The hospital’s parking lot was dimly lit, the faint glow of overhead lights casting long shadows across the sleek cars. The cool evening breeze carried the scent of antiseptic from the hospital’s entrance, mingling with the distant hum of city traffic. Do anything for him? Available at his beck and call? Deliver three meals a day to the Vanderbilt family? No matter who it is, Alexander wasn’t very interested.But he caught a glimpse of the slight embarrassment on her cheeks and knew that she was doing it to compensate. Seeing Ava in such a humiliated state, Jared at the door couldn’t bear it. Ava is a top student, a prestigious graduate of Harvard University. Even if this man is wealthy, he shouldn’t insult her like this, right?Ava stood rigidly beside Alexander, her nerves fraying as Jared, clearly agitated, lashed out. His voice echoed across the empty lot. "Ava, what are you doing? You’re a Harvard graduate! And now you’re offering to be some rich man’s nanny?"Her face tightened
The soft glow of the hotel suite’s ambient lighting cast a warm contrast against the cool night outside. The air carried the subtle scent of leather and polished wood, mingling with the crisp antiseptic aroma from the freshly opened medicine box.Ava barely noticed Alexander’s gaze lingering on her as she focused on tending to her swollen ankle. Now that her delicate heels were off, the full extent of her injury became clear—her foot was a mess of bruised purples and reds, swollen unnaturally. It throbbed relentlessly, a dull, pulsing ache with every slight movement.Her fingers trembled slightly as she reached for the pain-relieving spray. The cold mist soothed the raw skin, bringing a fleeting moment of relief. She bit her lip, trying to concentrate on wrapping the bandage properly, but the material was unfamiliar—this wasn't the usual medical gauze but a professional ankle support wrap, designed for stability rather than simple protection.She struggled with it, trying to secure it
Alexander’s expression remained cold and indifferent as Patty eagerly introduced herself."Ava and I work in the same studio. Didn’t I mention it before? Whenever Ava works with clients, their wives always seem to request a replacement. And tonight, I just happened to run into her at this hotel. I don’t know if she specifically came here to confront you, Mr. Vanderbilt."Alexander barely reacted. "Hmm."His disinterest was evident, but Patty pressed on, unwilling to let the opportunity slip."I work with her, so I know all about her dirty tricks. She’s just used to deceiving people with that pretty face of hers."Alexander didn’t respond, nor did he slow his steps. By the time Patty finished speaking, he had already reached the elevator and stepped inside. She hesitated, debating whether to follow him in, but his icy demeanor made her stop in place. The doors closed, cutting off any further conversation.Inside the elevator, Alexander’s gaze darkened.Ava was skilled at deceiving peop
The night was silent, save for the rhythmic hum of the city outside. The faint glow of a bedside lamp cast a dim light over the hotel suite, its warmth unable to reach the exhausted figure curled up on the couch.Ava stirred. A dull, persistent pain in her ankle jolted her from sleep, pulling her from the haze of fatigue. Blinking, she rubbed her eyes, momentarily disoriented before reality settled in.She was still in Alexander’s suite.Damn it.Her breath hitched, and she shot upright—too quickly. Her legs, numb from hours of being folded beneath her, refused to cooperate. The moment she tried to stand, a sharp, searing pain lanced through her swollen ankle.Before she could react, her balance gave way.Ava crashed forward, knocking into the glass coffee table. The thermos, along with several crystal glasses, toppled to the floor, shattering upon impact. The sound of breaking glass echoed through the suite, sharp and jarring against the silence of the night.Shit.Ava froze, dread po
The grand halls of the Vanderbilt family estate were as pristine as ever, the morning light streaming through the towering windows, casting a golden hue over the polished marble floors. The faint scent of fresh lilies lingered in the air, a signature touch of the Vanderbilt household.As Alexander strode into the estate, his presence was as commanding as always—except for the white bandage wrapped around his injured hand.Just as he stepped inside, he ran into Michelle.Her sharp eyes immediately landed on his hand, concern flickering across her face before she quickly masked it. Though she had become more cautious around him after previous incidents, she couldn’t resist asking."Brother-in-law… I mean, Mr. Vanderbilt, what happened to your hand?"Alexander’s brows furrowed slightly at her slip, but he didn't entertain the question."It’s injured," he replied curtly. Without another word, he walked past her, heading straight for his office.Michelle's expression soured, her fingers ti
The hospital room felt suffocating, the stale scent of antiseptic lingering in the air. Serena remained still, watching as Alfonso leaned back against his pillows, his expression clouded with disapproval. His earlier words still echoed in her mind."Since you're married, you should act like a married person."As if her marriage to Alexander meant anything.Suppressing the bitterness rising in her chest, she forced a neutral tone. “Dad, take care of yourself. I have things to do today, so I’ll be leaving.”Alfonso didn’t look at her, waving his hand dismissively. “Go. You only make me angry by coming here.”Serena clenched her jaw but said nothing, simply turning on her heel and exiting the ward. The moment the door clicked shut behind her, she let out a slow breath, steadying herself.She had barely reached the elevators when she ran into Valentina.Her half-sister was dressed elegantly in soft pastels, her delicate features tinged with an unnatural pallor. She had obviously come stra
Valentina didn’t know how to conceal her admiration for him, her wide eyes filled with excitement, cheeks flushed as if she had just stepped in from the cold. Alexander immediately noticed and found it distasteful. That kind of overt admiration, the kind that bordered on idolization, always annoyed him. His expression darkened.She had originally been on her way out to pick up food for Alfonso, eager to escape the hospital room before another one of his long-winded speeches about Serena. But fate seemed to have other plans, delivering Alexander directly into her path. Instead of leaving, she found herself rooted to the spot, unable to resist the rare opportunity to be close to him.Alexander, however, had no patience for her hesitation. His brows furrowed. "Aren’t you going out?"His tone was cool, detached—exactly the way he would speak to a stranger.Valentina hesitated, then cautiously took a step closer, her voice soft. "Mr. Vanderbilt, may I invite y
Ava hadn’t planned to stay long at the bar after resolving the loan issue with Rachel. She still had to figure out a construction team for Alexander’s house. However, just as she was about to leave, a familiar hand lightly tapped her shoulder."Ava, what a coincidence."She turned to find Alexei standing there, his signature smirk in place. Dressed in an expensive yet deliberately casual suit, he exuded his usual playboy charm. His dark eyes gleamed with mischief under the dim lighting of the private lounge, where the chatter of the wealthy elite filled the air."I heard you had a falling out with Mr. Thompson?" he asked, swirling a glass of whiskey between his fingers.Ava gave him a measured look. "Mr. Volkov, do you really have the audacity to ask especially when you are the cause of it?"Alexei chuckled, unfazed. The atmosphere in the room was electric—soft jazz playing in the background, the clinking of expensive glassware, and the occasional bursts of laughter from nearby VIP boo
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