My Ex-Husband Desperately Chased After Me

chapter 1

Arabella Walker and Charles Clark are the most enviable loving couple in the entire military base's family area.

Charles is a famously cold-looking colonel, but all his tenderness is reserved for Arabella.

When Arabella had her period, Charles would make her honey water. When Arabella had a high fever in the middle of the night, Charles would carry her through the snow to the hospital. Even when Arabella had a severe hemorrhage during the difficult birth of their daughter, Bonnie Clark, Charles ignored everyone's advice and insisted the nurse take half his blood to transfuse to her.

Arabella originally thought they would live happily like this forever.

Until three years ago, Charles's brother, James Clark, unexpectedly passed away, leaving behind his wife, Emilia Kelly, and their one-year-old son, Arlo Clark.

Charles had a close bond with James since childhood. From then on, he took caring for Emilia and Arlo as his responsibility.

At first, Charles only delivered some daily necessities and food to them from time to time.

But later, at some point, the relationship between Charles, Emilia, and Arlo slowly changed.

Emilia said she hadnt worn new clothes in a long time, so Charles used all his salary to take Emilia and Arlo to the department store, buying new clothes from head to toe. Emilia mentioned that Arlo had never had a photo taken since birth, so Charles took them to a studio for a "family portrait." Once, even when Arlo and Bonnie both caught a virus, Charles gave the hospital's only dose of special medicine to Arlo.

Arabella and Charles had argued, but every time after she lost control, Charles would hold her in his arms and repeat the explanation she had heard countless times.

Charles said, "Emilia and Arlo were the people James loved most in his life. Now that James is gone, as his brother, of course, I have to take good care of them. Otherwise, how could I face James after I die?"

"Don't worry. I'll only take care of them until Arlo becomes an adult."

"Arabella, you're my wife. You should understand me. For my sake, can you bear with it, please?"

Looking into Charles's familiar gentle eyes, Arabella chose to trust and endure again and again.

She naively thought Charles was just too responsible, which is why he treated Emilia and Arlo so well.

She thought that once Arlo grew up, Charles would naturally return to being the considerate husband and father he once was.

Until a month ago, Arlo suddenly had a nosebleed and was sent to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with leukemia and needed a bone marrow transplant.

Everyone eligible for matching was tested, but no one was a match.

That night, Charles stayed alone in the study and didnt come out all night.

The next morning, Charles grabbed Arabella, who was about to make breakfast, his voice hoarse but firm.

Charles said, "Arabella, I want to have another child with Emilia."

With a bang, the plate in Arabella's hand slipped and shattered.

She looked at Charles in disbelief, her voice slightly trembling.

Arabella asked, "What did you say?"

A hint of pain flashed in Charles's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by urgency.

He said, "The doctor said that if there's no matching donor, a sibling's cord blood can save Arlo. James and I are brothers, sharing the same blood. So, the cord blood from a child Emilia and I have can also be used. That way, Arlo can be saved."

Arabella's nails dug into her palms, leaving bloody marks.

She struggled to steady her nearly collapsing body, her gaze slowly scanning Charles's face, trying to find a hint of joking in his expression.

But no. The urgency and seriousness in Charles's eyes were completely genuine.

Arabella staggered back two steps, forcing a smile that looked worse than crying.

She never imagined her husband would suggest having a child with another woman.

Arabella said, "Charles, for the past three years, you've left Bonnie and me time and again to be with Emilia and Arlo. I've endured it all because you said you'd only take care of them until Arlo came of age.

"But now? You want to have a child with Emilia.

"What about Bonnie and me? What do we mean to you?"

By the end, Arabella's tears were falling heavily to the ground.

Seeing her tears, Charles felt a twinge of guilt, but Arlo's frail figure and Emilia's devastated expression kept flashing in his mind.

He turned away, avoiding Arabella's eyes, afraid he might waver.

Charles said, "You and Bonnie are the ones I love most in this life. That will never change. Having a child with Emilia is only to save Arlo."

"Besides, with IVF technology now, Emilia and I can have a child without being intimate. That way, I wouldn't be betraying you."

Arabella thought bitterly, "What does it matter if there's no intimacy?"

That child, once born, will share a blood relationship with him.

At that time, should I tell Bonnie that her dad and her Aunt Emilia had a baby brother for her?"

Arabella couldn't do it.

She wasn't generous enough to tolerate her husband having a child with another woman.

Arabella closed her eyes, her voice unusually calm.

She asked, "Charles, what if I say I disagree?"

After being refused several times, Charles was a bit angry.

He didn't understand why Arabella was unwilling. He was doing it to save Arlo, and nothing would actually happen between him and Emilia.

He looked at Arabella with disappointment in his eyes.

Charles said, "Arlo is James's only descendant left in the world. No matter what, I have to save him."

These resolute words were like a sharp sword, piercing deeply into Arabella's heart.

It turned out Charles wasn't discussing it with her; he had already made the decision and was merely informing her.

Seeing Arabella unresponsive, Charles gave her a deep look.

He said, "I'm going to the hospital to see Arlo. Arabella, I hope you can think it through."

After speaking, he strode away.

Arabella stood there, watching Charles's figure gradually disappear. Her eyes, always filled with love, were now only numb.

She knew that from today, it was over between her and Charles.

"Mom." Bonnie's voice pulled Arabella's thoughts back.

Bonnie asked, "Is Dad going to have a baby with Aunt Emilia? Will he no longer be just my dad?"

She threw herself into Arabella's arms, her voice trembling with sobs.

Arabella hadn't expected Bonnie to wake up and hear their conversation.

Looking into Bonnie's tear-filled eyes, Arabella couldn't bring herself to lie to her.

Arabella nodded reluctantly.

Bonnie's body stiffened for a moment, and the next second, tears streamed down her face.

She asked, "Mom, is it because I did something wrong that made Dad angry, so he wants to have another child with Aunt Emilia?"

Bonnie was too young to understand that Charles talked about having a child with Emilia to save Arlo.

She only knew that her dad was going to have another child.

Hearing Bonnie's self-blaming cries, Arabella felt as if her heart was being stabbed.

She crouched down and wiped away the tears on Bonnie's face.

Arabella said, "Bonnie, you did nothing wrong.

"How about I get you a new dad? A dad who belongs only to you."

Bonnie hugged Arabella's neck tightly and buried her head in her shoulder.

She said, "Okay. Since Dad wants other kids, then I don't want him anymore."