"Mrs Thompson, everything's been arranged to your instruction ma'am" the voice on the receiver said and she sighed in contentment.
Ava had just returned from a two weeks business trip from out of state. She was quite excited to see her family again. Her husband Brandon and her twin boys, Jesse and Javier. Ava Smith had it all, a stable job, a perfect marriage and a stable home. It was everything a woman would ever want and Ava was truly thankful. "Mmh thank you Rosa. I appreciate the effort" Ava answered with a smile. With a bonus earned from the deal she closed, Ava was planning on taking her three boys to dinner. She was after all, planning on taking a break to spend more time with her family. Ava soon hang up on the phone and smiled to herself. Tucking her phone back in her bag, Ava made her way across the busy airport. Her sudden arrival was meant to be a surprise for Brandon and her twin boys. Of course they had been talking on the phone every night but Ava still missed being around her sweet family. "28th Westbook street apartment number 12 please" Ava said as soon as she got a cab. As much as she wanted it to be Brandon to pick her up, the look of pure surprise on his face when he sees her excited her even more. She smiled at the cab driver, who was friendly enough to make small talk on the way. Ava didn't mind though. She loved talking about her family and having someone to listen made her somewhat even happier. "My two boys are 9. They're probably in school at the moment but i'm picking them later for dinner" Ava continued to chat on. From the way she talked about her family, it was obvious that she was very passionate about her family. After all, Brandon was all she had after her family discarded her for disobedience. When Ava looked outside the cab window and saw her home,she smiled even brighter. "Well, this is me" she announced. Of course nobody was home. Nobody would be home at this moment but it still felt nice to be surrounded by all that familiarity. Getting out of the cab, she walked to the back and opened the trunk to take out her bags. "Here you are Sir, thank you and have a lovely day" Ava said as she passed the cab money and started towards the sidewalk that led to the front door. Brandon's car parked on the driveway made her frown for a moment. It made her wonder if Brandon had gone to work without his car. He did say he was working when she last called him, which was that very morning. As she opened the front door with her set of keys, Ava couldn't help the feeling that something was indeed very wrong. She couldn't place it but she felt it. Shrugging the nudging feeling away, she pushed the door open and walked in. The first thing she did was get out of her heels. Her legs were quite sore from having been in heels pretty much all the time while she was on her trip. Ava gasped softly when she saw what state her house was in. She wasn't surprised though,no, she did have three boys living there after all. "You leave for two weeks and this is what you get-" Ava whispered to herself, now abandoning her suitcase by the hallway to start cleaning the scattered toys. "Boys..."she mumbled,smiled but just for a moment because a sudden noise grabbed her attention. At first, Ava didn't know what it was. It had been faint that she almost thought she imagined it. Then she heard it again and this time, she froze. What she thought could've been a mistake was what she now identified as a moan. In her house? Slowly, she placed the car toy she had been holding in a the kid's toys basket and started towards the stairs that led to the second floor of their house. The more she drew closer, the more Ava was convinced of what she was hearing. Despite it all, not a single thought crossed her mind that it could be Brandon. She had absolute faith in him. He would never cheat on her. Then she saw it. Ava's eyes first landed on the discarded clothes on the floor. Her bedroom door was ajar so she really didn't have to struggle to see what was happening. Leaned against the dressed was a woman Ava couldn't see at first. Her silhouette was familiar but she couldn't clearly see her but the dress she had on was more than familiar to Ava. It had been a gift from Brandon on their fifth wedding anniversary. She would identify it anyway because it was a limited edition. "Yes Brandon....more...fuck me more" the soft female voice moaned as Brandon kept thrusting in and out of the woman. Ava was in shock. It is often said that before someone dies, seven minutes of their life's memories flashes before them. That is what happened with Ava. Seeing Brandon screwing some women, in their matrimonial home felt like her heart was being ripped out of her chest. The pain was raw to the point that she couldn't breath properly. Still, she couldn't get herself to move. Despite everything that was happening infront of her eyes, Ava was still making excuses for Brandon. That maybe it was just a mistake. That