Chased by My Possessive Ex (Dylan) novel Chapter 51

DYLAN

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I muttered under my breath. It was like the universe had a personal vendetta against me. Why were they always showing up wherever I went? Either fate had a twisted sense of humor, or I was in the middle of the worst streak of luck imaginable.

Sarah clicked her tongue and strolled deeper into the boutique, that familiar mocking smile tugging at her lips. “We keep running into each other lately. Don’t you think it’s a bit too many coincidences? Or is it you following us, huh, Dylan?

1 let out a sharp breath through my nose. “Get off your high horse, Sarah. I was here first–doesn’t take a genius to figure that out. So if anyone’s following anyone, it would be you, don’t you think?”

Her smile faltered for a fraction of a second, irritation flashing in her eyes. Beckett shifted awkwardly beside her, clearing his throat like he wanted to intervene but knew better than to step between us.

Sarah tilted her head, studying me from head to toe, as if trying to find something to claw at. “Well, isn’t this cute,” she said, her voice dripping with false sweetness. “Trying on wedding gowns without your husband? Or did Hunter finally get tired of babysitting you?”

My jaw clenched, but I held her gaze steadily. She wanted to get under my skin. She wanted to poke at the parts of me she thought were weak.

Not today.

“My husband is a very busy person. Besides, he trusts my taste,” I replied calmly. “I hope I can say the same to you. Oh wait… Trust isn’t exactly your strong suit, is it?”

Beckett’s eyes widened slightly. Sarah’s smile snapped tight. And for a moment, just a moment, she had nothing to say.

I straightened my shoulders, smoothing the gown at my waist and turning back toward the mirror, refusing to give her the satisfaction of seeing me rattled.

But I could feel Beckett’s gaze lingering on me, warm and conflicted.

And Sarah’s next words, whispered low but sharp, were meant to cut.

“Let’s see how long that trust lasts.”

I completely ignored her last remark as I lost the mood completely. Whatever excitement I had earlier about trying on the other gowns drained out of me the moment Sarah opened her mouth. I didn’t even bother pretending anymore. I quietly retreated into the private fitting room, peeled the gown off my body, and slipped back into my clothes.

I just wanted to leave.

When I stepped out again, intending to tell the assistant I was done for the day, the first thing I saw made me stop in my tracks.

Sarah was kneeling beside a little boy, fixing the collar of his tiny shirt. Beckett stood behind them, one hand resting on the boy’s shoulder as he smiled at something the child said. They looked… complete. Like a picture in a frame. A perfectly assembled family.

And for the first time in my life, the sight didn’t punch a hole through my chest.

I waited for that all–too–familiar ache, the sting in my heart that always came whenever I saw them together. I waited for the jealousy, the longing, and the painful reminder of everything I could never be for him.

But nothing came.

Nothing.

Instead, a quiet understanding settled over me, soft and strangely freeing. It hit me then, so clearly that I almost let out a breathless laugh.

I was no longer in love with Beckett.

At some point, somewhere between walking away from that marriage and waking up in a new life I never expected. I had let go. Maybe slowly, maybe without realizing it. But I had let go.

And the moment that truth sank in, another one bloomed right behind it, warm and terrifying and beautiful.

My heart wasn’t empty.

It belonged to someone else now.

It belonged to Hunter.

The realization washed over me like a gentle wave. Like something that had been true for a while but was only now finding a voice inside me.

I straightened up, my fingers curling loosely around my bag. Beckett looked up at that moment, our eyes meeting across the boutique. Sarah was so busy taking care of their child that she didn’t notice when Beckett stood up and walked towards me.

I was a little bit startled when I saw him approaching in my direction.

“Dylan,” he murmured, barely loud enough for anyone else to hear.

Before I could answer, his hand brushed my elbow, and he gently yet insistently guided me back toward the private fitting room I had just left. I stiffened, glancing over my shoulder to make sure Sarah hadn’t seen. She was still fussing with their child, blissfully unaware.

“Beckett, what are you doing?” I whispered sharply, trying to pull my arm back.

“Let’s talk, please,” he said, pushing the door closed behind us. The faint scent of perfume and fabric softener still hung in the air. We were standing far too close, the small space making every breath feel heavier.

He looked at me the way he used to, like I was the only person in the room. “Dylan, I need you to listen. You don’t have to do this. I know you’re doing this because you’re mad at me for bringing Sarah and our child into our home. But we can still fix things. We can still go back.”

I let out a breath, slow and steady. “Back? To what, Beckett?”

“To us,” he said, as if the word alone could bend time. “I already got a new place for both of them. They’ll be leaving as soon as everything is settled.”

