Camilla The steady beep, beep, beep of the heart monitor was the first thing I heard when I entered the hospital room. The sterile aroma of antiseptic permeated the air, mixed with a slight touch of something metallic—blood, perhaps, or the aftermath of trauma. My heart beat in time with the beeping machine, each sound a heartbreaking reminder of how close I had gotten to losing Ava. I gulped hard and forced myself to walk forward. Then I spotted her. Ava reclined on the hospital bed, her small frame almost swallowed by the white covers. Her head was wrapped in heavy bandages, and an IV line was attached to her small hand. The sight of her like this—so frail and still—took my breath away. My knees weakened, so I clutched the doorframe for support. It was my fault. If I had been more diligent and protected her properly... Perhaps she wouldn't be lying here, hooked up to machines and battling to recuperate. I let out a faint whimper before I could stop it. "Ava…" Her
Alex The previous two days had been a maelstrom of emotions. Sitting in my study, I let out a long sigh and rubbed my temples. The weight of tiredness pulled on my shoulders, yet sleep had proven difficult. My mind refused to relax. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Ava—her small, delicate body lying on that hospital bed, bandages around her head, her pale face devoid of its typical brightness. I clinched my fist. The kidnapping, The drive to catch the kidnappers, The accident, The moment I saw her unconscious and drenched in blood. Every second of it replayed in my mind like a nightmare I couldn't shake. I had never experienced fear like this before. The thought of losing her had almost crushed me. The worst part? I had no claim to her. There is no right to make decisions. I was simply a man who had stepped in when she needed assistance. But why did it seem like more than that? Why did saving her make me feel like I was saving a part of myself? I leaned back in my
CHAPTER 1.CAMILLA The beep from my phone pierced through the peaceful chats of the hospital waiting room. I paused before answering. My fingers, still numb from holding the pregnancy report, reached sluggishly for the phone. "Camilla, where are you?" Mirabel's voice was frantic and pulled me back to reality. "I'm just leaving the hospital," I replied, my tone remote. A mild, delicate delight grew inside me, blended with something deeper. "What's going on?" Mirabel was silent before she spoke again. "Get to the hotel. Now." Her voice faltered. "Your husband is been stolen from you by another woman." It's Alex He's… "He is with another woman."The words hit me like a slap in the face, but I didn't respond. I could not. Not in front of everyone. I tightened my grip on the phone, my breath wavering as I battled the nausea that was forming in my throat. "Which hotel?" I murmured. She mentioned the city's most exquisite five-star hotel, a place that seemed almost mystical to me—like so
CHAPTER 2.CAMILLA I was brought back to life from the veil of fear and bewilderment that had shrouded me since I saw Alex at the hotel by the sound of his car humming in the driveway. As I waited for him to enter, my heart wrenched horribly. He'd been away for three days, without saying anything. And throughout those three days, I had convinced myself that he was too busy at work to return home. But I knew in my heart. Even before I saw them together, I could tell that something was odd. If not, why was he acting so aloof? How else could he remain away from me?I heard his slow, steady footsteps nearing the front door. My pulse raced with fury, concern, and, shamelessly, hope. The door creaked open, and there he was—tall, broad-shouldered, and as polished as usual. As he moved past me, his face remained expressionless. There was no word, not even an apology, for making love in public with another woman. It was as if I did not exist. I am invisible to him. I inhaled hard, my thro
CHAPTER 3.CAMILLA I had spent hours mentally preparing for this moment. I'd go into his office, demand an explanation, and notify him about the baby. Maybe—just maybe—he'd finally see the cause to see me. Finally, see us. The home looked like a cemetery now. Every empty room rang with thoughts of what could have been, drowning me in their stillness. I couldn't wait for him to return home, particularly since it had become nothing but icy walls and stillness. And Alex? He was no longer the person who slept next to me, but a ghost, leaving for days, inaccessible by phone, and left me clinging to a marriage that seemed like it was slipping away.He would never get home before midnight, if at all he's coming home. Even if I called, he would not answer. He never did. That's why I had to go into his office. I needed him to hear me; he couldn't ignore me in person. This was my last chance to save our marriage, and I wasn't going to waste it. Not while I am carrying our child.As I drove,
CHAPTER FOUR.Alex The previous two weeks have been a haze, but I suddenly feel alive. Alessia Is back. It's as if all of the missing parts of my life have been reunited. Those years without her made me feel like I was living in someone else's skin, a stranger in my own life. With Alessia gone, I basically went through the motions, praying for her return. And now she's back from Paris with her PHD, eager to continue up where we left off. The love of my life has come home, and nothing—no one—will stop us.My mom was quite thrilled when I informed her about Alessia's return and my intension.“You have to be fast about it, Alex” she had remarked later, leaving me with the strength that I needed.But, as much as I want to dwell in the joy of Alessia 's return, I can't escape the reality I've been stuck in. Camilla. That marriage was never my choice. It was my father's. He placed a leash on me, forcing me to mask the agony I felt when Alessia fled. He told me to carry on. "You'll grow to