maybe he didn't even like it. "Does it feel good Brandon? Fucking me?" The female voice asked and Brandon's response came out as a groan. Clearly, he was enjoying himself. Ava watched as Brandon lifted her dress off of the woman up to her chest. "I can't cum on this dress... If i have to wash it, Ava would know.." Brandon's voice groaned out as he fastened his pace. With each word, Ava felt like she was breaking to pieces. Her blue eyes welled up to a point that her vision started getting blurry. "That hag? Are you still thinking about her while you're fucking me?" The woman turned her head and Ava instinctively moved back from shock. Mia? How could she not have recognised that voice? "It's more like i can never stop thinking about you while i'm inside her, Mia. I wanna cum deep inside..." Brandon said with a hoarse voice. From the little strength Ava had left, she quietly backed from the door with her hand placed over her chest to calm herself down.Ava had managed to get back downstairs all without loosing it. She hadn't even finished processing that Brandon had been cheating on her but now with Mia, her best friend.Ava first met Mia when they both in elementary school. They were maybe 6 or 7 but they clicked immediately. Ava didn't just see Mia as her best friend, she had been her support system over the years, a friend who was more than a sister. Ava would've died just for the sake of Mia. It was that kind of friendship.To see Mia trash talking her while sleeping with her husband was a far more heartbreak than knowing Brandon was unfaithful. With her hands covering her mouth, all Ava could do in that moment was sob uncontrollably. It hurt to know that the two people,whom she had her faith in betrayed her even without batting their lashes. How had she gotten to this point? What really went wrong?Brandon's case was something else altogether. Not once in the nine years that they had been married had Ava looked back on what she
It had been a week since Ava found out about her husband sleeping with her best friend. A week since she had seen Brandon.After that awful fight, Brandon hadn't bothered to come back home and Ava suspected that he was with Mia, after all, he had left, running after Mia after that confrontation.Left to pick up the pieces of her life alone, Ava could hardly keep herself in check. It was so bad that her twin boys started noticing. They were her source of strength, Jesse and Javier but they were a reminder of Brandon. The twins had taken after Brandon with almost everything. Except the blue eyes and perfectly thick brown hair that was Ava's, Ava could confidently say that her children were a hard copy of their father.Ava was currently on the couch, watching Jesse and Javier working on their respective homeworks. Her eyes were on the back of their little heads as she watched them concentrating on their work. She just couldn't understand it. As far as she could tell, Brandon truly loved
Brandon wasn't sure how or when it actually started. As far as he could remember, Ava had been everything to him. When they got married, he was so in love with her,so much that he would've given up the entire world just to be with her. Brandon first met Ava when they were both in college. He had been graduating that very year while Ava was just a freshman. She had been that girl who had everyone's attention the moment she was walked into a room. Long and heavy silky hair, a pair of the most gorgeous ocean blue eyes, a sharp nose and a perfect jawline to compliment her round face. Not only was she pretty but she had a very kind heart. It was very rare, considering the rumors that she came from a really wealthy and prominent family.Brandon didn't care though, the moment he first laid his eyes on Ava, he knew that he had to make her, his. She wasn't easy though, Brandon had made quite the effort before Ava finally agreed to go out for coffee with him. Brandon truly believed that Ava wa
Mia stirred in her sleep slightly before she slowly opened her eyes. When the door bell sound grew urgent, she rubbed her eyes slowly and pushed the cover off of her body. She climbed down the king sized bed, grabbing the silk robe from the edge of the bed and put it on. When she got to the door, she checked the peephole and when she saw Brandon standing outside, she quickly opened the door and let him in. " Brady. Why are you back? I thought you went home-" she asked as soon as he walked in and she locked the door behind him. Brandon didn't say a word. He went straight to the little bar by the staircase and poured himself a drink. "Brandon?" Mia called him again, this time, more worried because of how Brandon looked. When he went to pour another drink, Mia grabbed the bottle and placed it down. " Can you talk to me first? What's going on?" Mia asked once again then reached out to gently touch Brandon's arm. "Ava agreed to divorce me-" he started to say and Mia broke into a
