
“You’re not angry?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t want your fear.”
He stepped closer.
“I want your choice.”
She smiled.
That was exactly what she needed to hear.
But the next morning, Emily received a message from Daniel.
Can we talk?
She stared at it.
Then deleted it.
Not because she hated him.
Because she knew how easy it would be to fall back into the past.
Alexander noticed her expression.
“Everything okay?”
Emily nodded.
“Yes.”
But she didn’t know whether that was true.
Because somewhere inside her, an old wound had just opened.
And Daniel wasn’t finished trying to reopen the door.
