Walking Away While Pregnant: Dear Ex-Husband, I Don't Love You Anymore

Chapter 141: Chapter 141

Elise looked at Robin. She could clearly see the pleading and anticipation in the boy’s eyes. In the past, her heart would have softened instantly. But not anymore.

"Robin, it’s getting late. Go back with your dad," she said.

Hearing this, Robin’s eyes immediately welled with tears. "Godmom..."

"Go on back." Elise turned her head away, her expression cold as she stared at the flickering flames of the bonfire. "Aside from your father, none of us adults here have any obligation to look after you."

"Elise." Dylan stepped forward and took Robin’s hand. He looked down at her and said, "I told you, issues between adults shouldn’t be taken out on an innocent child."

Elise stood up, raising a hand to brush aside a few stray hairs the wind had blown across her cheek. Facing the glow of the bonfire, she looked at Dylan, her eyes devoid of any warmth. "That’s just the way I am. If you’re so worried about Robin being affected, then keep a tighter leash on him yourself. If you pull something like this again, don’t blame me for being even harsher!"

"You..."

"Alright, alright, what are you two doing arguing right in front of the kid?" Mrs. Shaw rushed over to break up the dispute, offering a placating smile. "Let’s everyone calm down. It’s a rare occasion for us all to cross paths and relax here tonight, isn’t it?"

As she spoke, Mrs. Shaw gave Elise a reassuring wink before turning back to Dylan. "Mr. Bennett, if you’re not in a hurry to leave, why don’t you sit down and have a drink with us?"

Dylan pressed his lips together and looked down at Robin.

Robin looked up at him, pleading softly, "Dad... can we go back a little later? I still want to play for a bit..."

With a resigned sigh, Dylan rubbed the boy’s head. "Alright, just a little longer."

Robin’s eyes lit up, his face instantly breaking into a bright smile. "Thanks, Dad!" With that, he turned and ran right back to play with Lily.

Mrs. Shaw immediately gestured for Dylan to take a seat. Dylan glanced at Elise, then turned and sat down in the spot Mrs. Shaw had arranged for him—the seat furthest away from Elise.

Elise’s face remained cold. Seeing how thick-skinned he was being by staying, she felt like leaving right then and there.

After showing Dylan to his seat, Mrs. Shaw hurried back to Elise’s side. She gently tugged on Elise’s arm and whispered, "Elise, sit back down. We’re out in public. Even if you’re divorced, he’s still the father of the child in your belly. Don’t let things get too ugly."

Elise wanted to argue that even if Dylan was the biological father of her unborn child, it didn’t give him the right to constantly pester and use her. But seeing the earnest, well-meaning look on Mrs. Shaw’s face, she ultimately chose not to talk back.

During her time staying here, Mrs. Shaw and everyone else had taken excellent care of her. Tonight’s bonfire party had been organized by Mrs. Shaw, and everyone was having a great time. If she left abruptly just because Dylan joined, it would put a damper on the evening.

Elise pursed her lips and said, "I know. I’m fine." With that, she sat back down.

"Then I’ll go check if the corn you wanted is ready yet," Mrs. Shaw said, patting her arm before heading over to where Alexander was standing.

Watching Mrs. Shaw’s busy figure, Elise let out a quiet sigh, then looked down at the two children squatting beside her. Robin was a child after all; he had looked ready to cry just a moment ago, but now he was already laughing and chatting with Lily. The world was always unpredictable, yet the hearts of children remained pure.

"Elise, the corn is ready! Here, eat up!" Mrs. Shaw walked over with a plate of freshly grilled food, handing a few skewers of grilled corn kernels to Elise. "Mr. Hayes knows you don’t eat spicy food, so he specially grilled a batch without any chili for you!"

Elise took the skewers, the corners of her lips curving into a slight smile. "Mr. Hayes is as thoughtful and attentive as always."

"You bet! No wonder he has such a sweet, angelic daughter like Lily. Girls should be raised by a father like him, so that when they grow up, they won’t be easily tricked by a scumbag’s sweet talk!"

Elise fell silent. Why did she feel like that comment was secretly directed at her?

Actually, it wasn’t even a subtle jab. She had it much worse than those girls who were blinded by a scumbag’s sweet words. Back then, her feelings for Dylan had been entirely one-sided—a solitary unrequited crush. Dylan hadn’t needed to say anything sweet at all; she had thrown herself headfirst into it all on her own.

Looking back now, Elise found it impossible to empathize with her past self. She could barely even remember why she had been so obsessively devoted to Dylan in the first place.

It turned out that the love she once thought would never change and never regret was quite fragile. After enduring day after day of cold neglect, those emotions had frozen over like a passing winter wind, leaving behind not a single shred of warmth.

Dylan had been watching Elise ever since he sat down. He saw Mrs. Shaw bring her food from Alexander’s station and sit down to chat with her.

