The Unwanted Wife's Return (Ex-Husband Wants Me Back) novel Chapter 66

Silence Is an Answer 

ELIJAH’S POV: 

Just as I walked out of the mall ignoring the stares and glances, I saw a flower shop with beautiful lilies and I had just found out that Hannah loved them and roses. 

I had a friend working in Bri dresses and I had requested one of the limited edition dresses, as a gift for Hannan and I purchased it. I planned to ask her on a date with both the lily and the dress. 

So I stepped into the store, purchased a huge bouquet of lily to be delivered to the house since they weren’t ready yet and I still planned on making popcorn and spending time with the kids. I also got daises for my beautiful princess, Amelia, since she was so obsessed with pink and yellow lately. 

I was so excited at the idea of spending time with all of them separately but I also was aware enough to know that the chance a slim. But nonetheless I wouldn’t stop trying until we had a truly happy family. 

“Thank you.” I appreciated my driver as he opened the door and I was offended by the surprised look on his face. 

Was I really that horrible? 

Just as the car started moving, I got a message and just as fast as the internet could go, Janet and I’s video was already on the internet. I swallowed hard and let out a deep sigh. 

By the time I got home, it was almost 7:30 p.m as there was traffic. The air smelled faintly of lavender from the diffuser in the hallway. I smiled, balancing the bags of pastries and ice cream assisted by one of the maids, ready to announce myself. 

She had told me that they were all in the living room, and I walked hastily excited to see them. 

“Hey,” I called out cheerfully as I stepped into the living room. 

But the words caught in my throat. 

There they were, Hannah and the twins, cuddled together on the couch under a big grey blanket all in their night gowns, a bowl of popcorn nestled between them. A movie played on the TV, the glow reflecting softly on their faces. 

Andrew was leaning against Hannah’s shoulder, eyes half-closed. Amelia was giggling at something on-screen. 

I swallowed, forcing a smile. “I, uh… brought ice cream,” I said lightly, lifting the bags. “I even planned to make popcorn, but I guess you guys beat me to it.” 

No one looked up. Not even a flicker of acknowledgment. It was as though I wasn’t even there. 

For a long moment, I stood frozen, unsure whether to laugh it off or walk away. The sound of their laughter stung more than it should have, it wasn’t that they were happy. It was that they were happy without me. Just like they have always been. 

I set the ice cream down quietly on the counter and forced myself to retreat upstairs. 

“Let me go freshen up and join you.” I said quietly, and rushed upstairs. 

I cleared my throat awkwardly, managing a small smile. “Okay… no pressure. I’ll, uh… I’ll let you rest.” 

As I turned to leave, I dared to believe the silence wasn’t rejection, maybe it was progress. She hadn’t yelled, hadn’t told me to get out. That had to mean something. 

Right? 

I went to bed that night with a strange, fragile hope after happily reviewing documents and searching the finest restaurants in the country and finally narrowing it down to two. One where we even owned shares from. 

But the next morning, when I opened my bedroom door, that hope shattered instantly. 

The bouquet of lilies and the neatly wrapped dress were sitting on the floor in front of my door. Untouched. 

The petals of the lilies had begun to wilt ever so slightly, and for the first time in days, I couldn’t hold back the lump forming in my throat. 

Maybe silence wasn’t peace. Maybe it was punishment. 

It was heart breaking.