Hell Hath no fury like a billionaire's Ex-Chapter 92: The Mention of His Name

Diane’s POV

It had been two days since my unsettling phone call with Guerrero. Two days of silence that spoke volumes about whatever game was being played behind the scenes. I sat on Joan’s comfortable living room couch beside my mother, trying to focus on her stories about an encounter she had one time at the hospital, but my thoughts kept drifting.

"...and then the patient looked at the nurse, completely serious, and said ’But nurse, I thought the thermometer was supposed to go under my tongue!’" Mom finished, her laughter filling the room.

I managed a smile, but it didn’t reach my eyes. My hand absently rubbed over my belly where the twins had been unusually active today. Their movements seemed to mirror my internal unrest.

"You didn’t hear a word I just said, did you?" Mom asked, her smile fading into concern.

I sighed, leaning my head back against the cushions. "I’m sorry. I just can’t stop thinking about Guerrero’s reaction. The biggest contract in Synergy Sphere’s history should have been cause for celebration, not... whatever that was."

"Have you tried calling him again?"

I shook my head. "I don’t want to seem desperate. If he’s hiding something, pushing too hard might make him retreat further."

Mom patted my hand. "You’re doing everything you can, sweetheart. Maybe Andrew could make some discreet inquiries? Given his position..."

The mention of my father, still such a strange concept to wrap my mind around...brought a mix of emotions. Having the owner of Elite Group as my father was both a blessing and a complication I hadn’t anticipated.

"I’ve thought about it," I admitted. "But I don’t want to rely on him too heavily. This is my fight. Besides, if word got out that Andrew Evans was backing me because of personal connections rather than business merit, it could undermine everything I’ve worked for."

The sound of keys in the front door interrupted our conversation. Joan swept in, bringing with her the crisp autumn air and, surprisingly, a bright smile.

"Well, you look cheerful," I observed.

Joan set her briefcase down by the door and approached, her eyes twinkling with something I couldn’t quite place. "I had an interesting encounter today."

"Oh?" I straightened slightly, my attention caught by her tone.

"I bumped into Noah at Whitman’s Café. He’s in town for some project."

The mention of his name sent a jolt through my system...a mixture of hope, guilt, and longing I wasn’t prepared for. My heart seemed to stumble over its next beat.

"How... how is he?" I asked, trying to sound casual and failing miserably.

Joan settled into the armchair across from us. "He looks good. Tired, maybe, but good. We talked for a few minutes."

I bit my lip, afraid to ask but needing to know. "Did he... mention me?"

"He asked if you were okay," Joan said, watching my reaction carefully.

Relief washed over me, followed immediately by a wave of guilt. After everything, he was still concerned about my wellbeing. That was so... Noah.

"What did you tell him?" I asked.

"That you’re holding up as well as can be expected, all things considered." Joan tilted her head. "He seemed genuinely worried about you, Diane."

My mother excused herself to make some tea, sensing this was a conversation Joan and I needed to have privately.

The moment she left, I let out a long breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. "I messed up, Joan. With Noah."

"What happened? You two seemed to be getting along so well."

My eyes filled with unexpected tears. "He found out about the pregnancy from... you know...the interview. " I ran a hand through my hair in frustration. "He was hurt that I hadn’t told him myself, and he asked me point-blank if I was just using him to get back at Liam."

Joan’s expression shifted to concern. "And what did you tell him?"

"Nothing," I admitted, shame coloring my voice. "I couldn’t answer him. And that was answer enough, wasn’t it?"

Joan sighed heavily. "Oh, Diane."

"I know," I whispered. "I know."

"I warned you not to hurt him. Noah is one of the good ones."

I closed my eyes, feeling the full weight of my actions. "At first, that’s all it was. Using his connection to the board, Taking advantage of his care for me. I was so consumed with making Liam pay that I didn’t care who got caught in the crossfire."

"And now?" Joan pressed.

The question hung in the air between us. The truth was, somewhere along the way, my feelings for Noah had shifted. The weekend getaway and Road trip that had nothing to do with Synergy Sphere or Liam. The way he listened...really listened...when I spoke. The genuine care he showed for my wellbeing, not just physically but emotionally.

