AlexEven though I wanted to make things right with Camilla, I just knew that I couldn’t rush it. I had spent years in regrets, thinking about my mistakes—the many ways I had hurt her, driven her away, and not taken her seriously. I'd apologize, but apologies wouldn’t be enough this time. To earn her trust, I needed to prove it to her, through my actions, that I had really changed. As I was heading around the hallway, I noticed her coming out of her new office with Julie. My heart took a flip at the sight of her, poised and confident. I had chosen the office carefully for her because it was one of the best spaces in the building. Camilla needed to be treated with utmost respect. She was here as a business partner, and I needed to treat her as one, or better than one. But seeing her now, I couldn’t put away the shame that stood at me. This partnership wasn’t just about business; it was my only chance to make up for the past, to support her job in a way I never did when we were
Camilla The familiar streets of San Francisco stretched before me as the cab near my home. My heart felt tired yet determined. This city had been my safe haven, the place where I’d rebuilt my life. But today, as I neared the front door, I felt it was time to leave it behind and make a new beginning in Los Angeles. As I stepped inside, the sweet giggles of Ava greeted me. She came running toward me, her small feet pattering against the floor. “Mommy!” she yelled, throwing her arms around me. I knelt to her height, drawing her into a loving hug. “I missed you, my love,” I whispered, my voice brimming with adoration. Marta entered from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel. “You’re back early,” she stated with a friendly smile. “There’s so much to do,” I said, standing and putting my bag down. “Can we talk about something?” Marta nodded. “Of course.” Later that evening, after dinner and bedtime tales, Ava finally drifted off to sleep, clutching her doll firmly. I joined
AlexThe morning had began like any other—coffee boiling, the peaceful buzz of the city waking up outside my window. But today, something was different. My phone wouldn’t stop buzzing. Glancing at it, I saw a stream of missed calls and unread messages, some from famous investors, some from numbers I didn’t recognize. The alarms heaped one after another, their urgency impossible to ignore. I snatched up the phone, scanning through the texts. The tone was consistent: worry, displeasure, and, in some cases, open fury. “Alex, have you seen what’s online? This is bad for all of us.” “You need to call me ASAP. We can’t move forward like this.” “I’m pulling out unless you explain this mess.” Pulling out? What mess? My chest tightened as I read the lines. Setting my coffee aside, I eagerly opened my inbox, searching for further information. One issue line stood out immediately: “URGENT: Blog Post Damaging Partnership.” I clicked on it, my fingers quivering slightly. The email
Camilla The moment I stepped out of the meeting hall, my phone buzzed, vibrating urgently in my hand. Elizabeth’s name flashed on the screen. “Elizabeth,” I said sharply, pressing the phone to my ear as I made my way toward the car. “Camilla, it’s blowing up,” she said without preamble. “That blog post is everywhere. Investors, clients—people are calling and asking questions. We need a response now. What’s the plan?” I took a deep breath, willing myself to stay calm. “We’re not going to panic,” I said, unlocking my car and sliding into the driver’s seat. “Draft a statement immediately, but I want it airtight—nothing vague. We’ll address the rumors head-on while reinforcing Ava Ltd.’s credibility.” “Got it,” Elizabeth replied, but I could hear the hesitation in her voice. “Should we focus more on dismissing the accusations or highlighting the company’s achievements?” “Both,” I said firmly, pulling out my laptop and placing it on the dashboard. “Mention our struggles from the
CamillaThe streets of Los Angeles bustled with a rhythm that was both exciting and overwhelming. The golden sunlight bathed the towering buildings, the scent of freshly brewed coffee wafted from sidewalk cafes, and the hum of traffic blended with distant laughter. It had been three weeks since we left San Francisco, and though this city was still unfamiliar, we were slowly finding our place in it. I turned into the driveway of our apartment complex, the warm glow of the afternoon sun casting long shadows. As I parked, the sound of giggles drifted through the open window. Inside, I found Ava and Marta sprawled on the living room floor, their laughter filling the space as they played with a set of building blocks. Ava’s hands darted around, constructing something grand, while Marta leaned back, letting her take the lead. “Mommy’s home!” Ava announced, her face lighting up as she jumped up and ran to hug me. “Hey, sweetheart!” I scooped her into my arms, her hair tickling my cheek
Camilla The Saturday morning sun streamed through my car windows as I pulled up to Julie’s apartment. Her call woke me earlier, that she wasn't doing anything serious. So we found an opportunity to check around the city. The air felt fresh, promising. Today, we were scouting locations for Ava Ltd.’s Los Angeles branch—a significant step for me and the company. Julie was already waiting at the curb, her bright smile instantly lifting my spirits. She slid into the passenger seat, her energy as infectious as ever. “Good morning!” she chirped, buckling her seatbelt. I smiled, matching her enthusiasm. Our first stop was a small office tucked behind a larger building. From the photos, it seemed cozy but functional. In reality, it was cramped, with low ceilings and narrow hallways that made the space feel suffocating. “This won’t do,” Julie said, voicing what I was already thinking. “No, it definitely won’t,” I agreed as we walked back to the car. The second location was in a qu