Brandon's expression was pure shock at what Mia was suggesting. He wanted the money just as bad but killing Ava? "What did you just say?" Brandon asked, this time, pulling himself away from Mia. "Do you even know what you're saying to me right now?" he pressed on in disbelief."Brandon, baby, calm down okay? Just listen to me first" Mia urged as she gestured for her brother to excuse them. She remained quiet until she saw Fred leave and the close the door behind him."She's the mother of my children Mia. You just can't suggest things like this" he warned her and Mia sighed. "Fine. We let things remain like this and Ava gets everything. She's not going to give you a dime? Who knows when you'll get to see your sons again. Is that what you want Brandon? Is it?" Mia asked and Brandon just looked at her. He seemed to be contemplating what she had just said." If she dies, nobody will know anything. As her spouse, naturally, everything would go to you. We can't let Ava issue the divorce. N
"Call Freddie" Mia muttered softly as she pulled up to the highway. Her small hands tightened around the steering wheel as she listened to the line ringing. From how rigid her facial expression was, it was quite clear that she was irritated."Hello?" she heard the masculine voice said from the other end of the line. "Mia?" Fred called out again after a moment, this time, managing to get Mia's attention."I'm here, Freddie" Mia replied softly."How did it go with Brandon?" Fred asked and Mia only groaned softly. " Bad. Really bad. He didn't buy into it" Mia said in frustration. She bit down her bottom lip then scoffed softly. "He's a fool to think Ava's going to give him anything on a silver platter but we need him. I just need to figure out an alternative incase he bails" she said while she shifted her attention from the road to look at her phone for a moment."Well, think of something soon. We can't loose this opportunity. Not after how much we've invested into getting those propert
Ava didn't buy that Brandon wasn't aware that Mia had taken the twins. She unbuckled her seatbelt and climbed out of her car to catch some air before she pressed the phone back against her ear."Is it because of the money? Brandon, those are your children!" She hissed into the phone, already repulsed by the idea of Brandon being in cahoots with Mia to harm her children."Ava..." Brandon called her name in warning. His tone was serious but Ava couldn't care less. Her children's whereabouts were at stake and who knew really what Mia was doing to them. Had it been before, Ava wouldn't have been worried at all but after the betrayal, Ava wasn't sure anymore."If you and your mistress don't provide my sons, i will have the authorities on the both of you even before you can say divorce. Call her, talk to her, i don't fvcking care. By the time i get to Mia's house, i want to find my children, without so much as strand of hair missing on their heads" Ava demanded and she heard Brandon sigh in
"I'm pregnant" Ava had heard Mia the first time, it only took the second to fully process what Mia was telling her. Her body tensed as she swallowed dryly. She knew she'd have to accept that Brandon had finally moved on but she didn't think it would be this soon.Turning around, Ava looked down at Mia's stomach before she smiled. "Well congratulations Mia but i don't see how this has anything to do with me" Ava stated softly and Mia scoffed."No? My baby's going to be your children's siblings. Do you think i'll have twins too?" Mia asked and Ava's smile dropped. Mia had changed so much, she had become such a bitter,vindictive and a calculative person."What's the point in all of this, really? I just don't get it" Ava asked softly.Mia sighed softly and looked at Brandon who's jaw was dropped, probably from the revelation. "The baby changes everything, right? Ava, we've been friends for years, are you seriously going to take everything from Brandon? How are we supposed to take care of
Clinton had been by Ava's side the whole night. She hadn't recovered consciousness but he was quite relieved that her breathing had gone back to normal. With the risk of so much exposure, he knew what he had to do to ensure Ava's safety. He was surprised nobody in the hospital recognized Ava to begin with.“No” Ava mumbled in her sleep, her eyebrows knitted together as if she was going through something unpleasant.“No. Please…slow down” she continued and Clinton jumped from his seat. He knew what she meant. She had been begging him to slow down just before she fell in the water.“Ava, it's okay. You're safe now” he whispered softly only, her condition was only getting worse. The IV machine started going crazy and just a few moments later, the nurses rushed in. Clinton was still holding onto Ava's hand when her eyes snapped open and she gasped for air.“Ava? Are you alright? You can breathe now, it's alright-” the nurse said, as she tried to soothe Ava from the attack she was having.
