After my First Love Returned, I Decided to Divorce novel Chapter 8

Liam wasn't just recovering all those years abroad.

He had used his time wisely.

He saw the market trends before anyone else did, made the right investments, built his own empire from the ground up.

Now, his wealth and influence rivaled the Johnsons themselves.

Because while I was suffering in that house, Ethan was burning through his inheritance like a spoiled kid in a candy store.

The cracks in the Johnson family's fortune were showing, and people were already starting to jump ship.

Ethan was the reason for their downfall.

His recklessness, his arrogance, his utter incompetence.

And now, Liam was back.

"I'm here now, Emily," Liam said, his voice steady and sure.

"You don't have to be afraid anymore."

I thought I would never cross paths with Ethan again.

After all, our divorce had been a disaster, and Mr. Johnson Sr. made it clear the very next day that he would make sure I had no place in New York City.

Too bad for him—the world had changed.

With Liam's powerful return and my expertise by his side, the declining Johnson family was no match for us.

But I never expected Ethan to come looking for me.

I had just moved into my new home, yet by the next morning, I found him waiting downstairs—where he'd been all night.

His hair was damp with morning dew, dark circles heavy under his eyes.

I almost didn't recognize him—Ethan had never looked so lost before.

Then, just like old times, he grabbed my wrist, his voice raw and desperate.

"Emily, tell me the truth."

"In five years... did you ever have feelings for me?"

"Not even a little?"

I stared at him, bewildered by the absurdity of his question.

Why did he care?

Did it matter?

With the Johnson empire crumbling around him, why was he here, fixated on something so pointless?

Was he insane? Delusional?

But seeing the sheer determination in his eyes, I pressed my lips together and answered.

"Yes."

"Ethan, I did have feelings for you."

Five years is a long time.

Endless days of loneliness and pain... staring at a face that looked so much like Liam's... how could I not have wavered, even for a moment?

His eyes lit up, hope flashing across his face.

But before he could say another word, I cut him off.

"But you weren't worth it."

"You never deserved it."