When he overheard Mrs. Shaw mention that Alexander had specially grilled a non-spicy plate just for her, Dylan’s brow furrowed. And when he saw Elise smiling as she praised Alexander for being thoughtful and attentive, his thin lips pressed into a tight line. The empty aluminum can in his hand crumpled under his grip.

For the first time, he found Elise’s smile incredibly jarring. How could she smile like that while talking about another man?

"Mr. Bennett."

A deep, gentle voice sounded beside him.

Dylan snapped out of his thoughts and looked up to meet Alexander’s warm gaze.

"Want to try my cooking?" Alexander offered the freshly grilled food, smiling genially. "The ingredients are all fresh."

"Thanks." Dylan casually took a beef skewer.

Alexander sat down next to him, grabbed a lamb skewer for himself, and placed the rest of the plate on the table, calling out to the others to eat while it was hot.

Everyone had had a few drinks and was thoroughly relaxed. Even though a high-profile figure like Dylan was sitting among them, no one felt tense or constrained anymore.

At some point, Josh had slipped back inside and brought out his guitar. He was now sitting by the bonfire, strumming and singing.

His voice was clear and resonant, his pitch and technique flawless. A few of the female shop assistants stared at him with infatuated expressions, clapping along to the beat.

The cash cow that Dona fiercely protected was never just a pretty face; Josh was genuinely talented for a celebrity. He was a fast learner, could sing and dance, and possessed a natural intuition for acting—which probably had something to do with his background in photography. In short, Josh was absolutely glowing at this moment. This was the undeniable charm of a star.

Elise rested her chin in her hand, quietly watching Josh play and sing.

"I’m just afraid I’ll fall for you, I don’t dare let myself get too close..."

The sound of the ocean waves blended with the man’s clear singing as the bioluminescent "blue tears" crashed along the shoreline. Nights in Rainport never disappointed visitors who traveled from afar.

Alexander cracked open two bottles of beer and handed one to Dylan. "Cheers?"

Dylan glanced at him and reached for the bottle. Honestly, Dylan rarely ever drank beer. He usually stuck to spirits and liquor. But out here, beach barbecues and beer were obviously the perfect match.

Gripping the bottle with his sharp, structurally perfect hands, he lightly clinked it against Alexander’s. Without a word, he tilted his head back and took a long swig.

Alexander smiled slightly and took a drink as well.

Once they finished, both men instinctively turned their gaze toward Elise.

Elise still had her chin resting in her hand, her head tilted slightly as she watched Josh without blinking. The firelight flickered across her face, curving her beautiful eyes into crescents and pulling her lips into a soft smile. She was clearly completely captivated by Josh’s performance.

Dylan’s face darkened. He shot a glance at Josh and let out a cold scoff. "Just a show-off."

Alexander took a sip of his beer. "On that point, I actually agree."

It was the first time the two of them had ever agreed on anything. They clinked their bottles again, and this time, both men threw their heads back and downed the rest of their beer in one go.

Across the clearing, Josh had already started his third song.

Elise, however, was starting to feel exhausted. She couldn’t help but raise a hand to cover her mouth as she yawned.

Noticing this, Mrs. Shaw leaned over caringly. "Tired?"

Elise nodded and checked the time. "It’s almost ten. But everyone seems to be having so much fun, I’ll wait a bit longer."

"You’re pregnant. If you’re tired, don’t force yourself to stay up. Head on back."

Elise hesitated. "Won’t that ruin the mood?"

"Oh, come on! You can’t even drink, and you’ve kept us company until now—that’s more than enough! Go back and sleep if you’re tired, it’s fine."

Elise gave a helpless laugh. "Alright, I’ll go get some rest then. You guys keep enjoying yourselves."

"Walk slowly on your way back," Mrs. Shaw reminded her. "Turn on your phone’s flashlight."

"I know." Elise stood up. She didn’t make a big deal out of saying goodbye since everyone was currently riding high on the excitement.

It was less than a two-hundred-meter walk from the beach back to the guesthouse.

Once she returned to her room, Elise grabbed her pajamas and headed into the bathroom. After rinsing off and coming out, she walked over to the window and glanced outside.

Down on the beach, the bonfire was still blazing. A few of the female staff members had linked hands and were dancing in a circle around Josh while he accompanied them on guitar. It was incredibly lively.

The corners of Elise’s lips ticked upward. She closed the window, drew the curtains, and turned to get into bed. She left a small nightlight on by the bedside so she could see if she needed to use the restroom during the night. She really was exhausted; the moment her head hit the pillow, she drifted off to sleep.

Inside the dimly lit room, the woman’s breathing was steady and even.

Outside, a dark silhouette scaled the railing and dropped silently onto the balcony.

Immediately after, the glass door leading to the balcony was pried open with a tool. The faint, sharp click of the lock breaking failed to wake the soundly sleeping Elise.

The figure slipped into the room, holding a knife, and began creeping step by step toward the bed where Elise lay asleep...