Chapter 5 YOUR EX WIFE

"1..2..3..clear!" The doctor pressed the defibrillator on her chest, sending an electric shock to her body, but there was no response.

"1..2..3..clear!" he tried again, still no response.

Charles heart stopped as he watched them try again. "1...2..3.... clear!"

At that moment, Charles heart pounded fiercely, almost choking him as his breath hitched. His eyebrows arched, his sad gaze fixated on her lifeless body.

"She is stabilising." A nurse announced happily, her tone lifted with relief as the life machine showed a steady green line. The doctor checked her heart rate, oxygen levels, and other vitals. It was returning to normal, a sight that left the medical team amazed.

Charles sighed with relief as the door was unlocked and he stepped in, his legs weak beneath him.

"This is a miracle. She is such a fighter," the doctor commended, glancing at her.

Charles barely managed a smile as the doctor reassured him. "She's passed the critical stage. She should wake up before the end of today," the doctor explained, fixing his gaze on her.

"Thank you, doctor," Charles said, extending a handshake.

"It's okay, Mr. Davies," he dismissed, taking the handshake before exiting the ward with the nurses.

Charles settled beside her bed as he watched her chest rise and fall gently as she slept peacefully. Guilt gnawed at him for leaving her side to go answer the call. With several thoughts swirling through his mind, he realised he hasn't informed her family about it yet.

Although it will make no difference, he still retrieved his phone and dialled Thomas.

"Have you found your wife? Thomas mocking voice came in immediately, sending cold anger through Charles, but he chose to ignore it.

"She got into an accident, Thomas. I'm in the hospital with her," Charles said, his voice low and strained.

Thomas was unfazed by the news, still munching irritably on something. "There seems to be a lot of drama going on in your home recently. What kind of man are you? He retorted, barely acknowledging the severity of the situation.

Charles was shocked beyond belief, he had expected indifference but not this level of callousness. "Your daughter got into an accident," he repeated in a sharper tone.

"I'm not deaf, I can hear you," he fired back, his voice thick with disdain. "Well, I'm busy. I'm sure you'll handle it."

"What kind of father are you? I just told you that your daughter's life is in danger," Charles snapped, anger brewing inside him and his jaw clenched, and his hold tightened around the phone.

"The last time I checked, I'm not a medical practi-" Charles ended the call.

Charles couldn't bear her father's nonchalant attitude. He had mastered the habit of ending her father's call anytime his words aren't sitting well with him, as it was the only way to keep his emotions in check. Ashley's parents had always been cold, but this was beyond comprehension.

Hailey came back some hours later, allowing Charles the chance to go home and refresh.

As he drove home exhausted, his phone buzzed. It was Isabella, he picked up the phone.

"Where are you? She fired, her voice was cold. She had gone to Charles residence without telling him in a bid to surprise him, only to find it empty.

"I'm...." He stammered, his voice barely cutting through the noise of the busy street. "I will be home soon."

He got home and dashed inside immediately. The air was thick with the scent of perfume and wine. Isabella was dressed in seductive lingerie, with all her skin exposed and enticing. A glass of wine in one hand as swaying lightly to the classical song buzzing from the home theatre.

She was celebrating her remarkable achievements for finally getting rid of Ashley and having Charles wrapped under her fingers.

"Isabella," Charles called as he stepped into the room, with confusion etched on his face. Her revealing body stirred something primal in Charles.

Her smile widened. "Hey, babe," she replied softly, her voce resounding with Joy as she placed her drink gently on the table, muting the music. She moved towards him with slow, deliberate steps, her hands slipping around his neck like silk.

Glancing dotingly at his handsome face, she noticed the puffiness in his tired eyes.

"You look exhausted," she whispered, leaning closer, her lips almost brushing his ear. But something in his gaze made her pause.

"What are you doing here?" Charles asked his mind distant as he completely forgot that he asked her to come around anytime she pleases.

Isabella slowly withdrew the hands from his neck, her smile and happiness disappearing into thin air. She took a step back, hurt flashing in her eyes.

"Charles, are you being serious?" She inquired, her voice cracked, barely holding back the anger building inside her. She turned away, crossing her arms.

Charles blinked, shaking his head slightly. "I'm sorry. I totally forgot that I asked you to come.

Her jaw dropped, and she folded her arms tighter. "Where have you been? You don't seem yourself."

He sighed, stepping closer to her, trying to find the right words. "I've been... somewhere important," he muttered. He couldn't tell her. Not yet.

"I asked your staff; none of them knew where you went," she demanded sharply, her frustration evident.

Charles ran a hand through his hair, the weight of exhaustion pulling at him. He bent down to meet her eyes, but she avoided his gaze. He hesitated, knowing this would only make things worse, but he decided to tell her.

"I had to rush off to the hospital. Ashley got into an accident," he explained calmly, but Isabella couldn't believe her ears.

A bitter laugh bubbled inside her. "You what? She barked out angrily.

"Isabella, I was called by the hospital to sign a surgery agreement for my wife," he replied in a frustrated tone.

"Your exwife," she corrected with anger boiling in her. The words were cutting through her like a blade. Charles face was a mix of confusion and shock. Why would he constantly refer to Ashley as his wife?

Charles winced, correcting himself. "Ex-wife."

Her anger flared, her hands curling into fists. "What about her family? They can equally sign the agreement."

"I don't have the time to argue with you, Isabella. I need to freshen up," he uttered in a final note, his expression hardened. He brushed past her, stripping off his jacket as he disappeared into the bathroom.

Isabella immediately sensed the tension and went silent, but her chest was still rising and falling with anger. The moment she heard the water running, she slipped into the corridor and made a call.

"You should refund every penny I paid to you," she hissed into the receiver in a low and intimidating tone. "You failed at your job. Now she's an even bigger problem."

"Who is a bigger pain? A voice broke her focus.