Chapter 5.Alex.The last five years turned out to be the worst of my life. I had thought that divorcing Camilla was the best option.I made myself believe that Alessia was the one. I love her so much, that I couldn't wait to get married to her. But She crushed my heart. I thought that once I married her, the world would stop being empty and she would make everything right. But, I was wrong. Totally wrong.When Alessia returned from Paris, I thought she was still the same girl who had filled my head with dreams years before. The woman who pushed me, made me laugh, and was really driven and energetic. But she wasn't the same girl anymore. It was as if Paris had eaten away the best parts of her and replaced them with something darker. Her face seemed familiar, but her soul... I could scarcely recognise it.It started with little, unimportant things. Her love for the better things in life was not new, but after Paris, it became more of an addiction. Expensive drinks, expensive clothes, a
Camilla I couldn't take my eyes off my phone's screen. Another business deal. My company has gotten so many bids lately that I'm even rejecting. This one, however, was unique. It was a brand-new company in New York that was making a significant offer. This is the kind of proposal that I wanted. They got in touch with me requesting that I partner with them in marketings their new product. I calmed a bit, breathed deeply, and let everything to soak in. This would have been impossible five years ago. I was just a sales person with just a dream and my tiny baby to look after when I first began. However, I had built a company and a name here. I thought back to those early days, the long hours, the strive to rise, and the several times I had to go extra miles just to get a job. Ava Ltd. has been created from the ground up by every transaction, late night, and lost holiday. I was struck by how far I had come as I looked around my workplace, which had slick furniture, walls covered with
Alex The previous two days had been a maelstrom of emotions. Sitting in my study, I let out a long sigh and rubbed my temples. The weight of tiredness pulled on my shoulders, yet sleep had proven difficult. My mind refused to relax. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Ava—her small, delicate body lying on that hospital bed, bandages around her head, her pale face devoid of its typical brightness. I clinched my fist. The kidnapping, The drive to catch the kidnappers, The accident, The moment I saw her unconscious and drenched in blood. Every second of it replayed in my mind like a nightmare I couldn't shake. I had never experienced fear like this before. The thought of losing her had almost crushed me. The worst part? I had no claim to her. There is no right to make decisions. I was simply a man who had stepped in when she needed assistance. But why did it seem like more than that? Why did saving her make me feel like I was saving a part of myself? I leaned back in my
Camilla The steady beep, beep, beep of the heart monitor was the first thing I heard when I entered the hospital room. The sterile aroma of antiseptic permeated the air, mixed with a slight touch of something metallic—blood, perhaps, or the aftermath of trauma. My heart beat in time with the beeping machine, each sound a heartbreaking reminder of how close I had gotten to losing Ava. I gulped hard and forced myself to walk forward. Then I spotted her. Ava reclined on the hospital bed, her small frame almost swallowed by the white covers. Her head was wrapped in heavy bandages, and an IV line was attached to her small hand. The sight of her like this—so frail and still—took my breath away. My knees weakened, so I clutched the doorframe for support. It was my fault. If I had been more diligent and protected her properly... Perhaps she wouldn't be lying here, hooked up to machines and battling to recuperate. I let out a faint whimper before I could stop it. "Ava…" Her
CAMILLA A slight buzz of voices trickled through the hospital's closed doors. My eyes felt heavy, and my body was tight from resting in one position for too long. I squinted at the dimly lit room, with early morning light filtering in through the blinds. I must have fallen asleep just before daybreak. A throbbing ache throbbed at the base of my skull, reminding me of the sleepless night I'd spent tossing and turning, haunted by Ava's face. Pale. Frightened. Helpless. The memories hit me all over again, jolting me completely awake. Ava. I turned my head, expecting to see Alex sitting in the chair by the window, like he had last night. But the chair was empty. Panic clutched at my chest. I swung my legs over the side of the bed, forcing myself up despite the tiredness that weighed me down. My bare feet contacted the icy floor, causing a shiver up my spine. I reached for the lightweight cardigan I'd droped over the chair and slipped it on as I exited the room. The hallway
