My Ex-Husband Became My Boss | He Left Me 5 Years Ago, Now He Wants Me Back
Chapter 3
The hospital was quiet when they arrived.
Alexander rushed inside.
Emma followed.
His father was in intensive care.
The doctors said it was a heart condition.
Alexander sat outside the room.
He looked different.
Not like the powerful CEO from the office.
Just a son.
Tired.
Afraid.
Emma sat beside him.
“You don’t have to stay.”
He looked at her.
“You came.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because someone should.”
He smiled faintly.
“That sounds like you.”
“What does?”
“You always showed up.”
Emma looked away.
“You used to like that.”
“I still do.”
Silence.
Then Alexander’s father opened his eyes.
A nurse allowed them inside.
He looked at Emma.
His expression changed immediately.
“Emma?”
She nodded.
“Hello, Mr. Reed.”
He looked at Alexander.
“You found her.”
Alexander said nothing.
His father smiled.
“I always hoped you would.”
Emma frowned.
“Hoped we’d find each other?”
Mr. Reed nodded.
“I knew my son made a terrible mistake.”
Alexander looked uncomfortable.
“Dad.”
“What?”
“We don’t need to talk about this now.”
His father ignored him.
“Emma, I owe you an apology.”
She shook her head.
“You don’t.”
“Yes.”
He looked at Alexander.
“He was trying to protect you.”
Emma froze.
“Protect me from what?”
Alexander stepped forward.
“Dad.”
“No.”
His father looked at Emma.
“You deserved to know.”
Alexander’s expression hardened.
“Enough.”
His father fell silent.
Emma stared at Alexander.
“You left me to protect me?”
He couldn’t answer.
“From what?”
“We need to leave.”
“No.”
She stood.
“You owe me the truth.”
He lowered his voice.
“Not here.”
“Then where?”
“Later.”
Emma laughed bitterly.
“Later was five years ago.”
Alexander looked away.
They left the hospital.
In the parking lot, Emma turned to him.
“Tell me.”
“I can’t.”
“Then we’re done.”
“Emma.”
“No.”
She walked toward her car.
Alexander followed.
“Your father made mistakes.”
“So did I.”
“I was trying to keep you safe.”
“From whom?”
He said nothing.
She stepped closer.
“Were you cheating?”
“No.”
“Did you stop loving me?”
“No.”
“Did you want the divorce?”
“No.”
Emma stared.
“Then why did you leave?”
Alexander’s eyes filled with pain.
“Because your father was involved with my company.”
Emma froze.
“My father?”
“Yes.”
“How?”
“He discovered financial fraud.”
“And?”
“He planned to expose it.”
“Then why would you leave me?”
“Because someone threatened you.”
She couldn’t breathe.
“Who?”
“I still don’t know.”
“You could have told me.”
“I thought if you hated me, you’d stay away.”
Emma’s eyes filled with tears.
“You made me believe I wasn’t worth staying for.”
“I know.”
“You destroyed me.”
“I know.”
She turned away.
Alexander didn’t stop her.
For the first time, Emma wondered whether she had misunderstood the worst moment of her life.
But understanding didn’t erase the pain.
It only added another layer.
The next morning, a letter arrived at her office.
No sender.
Inside was a photograph.
Emma and Alexander on their wedding day.
On the back, five words:
HE LEFT TO KEEP YOU ALIVE.
Emma stared.
Then another message appeared on her phone.
STOP ASKING QUESTIONS.
She looked toward Alexander’s office.
For the first time, she understood.
Their divorce had never been about love.
Someone had wanted them apart.
And now that Alexander had returned to her life, whoever had threatened them five years ago was back too.
