After They Sent Me Overseas, I Returned With a Powerful Husband Chapter 02

After They Sent Me Overseas, I Returned With a Powerful Husband Chapter 02

The moment I finished speaking, the room fell silent.

Then someone laughed.

Rowan didn’t buy it either.

He walked over, wearing the same gentle, patient expression he always used with me.

“Come on, don’t be like this.”

“If you’re mad I haven’t been reaching out lately, that’s my fault.”

“But I know you. Where would you even get the money to buy that bag?”

When I didn’t answer, he reached up to pat my head.

“Let Sienna have the bag. I’ll buy you another one. Whatever you want.”

His hand never made it. Another hand caught his wrist.

Before I could react, the world spun, and I was pulled straight into someone’s arms.

Cassian, a flicker of impatience in his eyes, stepped sideways to block Rowan off.

“You don’t need to shop for my girlfriend.”

He smiled, every word deliberate.

“She’s just throwing a tantrum. I’ll take her home and calm her down. You two enjoy yourselves.”

He carried me out without another glance.

I shoved against his chest, digging my nails into his arm.

He didn’t let me go until we reached the car, setting me down beside the back seat.

The second my feet hit the ground, I slapped him.

The crack echoed through the quiet underground garage.

Cassian ran his tongue across the corner of his mouth and stared at me. Something dark settled in his eyes.

“Ava.”

Once upon a time, hearing him say my name like that would’ve been enough to make me throw my arms around his neck and kiss him.

Now, I didn’t even blink.

“Cassian.” I met his gaze without backing down, my voice cold.

“We’re over. Touch me again, and I’ll gladly let the cops haul you away.”

He froze. Like he’d never imagined those words would come from me.

Before he could answer, his phone rang.

He frowned and glanced at the screen, ready to decline the call.

Then he saw the caller ID. A smile tugged at his lips.

From where I sat, I could hear a girl’s tearful voice through the speaker.

She asked why the bag hadn’t arrived yet.

She accused him of not caring about her. Asked if he’d ignored everything she’d said.

It was Sienna. My own sister.

Clearly, she was throwing a fit.

Yet every trace of coldness disappeared from Cassian’s face.

“When have I ever not cared about you?”

His voice softened instantly.

“Hey, don’t cry. I’m coming right now.”

He hung up.

Without looking at me once, he stepped out of the car, shut my door, and tapped on the driver’s window.

“Take Miss Monroe home.”

He didn’t look at me until he caught my reflection in the glass.

“I’ll let you keep acting out like you always have. But don’t push it.”

“When you’re done, come back on your own. Don’t make me come drag you home.”

“Sienna had too much to drink at The Velvet Lounge. I’m going to pick her up.”

“Be a good girl and go home.”

I watched his figure disappear in the rearview mirror.

I didn’t chase after him. I leaned back in my seat instead.

“Let’s go.”

I’d only been back for a day and hadn’t picked up my own car yet.

Besides, I was flying back in a few days, and there were some documents at home I needed to grab.

Ignoring the driver’s curious glances, I started a video call with my husband.

I gave him the short version of what happened after I landed.

Then I spent the next few minutes saying sweet things until the faint look of disappointment on his face finally disappeared.

He watched me through the screen for a moment before leaning closer.

“As soon as I’m done here, I’ll have the jet rerouted.”

“I’ll pick you up before we head back.”

“It’s been three nights since I’ve fallen asleep holding you, honey.”

“I can’t take another one. So wait for me, okay?”

By the time the call ended, the car had already pulled up outside the Monroe Estate.

I went straight upstairs without saying a word. Then I fell asleep.

The next morning, I was woken by a commotion downstairs.

I had barely reached the bottom of the stairs when my mom’s voice hit me.

“So you’re finally awake?”

“You came home without saying hello. Then you locked yourself upstairs.”

“You couldn’t even bother making breakfast.”

“What, are you a guest now?”

I didn’t answer. I sat down at the table and picked up my fork.

Before I could take a bite, a familiar voice called from the doorway.

“Starting without me?”

A long hand reached over and set a glass of warm milk beside my plate. Rowan.

He sat down in the empty seat next to me like he belonged there. Then he glanced upstairs.

I looked at the milk but didn’t touch it.

“I’m lactose intolerant.”

I pushed it back toward him.

“I can’t have milk.”

He blinked in surprise.

He looked down at the glass, then back at me.

“Right. My bad. I forgot.”

He picked it up and drank it himself.

I looked away.

Growing up, Rowan always bought three cups of milk because Sienna loved it.

One for Sienna. One for himself. The last one was always handed to me.

“Drink up. It’ll help you grow.”

At first, I’d remind him.

“Rowan, I can’t have milk.”

He’d always say, “I’ll remember next time.”

But next time never came. He’d hand me another cup anyway.

Eventually, I stopped saying anything.

I drank every drop, then curled up in bed alone and waited for the stomach pain to pass.

After enough years, I almost convinced myself I actually liked milk.

Now, I didn’t have to pretend anymore.

I went back to my meal.

My mom suddenly turned to Rowan.

“Rowan, you’ve got a wide network. Any decent guys you could introduce to Ava?”

I frowned. Before I could speak, Rowan answered.

“Mrs. Monroe, there aren’t many men worthy of Ava.”

“She’s always had high standards. She’s got too much pride for just anyone.”

He looked at me with a smile as he said it, as if expecting me to be impressed.

My mom snorted. “Worthy of her?”

“She never even went to a real college. She didn’t even get her high school diploma.”

“What decent man would even want her?”

“Mrs. Carter has a relative with a son.”

“He graduated from a top university. He’s forty-two.”

“Sure, he’s divorced once, but he has a house, a nice car, and a great career.”

“You’re not getting any younger. You should be grateful if he’s interested.”

“Stop acting so picky.”

Rowan frowned. “Mrs. Monroe, Ava—”

“That’s enough, Mom.” I set my fork down, cutting them both off.

“I’m already married.”