Alex The meeting with the investors had been tense, but the resolution gave me some peace. Afterward, I met with Camilla to apologize for the mess Alessia had caused. She listened, her face calm but her words sharp as she made it clear that she wouldn’t tolerate any more disruptions. I promised her I would speak to Alessia and ensure it didn’t happen again. That evening, I decided it was time to reclaim my home. For months, I had avoided the house, seeking refuge in my office or a cold hotel suite, just to escape Alessia’s relentless presence. But enough was enough. If she refused to sign the divorce papers, she couldn’t keep me from the house that was mine. As I opened the door, the air inside felt heavy, as though it had been holding its breath for months. Alessia was there, seated on the couch, her face streaked with tears. The sight didn’t move me as it once might have. Instead, I steeled myself, bracing for the inevitable confrontation. “Alex,” she cried the moment she sa
CamillaThe morning sun streamed through the windows of the building I had purchased for Ava Ltd.'s new Los Angeles headquarters. Marta had insisted on accompanying me, and I didn’t object. Having her around made the work feel lighter, even though the task ahead was daunting. The inside of the building was a time capsule of a fashion store that had long seen its last customer. Faded wallpaper adorned the walls, mannequins and old lockers sat abandoned in one corner, and scraps of paper and wood littered the floor. Marta and I rolled up our sleeves and dove in. We started by moving old chairs and stacking calendars and papers by the door. The air was filled with the faint smell of dust and aging fabric, but I didn’t mind. There was something invigorating about seeing the space begin to clear, piece by piece. Marta wiped her forehead, a streak of dust crossing her cheek. “Ma’am, this place will shine once it’s done.” “I know,” I said, glancing around. “But I didn’t think it woul
AlexAs I got out of the elevator, I heard a small, painful moan. My heart skipped a beat, and I swiftly turned to face the voice. Camilla lay on the ground, holding her leg. Her face was pale, and her hair was stuck to her forehead from sweat. She appeared delicate, like a bird with a broken wing."Camilla!" I called, my voice stiff with fear. My feet reacted before I could think, and I was at her side in seconds.Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed movement. Alessia walked briskly toward the exit, her heels clicking on the floor in a sharp, determined pattern. She did not look back once. Her stance was tight, as if she was trying too hard to be calm. My stomach churned. *What had she done to Camilla?* Alessia had always been harsh, but this felt different—calculated. My fists tightened as rage rose up inside me.I shook my head, pushing myself to look at Camilla. Her breathing was shallow, and her lips quiver as if she was trying to hold back tears. Her hands gripped her calf fie
CAMILLA Her voice swelled and echoed down the silent hall. My heart raced in my ears, and my hands trembled. I jerked my arm free and stepped back, angry at her."Let me make this clear, Alessia," I murmured, my voice wavering slightly. "Alex makes his own choices. "If he left you, it was because of you, not me."Her face twisted with rage, and her lips curled into a scowl. Her contemptuous gaze swept across me. Then, suddenly, she shoved me hard.The push caused me to stumble. My heel got snagged on the smooth floor, and I couldn't restore my balance. My leg smashed with the sharp edge of the wall, causing pain. I gasped and collapsed to the ground, gripping my hurting leg.Tears distorted my vision, and I strained to breathe. The pain was intense, acute, and relentless, affecting my entire body.Alessia stood above me, her expression frigid and immovable. "This is just the beginning," she said, her voice cold.Her heels clicked against the floor as she stomped away, the noise becom
CAMILLAThe applause filled the room like a warm wave, wrapping around me and reminding me why I had given so much of myself to Ava LTD. Every cheer and smile from the investors felt like a pat on the back, encouraging me that my struggles had been worthwhile. Ava LTD was more than just a business; it was my lifeblood, the one thing I could rely on after Alex crushed me.I looked out into the hallway and saw faces filled with enthusiasm and acceptance. Their admiring comments and the way they leaned in while I talked warmed my heart. They believed in me and what I had built, and that belief inspired me to dream larger. This was my chance to prove that I was no longer the broken woman Alex had left behind.Julie leaned over, her eyes blazing. "They love it," she said quietly. "They really do."I grinned and nodded. "They should," I responded. "We've poured everything into this."As the meeting came to a close, I started taking notes. But then I noticed a towering, elegant figure that s
