His Ex-Wife Is A Billionaire? novel Chapter 68

Jareth was scared stiff by the man's cold, hard stare. Even when Acacia left him to go abroad three years ago, he wasn't this pissed!

Jareth was just messing around. That was the kind of guy he was, rich, powerful, and straightforward. He never held back with his good friends. He was just trying to rib Thaddeus, but he accidentally crossed his line.

And Thaddeus’ line was his ex-wife, go figure.

The bartender was so scared his face turned pale. How many people in Elmsworth could get Thaddeus this riled up?

"Thad, have you...fallen for Ilana?"

Thaddeus had sobered up quite a bit, his heart suddenly clenched, sweat beading on his forehead.

"Thad, haven't you noticed? You've totally changed since you got divorced." Jareth looked at him deeply. "We've been friends since we were kids. Isn't it time you told me the truth?"

"I don't like her." Thaddeus spat out the words through gritted teeth, as if he wanted to chew them up.

"Alright, you don't like her. Then let's just leave it at that."

"Jareth!"

Jareth ignored his fury, speaking for himself. "Thad, I'll say it again, if you like Ilana and want to patch things up with her, I'll support you as a friend. But if that's not what you want, if you're just pissed because you can't stand seeing your ex-wife being chased by another guy, then I hope you'll give me a chance. Because I know what I want. I like Ilana, and I want to pursue her."

Thaddeus felt like he'd been shot in the chest; he slowly let go of his grip, staggering back a few steps.

Jareth straightened up, took a deep breath to regain his composure, and pulled out the sapphire necklace from his suit pocket.

"She..." Thaddeus was taken aback.

"She didn't take it." Jareth frowned and chuckled bitterly, revealing the truth. "Ilana isn't as materialistic as you think. After she left you, she returned everything to me. Man, Thaddeus, how badly did you treat her in the past? Every time Ilana sees you, she acts like she's seeing her worst enemy, taking every chance to get under your skin. Isn't it obvious what she's thinking?"

Thaddeus' lips tightly pressed together. Thinking of how he had repeatedly ignored her feelings over the past three years, recalling that raggedy handmade suit and the room full of gifts, his heart suddenly ached.

...

After finishing work, Evadne didn't go home, but left Jason to go home alone and she went to the cathedral instead.

The grand, golden dome of the cathedral was so luxurious and magnificent. Cassius stood beneath the massive cross, dressed in a black priest's robe, holding the Bible, preaching to the congregation. Evadne sat quietly in the back row, taking in his every word. His voice was so soothing, it felt like a cleansing of the soul.

After the sermon, the congregation all left.

Cassius closed the Bible, and his handsome face was carrying a gentle smile. He walked over to his sister. "Why didn't you tell me you were coming?" He reached out to pat her on the head.

"Um... I knew you were busy, didn't want to interrupt." Evadne answered with a sweet smile.

"Anything bothering you?" Cassius sat next to her, asking softly.

"Is it that obvious?"

Evadne sighed somewhat frustratedly, her expression slightly gloomy. "Cassius, I messed up today. I used Jareth to make Thaddeus mad. I knew it was wrong, but I couldn't control myself! Seeing him with Acacia, and him competing with Jareth to buy Acacia a necklace, I was... not okay. I really wanted him to hurt for once, but we're already divorced. It doesn't make sense, but I just wanted him to feel something for me, even if it's resentment."

Cassius sighed deeply, wrapping an arm around her trembling shoulders. "Evadne, you still have feelings for Thaddeus, don't you?"

"Cassius, I admit I haven't completely let go of him. After all, I loved him for so long, and I've spent my youth burning for him. Those deep memories are all his shadows..."

Evadne leaned against Cassius' shoulder, her teary eyes wetting her long lashes. "I'm really scared. I'm afraid I'll lose the ability to love. Thaddeus hollowed out my heart, and I might never ever be able to love another man the way I loved him..."

"Evadne, love can bring pain, but it can also bring sweetness. People can't help but fall into the whirlpool of love time and again, but as long as a person's heart is still beating, they will never lose their ability to love." Cassius lowered his gaze to look at her. "Evadne, don't be scared, I'm here. Just be yourself and bravely pursue the one you love. That's enough."

"I've chased after him, but the result is full of scars. I can't take it." Evadne laughed bitterly, her eyes fragile. "Born at the wrong time, loving the wrong person, I can no longer see the one I love in my heart. I will not fall in love with anyone else."

Cassius frowned slightly, feeling that it wasn't good for her to have such a deep understanding of life and love at such a young age. So he changed his approach, chuckling lightly, "Don't be so pessimistic. You once loved Thaddeus so deeply, which means there are attractive aspects about him, he's not completely worthless, and your youth wasn't wasted in vain. It's just that between you two, there was a lack of destiny."