Chased by My Possessive Ex (Dylan) novel Chapter 44

Chapter 44

Chapter 44

DYLAN

79

5 vouchers

The moment we stepped out of the jewelry store, the evening air felt heavier than it should’ve been. My chest ached with all the words I wanted to say but couldn’t inside that glittering room full of lies, diamonds, and ghosts from the past.

Hunter’s hand was still on my lower back, his was grip firm and protective, almost claiming. It wasn’t until we reached the car that I finally pulled away, the soft click of the door shutting behind me sounding louder than it should’ve.

“Was that really necessary?” I asked, my voice sharper than I intended.

Hunter glanced at me, one brow arched as he started the engine. “What exactly are you referring to?”

“Oh, I don’t know,” I said, folding my arms. “Maybe the part where you practically told Beckett you’d won some kind of prize. Or when you called me your wife like you were marking territory.”

His lips curved–not into a smile, but something darker. “You are my wife,” he said smoothly, his voice low. “All I did was tell him the great news.”

I turned toward the window, trying to steady my breath. “You knew exactly what you were doing, Hunter,” I muttered.

“Please, enlighten me, little dove. What do you think I was doing back there?”

“You were having a pissing contest with Beckett. You were deliberately rubbing it in his face.”

Hunter’s hand tightened around the steering wheel. “So, what if I did?” he said flatly. “I just put him in his place. He doesn’t have any right to look like you as if he still owns you.”

“He doesn’t,” I said quickly. “Whatever Beckett and I had—it’s over.”

Hunter’s gaze slid to me, his expression unreadable. “Then what’s wrong with me telling him we’re married? And why does it bother you?”

I froze. He saw right through me, peeling away every layer I tried to hide behind. “It didn’t,” I lied. “I was just surprised, that’s all.”

He gave a low chuckle that didn’t sound amused. “You’re a terrible liar, Dylan.”

My pulse quickened, frustration boiling under my skin. “Why do you care? It’s not as if we

get married because we’re in love. We are only here in this situation because we both got tangled in these unfortunate circumstances!” I shot back, turning to face him.

Hunter’s jaw flexed, his eyes dark and intense. “I thought I made myself clear,” he said quietly, his voice husky and dangerous.

“What does that mean?”

14:29 Sun, Dec 28

N

Chapter 44

:

79

E5 vouchers

Hunter’s jaw stayed tight as he gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles pale against the leather. The sharp lines of his face were carved in quiet anger, and the glow of the passing streetlights only made his expression look colder, more unreadable.

I wanted to say something, but the tension inside the car felt too heavy to cut through. Every second that passed seemed to stretch longer than the last. The hum of the engine and the steady rhythm of his shallow breaths were the only sounds filling the space between us.

He didn’t glance at me once. Not when we stopped at the light. Not when I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. His focus stayed straight ahead, his body radiating irritation and restraint, like he was one word away from snapping.

I clenched my hands on my lap. “You’re really not going to talk to me now?” I muttered, unable to stand the silence any longer.

He didn’t answer. His jaw just twitched, and his eyes stayed glued to the road.

“Fine,” I said under my breath, crossing my arms. “Silent treatment it is.”

For the rest of the drive, I stared out the window, watching the city blur by. Every flicker of light felt distant, every sound muffled. It wasn’t the comfortable silence we sometimes shared before—this was cold, brittle, and sharp enough to draw blood.

When the car finally rolled to a stop, I realized we were in front of the restaurant. The valet opened my door, and I stepped out, clutching my purse a little too tightly.

Hunter came around the car a moment later, his expression still unreadable. His movements were precise and too controlled. The storm was still there, just beneath the surface.

He offered his arm out of habit, a small gesture that used to feel grounding. But tonight, it felt distant. Like we were strangers playing the part of a perfect couple.

I hesitated, then took it anyway, because I wasn’t sure what else to do.

As we walked into the restaurant, I could feel the chill between us like a wall, thick and heavy with everything left unsaid.

The waiter opened the door to a softly lit private room, the air heavy with the scent of wine and truffle butter. The table gleamed under the crystal chandelier–elegant, intimate, and far too quiet for how tense things felt between us.

Hunter said nothing as he pulled out my chair. His movements were calm, almost mechanical, but the sharp set of his jaw told another story. I murmured a thank you that barely reached my own ears. My fingers fidgeted with the hem of my dress, pretending to study the menu just so I wouldn’t have to look at him.

The waiter poured the wine and disappeared, leaving the air thick with silence.

“Are you planning to ignore me all night?” I finally asked, unable to stand it anymore.

Hunter’s gaze lifted to mine, cool and steady. “I didn’t realize you cared enough to notice.”

14:29 Sun Dec 28 N

Chapter 44

His words stung more than I expected. “You’re still mad about earlier.”

E 5 vouchers

“Mad?” He let out a humorless chuckle. “That’s putting it lightly.” He leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowing on me. “I saw how your face changed when Sarah mentioned their engagement.”

My chest tightened. “It caught me off guard, that’s all.”

“Off guard?” His voice dropped low, rough. “Shouldn’t you be expecting that’s exactly what’s going to happen. the moment you step out of that marriage?”

I forced myself to meet his gaze even though it hurt. “I’ve loved Beckett for three years, even longer. You can’t expect me to move on that easily.”

So, do you still have feelings for him, I suppose?” Hunter said, his tone flat, almost casual—but the way he gripped his glass gave him away. He took a slow sip, his gaze never leaving mine.

I let out a sharp breath, trying to steady the storm brewing inside me. “We’ve had this conversation already, Hunter. I don’t know why you’re bringing it up again.” My voice came out colder than I intended. “And so what if I still have feelings for him? He was my husband, for Pete’s sake! Keep your unnecessary jealousy in

check

The words slipped out like a blade. The moment they left my mouth, regret clawed at my chest. Hunter’s jaw tensed, his eyes darkening, and the silence that followed was deafening.

I didn’t mean it that way. God, I didn’t. But it was too late to take it back now. Maybe it was my clumsy attempt to hide what I was really feeling—the slow, terrifying realization that I cared too much. That somewhere between all the fights, the forced smiles, and the fragile truce we’d built, something inside me had started to shin

It was easier to push him away than to admit that his anger affected me. That his jealousy, as misplaced as it was, stirred something dangerous in my chest.

So I kept my chin high, pretending I didn’t notice the flicker of hurt behind his glare. Pretending that my words hadn’t just sliced through whatever fragile connection we had managed to build.

Hunter set his glass down with deliberate calm, the sound of it against the table echoing in the small room. “Well,” he said finally, his voice low and rough, “thank you for clarifying where we stand.”

Hunter’s chair scraped against the marble floor, the sharp sound cutting through the silence like a slap. His expression was unreadable now, and that frightened me more than his anger ever could.

He stood slowly, tossing the napkin onto the table. “You’ve made yourself perfectly clear, Dylan,” he said, voice low but tight, each word wrapped in restrained fury. “I thought we can still salvage the night. But I was wrong, I won’t sit here and fight over someone you apparently still can’t let go of.”

“Hunter” I started, but he was already turning away.

He didn’t look back. Not once. His broad shoulders disappeared past the door, leaving behind the faint scent of his cologne and a hollow ache in my chest.

I sat frozen for a moment, staring at the untouched plates, the flickering candle between us, and the two glasses of wine–one half–empty, the other still full. My heart thudded unevenly, the weight of my own words

14:29 Sun, Dec 28 N

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify