Behind Closed Doors: My Ex-boyfriend Wants Me Back

"Ah!"

After smashing the door open, the maid couldn't resist exclaiming in shock at the scene before her.

Joelle Bennett's eyelashes fluttered as she saw the man and woman, without clothes, all tangled up. Quite a view, indeed.

However, Joelle might have found the scene amusing if the man wasn't her so-called boyfriend and the woman wasn't her half-sister.

"What are you looking at? Clear everyone out of here now!" Verena Bennett, Joelle's stepmother, yelled in a frenzy.

The maids snapped out of their daze, quickly shut the door, ushered the guests away, and stopped any newcomers from heading upstairs.

The meticulously arranged birthday party suddenly turned into a mess.

Joelle felt her eyelashes flutter once more.

At that moment, Verena's gaze shifted fiercely to her stepdaughter, Joelle.

Her eyes were brimming with intense loathing.

Just as Joelle was about to talk, Verena hurried over and delivered a sharp slap out of nowhere.

The slap caught Joelle by surprise. Thankfully, a nearby servant caught her just in time, preventing her from tumbling flat onto the floor amidst the crowd!

As guests glanced back at the commotion, whispers began to spread.

"You despicable woman!" Verena hissed, her voice dripping with venom. "You brought Jaxon here, so don't pretend you're innocent! I sensed something off when my daughter announced she was about to get engaged, and you suddenly showed up with a boyfriend. Clearly, you planned to humiliate us intentionally!"

A red mark stood out on Joelle's perfect skin, throbbing painfully. She calmly caressed her cheek, easing the sting.

With a flirtatious twinkle in her eyes, she smiled and said, "Verena, hold up! Why rush to violence before we sort things out? Could it be that you're scared it'll come out that your daughter lured my boyfriend, so you're trying to shift the blame onto me?"

Joelle could tell what Verena was up to, causing Verena's facial expression to twist.

Verena glared at Joelle and declared, "I know what you're up to, Joelle! You want to ruin Emmeline's engagement because you're after Callum! You always chase after the wealthy and ignore the less fortunate. But now, with Callum's heart set on Emmeline, he won't give you a second look, no matter your schemes!"

Verena's statements were fierce, portraying her as a mother fiercely defending her daughter's romantic relationship.

Amid the gathering, Joelle stood with poise and elegance, drawing many doubtful looks her way. Rumors about her had spread far and wide.

Joelle's long eyelashes slightly fluttered again. A sting of emotion hit her every time Verena mentioned Callum.

Callum Sullivan...

That name now carried weight, representing a flourishing power in the business realm and a key player in several new sectors.

The old guard of wealth was keen to align with him, hoping to capitalize on this new trend.

Rumors circulated that he had been at the pinnacle of global wealth for three years since his business inception, acquiring a fortune beyond measure.

Once Callum became really famous, everyone dug deep into his past. There weren't many stories of love from his past, just one from his high school days. He was poor back then and had fallen for a rich girl. But she, with a penchant for affluence, scorned his modest origins and left him.

This girl, who once chased wealth and disdained the less fortunate, was Joelle herself. She had lost her status as the distinguished Miss Bennett and now was in a starkly different situation.

Life's twists and turns are unpredictable, showcasing how fortunes can flip unexpectedly.

Now, she wasn't the popular Miss Bennett from a rich family anymore, and he had become someone everyone wanted to be around.

Three years had passed since Joelle last encountered Callum, and then, her half-sister Emmeline Bennett had introduced him as her boyfriend to the Bennett family.

Her surprise at that moment was as big as seeing Jaxon and Emmeline sleeping together today.

Jaxon Lloyd wasn't even her boyfriend. He was just someone she had brought along for support.

Her ex-boyfriend was about to marry her half-sister, making her look pathetic. But who would've thought something like this would happen now?

Joelle avoided bringing up Callum since their relationship had ended a while ago. Instead, she said, "Hold on, Verena. Let's discuss this once these two wake up from their drunken sleep. All I know is I'm innocent."

Her look was calm and honest.

Yet Verena remained unconvinced, her eyes brimming with hatred as she accused, "You're lying! You and Jaxon must have plotted to intoxicate my daughter! You brought him here!"

Joelle's gaze sharpened.

"Stop." A firm, rough voice pierced the chaos. Joelle's grandfather, Aydan Bennett, looked around the assembly with a stern look and said, "This scene is quite shameful, wouldn't you agree?"