"I miss him," I admitted softly, the words feeling like surrender. "I’ve called and texted dozens of times since our fight, but he won’t respond. And the worst part is, I can’t even blame him."

Joan’s expression softened. "Maybe you need to be more direct. Tell him exactly how you feel."

"I don’t even know how I feel," I confessed. "Everything is so complicated right now. The company, the babies, Liam, my father suddenly being Andrew Evans..." I laughed humorlessly. "I’m not sure I’d trust my own emotions if I were him."

"Then be honest about that too," Joan suggested. "Noah appreciates honesty above all else. It’s why finding out about your pregnancy from the media hurt him so deeply."

I nodded slowly, considering her words. "Do you think he’d even be willing to see me? To listen?"

"He’s in town," Joan pointed out. "That’s an opportunity. And knowing he asked about you means he still cares, despite everything."

Hope flickered in my chest, tentative but present. "I’ll try to reach out again. And this time, I’ll be completely honest, whatever that means for us."

Joan smiled encouragingly. "For what it’s worth, I’ve always thought you two were perfect for each other. Even before all this chaos."

I raised an eyebrow. "Really? You never said anything."

"Would you have listened?" she challenged with a knowing look.

I laughed softly. "Probably not. I was too busy being the perfect wife to the perfect husband." I rubbed my temples, feeling a headache brewing. "God, what a farce that was."

"I’ll talk to him too, if you want," Joan offered. "Not to interfere, but just to encourage him to hear you out."

"I’d appreciate that," I said sincerely. freёweɓnovel.com

My mother returned with a tray of tea, settling it on the coffee table before us. As she poured, I shifted the conversation to my other pressing concern.

"There’s also the matter of Guerrero," I said, accepting a steaming cup. "Something isn’t right. Landing the Elite contract should have been a monumental win, something that would secure my position at Synergy Sphere. Instead, he’s stalling, making excuses for Liam."

Joan frowned, stirring honey into her tea. "You think Liam has something on him?"

"It’s the only explanation that makes sense," I said. "Guerrero is a businessman first and foremost. The Elite contract means millions for Synergy Sphere. Unless something...or someone...is making him prioritize protecting Liam over the company’s interests."

"Blackmail," Joan stated flatly.

"It’s Liam’s specialty," I confirmed bitterly. "Finding people’s pressure points and exploiting them."

Mom looked between us, concern etched on her features. "What will you do?"

"I need to find out what Liam has on Guerrero as soon as possible."

Joan nodded thoughtfully. "I might be able to help with that. I have some contacts who could do some discreet digging into Guerrero’s background. Everyone has secrets."

"In the meantime," Mom added, "you should still try reaching out to Guerrero again, Diane. Use those persuasive skills of yours. If you can get him talking, he might reveal something useful."

"And you need to rest," Joan insisted. "You’re carrying two human beings, remember? All this stress can’t be good for them."

As if on cue, one of the twins delivered a particularly energetic kick. I winced, placing a hand over the spot. "Trust me, they won’t let me forget they’re there."

The evening continued with lighter conversation, but my mind kept returning to Noah. When Joan excused herself to take a shower and my mother went to bed, I found myself alone with my thoughts and my phone.

I stared at Noah’s contact information, my thumb hovering over the call button. Before I could overthink it, I pressed call and held my breath.

One ring. Two rings. Three. Then voicemail.

But the silence that followed was deafening.

Outside, the security detail Andrew had insisted upon continued their vigilant patrol of Joan’s property. Their presence was both comforting and a stark reminder of the danger Liam still posed.

I moved to the window, my mind reeling with thoughts. So many revelations, so many changes in such a short time. My hands cradled my protruding belly, protecting the lives within...lives that would never know the uncertainty and pain I’d experienced growing up without a father.

My phone remained silent on the coffee table. No response from Noah. No call from Guerrero. Just the quiet of the night and the weight of decisions yet to be made.