Im the Obsession of My Cold-Hearted Ex

Chapter 286: A Toast to Tangled Hearts

“Besides looks and physique, what else do you think Morty likes about me?” she asked casually.

“You could just ask him directly,” Maya said after a moment’s thought. “Don’t let one failed marriage make you think you lack charm; you need to have confidence in yourself.”

After years of trying and failing to make Easton fall for her, Ellis didn’t feel unlovable, but Morty’s affection for her seemed utterly implausible. If Morty wasn’t Easton’s childhood friend, if he hadn’t been a double-faced person before, using disgusting tactics of saying one thing to her face and another behind her back, then based on his caring and helpful actions, he seemed quite capable of making a good impression.

Wait, a good impression? Her thoughts wandered, and she tapped her head a bit too hard. As the saying goes, old habits die hard. Changing Morty’s double-faced ways would be tough, wouldn’t it? She shouldn’t be fooled by his act, nor should she foolishly develop some weird fondness.

“Are you nuts, hitting your own head?” Maya asked, puzzled.

“Not nuts, just thinking…,” Ellis pursed her red lips. “Am I so starved for love that I get moved by any small act of kindness?”

“You starved for love?” Maya’s expression teetered between wanting to laugh and staying serious. She wasn’t mocking Ellis, just finding the statement somewhat humorous. Adjusting her expression, Maya continued, “If you were really starved for love, you wouldn’t have stayed married to Easton for three years before divorcing him, especially since he didn’t even want to have kids with you.”

Maya’s words hit the bullseye, and Ellis closed her eyes, shifting her position to lie on her side, turning away from Maya, and muttered as if in agony, “Being married to him felt like having a criminal record.”

“You should think about how to get Morty to give up hope,” Maya advised.

“From him…” At this, Ellis realized a painful truth. “I finally understand how much I must have annoyed Easton.”

Being pestered by someone you dislike is incredibly irritating. Though she didn’t want to send Morty to heaven, she did think about sending Easton there.

Why did Easton keep pressing for a reconciliation? No, it had been days since Easton had last appeared before her. Rejected in his marriage proposal, that arrogant and heartless man—was his pride hurt? Therefore, he hadn’t brought up reconciliation again, perhaps going off happily with Victoria instead!

“Regardless of whose side you’re on, just trying to win the affection of someone you like isn’t wrong,” Maya half-agreed with Ellis, “as long as the pursuit isn’t off-putting.”

Having witnessed how obsessed Ellis had been with Easton, losing herself and revolving her life around him, it was clear that if there was no fault on Ellis’s part, it was only in her poor judgment, falling for the wrong person.

Ellis forced a smile. “I used many methods that Easton found repulsive.” Even after marriage, she had behaved like she was still chasing him. Thinking about it, it was almost like Easton was seriously ill. Clearly not loving her, he should have divorced her sooner. Otherwise, without the label of Easton’s wife, she wouldn’t have been kidnapped.

Remembering the past, she felt like she was on the edge of life and death again, enveloped in fear and unease. In those moments, she had desperately hoped for Easton to come and rescue her, and wished for his presence in any other danger, to protect her from everything, allowing her to just watch quietly.

Chapter 296: A Toast to Tangled Hearts

The most recent danger had occurred during the company’s annual party, when Morty had rescued her just before things escalated. Her focus hadn’t been entirely sharp at the time, but looking back, she had to admit that any normal person would find it hard to reject being protected, a sense of security growing inside, offering a strange comfort. Comfort in telling herself not to worry about getting hurt. For a moment, she wondered if she was experiencing some sort of… After experiencing a dangerous event, did I develop a liking—like illusion—towards the person who saved me?

Luckily, she was a mature adult and knew it wasn’t real affection. However, from Morty, she had unearthed a new criterion for a future partner.

“Stop thinking about your crazy ex-husband!” Maya spat. “He talks about remarrying you, and it’s New Year’s, but he hasn’t shown any sign of it; maybe he’s off cooing with Victoria.”

“No sign from him is a good thing?” Ellis definitely didn’t want to be disgusted by Easton during the holidays.

Lying back down, she rubbed her eyes and said, “I’m going to sleep now.”

“Sleep well.” Maya covered Ellis with a blanket and then left.

The urge to sleep was slight, not very strong. Ellis didn’t rush to fall asleep. She planned to use her phone to induce more sleepiness, but scrolling through it made her more alert instead. It was mainly because of a WhatsApp message from Morty. Her car had been sent for repair by Morty’s contact, who discovered some issues and changed the parts; now that the car was fixed, he told her he’d sent someone to park it at her place, reminding her to stay alert to her phone to coordinate with the driver, ensuring she had a vehicle for work.