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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
ALEXThe drive to work felt longer than usual, though traffic was not an issue, but silence. It was the kind of silence that grabs you by the throat and won't let go. My mind was racing with ideas, all of which circled back to the same instant. Camilla's voice rang in my head, trembling like it had when I told her the truth."Ava is my daughter too." * The line I had crossed. I couldn't keep the truth buried any longer. But rather than bringing down her walls, it appeared to strengthen them. There was a long pause after I said that, a hush so thin it felt like it would snap. I could still picture it. Her fingers was presumably clasped tightly around the phone, her thoughts racing. Then her voice broke through, piercing and icy. * "I'm done with this." * I called her after she hung up, desperate to repair the damage. But each time, it went directly to voicemail. I called again. And again. Nothing. The silence at the other end was deafening. Her phone was off, which was unusual f