AlexAs the plane lifted off, San Francisco became a blur of lights and distant shadows in the sky. My chest felt heavy, as if the weight of failure was pressing down on me. I had come here resolved to accomplish two goals: establish the Ava Ltd. partnership and, maybe, get my life back on track. The reverse was true; as I prepared to go, I felt only grief and regret.The image of Camilla standing at David's side stayed with me. Her expressionless face had been warm and welcoming, like standing in the sun. When David came, her whole attitude changed—her shoulders relaxed, and a lovely serenity descended over her. It was more than just being comfortable; it was the easiness of being with someone who really cared. "They're married," I said, clutching the cushion of my seat. It was as if saying the words would confirm their validity, yet I knew in my heart that it was true. David had what I had thrown away: her trust, love, and heart. Seeing them together was a gut punch, a reminder of
Camilla Ava was strong now, giggling earlier in the day as she showed off her new doll to Marta. It was as if nothing had occurred, as if she hadn’t been hauled, limp and gasping, from the ocean only days previously. But the thought of her little body laying in the hospital bed tormented me.I could still hear the monitor’s constant beeping and saw the oxygen mask covering her little face. The doctor had told me that she would recover entirely, but no amount of assurances could remove the guilt eating at me.I had failed her.Who should I blame? Myself, for not looking at her properly? Marta, who had been too engrossed by her phone to see Ava going near the pool? Or the personnel at the park, who hadn’t thought to construct a barrier around the water?I wanted to yell at all of us. Ava may have died because none of us had done our responsibilities as her guards.I stood at the window, peering out at the garden below. Ava was seated cross-legged on the lawn with Marta, chatting animat
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
Camilla Ava was strong now, giggling earlier in the day as she showed off her new doll to Marta. It was as if nothing had occurred, as if she hadn’t been hauled, limp and gasping, from the ocean only days previously. But the thought of her little body laying in the hospital bed tormented me.I could still hear the monitor’s constant beeping and saw the oxygen mask covering her little face. The doctor had told me that she would recover entirely, but no amount of assurances could remove the guilt eating at me.I had failed her.Who should I blame? Myself, for not looking at her properly? Marta, who had been too engrossed by her phone to see Ava going near the pool? Or the personnel at the park, who hadn’t thought to construct a barrier around the water?I wanted to yell at all of us. Ava may have died because none of us had done our responsibilities as her guards.I stood at the window, peering out at the garden below. Ava was seated cross-legged on the lawn with Marta, chatting animat
AlexAs the plane lifted off, San Francisco became a blur of lights and distant shadows in the sky. My chest felt heavy, as if the weight of failure was pressing down on me. I had come here resolved to accomplish two goals: establish the Ava Ltd. partnership and, maybe, get my life back on track. The reverse was true; as I prepared to go, I felt only grief and regret.The image of Camilla standing at David's side stayed with me. Her expressionless face had been warm and welcoming, like standing in the sun. When David came, her whole attitude changed—her shoulders relaxed, and a lovely serenity descended over her. It was more than just being comfortable; it was the easiness of being with someone who really cared. "They're married," I said, clutching the cushion of my seat. It was as if saying the words would confirm their validity, yet I knew in my heart that it was true. David had what I had thrown away: her trust, love, and heart. Seeing them together was a gut punch, a reminder of
Camilla I was barely keeping myself together. Alex’s presence in the room felt like a thorn driven deeper with every breath I took. Ava was so calm, her small chest rising and falling in modest motions, but all I could think about was the what-ifs. What if she hadn’t been rescued in time? God forbid.I looked at Alex out of the corner of my eye, the guy who had once been my whole world and who had crushed me so thoroughly. He had rescued Ava, and for that, I was thankful. But appreciation didn’t remove the years of bitterness seething in my breast. “Thank you for saving her,” I murmured, my voice chilly, disconnected. I couldn’t force myself to meet his look. My hands twitched in my lap, a nervous habit I couldn’t quite stop. He didn’t answer right immediately, and I could feel his eyes on me, examining me like a problem he was attempting to solve. When he finally spoke, his voice was subdued, almost timid. “Is she your daughter?” The question felt like a blow to the bell