Attracted By My Ex-wife

Ryan had no choice but to acquiesce to the reason in Nicholas' words. He loathed it but he had to admit that the other man was right.

For now, he had to return home alone.

"Fine. I'm leaving now, but I expect you to show up in a week just like you said," he said begrudgingly.

At this moment, Ryan was coming to understand the gravity of what working with Nicholas truly meant, along with the reality of its less than desirable consequences. He was constantly on edge, teetering on a wire of mistrust and helplessness. Every day was growing more and more tiresome, but he had no choice but to proceed. He was so near to getting Kevin's property and his wife, yet he knew that he couldn't do it alone. He wasn't going to give up easily.

As Ryan left, Nicholas watched him disappear and sipped his tea slowly with a faint sneer lurking on his lips.

Night was approaching in A City. It was summer now, but even the sweet fragrance of the breeze left Kevin desolate.

"Kevin, go back and rest. I'll take care of everything. You haven't slept for two days," Sam said, his voice edged with concern.

Everything was his fault. Seeing his friend so distraught only made guilt eat away at his gut.

Kevin turned to him and saw the shadows in Sam's face. He pulled himself together and answered lightly, "It's alright. You can go back first. I'm not tired."

But instead of being consoled, Kevin relieving him of blame only made Sam feel worse. It would have been better if he had cursed at him, maybe even landed a blow or two. Sam would choose Kevin's sharp words and anger over him being an empty shell every day.

"Kevin, this was my fault. I'm so sorry. I'll do everything I can and keep looking for clues. I swear I'll take responsibility and see this through to the end." Sam was less confident than his words, but he would be damned if he didn't die trying.

Kevin let out a long sigh and shook his head. "No, I was too careless that day. They had already planned it long ago. If anything, I should be the one apologizing that you had to be dragged into this. I'm the one who didn't think things through, so don't go blaming yourself. Besides, Anne is my wife, so this is my responsibility."

Sam took a long look at his defeated friend and found that words had failed him this time. There was nothing he could say to alleviate Kevin's burden. Instead, he opted for action. "No, we both failed here. I'm just as much to blame as you are, so we will both find her. We already have the license plate. We have a lead now. It'll get things moving, but you still have to take care of yourself. There's a limit your body can take. You can't fall ill now, of all times. You know that."

Kevin was the image of exhaustion. Sam could see it in the way his shoulders hunched, and the lost look in his eyes. He was tired, but he couldn't bring himself to stop. More than anyone, Sam could understand Kevin's feelings. He would be in the same state, if not worse, if it had been Emily instead.

But what added to the weight of Anne's abduction was the fact that she was pregnant. Kevin was a father now too, and this catastrophe had endangered his whole family. His pregnant wife was missing, and the baby growing inside her was their hope to save their other son.

The turmoil of his thoughts were becoming a little too much to bear. "I know. Go ahead. I want to be alone," he answered.

He spoke heavily, as if the very act of speaking put a strain on him—far from the untouchable fortress that he always seemed to be in front of everyone else.

Knowing that there was nothing else he could say, Sam sighed and got in the car, giving Kevin a quiet space for his own thoughts.

off, but Kevin made no move to leave. He felt as if the darkness was clinging to him, making his limbs useless. He breathed deeply. No one could see him here. He surrendered

couldn't give up now. Anne would be fine. His children would be fine. Kevin repeated the same phrases to himself, almost as if in prayer. It was all he could do not to fall

rush of air passed through her skin, carrying the scent of salt.

her face was covered. She had no inkling of time or place. All she knew from the

asked. It had a chilly timbre, but at the same time, it sounded

memory, chasing the sound of the voice. When she had finally put a face to the sound, she

expected for her to be able to trace him so quickly. He had quickly recovered and answered, "Our little Miss Anne is very

kidnap me?" Anne demanded sharply. Leaving her anger

want to ask Kevin a little favor." Nicholas' voice was even and relaxed. He knew that Anne had a good head on her shoulders. She wouldn't

can be," Anne scoffed, almost mocking. There was not a single

I'll tell you what, Miss Anne, such ideals are of no value. It will only slow you down and make you hesitate at crucial moments. The sooner you discard it, the easier things will be. You are very smart. I really don't want to kill you. That would be the real shame, wouldn't you agree?" Nicholas chuckled, tilting Anne's head with

definitely spirited, but even that

herself in danger in

good head, but unfortunately, I'm also pregnant, so you can rest assured that I won't run away. You're already keeping

Nicholas had kidnapped her. Two: they were on some body of water, and escape was impossible. Three:

surprises. "Shouldn't you be a little more concerned about your life than a comfortable accommodation at this moment?" he asked, his

just smiled, and even under

the water by now. But since I am pregnant, I don’t really have much of a choice." As she spoke, Anne

"Drink this," he said. "It won’t help you recover your strength, but

told Anne everything she needed

I do envy your child. I've never had a normal mother, or a normal family. For people like you, love comes naturally. But I am different. My father is a piece of absolute trash. After getting my mother pregnant, he moved on to the next woman. It was ridiculous. My mother used to be a proud woman, but she was reduced to a frail excuse of her old self after that. She had even wanted to abort me—she told me

his story with a distant expression,

in his voice— a painful memory speaking from the grave. "How

sparked Nicholas' temper. He loathed when people prodded about his past. But he felt different with Anne. Before he could stop to think, the words were out

mother blamed me for my father's philandering ways. She probably had to tell herself that to save what little was left of her pride, but drinking made her acknowledge the truth. When she got drunk, she was able to see

"Children should not have to shoulder their parents' mistakes. Even if two people

Her love for her children was something that came so naturally to her, like an instinct being awakened. She was ready to kill and to die the moment she laid eyes on Eddy, and she was

Nicholas said after a

stretch of quiet

At the AN Group.

magnetic energy. It painted a