I’m the Obsession of My Cold-Hearted Ex

Chapter 360: The Gift, the Glare, and the Slammed Door

Easton had tried calling her plenty of times in the past—enough to know full well that he was blocked. If she’d taken him off the blacklist, it could only mean one thing: something was up.

“I’m on the way. Almost there,” he answered.

“Then come downstairs when you get back.”

Click…

Ellis had hung up the moment she finished speaking.

Easton narrowed his eyes. She’s not inviting me in. Most likely, she’d have him stand at the door so she could yell at him. But whatever. It was still her birthday, and if he could see her and wish her a happy birthday in person, he didn’t care if she shouted at him. Her temper was quick, but it passed fast. He could handle it.

The moment the doorbell rang, Ellis grabbed everything he’d sent her and opened the door. Before Easton could even register her face, the first box flew at him. She didn’t hold back—her aim was sharp, and her throw was fast. Nothing sharp inside, but still enough to sting when it hit.

He’d expected it. This wasn’t even that bad. The boxes clattered to the ground. Easton lowered his eyes briefly, then looked up at her calm but pissed-off expression.

“You don’t like them?” he asked gently.

It wasn’t just the gifts Ellis hated; she hated the man behind them. If the cake hadn’t been such a mess to clean up, she would’ve chucked it in his face too. And if he didn’t clean it, she would’ve had to. Not worth it.

She gave a cold laugh. “Like them? Who do you think you are, some kind of savior? Doing charity work because you’re bored?”

She didn’t care what he’d given her. With the kind of money Easton had, she knew it wouldn’t be cheap. But she didn’t want any of it. She couldn’t stand him. Accepting anything from him felt like letting bad luck into her life.

“I just followed tradition, like I always used to on your birthday,” Easton began, then corrected himself, “But since you don’t like it… I’ll take it back.”

“Get lost.” Ellis spat the word like venom and slammed the door in his face before he could say another word. The force of the slam rattled the walls and floor. The cabinet behind her shook. Something she’d left sitting there fell to the ground.

She bent down, picked it up, and muttered under her breath, “Piece of crap. Think money makes you untouchable? Disgusting. Can’t wait for you to go bankrupt. Let’s see how high and mighty you act then.”

Outside, Easton crouched down to pick up the boxes she’d thrown. She hadn’t broken them. Despite the force, the wrapping was still intact. As he stood up with the bag in hand, another figure stepped into view—Maya. She’d gotten off work early so she could be with Ellis on her birthday, planning to have dinner together. She wasn’t expecting…

The wrapping made it obvious these were birthday gifts.

It was almost funny. The powerful, untouchable Mr. Hudson reduced to this. Around Ellis, he was nothing. She treated him however she pleased, and she didn’t care if he retaliated—because he never would.

Easton glanced her way. The air turned awkward fast. Maya raised a hand to her face, half-covering her eyes like she hadn’t just witnessed the whole thing. She let out a dry laugh. “Mr. Hudson… were you here to drop off—”

“I should stop talking,” Ellis had told her—don’t talk to Easton.

Maya cut herself off, fumbled for her key, and quickly let herself in. Ellis was adjusting some things on the cabinet, and when she heard the door open, she instantly stiffened. Her first thought: Easton forced his way in. Her expression turned cold and sharp. But it wasn’t Easton—it was Maya. Her whole demeanor softened. She smiled. “Oh, it’s you.”

Maya had barely stepped inside before the door behind her started to swing shut. With Easton standing right there, tall enough to see past her, his eyes locked with Ellis’s. The eye contact was sudden and unwanted. Ellis’s smile vanished. Her expression turned icy again. She glared.

“Disgusting. Why’s this scumbag still standing there? Get lost already.”

Maya caught the look and didn’t need to guess who it was for. Her best friend’s expression changed faster than a politician during election season. No way that glare was for her. She quickly shut the door before Easton could ruin Ellis’s already shaky mood.

“Go get changed. Let’s head out for dinner?” Maya suggested.

“Don’t feel like going anywhere,” Ellis said, rubbing her stomach. “I had too much afternoon tea. Still not hungry!”

Maya raised an eyebrow and tilted her head toward the door. “You sure it’s from eating too much? Not from seeing your ex and getting nauseated?”

Just in case Easton was still out there, she lowered her voice a little.