The night was quiet, the air thick with the crisp scent of freshly cut grass and damp earth. A gentle breeze whispered through the trees, rustling the leaves in the vast garden of Le Châteauesque Manor.Rex stood at the door, his tail wagging wildly, thudding against the frame in rapid succession. Ava paused mid-step, frowning slightly. Aunt Torres must have forgotten to shut the door again.Before she could take another step, Rex bolted towards her, nearly knocking into her legs as he circled frantically. His body trembled with restless energy, his paws scuffing against the polished floor as if pleading with her for something. He let out a soft whimper, then barked—loud and insistent."Shh," Ava hushed him quickly, glancing toward the dimly lit hallway. The last thing she needed was to wake Aunt Torres.Rex, however, was having none of it. He planted his feet, resisting her grip on his leash, his entire body taut with tension. It was strange—normally, he was obedient. But tonight, he
Alexander finished his breakfast at a leisurely pace before heading straight to the Vanderbilt Group. The crisp morning air held a slight chill, though it did little to cool the storm brewing beneath his composed exterior.As he arrived at the entrance of the sleek, glass-fronted headquarters, a familiar figure stood waiting. Ava.She looked exhausted—her usually bright eyes dulled with fatigue, the shadows beneath them betraying a sleepless night. The soft fabric of her blouse was slightly wrinkled, her posture tense with urgency."Alexander, about Rex..." Her voice was hoarse, carrying the weight of concern.He didn’t break stride, his polished dress shoes tapping against the marble floor as he passed her without a glance. "I was drunk last night and made a mistake," he said coolly. "Rex wasn’t with me."Liar.Ava remained frozen in place, watching his retreating back. If she hadn’t seen Rex at Le Châteauesque Manor with her own eyes, she might have believed him.Why on earth would
Dear Gentle Readers, Let’s play a game of guessing which character said the quote on the chapter title... Comment who you think say "I want Ava. And I want her now!" before you read this chapter...E.C. ---------Josh's bloodshot eyes locked onto the car speeding ahead of him, his grip on the steering wheel tight enough to turn his knuckles white. Fury coiled inside him like a viper, ready to strike. He wanted nothing more than to crash into her, to force her to a stop—to make Ava his, no matter the cost.But Ava was faster. It was as if she could anticipate his every move, her driving precise, calculated. He floored the gas pedal, ignoring the blaring sirens that suddenly erupted behind him. Police patrol cars closed in, their flashing red and blue lights reflecting off his windshield, but Josh was beyond caring. He wouldn't let them stop him—not before he got Ava.The problem was, she had already slipped through his fingers.Le Châteauesque Manor had strict speed restrictions, and
Bridgitte’s face drained of all color, as if she’d just been slapped in front of a crowd. Her lips parted in disbelief. “Mr. Vanderbilt…”But Alexander didn’t spare her a glance. His cold eyes swept over the rest of the room instead, voice firm and devoid of emotion. “Consider this a warning.”His tone cut through the air like a blade. Not once did he acknowledge Bridgitte’s presence or feelings, making her humiliation all the more bitter.Trying to salvage her pride, Bridgitte stammered, “I—I’m Raphael’s girlfriend. Things have been going really well between us lately, so if you could just—”Her words trailed off as Alexander finally looked at her—his gaze so cold, so piercing, that she froze mid-sentence. In that moment, Bridgitte’s resentment toward Ava deepened, festering quietly beneath her skin.Without another word, Alexander turned on his heel and left, his tailored coat fluttering behind him.Jonathan remained, stepping forward with his usual composed demeanor. He looked ov
Serena’s phone buzzed just as she was leaving a meeting. The hospital's name flashed on the screen. The voice on the other end was clipped, urgent. Josh had fallen into a coma.The doctor had been reaching out to everyone on Josh's contact list, one by one—standard protocol in emergencies, but the kind that never felt routine.By the time Serena arrived at the hospital, the sterile hallways echoed with sobs. Araminta was already there, curled in on herself like a grieving wraith on one of the stiff waiting room chairs, her eyes puffy and red, her cheeks streaked with mascara. She clutched Josh’s phone as if it were his lifeline.The moment Araminta spotted Serena walking through the glass doors, her sorrow twisted into rage.“You bitch!” she screamed, eyes blazing. “Did you set him up? You murderer. I’m calling the cops on you!”Before Serena could say a word, Araminta charged like a fury unchained, arm raised to slap. Serena’s reflexes kicked in. She caught Araminta’s wrist mid-air an
Ava stepped out of the hospital, her emotions wound tight like a storm that had yet to pass. Her hands trembled as she held onto her purse, and she knew—there was no way she could drive like this. So, she walked. No destination in mind, no plan. Just walked.The midday sun beat down relentlessly, baking the pavement beneath her feet. Her vision blurred, not from the heat, but from the tears that slipped down her cheeks, uninvited and unchecked. She didn’t bother to stop them. Instead, she drifted toward a nearby bench tucked beneath a skeletal tree that offered little shade. She sank onto it, clutching her bag in her lap as though it were the only thing holding her together.With shaky fingers, she tried wiping the tears away, but they kept coming. Her small frame hunched forward as if trying to shrink away from the world. The sun bore down on her mercilessly, its rays highlighting every fragile line of emotion on her face. She looked heartbreakingly vulnerable—an open wound in the mi
