The Genius Ex-Wife’s Revenge Portfolio novel Chapter 153

“All you do is yell at me,” Ella cried, her shoulders trembling as she tried to wipe her tears away. “What’s so bad about wearing makeup? What’s wrong with lipstick? Jessa puts on makeup and lipstick every day, and you never say a thing to her. If she got kidnapped, you’d be hugging her and calling her your baby, not yelling at her. You just hate me. Why do you hate me so much?”

She was a mess of tears, her eyes red and puffy, her nose bright pink. She looked like she was made of water, tears falling down her cheeks one after another.

David’s face changed. He quickly moved to kneel beside her. “Ella, come on. Don’t cry.”

He almost never saw her cry.

The only other time was in her sleep, when she dreamt of her mother leaving, and she’d sobbed in her dream, begging her mom not to go.

This was the second time, and it was because of him.

David hated seeing her cry.

He reached for her, gently brushing away the tears on her face. “Jessa wears makeup and lipstick, yeah, but you’re not the same as her…”

Ella was naturally beautiful, with this soft, innocent look that makeup only made more noticeable. Whenever she put on lipstick, her lips looked like perfect, ripe peaches, and it drove him crazy.

Jessa could walk around in makeup all day, and nothing would happen.

But if Ella did it, there was always trouble.

She and Jessa really weren’t the same.

His gentle touch just made Ella cry harder. She glared at him through teary eyes, her voice trembling but still stubborn. “You just like her better. Jessa can do anything she wants, but I’m always wrong.”

David had never tried to comfort a crying girl before, and he was completely lost. Why did she have so many tears?

He softened his voice, lowering it so it sounded almost like a whisper. “Ella, please stop crying. I’m sorry, okay? I shouldn’t have yelled at you.”

David looked at her, his eyes deep and dark, and shook his head. “It doesn’t hurt.”

Ella hugged herself, her arms wrapping around her body. “I want to take a bath. You should go.”

David stood up and left without another word.

Back in the bedroom, Aiden came in. “Sir, Mr. Ross is here. He heard something happened and that you have his son. He’s here to talk.”

David’s face was calm and cold. He nodded. “Tell him to wait for me in the study.”

…

In the study, Carter and his wife, Avery, had already arrived. Carter watched David, his expression worried. “David, this is all Wesley’s fault. He completely lost his mind to go after your girl. I’m here to apologize for him. But Wesley is our only son. David, you’ve known me since you were a kid. For the sake of the friendship between the Harmons and the Ross family, please, let my son go.”