After the CEO Divorced Me, He Wants Me Back

"I don't know," Aveline said softly, her voice filled with confusion.

She had no idea why Russell had done something like that.

Selena watched her closely and asked, "Now that you know, what are you going to do?"

Aveline closed her eyes for a moment. "What can I do? He's helped me so many times before. Even though he's done this and I now understand his feelings, I can't do anything about it."

Selena gently patted her shoulder, letting out a sigh. "Then maybe it's best to do nothing... Pretend like you never knew him."

Aveline didn't respond, but the pain in her eyes was unmistakable. Her face had turned pale, and the weight of the situation clearly burdened her.

Selena, feeling a deep sympathy for her friend, wasn't sure what else to say.

"I don't really understand," Selena continued. "If he liked you, why didn't he just confess and compete fairly? Instead, he married Rina. I have no idea what he's thinking."

Aveline suddenly recalled something Aaron had once told her-Russell had married Rina to solidify his control over the Skyler family...

"Forget it. Let's not think about it anymore," Aveline said, her voice weary. "Like you said, let's just act as if we never knew him."

Selena nodded and didn't press further.

...

surgery for hours. He finally emerged, but the bullet had been dangerously close to his heart. Though the surgery was successful, he was still not out of danger and needed to be monitored in the ICU. Desmond stood

at the ICU doors. "Yes, we

out his phone

same moment, Aveline received an anonymous email. The message contained a detailed list of Lucas's subordinates and their territories. Aveline frowned, unsure why

name were Brian, Baron,

as she scrolled through

was the same Maria

it-Maria had been working for Lucas all

had been in Aveline's life for so

trusted her, considered her

it was all

Lucas. Her presence in Aveline's life had been nothing but a deception. It wasn't hard to

as the realization sank in. His promise echoed in her mind, the one where he swore he'd never deceive her again. She could still picture the warmth

But now?

such a huge lie from

he told her? Did he intend to keep Maria around to monitor

spread through her chest, and her hand instinctively rested on her stomach.

to herself, "Baby, your daddy lied

tiny life within her offered no answer, and the room fell into