If Ava hadn’t stepped back in time, the car window would’ve caught a fistful of her hair. The breeze from the speeding vehicle brushed her face as she watched it roll away down the street. She couldn’t help but let out a laugh—half amusement, half disbelief.She quickly pulled out her phone and typed a message to Raphael:[Just saw him. Alexander told me not to get too full of myself. You should look for Victoria—she’s riding shotgun with him right now.]Raphael didn’t hesitate. He called Victoria immediately. On the other end, Victoria picked up with a bright, amused smile on her face. “I’ll check,” she said before hanging up and turning toward Alexander.“Raphael called me too,” she said casually, her voice playful. “Looks like he’s really into his girlfriend this time. Maybe he’s serious, Alexander. What do you think—should we let her come back?”Alexander said nothing. His gaze remained fixed on the road ahead, expression unreadable. Though his face was composed, there was somethin
The following morning, Serena returned to the hospital, her steps light but purposeful. The building’s cold sterility wrapped around her, but she kept moving, eyes scanning every corridor. Once she was certain Araminta and Valentina weren’t lurking nearby, she quietly slipped into Josh’s room.Her gaze immediately landed on the table where she had left the voice recorder disguised as a pen. It was gone.Her heart sank a little. Araminta and Valentina had been so consumed with their own drama yesterday, they probably hadn’t even noticed the device. It must’ve been picked up by a nurse. Serena asked around, trying to stay calm, but every nurse she spoke to simply shook their head. No one had seen it.As she walked past Alfonso’s room, lost in thought, she accidentally bumped into him. He was stepping out, looking weaker than ever, clutching his cane tightly. They exchanged a tense glance before she moved on, unwilling to stir up a scene.Inside the room, Araminta had been watching Alfon
Alexander couldn't focus, his thoughts scattered and restless. As his phone rang with a call from a business partner, he seized the moment and stood up.“Grandpa, the business partner is calling. I need to go over the details of this morning’s meeting,” he said, already moving away.Grandpa let out a long, weary sigh. To him, it looked like Alexander was just eager to escape. “If you put that much effort into Serena,” he grumbled, “you two would have had a house full of kids by now. Go on, but no matter how busy work gets, don’t forget the wife waiting for you at home.”Alexander didn’t answer. He slipped into his car and glanced at the dashboard clock—8:00 PM. Ignoring the call still ringing on his screen, he turned the key and headed straight to the hotel.By the time he arrived, it was 8:30.His phone buzzed again. It was Jonathan, this time with more urgent news—Ryan had been arrested, and sensitive information about PW Group had been leaked. By morning, the media would be ablaze w
The Vanderbilt building was unusually still for a Friday evening. Outside, the city buzzed as it always did, but inside Alexander’s top-floor office, silence reigned.The only light came from the city skyline pouring in through floor-to-ceiling windows. Alexander stood by the glass, one hand in his pocket, the other holding a thick, official envelope.The divorce had been finalized. Her name — Serena Ava Morales Vanderbilt — would no longer be linked to his. And yet, the weight in his chest hadn’t budged. If anything, it had settled deeper.The quiet was broken by the buzz of his phone.Hugo.He answered with a low, “Yeah?”“Finally!” Hugo’s voice crackled through the speaker. “You’re free. About damn time, man.”Alexander didn’t respond.“So,” Hugo continued, voice laced with mischief, “how about some celebratory drinks? I’ve got a private room at 230 Fifth, and I might’ve invited a few… distractions.”“Hugo—”“Come on, don’t be boring. Half the city would give their left arm for a
Ava sat cross-legged on the floor of her apartment, Rex’s warm head resting against her knee. The golden retriever let out a soft, contented sigh, completely unaware of the life-changing moment that had just arrived.On the table before her lay a sealed envelope.Her name printed clearly beneath it:Serena Ava Morales Vanderbilt.She knew what it was. In fact, she’d been waiting for this moment for years — though not in longing or hope.She had never begged for Alexander’s attention. Never sought his approval.Not five years ago, when she signed that marriage certificate under the cold gazes of the powerful Vanderbilt family and Alfonso, her father’s watchful eyes.Not when he had left the country right after signing the marriage certificate without a word, abandoning a marriage neither of them had wanted.She had lived alone since then.Alone with the Morales debt, the fading reputation of he
