Dear Gentle Readers, At last this chapter will tie up the loose end about Ava being Raphael’s girlfriend...Please do enjoy. Grazie mille. Yours,Ethan***Brigitte arrived in the morning, carrying a small insulated container. Seeing that Ava’s complexion had improved slightly, she let out a relieved sigh."You had a high fever last night," Brigitte said as she set the container on the table. "This is the porridge I made this morning. You should have some."Ava, touched by her kindness, nodded and took the bowl. Brigitte, however, subtly glanced around the apartment, curiosity flickering in her eyes.Last night, she had mentioned to Mr. Vanderbilt that Ava’s husband was always out early and returned late. Yet, in all the time she had lived across the hall, she had never once seen the man."Ava, is your husband really that busy?" Brigitte asked, her tone casual but probing. "You had such a high fever last night, and he didn’t come to take care of you."Ava's grip on the spoon tightene
Ava arranged to meet Rachel at a café. As they settled in, Rachel casually mentioned that she and Tom had gotten back together, claiming it was all just a misunderstanding. Ava knew how much Rachel loved Tom, so she bit her tongue and didn’t say anything.Instead, she got straight to the point. "Rachel, help me find someone to temporarily play the role of my husband."Rachel, who had just taken a sip of her coffee, nearly choked. "Cough, cough, cough—" She struggled for a moment, then stared at Ava in disbelief. "Alexander still doesn’t know your identity?"Ava shook her head, cupping her coffee mug with both hands.In her mind, Alexander was her boss—her benefactor. That was how she viewed him. But there was no denying the lingering memories of that night, the way his presence had consumed her. Beyond the physical intensity that left its mark, there was that thirty-second kiss—brief yet unforgettable, like a slow-burning ember she couldn’t fully extinguish.She had pushed those thoug
Ava arranged to meet Rachel at a café. As they settled in, Rachel casually mentioned that she and Tom had gotten back together, claiming it was all just a misunderstanding. Ava knew how much Rachel loved Tom, so she bit her tongue and didn’t say anything.Instead, she got straight to the point. "Rachel, help me find someone to temporarily play the role of my husband."Rachel, who had just taken a sip of her coffee, nearly choked. "Cough, cough, cough—" She struggled for a moment, then stared at Ava in disbelief. "Alexander still doesn’t know your identity?"Ava shook her head, cupping her coffee mug with both hands.In her mind, Alexander was her boss—her benefactor. That was how she viewed him. But there was no denying the lingering memories of that night, the way his presence had consumed her. Beyond the physical intensity that left its mark, there was that thirty-second kiss—brief yet unforgettable, like a slow-burning ember she couldn’t fully extinguish.She had pushed those though
(In this chapter, Ava will only be referred to as Serena Morales when the context is about Alexander’s wife otherwise she will be referred as “Ava/Miss Alvarez”, the designer)---Ava jolted back to reality, her heart racing. She quickly straightened up, putting distance between them.Alexander, still leaning against the couch, remained still, eyes closed, as if nothing had happened.Maybe it was the alcohol, maybe it was exhaustion—but for a brief moment, she wondered if he had even been awake.Her cheeks burned.Hurriedly, she pulled the blanket over him, barely taking a breath before making her escape.The moment the door clicked shut behind her, Alexander’s eyes flickered open. He glanced upward, a shadow of confusion in his gaze. But almost as quickly, he shut them again, dismissing the moment as a drunken dream.Outside the hotel, the cool night breeze helped Ava collect herself.Her fingers brushed over her lips.The first time had been during that ridiculous truth-or-dare game—
Ava hesitated for a moment before picking up the medicine box. She had no choice but to go through with this. “Mr. Vanderbilt, where are you injured?”The scent of blood in the air suddenly made sense—his old wound must have reopened. But Alexander said nothing. Instead, after a moment of silence, he slowly turned his back and shrugged off his jacket.Ava’s breath caught in her throat.The deep, crisscrossing wounds covering his back were brutal—angry red gashes that hadn’t yet begun to heal. Her hands trembled, and the medicine box slipped from her grasp, hitting the floor with a sharp clatter.“Mr. Vanderbilt, what happened to you?” Her voice was barely above a whisper.Alexander didn’t respond, but through the mirror in front of him, he could see her expression—genuine shock, her pupils quivering with worry. For some reason, that look unsettled him.Ava quickly bent down, grabbing the medicine box with shaky hands. The fabric of his shirt
