My Billionaire Ex Beg For A Second Chance-Chapter 176: A Line You Shouldn’t Cross

Felix remained frozen as Lara lay beneath him, her perfume thick in the air, floral and intoxicating. The silk of her dress rustled against the sheets, and her painted lips curved into a knowing smile. Her fingers slowly trailed up his back, grazing the fabric of his shirt as she arched subtly against him.

"You’re heavier than you look," Lara teased softly, breathy, her voice laced with a drunken boldness. Her hand moved to tuck a stray lock of hair behind his ear. "Not that I mind."

That snapped him out of it.

Felix exhaled sharply, eyes narrowing. He braced his hands on either side of her head and pushed himself up, creating distance. He didn’t look at her as he stood, dusting his pants as if trying to rid himself of the contact.

"Hey," Lara said, propping herself up on her elbows, her brows drawing together in a slight pout. "I’m not some kind of germ, you know."

Her voice was light, teasing, but there was a flicker of hurt beneath it. Her smile wavered, just for a second, before she masked it with another roll of her eyes and a lazy laugh.

Felix didn’t even glance at her. "I should go," he muttered, turning toward the door.

But before he could take two steps, he felt her arms wrap tightly around his waist from behind. Her cheek pressed against his back, and she held him as if she were afraid he’d vanish.

"Felix," Lara’s voice was low now, not flirtatious like before. "Why are you like this with me?"

He didn’t move, but his shoulders tensed under her grip.

"I don’t understand," she went on, her words slurred slightly. "I’ve done everything. I’ve been patient, I’ve followed you around like some pathetic girl with a crush... hell, I even moved here just to be closer to you. You know that, right?"

Felix let out a quiet sigh, eyes fixed on the floor ahead. His voice came low and composed. "I didn’t ask you to."

"But you didn’t stop me either!" she snapped, pulling back slightly, just enough to look at him over his shoulder. Her eyes were glassy with emotion, lips trembling. "You let me think I had a chance."

"No," Felix finally turned, his voice firmer now. "You decided you had one. I never gave it to you."

What have I even been doing all this time if not making it clear? he thought, dragging a hand down his face.

"There’s someone else," he added, softly this time. "There always has been."

Lara stared up at him, her lips parting in disbelief. "Is that secretary, right? Katherine?"

He didn’t answer right away. Just as he turned again to leave, she grabbed his hand.

"Even if I offer you this?" she whispered.

He turned just in time to see her drop one sleeve of her dress, the fabric slipping off her shoulder and baring the smooth skin beneath. She leaned forward, her voice sultry, eyes heavy-lidded.

"Even if I offer you my body? You can do whatever you want with me, Felix."

A sharp breath left his lungs. He didn’t look impressed, only exhausted. He closed his eyes for a beat, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"The hell..." he muttered under his breath.

"See?" she whispered. "You can’t say no to me-"

But the rest never made it out. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Because Felix didn’t reach for her.

He reached for the blanket.

Without hesitation, he grabbed it and, in one smooth motion, swung it around her bare shoulders, covering her exposed skin.

Lara flinched.

Felix’s hand lingered on the edge of the fabric just long enough to adjust it into place. Then he pulled back, straightening to full height.

"You don’t need to do that," he said. "Not for me. Not for anyone."

Lara stared up at him, lips parted. Her confidence wavered.

"You’re beautiful," he went on. "And you’re supposed to be smart. So stop using cheap tricks like this. They don’t make you desirable. They make you look... desperate."

Color rushed into her cheeks, hot and unforgiving. She tugged the blanket tighter, retreating into its folds like a child caught pretending.

"I wasn’t trying to-" she began weakly.

"Yes, you were." His gaze was unwavering. "You thought offering your body would change my mind."

He took a step back from the bed. "It won’t."

Lara swallowed hard. Her throat felt tight. She wanted to lash out, to claw her dignity back somehow, but nothing came.

Felix glanced at the lamp on her nightstand, then toward the drawn curtains. "You should sleep. It’s late."

He turned his back, walking slowly toward the door, jaw tight with restraint.

"What’s so great about her?" Lara’s voice sliced through the quiet. "That secretary of yours?"

He halted, hand on the doorknob. He didn’t turn.

"She’s a widow, isn’t she? With twins. She’s older than me. Why her?"

His hand tightened around the doorknob, the wood groaning under the pressure.

"I mean, seriously," Lara continued, rising to her feet. The blanket slipped but she didn’t fix it. "Is that really your type? Broken women with kids?"

Felix turned slowly. His eyes were sharp now, cold. "Watch your mouth."

Lara smirked bitterly, her voice dripping with something crueler now. "Would you even look at me if she wasn’t in the picture?"

A beat passed.

Felix tilted his head slightly. "Are you asking me if I’d settle for you if the woman I love disappeared?"

"So, you admit it. You love her." Her voice cracked. "That’s insane. She’s nothing like you-"

"If you lay even one finger on her," Felix cut her off calmly, too calmly, as he took one slow step closer, "or her children... if I ever find out you tried to hurt her..."

He smiled, but there was no warmth in it.

"I’ll make sure you regret ever showing up at my doorstep that night."

Lara’s lips parted slightly, as if stunned by the tone.

He leaned forward just a bit, voice dropping into something colder. "Try me."

She blinked back whatever defiance had been building behind her lashes. Her arms fell limp at her sides.

Felix didn’t wait for a reply. He straightened, turned, and walked toward the door with long strides.

As he opened it, he paused before slammed it shut behind him with a loud BAM that echoed through the mansion.