Alexander didn’t remember much of the drive back. The city was a blur of lights and shadows, his thoughts tangled and restless. The tight knot in his chest refused to ease.The image of Ava — Serena — standing by that window lingered with painful clarity. The hollow look in her eyes. The way her voice had cracked when she spoke of dignity, safety, and the things he’d stripped from her.He’d always considered himself a man in control, measured and strategic in every move, every decision. But tonight, for the first time, he felt powerless.And ashamed.He’d broken something he had no right to touch. Now, all he could do was try — maybe hopelessly — to repair what pieces remained.By the time he arrived at the Vanderbilt estate, the staff were long asleep, and the house was quiet. But he didn’t stop there. He headed straight to his private study, locking the door behind him.He pulled out his phone and made a call.Jonathan picked up on the second ring, sounding slightly groggy. “Sir?”A
The city lights blurred past as Alexander sped through the streets, his grip tight on the steering wheel. The cool night air seeped through the slightly opened window, but it did nothing to calm the restless storm inside him.For the first time in years, his usually sharp, calculated mind was clouded — not by business, not by rivals, but by a woman.His wife.And how badly he’d wronged her.Ava. Serena.Every time he said either name in his head now, it twisted something deep in his chest.He thought back to her messages — not a single word of accusation, not one plea for sympathy.Even after everything, she hadn’t used his name.She called him Mr. Vanderbilt.Professional. Distant. Like a stranger.And wasn’t that what he’d made himself?As he pulled into the underground parking of the hotel, he sat in the car for a long moment. His reflection in the windshield stared back at him — polished, cold, successful. A man respected, feared, envied. But none of that meant anything now.He gr
Alexander let out a sigh, leaning back in the chair as his grandfather rifled through a worn leather photo album placed neatly beside the chessboard. The old man flipped through its pages, mumbling to himself. The room felt heavier somehow, the air thick with nostalgia and something Alexander couldn’t quite name.Alexander leaned back against the worn leather chair in the grand sitting room of the Vanderbilt Mansion, pretending to sip his tea while his grandfather, Cornelius Vanderbilt Sr., dug through an old photo album. The scent of aged paper and tea leaves hung in the air, mixing with the warm, familiar atmosphere of a home built on old money and endless pride.He didn’t want to be here.His mind had been elsewhere all evening — on Ava.The hotel. The time. Her waiting.She’d agreed to meet him there, not because she wanted to — but because she had no choice.Because of Ryan Kuzmin.Alexander had promised her that if she surrendered to his terms — ten nights, no conditions — he wou
Dear Gentle Readers, Thank you for your support from the beginning until this point. This author really appreciates it. Never thought this story will have these many readers...This author understands your wish for this story to end therefore there will be 2 branches of the story from here onwards. The first branch is for Alexander to realize that Ava is Serena and the story can conclude there.The second branch is what the author has already prepared from the beginning. All good things must come to an end at some point...Please enjoy the ride and if you wish to read other story, please check out "Taming the Wild CEO" which has the following premise :For nearly four years Ella Stanford has been working as a secretary to Javier Summers, and for most of that time, she has been fighting her own feelings for him. Javier was undeniably sexy but she knew she should never fall for a ruthless playboy. He has never paid heed to her, so this has not been a problem but a struggle on her own
When Ava pulled up in front of the boutique, she sat frozen in her car for a long minute, her fingers clutching the steering wheel, her heart pounding. The neon lights reflected off the windshield in lurid pinks and reds, making everything feel surreal.With a deep breath, she opened the door, keeping her head down as she briskly walked toward the entrance.Inside, a burst of artificial floral perfume and soft pop music hit her. The boutique was dimly lit, with shimmering silk and lace displayed under glowing spotlights. Ava didn’t dare meet anyone’s eyes.The sales clerk approached — a middle-aged woman with shrewd eyes and a practiced smile that brightened the moment she saw Ava.“Beautiful lady, what kind are you looking for?” the woman asked warmly.Ava’s mouth opened, but the words wouldn’t come. She had no experience here — none of this belonged in her world. “A-anything is fine…” she stammered, avoiding the clerk’s gaze.The woman’s expression turned stern. “How can you be so c
By evening, after back-to-back meetings and an unrelenting day of negotiations, Alexander finally stepped out of the conference room. The moment he entered his office, his sharp gaze landed on Ava, quietly seated by the window.She looked pale, her skin almost translucent under the soft light, but her eyes held steady — calm, guarded, as though nothing from the night before had ever happened. Not a flicker of hesitation, not a single ripple.Alexander moved to his chair, sitting down with the unhurried grace of a man who always controlled the room. His eyes swept over her.She had a scarf wrapped snugly around her neck, a strange choice for this mild evening. It couldn’t hide everything though — a hint of bruising peeked from beneath the fabric. A turtleneck would’ve made more sense, but in this weather, it would have drawn too much attention.“Mr. Vanderbilt,” Ava said evenly, breaking the heavy silence.“I won’t back out from the remaining nine times. But can you give me Ryan’s info