The next morning, Ava awoke to find Alexander already seated on the opposite sofa. His posture was composed, his face unreadable as he scanned through a stack of documents.She quickly rubbed her eyes, straightening up. The air between them was oddly quiet. She stole a glance at the clock on the wall.Six o’clock.Even on a day off, he was up this early?"Mr. Vanderbilt?" Her voice was still laced with sleep, soft and uncertain.Alexander didn’t look up, merely responding with a low grunt as he neatly folded a document.Realizing she should freshen up, Ava hurried to the bathroom. When she emerged, she hesitated before asking, "Mr. Vanderbilt, would you like some breakfast? I can bring something up for you. Also, your back injury—should we go to the hospital today?"Alexander flipped another page, his tone indifferent. "Whatever’s fine."Taking that as permission, Ava grabbed her coat and headed downstairs to fetch breakfast. ---The hotel's breakfast buffet was already bustling, but
Dear Gentle Readers, Please enjoy... Soon Alexander’s proposal to Ava will come! Grazie mille. Yours, E. C.--- Back at the Upper West Side, Ava allowed herself a moment of rest before her phone rang. It was a call from one of her former business partners—the same one who had recently canceled their order. This time, however, they were calling to reinstate it.She exhaled in relief, pressing her fingers against her temples to soothe her lingering tension. At least things were looking up on that front.But as she leaned back against the couch, her thoughts drifted to Alexander’s injuries. The scars on his back had been brutal, and while she knew Mr. Vanderbilt Sr. was strict, punishing Alexander without investigating the truth was harsh.More than anything, she understood the underlying reason for Alexander's tolerance toward this marriage—it wasn’t for love or companionship. It was for his grandfather.As the clock neared seven, Ava debated calling the old man to speak on Alexander’
Alexander, unfazed, merely shot the waiter a glance.The waiter smiled knowingly. "Enjoy your meal."Ava cleared her throat. "Mr. Vanderbilt, you probably don’t go out to eat with women much. This restaurant caters specifically to couples."She spoke lightly, without a trace of embarrassment, as if it were nothing more than an amusing coincidence.Alexander remained composed. "You seem familiar with this place. Do you come here often with your husband?"Her fingers stiffened slightly around the menu."Um… maybe once or twice."Once or twice?His frown deepened.Her husband had only brought her to a place like this once or twice?It didn’t sit right with him, but he let it go. It wasn’t his concern.Ava quickly redirected her focus, her eyes falling on Alexander’s hand.His fingers rested on the table near the scattered red roses. The contrast—the stark white of his skin against the deep crimson of the petals—created a visually striking image.It was… artistic.She wanted to paint it la
Ava rushed out of the hospital, her heels clicking against the pavement as she hurried to her car. Once inside, she started the engine with shaking fingers and glanced at her phone. Her heart dropped. The roads were packed—an evening traffic jam clogging the city like a pulse grinding to a halt.Her fingers clenched the steering wheel, frustration bubbling up. She honked the horn more times than she could count, each one sharper than the last. A twenty-minute drive had now turned into a maddening forty-minute crawl.Alexander had given her exactly one hour.With every passing minute, her heart beat faster, the pressure building like a kettle about to boil over.And then—bang.Her car lurched forward. She’d been rear-ended. The sudden jolt slammed her head into the steering wheel, sending a flash of pain through her skull. Her eyes stung with tears, but she blinked them away, biting down on her panic. The driver behind her got out, waving his arms and pulling out his phone to call the
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