Divorce To Restart: Vengeful Ex-Wife Strikes Back!

Chapter 50 The Message

NINA’S HOME, NEW YORK. Nina groaned as she felt a dull ache below her belly. She has been on her toes all morning in the lab and hasn’t had much time for herself. She remembered she should have called Xander to ask how his trip went. Only to take her phone from the bag and realize the battery was down. She plugged in the phone and got rid of her clothes quickly. Hunger got the best of her, and Carla’s pasta and grilled chicken had her nose twitching. She hurried out in excitement. “I was just about to come get you,” Carla said, stretching her phone to Nina. “Xander just called. He says he has been trying to reach you, but your line is off.” Nina smacked her lips. “I didn’t know it was off; I am charging it now. Thanks.” She mumbled, taking the phone from her and redialing the contact. “Hey.” “Nina!” Xander sounded very relieved when the line connected. “It’s so nice to hear from you. I was about to lose my mind. How are you?” “I am fine. Sorry, I just got home to find my phone was off. How was your trip?” “Not bad. It was fine. I feel better now that I have heard from you. Aren’t you working too hard, Nina? You know your condition-” “I am not handicapped, Xander. Please.” She cut him short. “I think it is best you get some sleep. I will call you later. Bye.” Nina ended the call before he could say anything else. Carla watched her closely as she placed the dishes on the dining table. “Do you think he does too much?” She asked. Nina bowed her head in shame. “You must think I am an ungrateful brat.” She pulled out a chair to sit. “No, I don’t think you are.” “There is no need to sugarcoat your words to me. I know I am being excessive by venting my frustration on him when Xander only tries to help. But I don’t need such demanding attention right now. It’s overwhelming.” “Isn’t this your moment of need?” “I don’t want to be needy. People always rub the help they do in my face. Once beaten twice shy.” “And you think Xander is that kind of person who would throw everything he has done to you in your face?” Nina licked her lips and held the older woman’s gaze. “I would be a hypocrite if I pretend that isn’t the thought that crosses my mind.” “I can’t blame you. People have hurt you so much. However, it will be a disadvantage if your rage prevents you from seeing the willing ones before you. Note that there is always someone who wants to help for the sake of humanity.” “Xander still has fragments of our feelings for each other over a decade ago. I don’t want to lead him on.” Carla chuckled. “Even a blind person will notice that. He is well aware of your state of mind. A man in love can’t just help himself when it comes to the one he cares about. And do you even know why he is so concerned about your state?” Nina frowned. “There is more to it?” “Yes. His mother was pregnant when Jace was fifteen. Heavily pregnant, she found out that her husband might have a mistress. It bothered her so much that Venus started paying less attention to herself and was more bothered about knowing who the mistress was. During her spy trips, she went into forced labor. Since she ignored her body and skipped antenatal, her body couldn’t endure the things happening to it. It was a hard time for the family. It took Venus a long time to recover. The child was a girl and would have grown up beautifully now. With everything you have been through, Xander is worried something might go wrong if you don’t check yourself properly.” “Oh, my goodness. I didn’t know about this. Is this why Xander is not on good terms with his dad?” “There are many reasons why their relationship is bent. They just never had the chance to get along.” “I didn’t think my presence would be so much of a burden for him.” She said sadness with writing all over her expression. “No, Nina. You are not burdening anyone. I see your resilience. Just keep being yourself, and also look out for yourself. Let’s eat before it runs cold.” Carla urged. Nina smiled, happy to finally get her belly filled. Dinner went well, and by the time she had a bath, sleep was the only thing that mattered. Her alarm had her grunting the next morning. Nina dragged herself from the bed to get ready for the day. As soon as Nina got dressed, she unlocked her phone to see if she missed any new call or message from Xander. A grin tugged at her lips when she saw he had sent her a message. The minute her eyes skimmed through the content of the message. The grin disappeared, and a pale expression settled on her face. Nina had to read through it again to know if she wasn’t hallucinating. Xander had sent a text telling her it would be best to maintain only a business relationship. He just realized he was doing too much for someone who had broken his heart for nothing. He warned her never to call him for personal reasons and to keep her distance. Nina gasped in disbelief. Xander had been concerned about her yesterday, so she couldn’t understand the basis of such a message. She kept reading through it as if she wished it might be a mistake or a spam message. But it was indeed sent by Xander. Her heart ached, and she felt stupid for letting her guard down when she had already suspected that people were the same. Her eyes watered, and her breath hitched. It hurts more that Xander pinned it all on her as if she is initiating any closeness between them. While still trying to process her thoughts, Xander’s call came in. Nina scoffed in distaste. He must remedy the situation by lying that it isn’t his doing. Nina felt the urge to pick up and ask him what he meant in the message, but then she turned down the idea. She felt like it would only make her appear stupid. She was wiping her tears off angrily. Nina blocked his contact immediately, and she left for work. At least he hasn’t taken her job from her. She should be grateful for his generosity. She was sucking her teeth and feeling like the world’s greatest fool. She left the room and mumbled a distant good morning to Carla. “Miss, Xander is calling,” Carla announced. Nina turned to her with a cold glare. “Ma’am, I know you were introduced to me by Xander, but I would appreciate it if we stopped talking about him and told him to stop calling me if he calls again.” She said, leaving hastily. “Your breakfast.” Carla ran after her to deliver it, but she was gone. The older woman stood stiffly, wondering what happened between the span of the night and now. Deciding it was none of her business, she returned to the house.