“Help! Someone help me!” Clinton rushed into the hospital with an unconscious Ava in his arms. They were both soaked. Clinton yelled at the nurses at the counter who came rushing over as soon as they saw how pale Ava was.“What happened sir?” One of the nurses asked as she helped put Ava on the stretcher. She was cold, almost lifeless.“We were on the boat heading home. I only looked ahead for a second then when i looked back, she was gone. I didn't know where she had fallen so it took me a while to find her-” Clinton explained as he watched Ava, lifeless form. He was cold himself but right at that moment, he couldn't see anything past how miserable Ava looked.“How long ago was this? How long ago did you find her?” The nurse asked again as they pushed the stroller to the ER. “20? 30 minutes. It could've been 40. I'm not sure. I tried CPR as soon as i got her back on the boat but no response” Clinton continued on as he helped hurry the stretcher. “Alright. We'll see what we can do.
Brandon walked into their bedroom to find Mia standing by the window. He didn't need to look to know what she was looking at so he matched there and shut the blinds.“I bet that old hag is talking about us to those cops” she said as soon as she noticed Brandon was in the room.“Who, Mrs Sanders? How could you not like her? She's the sweetest” Brandon said. Mrs Sanders, after all, helped Ava look after the kids when they had errands to run.“Sweet? Whatever” Mia said with a roll of her eyes. “So, what did they want?”Brandon looked at Mia “Haven't you seen the news lately? They're here to look for Ava–” Brandon snapped at her.“Don't get snappy with me. Is it my fault she's missing? You're the one who sent her away, remember?” Mia said, reminding Brandon. She had been looking through her dresses, getting herself ready to go out.“Don't get smart with me Mia. Aren't you a little bit worried that they came looking for her, here?” Brandon asked and Mia stopped moving. “No, why?” “Her fa
“Excuse me, Sir? The police are here to see you?”While Ava's life was slowly unfolding, the same couldn't be said about Brandon and Mia. For Mia, it was just as she had imagined but the same couldn't be said for Brandon. “The police?” Mia asked, her calm demeanor suddenly changing.“Yes, Madam. Should i let them in?” Anna, the nanny Mia had gotten for the kids, asked.“Yes, let them in,” Brandon answered in Mia's stead. He then turned to look at Mia. “Can you excuse us?” He asked but his tone suggested he was demanding.“But why?? I'm your fiance. I should be here when–”“Mia-” Brandon cut her off curtly and she sighed.“Fine-” Mia said, stood up and gathered all the nail polish she had displayed on the table. She huffed softly as she passed Brandon and headed to their bedroom.Brandon shook his head, displeased by Mia's presence alone. When the authorities walked in, he stood up and ushered them in with a smile.“Have a seat gentlemen. Can i get you anything to drink?” He asked as
Days with Clinton turned to weeks and weeks into months.Everything had been going well so far. Ava was comfortable and like before when her memory was all distorted, she had started getting bits and bits here and there.They'd visit the mainland once or twice while going to grab some supplies and even though Clinton kept a close eye on her, she didn't feel as suffocated as she was in Brandon's house.“ Hey, i'm heading to the mainland. Do you need me to get something for you?” Clinton asked as he played with the boat keys on his fingers.Ava, who had been doing laundry, held the laundry basket against her hip, turned to look at Clinton.“I could use a couple of things. Can i come with you?” She asked softly.Clinton thought for a moment before he smiled. “Alright, fine. Get ready quick, i'll wait by the boat” he said, chuckled softly when she shrieked and started walking to the shore.Ava disappeared into the house and went to her room to get changed. Five minutes later, she walked o