At his words, the once noisy crowd went quiet instantly.

Aydan let out a sigh of relief and turned to the caregiver next to him. He said, "Please check on Callum's whereabouts. Today's incident was our fault. He deserves an explanation..."

He was interrupted by a clear, cold voice that wafted across the crowd. "There's no need, Mr. Bennett."

This voice, deep and compelling, captured everyone's attention without effort.

Joelle blinked as a figure started to come into focus before her.

Walking up the stairs, Callum came into view on the second floor. Fresh from what seemed like a demanding meeting, he sported a dark, perfectly fitted suit with a deep blue velvet tie and a sleek silver tie pin. He had a long neck and a slender face marked by sharp features.

Set under finely shaped eyebrows and above a straight nose, his deep brown eyes gazed out. His hair was flawlessly styled, parted neatly on the side. Below one eye, a tiny mole added a touch of charm to his otherwise cool demeanor.

He was very tall and took every step extremely quickly.

Memories of their younger days flooded Joelle's mind as she watched him. Back then, Callum was more boyish, always waiting for her in his crisp, white, short-sleeved shirt, pushing his bike.

His embrace was always filled with the smell of sunshine and the tenderness of his devoted gaze.

Yet, the Callum standing before her now was distant, all signs of innocence were gone. What remained was a pure, masculine allure that unknowingly drew the admiration of all women present.

Joelle hadn't noticed, but her hands were beginning to sweat.

He walked past her, not even sparing her a look, leaving nothing but a cool breeze behind, and a trace of sadness in her heart.

Callum approached Aydan, saying in a calm, firm tone, "I have faith in Emmeline. She is not a woman who acts rashly. Once we sort everything out, we'll go ahead with our engagement celebration."

Aydan found Callum's stance unexpectedly reassuring.

Considering Callum's status and charm, he could easily win the affection of any woman he wanted. It was quite surprising, then, that he chose to tie the knot with Emmeline. She not only slept with someone else but also came from the declining Bennett family.

Aydan couldn't hide his admiration for the gentleman standing before him. Any worry he once had quickly dissolved. He responded, "Alright. Hearing you say that makes me feel at ease."

Joelle noticed the scornful look from her stepmother Verena, which seemed to say, "Despite your efforts, Callum ended up picking Emmeline anyway."

Joelle allowed a slight smile to cross her face, appearing completely unaffected by the situation.

This reaction took Verena by surprise.

-

As the evening event wrapped up, Joelle made up her mind to head back to her place. She donned her coat, let her hair fall loose, and stepped outside the Bennett family's house to await her ride.

All of a sudden, she was blinded by the bright lights of an approaching vehicle, causing her to narrow her eyes.

A luxurious Maybach halted right in front of where Joelle stood.

The window of the car slowly rolled down.

In the moonlight, the man inside presented a stern face, his features sharply handsome and distinguished. Sitting in the back, he carried himself with the air of nobility. His eyes moved to Joelle, offering her a fleeting look.

She was dressed in a dark red evening gown, the diamonds around her neck sparkling brilliantly, highlighting her smooth skin.

By the time Joelle felt his gaze on her, he had already looked away. His tone was calm yet authoritative as he said, "Get in."

With a touch of humor in her voice, Joelle answered, "Mr. Sullivan, considering how things stand between us, sharing a car ride at this hour doesn't seem very appropriate, does it?"

Callum looked up at her.

Joelle found herself unexpectedly thinking of the wild animals she'd seen in documentaries.

Callum's look was like that of a predator locking onto its prey.

She paused for a moment.

As Callum casually twisted the ring on his little finger, his voice came out chilly and deep. "Miss Bennett, I believe it's clear that neither of us is looking for any unnecessary complications. I have a few questions for you. So, please, get in the car."

His tone was cold, as detached as if he were a stranger speaking, calm yet distant.

A twinge of sadness hit her. She couldn't resist mocking herself internally – weren't they, in fact, strangers?

A subtle smile formed on Joelle's red lips as she answered, "You're absolutely correct, Mr. Sullivan."

With that, she reached for the car door and went inside.

The driver discreetly left the vehicle, leaving Joelle and Callum alone.

Silence settled inside the car. They were neither too close nor too distant. She could smell the faint, cold scent that seemed to be his chosen cologne, a familiar fragrance she remembered from the last time she saw him.