ALEX Camilla stepped in with her head held high and her presence imposing. She donned a navy-blue dress that matched her beautiful assurance. Julie walked behind her, carrying some documents, but Camilla remained focused on the task at hand. Her professionalism served as a screen against the mayhem that lingered around her. I couldn't take my gaze away. She noticed me gazing and softened her eyes briefly before turning away. My heart wrenched cruelly. ______We took our seats on the elevated platform. The hall was packed with expectant faces, including investors and staff. Camilla and I sat side by side. The Q&A session began, and the room fell silent. Investors, journalists, and company executives sat forward in their seats, eager to examine every word. The first query came from a man dressed in a gray suit, his voice steady and professional. "How do you plan to ensure this product stands out in such a competitive market?" Camilla leaned closer, her expression confident yet
ALEXThe silence in the car felt oppressive as I drove back from Camilla's apartment. Her words echoed in my thoughts, each phrase like a fresh wound. "Alex, I don't want you close anymore. Not outside our partnership." Her voice, steady but tinged with finality, played repeatedly. I held the steering wheel tighter, the ache in my chest acute and constant. She had shut the door to her heart, locking me out. And this time, there was no uncertainty or crack in her determination. I was left standing outside, hoping for a miracle that may never arrive. My thoughts moved to Ava. Her brilliant smile appeared in my imagination, a spark of brightness in the dark. I remembered how happy she was when she saw me at her school today. Her smile made me pleased, and I felt I was coming near to fulfilling my dream, but it came crashing down at my feet.Yesterday at the supermarket, she spotted me from the corner of the aisle and when I approached her, her eyes beamed with excitement as she scr
Camilla. As soon as I opened the door, Ava jumped off the couch, her bag still hanging on one shoulder and her drawing book held securely in one hand. Her big, expectant eyes looked beyond me, filled with hope. "Where is Big Uncle?" she said, her voice brimming with innocence and delight. I froze for a moment, my stomach wrenching. I expected this question, but that didn't make it any simpler to answer. "Honey," I murmured, attempting a grin that did not reach my eyes; "he had an important meeting to attend. He promised to return another day. The words tasted harsh and heavy as they left my tongue. I could feel the tightness rising in my chest, my fingers clenching into fists at my sides. Alex had no plans to return—not if I had anything to say about it. I couldn't dispute that Ava adored him. It terrified me how quickly she'd become attached. Her sparkling eyes faded, and her little shoulders sagged under the weight of disappointment. She fiddled with a corner of her sketc
CAMILLA The stillness between us was oppressive and crushing. I could feel his eyes penetrating through me, as if he was trying to read my thoughts and figure out how I felt. My heart thudded terribly in my chest, and I struggled to keep my expression neutral. But then he spoke, his tone gentle and almost hesitant."I'm sorry."Those two words struck me harder than intended. I blinked in amazement at the unexpected apologies. Alex never apologised. Not back then. Not after he left me devastated and damaged. Especially not when I asked him to stay. His coldness had always been impenetrable, and hearing him apologize made my chest constrict with mixed emotions.For a brief moment, I sensed a spark of something—hope? But I pushed it down immediately. I couldn't let myself believe it. Not again. His words had previously caused me to believe in a love that never existed. Was this just another one of his schemes?I examined him closely, noting how his jaw clinched slightly and his hands fi
CamillaAva's enthusiasm twisted my heart. She took Alex's hand as they walked to his car, her little feet leaping with each step and her face beaming with joy. I could not bring myself to stop her. I wanted to, I truly did. I wanted to call her back and remind her of the boundaries I had set. But, how could I? How could I ruin that joy, that innocence, simply because I was afraid?She was so carefree and full of faith. And there it was: the terrible sting of jealousy. She was more than just thrilled to see him. She was thrilled to be with him. How readily she welcomed him into her world, without hesitation, and without the barriers I had built up over the years. It was as if he had never hurt me, as if his absence for all these years had no significance.My hands tightened over the steering wheel, my fingers throbbing as I struggled to keep my emotions under control. This wasn't only about Ava's happiness. No, it was about him. It always returned to him. Alex. The man who crushed my
ALEX The bell rang, and within minutes, children flooded out of the school, filling the air with laughter and conversation. My heart beat as I scanned the crowd. Then I saw Ava. Her bag thumped against her little back, and she held her food flask in one hand. Her neat locks flowed with each stride, but something about her appeared different. She appeared more collected and less fun than normal, almost as if she were carrying more than a child her age should."My princess," I said, straining my voice to seem light.Ava's eyes brightened as she spotted me. "Big uncle!" she said, racing towards me. Her laughter filled the air as I bent down to catch her and take her into my arms."You fulfilled your promise!" She giggled and wrapped her arms around my neck."Of course," I replied, smiling as I held her close. "You know you are my princess. I always keep my promises."She nodded fervently, her enthusiasm contagious. "School was fine today. "I received a star for my drawing!" she said, sh