For a moment, I just stared at him. There was a time when hearing that would have shattered me, would have made me take one reckless step forward just to feel wanted again. But now, there was only a quiet kind of clarity settling inside me.

“Beckett,” I said softly, “you’re with Sarah. You have a family. And I’m not the girl who keeps waiting for you anymore. Besides, didn’t you ask Sarah to marry you?”

He swallowed, stubbornness flickering in his eyes. “I just did that so she wouldn’t notice my plan and won’t make any problems. But I’m close to getting rid of her.”

I frowned in annoyance. Get rid of her? Is that how he treats women in his life? Not long ago he was willing to sacrifice our peaceful marriage for them, and now he’s planning to toss them out like garbage?

Chapter 51

I looked at Beckett, and I feel like I don’t really know him at all. He looks far from what I remember. Or maybe, he was like this before, but I was so blinded with my love for him that I didn’t notice how horrible a person he was.

Even though I’m mad about what Sarah did to our marriage, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for her.

I blew out a loud sigh, tired of circling the same dead end. “I don’t care what plans you’re talking about, Beckett. But I’m not going back to you. Whatever we had… it ended. I’ve moved on. I suggest you do the same and try to live a good life with Sarah and your son.”

Saying it didn’t sting like it used to. The words settled between us softly, like something I should’ve said a long time ago. A truth that used to feel too heavy now felt as light as air.

Beckett’s jaw tightened, his eyes searching mine as if he could find a crack to slip through. But there wasn’t one. Not

anymore.

“I don’t believe you,” he muttered, almost in disbelief. “You’ve loved me for a very long time. It’s impossible that you can let go of that feeling easily. You’re doing this to get back at me, right? You’re just trying to piss me off. Okay, I admit it. It’s working. I was so mad when I saw you with that man. I’m sorry for what I did. Was that enough? Can we stop this nonsense and go home?”

My laugh slipped out sharp and humorless. “Are you insane? I’m married, Beckett. And how many times do I have to spell this out for you? We’re over. Done. Finished.” My patience was thinning fast. What kind of fantasy was he living in to believe I’d ever crawl back after everything he put me through?

His lips curled into a smug smile that made my stomach twist. “Married?” he echoed with a scoff. “Please. Your marriage is fake, Dylan. Anyone can see you only did that to get a reaction out of me.”

My glare hardened. “What nonsense are you talking about? Hunter and I are legally married.”

He let out a soft laugh, long enough to grate on my nerves. “Really? And how can your marriage be legal when your so–called husband already has a wife? That would make your marriage null and void.”

My breath caught for a heartbeat. Not because I believed him, but because of the sheer audacity. Beckett always had a talent for twisting reality into whatever suited him.

I stepped closer, my voice low and steady. “You’re reaching. Hard. Stop embarrassing yourself.”

But he didn’t back down. If anything, he leaned in, eyes flickering with something bitter, something desperate.

“Think about it,” he murmured. “You really believe a man like Hunter wouldn’t have secrets?”

A flicker of irritation ran through me, not fear. Hunter wasn’t perfect, but the way Beckett said it… it wasn’t a truth. It was a trap.

I crossed my arms, keeping my expression flat. “I don’t need to think about anything. I trust my husband. And the fact that you’re resorting to lies just proves how far gone you are.”

His jaw tightened, but he forced a smile, pretending he wasn’t rattled. “You’ll see, Dylan. Sooner or later, you’ll realize you made the wrong choice.”

I shook my head slowly. “No, Beckett. The only wrong choice I ever made was wasting years loving you.”

His face fell for a moment, the mask cracking.

Then I turned toward the door, ready to walk away again. I moved to leave, already done with this conversation, but Beckett stepped right into my path. The sudden shift in his stance made my pulse jump.

“Dylan, listen to me,” he said, voice low and stubborn, like he could force the world to bend if he pushed hard enough. “We were good together. You loved me. You still do. You’re just confused because of that man.”

Chapter 51

I clenched my jaw. “Move, Beckett. I’m not doing this.”

But he didn’t. He planted himself in front of me, blocking my way like I was something he could still claim. I tried to sidestep him, but he mirrored the motion, arms tensing at his sides.

“Stop,” I snapped. “I said I’m leaving.”

He reached out before I could take another step. His hand wrapped around my arm–not hard enough to hurt, but enough to freeze me. I stiffened, instinct telling me this had gone too far.

“Dylan,” he pressed, desperation bleeding into his voice. “You’re supposed to be with me. Not him. Come back and I’ll make everything right again.”

I shook his hand off, disgust flashing through me. “You don’t get to touch me. Let me go.”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify