Once Cast-Off Wife Now Untouchable Queen novel Chapter 403

403 Two Choices

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Aella steadied her thoughts and said calmly, “This was a family decision. We’ve already cleared out the house you gave us.”

Before she could finish, Tyrone suddenly stood up.

His chair screeched loudly against the floor as he moved too fast.

He grabbed the bank card off the table, walked over, bent down, slipped it into her purse, and gripped her wrist tightly. Without another word, he pulled her out of the restaurant.

Outside, on the sidewalk by the street, Aella yanked her hand free.

Tyrone was clearly struggling to contain his emotions. “If you’ve got something to say, get in the car and say it,” he said, his voice low but tight.

Aella glanced at the luxury car parked not far away, then quickly snatched her phone and purse back.

They stared at each other.

Tyrone’s dark eyes locked on hers as he demanded, “Aella, you broke off our engagement. You pushed me back to being just your childhood friend. You said you wanted to focus on work … but all of that’s just an excuse, isn’t it? You just want to cut ties with me completely, don’t you?”

His voice rose sharply, the tension between them growing thick.

Aella stayed calm. “Even between close friends, money should be handled clearly. I’m just paying you back. How does that mean I’m cutting ties?”

Of course, that was her real intention–but she wasn’t about to admit it.

“Can you honestly say your grandpa and your dad never looked down on me for being the bankrupt daughter of the Reids?” she asked coldly.

Tyrone said nothing.

Aella went on, “I just don’t want your family to think less of me. My parents worked hard to get me through school. I want to build a better life for them with my own hands. I want to stand on my own before marriage–is that so wrong?”

Her words made Tyrone’s anger slowly fade.

He took a step closer and bent slightly so they were eye level. “Aella,” he said softly, “we’ve known each other since we were kids. You can rely on me, like a brother.”

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10:06 Wed, Nov 5

Chapter 403 Two Choices

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Rely on you?

Aella almost laughed out loud.

Tyrone continued, “Aella, the money my finance team sends your parents every month–it’s from my personal account. No one else knows. And the money I used to pay off the Reids‘ debt, I have already reimbursed it. No one will ever find out. You don’t need to feel guilty.”

Aella pressed her lips together, trying to stay composed.

In her last life, Tyrone had come after her for every cent, almost ruining her. She’d never forget that.

She opened her purse, pulled out the card and a folded list, and shoved both into Tyrone’s hand.

Her expression hardened. “Tyrone, I’ve made my feelings clear. Even if no one else ever finds out what you did for the Reids, I can’t live with it.”

Tyrone blurted out, “I did it because I wanted to!”

Aella shook her head. “Even so, I don’t want to owe you anything for free.”

Everything he gave her came with strings attached. His kindness was never unconditional–it was control disguised as generosity.

They stared at each other in silence.

Tyrone raised the list in his hand. “And what’s this supposed to be?” His voice grew heavier. “You made a list of gifts–what does this mean?”

Aella looked him straight in the eye. “I packed up every gift you’ve ever given me. If you still see me as your childhood friend, I’ll keep them without guilt. But if not, I’ll return them all exactly as they were. After that, we’re even.”

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The street around them was quiet, the night still.

Tyrone’s fear grew with every passing second. His gaze on Aella turned darker, more complicated.

Seeing him stay silent, Aella said softly, “I treasure the bond we’ve had for over 20 years. But if you’d rather be strangers, I can accept that too.”

Then she turned and walked away without looking back.

In other words, Aella had given him two choices.

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10:06 Wed, Nov 5

Chapter 403 Two Choices

One—he could give up inarrying her, let her keep the gifts, and remain friends.

Or two–if he insisted on marrying her, she’d return everything and they’d be done for good.

Tyrone stood frozen on the sidewalk, clutching the card so tightly his fingers turned white

In her last life, all Aella ever wanted was to be free from him.

Was I right all along? He thought.

Did Aella really come back from the dead?

When he got back in his car, Tyrone immediately called Noel.

Next Monday at 8:30 AM, as soon as Tyrone arrived at his office, Noel hurried in with the results. “Mr. Winter, I’ve sent Ms. Reid’s new address to your phone. I also tracked down the buyer of that jewelry set–but they refuse to sell it back.”

Tyrone sat behind his desk, irritation written all over his face. “Cancel everything I have today, he ordered. “Set up a meeting.”

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