AlexThe air was thick with anxiety as our car sped down the deserted road, tires buzzing against the asphalt. The black SUV ahead of us faded into the distance, its taillights blazing red and flickering like a heartbeat. We were getting near, but not fast enough.We'd been after them for over half an hour. The police used a GPS tracker concealed on their car. We knew they were going south on Route 19, but every second felt like we were losing them. My stomach twisted from anger and anxiety. I should have acted faster. I should've been more prepared. If I had, Ava might not be in danger now. But now all I could do was track them down. As the SUV's red taillights flashed in front of us, I grasped the armrest tightly. My heart was rushing and thumping inside my chest. Every second seemed like an eternity. I couldn't let them leave with her. We needed to get her back. "Keep on them!" The officer next to me ordered, his voice tense with urgency.The officers in the car with me were doin
Camilla The front door was slightly opened. As I pushed, the wood creaked, ringing through the silence like a warning. A moist chill crept across my skin. Inside, the air was thick with the smell of mold, dust, and something more. Something metallic. The room was consumed by darkness, but a dim light flickered in the distance. It hummed weakly, throwing long, fragmented shadows on the walls. My breath came out in short, uneven gasps. Every instinct screamed at me to turn back, run, and seek help. But I couldn't, I kept moving. Because somewhere in the darkness, Ava was waiting for me.Then, from the darkness, came a voice. "Hands up." I froze. The voice was calm. Too calm. Possessing such control implied power.Footsteps were the next sound, which was slow and measured. Heavy. Deliberate. A rough, hard hand clamped around my wrist. Not cruel, but uncompromising. A silent warning. "Move." The grasp tightened slightly, guiding me forwards. My legs felt weak, but I
CamillaThe jet's hum filled the silence around me, but inside my head, all I could hear was noise—loud, excruciating noise. Ava. Her name rang repeatedly, pressing my heart even more. I gazed at my phone screen, my fingers quivering as I dialed Marta's number again. Still turned off.I tried again. Still nothing.Tears blurred my vision. My daughter was out there, in the hands of a dangerous person. Was she crying? Was she afraid? Did they injure her? My gut wrenched in misery at the thought. Across from me, Alex stood with his phone to his ear. His voice was steady and controlled, in stark contrast to the conflict inside me. "Alexander Brookes, CEO of Millach LTD," he said while listening to the other end of the line. His expression was unreadable, but I could sense the strain in his jaw. "There was an emergency that we needed to attend to. We already left. Tell Ms. Montgomery for a reschedule of this meeting if feasible." There was a delay before he said, "Alright, sorr
CamillaMy heart raced as I entered the room, my trembling fingers on the door just as it closed behind me. The silence around me was intense, broken only by my choppy breaths. I leaned my back against the door, feeling its coolness, but it didn't help quiet the turmoil inside me. Alex. The memory of his touch and the feel of his lips stayed with me like a haunting presence I couldn't escape. My resolve and the walls I carefully built around myself fell apart whenever he got near. I tried really hard to keep him away to protect myself and my daughter, but when he looked at me with those pleading eyes, I lost my strength. I closed my eyes tightly, trying to manage my feelings. It wasn't just about him; it was how he made me feel and how he could always remove the walls I felt I needed. The best thing I could do was put some space between us, lock the door, and guarantee that the mistakes of the previous night were never repeated. Sliding down to the floor, I sat with my knees t
AlexShe pulled the room door open without speaking, allowing it to swing close behind her. I caught it before it closed fully and followed her inside. Camilla walked straight to the couch and dropped herself upon its edge with a stiff motion. She crossed her arms again, her fingers grabbing her sleeves as if bracing for a blow. Her eyes was concentrated on a faraway location, her expression opaque yet heavy with thought. I paused near the door and watched her. She didn't recognize my presence as she moved her head slightly away. I took a breath and stepped closer, each movement slow and deliberate. The cool floor muffled my footfall, but I could feel the space between us. When I got close enough to talk, I stopped and kept my voice low. "Camilla, please listen to me." Her body tensed slightly, but she did not glance at me. The silence extended, dense with tension, and her only reaction was a tiny twitch of her fingers against her arm. "There's nothing to talk about," she st
ALEX The warm rays of sunlight crept through the blinds and woke me up. I stirred, slipping into the mattress, the warmth strange but weirdly soothing. As I opened my eyes, images of the previous night flooded back to me. I was on Camilla's bed. I sat up gently, putting my elbows on my knees and running a hand through my hair. A faint smile pulled on the corner of my lips. For the first time in years, the nothingness inside of me didn't feel so overwhelming. Being with her filled a gap I had no idea was so profound. As I shifted, the covers slipped down, showing my bare chest and the empty space next me. My heart dropped slightly when I realized Camilla was not there. I looked around the room, my eyes scanning every angle. Her scent lingered slightly in the air, but she was nowhere to be found. I pushed the blankets away from my legs and found my clothes lying on the floor. I picked them up one by one, the room's silence disturbed only by the subtle rustle of cloth as I dressed