Callum always found the scent of perfume off-putting, insisting she wash off any scent before he would allow her to embrace him. Then, on his birthday, she deliberately gave him a bottle of cologne for men. He responded by kissing her until she was out of breath, a playful punishment for her ill-considered present. And he never seemed to use the cologne she gave him.

Yet, here he was, scented with cologne. Could Emmeline have given it to him? It was a strong possibility. He appeared to enjoy Emmeline's company, not bothered by her interactions with other men.

Joelle pushed aside the ridiculous thought and said softly, "Mr. Sullivan, go ahead and ask your questions."

Callum looked at her briefly, his voice cold as he asked, "Are you involved in what happened to Emmeline and Jaxon?"

Joelle's surprise at his direct question led to a sarcastic laugh. Did Callum really believe she would engage in such petty schemes?

With a slight smile, she answered, "No, I wouldn't do such a boring thing. Mr. Sullivan, do you think I have any reason to do so?"

A coldness flashed in Callum's dark eyes.

"The reason is me," he said lightly.

Joelle paused.

She quickly understood what he meant. It was as if someone had squeezed her heart. She managed a slight smile and responded, "Mr. Sullivan, it seems you've got the wrong idea. I'm not the type to sneak around and steal someone's partner. Feel free to look into it. You won't find my name tied to this mess. I'm not worried."

The tight space of the car didn't let any light in, while the faint glow from the streetlights outside cast shadows on Callum's stern face. His eyes shone with an icy glare in the dim light, catching Joelle off guard.

In the next moment, Callum's lips finally moved as he said, "I hope you're really not involved, or I'll make sure you pay."

His voice was faint and cold, carrying both a warning and a threat.

Joelle felt let down when she detected the icy edge in his voice, commanding as he said to her, "Get out of the car."

Joelle's heart tightened. She felt a surge of defiance. Was he trying to scare her into submission with a veiled threat for the sake of his fiancee? Did he really expect her to just step out of the car, without any fuss?

Sure, she might be down on her luck, but she still had the temper of a spoiled rich girl.

"I want you to take me back," she said.

Callum's expression changed as he unexpectedly said, "Joelle."

She couldn't help but turn towards him. His lips barely moved, his tone icy, as he said, "Get out."

Shock and anger surged through Joelle. The driver, ever so polite, had already opened the car door for her, saying, "Miss Bennett, please get out."

Joelle sneered with frustration, then nodded and said, "Fine."

She unbuckled her seatbelt and stepped out of the car.

The car didn't linger, quickly driving off and leaving her in a swirl of exhaust fumes.

In her anger, she attempted to kick a nearby pillar, but her foot slipped, and the heel of her shoe snapped. She almost fell but caught herself in time. Her foot began to swell, the pain so intense it brought tears to her eyes.

Joelle pressed her lips together, whispering to herself, "Callum, you're truly my bane. You're such a pain! Everything goes bad whenever you're around..."

Tears started to form in her eyes.

But luck was on her side this time. Her reliable driver showed up soon after and took her home.

After resting for the night, Joelle made her way to the hospital first thing in the morning.

The doctor reviewed her test results, adjusted his glasses, and said to Joelle, "Your health is still fluctuating. Keep an eye on any new symptoms and stick with your treatment plan. However, there's no need to worry. Your condition is treatable and the likelihood of it coming back is quite low."

Joelle pressed her lips together, nodding in agreement.

She had been battling gastric cancer for years, experiencing many highs and lows. She was familiar with the doctor's comforting words; she had heard them many times before.

"Thank you," Joelle replied.

The doctor offered her a slight smile in return.

After saying goodbye to the doctor, Joelle left the consultation room. She hadn't gone far when she bumped into two people she knew all too well.

Emmeline looked drained, likely just out of an examination, while her mother Verena supported her with care.

When they saw Joelle, Verena's expression darkened. She said, "What are you doing here? Haven't you caused enough problems? Just go away!"

Her harsh tone quickly drew the attention of those around them. Joelle assumed they had come for a check-up, especially after what Emmeline had gone through yesterday. They must have hurried over as soon as Emmeline woke up.

Joelle had no interest in starting a fight. She just gave a wry smile and turned to walk away.

But then, Emmeline's strained voice caught her by surprise as she said, "Joelle, if you want to end my engagement with Callum and take him for yourself, just say so. You don't have to be so cruel..."