CAMILLA I glanced at my watch. Twenty-eight minutes to go. The waiting room was silent, the faint hum of the air conditioner doing nothing to alleviate my anxiety. Ava’s face sprang in my mind—her smiles, the way her small hand slipped perfectly within mine. It had been nearly twenty four hours since I left, and the guilt of being gone stood at me. I pulled out my phone and called Marta’s number, but the call connected just as I remembered Ava would be in school. Letting out a sigh, I spoke to her, and she said Ava's fine. I’ll call David after the meeting,I mumbled to myself, already picturing him taking Ava for ice cream. It was a slight consolation, knowing she’d have someone who could make her happy. To distract myself, I opened the folder with notes for the press meeting. Each inquiry I expected felt heavier than the previous. My replies needed to be perfect—not just for me, but for Ava Ltd. This wasn’t just about reputation; it was about demonstrating that I'm capable of t
ALEX I tried to be collected throughout the interview, but the moment she stepped into the room, my confidence wavered. She appeared composed and self-assured, carrying an elegance that made the air in the room seem heavier. Her fitted blue suit held her wonderfully, the immaculate white shirt underneath it accentuating her inherent elegance. The rhythmic click of her heels hitting the floor mirrored her confidence as she took the seat next me, dominating the area easily. It wasn’t just her beauty that threw me off—it was her whole personality. She was no longer the lady who previously depended on me. Camilla had evolved into someone tough, someone who didn’t need anyone—especially me. I snuck glances as she answered the interviewer’s questions with ease. Her sentences were measured, her tone calm. It was hard to compare this version of Camilla with the woman I previously knew, the one who'd always waited for my direction and hoped that one day I'd see her efforts. A recolle
CAMILLAIf I had seen Alex five years ago, fresh after the divorce, I would have wanted to take revenge as profoundly as he had hurt me. Back then, the resentment overtook me, and I believed retaliation would soothe the pain.But I am not that lady anymore. The rage has cooled into a quiet pain, and although the hurt persists like an old scar, I’ve learned to live past it.The divorce broke me, certainly. But it also rebuilt me. I wouldn’t have become this version of myself if I had remained in that marriage—if I had continued seeking for his attention and affection that he never bothered to provide.Now, I have Ava and Ava Ltd., the two constants in my life that propel me ahead. Everything I do is for her and the firm. I’ve rebuilt my life piece by piece, and I will continue to show to Ava that she can depend on me for everything.Back in my suite after the interview, I phoned David.“David,” I began when he responded, “can you take Ava out for ice cream today? You know how much she
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
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