Ava was panting as she ran in the sun. It had been a while since she made a run from the beach house. There was no way she could've misheard what he had heard. Her instincts had told her to run as fast as her legs could go. Still, he wouldn't stop coming after her.“Ava…” he called into the night and she increased her pace.“Ava, let's talk”It was an endless amount of sand. No matter how fast she ran, she couldn't stop. He closed in on her and wrapped his arms around her from behind. She screamed as loud as she couldn't but his grip only got tighter.“Ava, please listen to me” he pleaded and she thrashed in his arms, reluctant, unwilling to listen to him.“I'm not going to hurt you. I would never hurt you” he assured her.“I heard that call. Whoever it is asked if i was dead. You're here to kill me, aren't you?” She asked and he shook his head.“No. Of course not. It could've been a wrong number. I would never hurt you. If i wanted to, i would've done it when you were unconscious ear
Ava was distraught as she packed her bags. What happened earlier couldn't stop replaying in her head. The way Mia maliciously framed her for pushing her. The feeling of her right grip on her hand was still very raw. She pulled the sleeve of her shirt and looked at the mark left from Mia's tight grip.“ That crazy bitch” Ava whispered.She wiped her tears away, as she stuffed her clothes in her bag. She didn't bother folding them, after all, Brandon asked that he shouldn't find her there when he came back.“How could he be so stupid? He only believes Mia. Not me” she added under her breath and broke into a fresh sob. It was pathetic, she knew but she couldn't help herself.When she was done packing her bags, she dragged them to the door and stopped to look back at the now silent and somewhat lonely home. Although she didn't have her memories, she couldn't help but feel sad for leaving. For some reason, it felt like she was leaving a very large part behind her.Dragging her suitcase out
It had been three weeks now since Ava signed the papers yet Mia couldn't enjoy all the peaks of being rich. Brandon had been pushing back sending Ava away, straining his already strained relationship with Mia.Mia was currently on her phone while passing glances at Ava who had been watching TV. Brandon was in his home office working since it was the weekend and he didn't particularly have to go to the office.“Ava?” Mia called out to her ex- best friend, her voice calm yet filled with so much malice.Ava reluctantly looked away from the Tv and towards Mia. “Do you think you'd be able to forgive yourself?” Mia asked and Ava frowned.“What?” Ava asked and Mia simply chuckled.“No, nothing” Mia replied and Ava's frown deepened even more.“It's not nothing. Can you tell me what's going on? What did you mean?” Ava asked softly. Something felt wrong in the way Mia spoke to her. It sounded like a taunt.“It's nothing. Just, when you start to remember things, i don't think you'd be able to
“Sign here and here and lastly here-” Brandon watched as Ava signed page after page of their divorce papers and property transfer papers. His eyes bore intensely onto the pen and for a moment, his mouth moved, as if he was about to stop Ava. Mia's hand dug deep into his shoulder, already aware of what he was thinking.It was those clueless yet trustful eyes of Ava that made his heart sink, more from guilt than anything. He didn't want to hurt Ava but he also knew they couldn't go back to how they were even if he changed his mind now.“What did you say these were, again?” Ava asked, her pen hanging over the last paper she needed to sign. Brandon cleared his throat and looked at the strange woman standing a few feet away from all of them. “It's just for business. We have been expecting some shipments for months and your signature is needed so they can be released from the port. Long story short, it's just boring business stuff” Brandon explained softly. Ava just looked at him, her eye