Running After my Secret Billionaire Ex-Wife by Yoonworks

Chapter 97

Ciara closed her eyes as the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and pastries wafted through the air over the busy café that she was in.

She gazed out the window, pretending to be engrossed while watching everything that was happening around her, but her mind was elsewhere.

From the corner of her eye, she could see her bodyguards strategically placed around the café. To others, they were just patrons enjoying their coffee, but Ciara had spent her life used to their presence and could spot them immediately.

It had been three days since her fight with Callum. She had refused to speak to him since then, and he hadn’t tried to bridge the gap either. The silence in their home was suffocating, the tension so thick it was almost scary. Every room she walked into felt colder, and the once comforting walls of their house now felt like a prison.

At night, they would still sleep beside each other but Ciara knew something was wrong, and deep inside, she knew there was a giant wall between them at this point.

And whose fault was that? It was yours, Ciara. You were the one who didn’t want to talk and the one who denied whatever help they were trying to extend. You are the problem.

But Ciara couldn’t succumb to the thought that she would allow everyone around her to feel her vulnerability.

As Ciara finished her drink, she decided to use the restroom before heading home. She picked up her pouch and the small paper bag containing a casual dress she had impulsively bought earlier. Shopping wasn’t something she did often in this part

town, but she needed something, anything, to keep her mind occupied.

of

Serra wanted to accompany her earlier but for some reason, she was so adamant about shutting them all out of her life for

now.

In the restroom, she placed her things on the corner of the large sink and began washing her hands. A long sigh escaped her lips.

She felt empty. She felt miserable and she could feel her stomach churning like she wanted to puke. Sleeping was still hard these days but it was even more unbearable because Callum and felt like they were strangers.

The coldness inside the restroom doesn’t even make her feel better.

The sound of the door opening made her glance up. A beautiful woman entered, her face radiating innocence and grace. She wore a designer dress that clung perfectly to her fit physique and looked only a few years younger than Ciara. But there was panic in her eyes.

“Ugh, this is a disaster,” the woman muttered, frantically trying to wash out a large coffee stain on her white dress. The stain was too noticeable, spreading further with each attempt to clean it.© NôvelDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

Ciara watched silently, feeling a pang of sympathy. She knew all too well the frustration of trying to maintain a perfect image. Though something like this wouldn’t be a problem that much for her because of how Gwen or any of her guards could easily find a way to get her a new dress in an instant in case of emergency.

Suddenly, the woman’s phone rang. She put it on speaker as she continued her futile scrubbing.

“Vanessa, where are you?” a woman’s voice echoed through the restroom.

“I’m in the restroom, Julie. I spilled coffee all over my dress,” Vanessa replied, her voice tinged with desperation. “I’m supposed to be at the meeting in thirty minutes, and I look like a mess.”

Julie sighed audibly. “You can’t attend looking like that. Can you find something nearby?”

1/3

J

14

16.38 Mon,

Chapter 97

S

“I’ll try.” Vanessa said, ending the call and looking even more distressed.

Ciara hesitated for a moment, then cleared her throat. “Excuse me, I couldn’t help but overhear. I have a dress I just bought. It’s brand new and it might fit you.”

Vanessa looked up, surprised. She stared at Ciara for a moment and she seemed very startled to see someone with her like she didn’t notice that she actually had company, “Really? Oh, but I couldn’t…”

“Please, take it,” Ciara insisted, offering the paper bag. “It looks like you really need it.”

Vanessa bit her lip, clearly torn, but then nodded. “Thank you so much. I don’t know how to repay you.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Ciara said with a small smile. “You can pay me back by nailing that meeting.”

Vanessa chuckled softly, taking the bag. “You’re a lifesaver. Can I at least have your contact? I’d like to thank you properly later.”

Ciara hesitated for a moment. In reality, there was no need for that because she doubted they would actually meet again but for some reason, she felt like doing it, so, she nodded and they exchanged details. As Vanessa hurried to change, Ciara felt a strange mixture of different emotions within her. Vanessa was beautiful and poised, everything Ciara felt she was not at that moment. Her confidence was at an all-time low, but she didn’t dislike Vanessa. If anything, she admired how the woman was handling the situation. Unlike her, she is a mess right now.

Leaving the restroom, Ciara decided to wander through the huge establishment next door. She wasn’t ready to return to the suffocating silence of their house just yet when she knew that right now, she was still not ready to talk to Callum.

As she browsed the shops, she let her mind drift, hoping to find something that would catch her interest.

Then she saw her, the woman earlier.

Vanessa, looking stunning in the dress Ciara had given her, stood in the lobby, checking her phone. She seemed even more radiant now, exuding a confidence that Ciara could only admire at the moment. Ciara smiled, pleased to see the dress had found a good home.

But her smile vanished as she took another step forward. A familiar figure approached Vanessa, greeting her warmly.

It was Callum.

Ciara’s heart pounded in her chest as she watched them. Callum looked so good beside that beautiful woman. They look so perfect like they were meant to stand beside each other.

She felt a sharp pang of jealousy and hurt. Her mind raced, trying to make sense of what she was seeing.

“I’m glad to see you again, Vanessa,” Callum said. Ciara wasn’t that far from them so she heard Callum’s voice and she was startled to hear the softness in his tone.

“Thanks, Callum. I had a bit of an accident earlier, but a kind stranger saved the day,” Vanessa replied, smiling brightly.

Ciara felt rooted to the spot, her emotions a tangled mess right now. She had no idea Callum knew Vanessa, let alone that they seemed so close.

“Is everything ready for the meeting?” Callum asked, glancing at his watch.

“Yes, I think we’re all set. Just need to go over a few details,” Vanessa said, pulling out her phone and showing him something. The two of them soon started walking and Ciara took a deep breath, trying to steady herself.

She needed to get out of there before she did something she’d regret. She turned on her heel and walked briskly towards the exit, her mind filled with crazy thoughts.

16.38 Mon, Jul 22 G G

Chapter 97

As she stepped out into the fresh air, she felt tears prick in her eyes. How could Callum be so close to another woman and not tell her? The anger and hurt she had been holding back for days threatened to spill over.

Just then, her phone buzzed. It was a message from Callum. She hesitated, then opened it.

Can we talk later? I know you’re upset, but we need to sort this out.

Ciara stared at the screen, her emotions in chaos. She wanted to ignore him, to keep the walls she had built around her heart intact. But a part of her knew that they needed to talk, to face whatever was happening between them.

With a shaky breath, she typed a reply.

I’ll be home soon.

As she made her way back to her car, Ciara felt like she was being suffocated. The image of them together was a punch to the gut, leaving Ciara reeling, her world spinning and her heart breaking into a thousand pieces.