The morning sun filtered through the kitchen windows, casting a warm glow over the tidy space. Ava hummed softly to herself as she moved about the kitchen, preparing breakfast. She took great care in arranging the plates of scrambled eggs, toast, and fruit, wanting everything to be perfect. She knew how much Liam appreciated a good breakfast, and it brought her a sense of peace to know she was taking care of him in this small way.As she imagained the many ways Liam would jump with enthusiasm on seeing the food, a warm smile spread across her lips.As she set the last plate on the counter, she heard footsteps approaching. Clara walked in, her expression as sour as ever. Ava felt a familiar tension rise within her but forced a polite smile."Good morning, Clara," she greeted.Clara barely acknowledged her, brushing past her to grab a glass of water. Ava turned away, focusing on wiping down the counter. She didn’t see Clara’s quick, calculating glance toward the stack of plates on th
Ava wiped a stray tear from her cheek as she made her way upstairs, her mind still reeling from the morning's events. The shattered plates and Uncle Tyson's harsh words echoed in her mind, amplifying her frustration and sadness. She reached the bedroom she shared with Liam and closed the door behind her, leaning against it as her composure finally broke. Tears streamed down her face as she sank to the floor, her shoulders shaking with quiet sobs."Why is this happening to me?" Ava whispered to herself, her voice barely audible. "What did I do to deserve this? Why did I ever agree to marry into this family?"She hugged her knees to her chest, feeling the weight of her misfortune pressing down on her. The constant tension, the feeling of never being good enough, and Clara's relentless schemes were wearing her down. It felt like no matter what she did, it was never right.A soft knock on the door startled her, and she hastily wiped her tears away. The door creaked open, and Liam peeke
AVA DAYS LATER The sun hung low in the sky as I made my way to Uncle John Tyson's study, my steps slow and measured. I had received a summons from him earlier in the day, and although I tried to remain composed, my heart was beating faster than usual. Uncle Tyson rarely called for me unless there was something serious to discuss. I knocked lightly on the door, and his gruff voice called me in. Pushing the door open, I stepped inside, my eyes meeting Uncle Tyson's cold, calculating gaze. He sat behind his large oak desk, his fingers steepled together, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "You wanted to see me, Uncle John?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. "Yes, Ava. Sit down," he replied, gesturing to the chair opposite him. I sat down, my hands clasped tightly in my lap. I waited for him to speak, the silence in the room thick and oppressive. "Liam's aunt Margaret is arriving this evening," Uncle Tyson said, his voice devoid of any warmth. "It's important that he
Ava It had been another exhausting day, filled with subtle jabs and hostile glares from Clara and Davies. I sighed, wiping my forehead with the back of my hand as I continued preparing lunch for Liam. Suddenly, I heard footsteps behind me and swiftly pivoted to see that it was Tamy who slipped quietly into the kitchen. Her expression was grave, and I could tell she had something important to say. “Ava,” Tamy whispered, glancing nervously over her shoulder to make sure we were alone. “I need to talk to you.” I put down the dish I was holding and turned to face her, concern etching my features. “What’s wrong, Tamy?” She took a deep breath, her voice trembling slightly. “You need to be careful, Ava. Uncle John… he’s not what he seems. He’s sly" My heart skipped a beat. “What do you mean?” She glanced around to make sure we were alone. "I need to warn you about Uncle John. He’s dangerous. He’ll do anything to get rid of you." Tamy looked around the room again, then leaned i
AVALiam and I were in the boutique, sifting through racks of clothes, trying to find something special for the family dinner coming up. I was grateful for these moments of normalcy amidst the chaos at the Tyson household. The boutique was elegant, filled with beautiful garments and accessories that sparkled under the soft lighting. The pleasant chatter of other customers created a comforting background noise.“Look at this one, Ava,” Liam said, holding up a delicate, emerald-green dress. His eyes sparkled with excitement. “It would look good on you.”I smiled, feeling a warmth spread through me. “It’s beautiful, Liam. You have great taste.”He chuckled, a sound that always managed to lighten my heart. “I’m just trying to make sure you look so so so so so good like a doll. Go on, try it.”I took the dress from him, feeling the soft fabric between my fingers. As I stepped into the dressing room, I caught a glimpse of Clara out of the corner of my eye. She had been hovering nearby, her
The commotion in the boutique escalated as the shopkeeper returned with the manager, a stern-looking man with a clipped tone. Ava stood frozen in disbelief as the manager approached, his eyes narrowing in contempt.“What’s going on here?” the manager demanded, looking at Ava with disdain.“This woman,” the shopkeeper pointed at Ava, “was found with these earrings in her bag. She’s a thief.”“Excuse me, what is happening here?” John Tyson’s authoritative voice cut through the tension. He entered the store, followed closely by Davies, both of them clearly disturbed by the uproar. The manager’s expression shifted to one of shock and recognition.“Mr. Tyson, I apologize for any inconvenience. But this woman was caught in a shameful act,” the manager insisted, pointing at Ava."No she wasn't!" Liam yelled back. "I was with Ava the entire time. She's innocent uncle John!" Liam protested."Ava what's this nonsense? What have you done?!" Davies questioned."I didn't do anything. I don't--I d
AVA I sat at the large mahogany desk in the study, papers strewn around me as I tried to focus on the financial reports John had asked me to review. The numbers blurred before my eyes, a testament to my lingering anxiety from the incident at the boutique. Tamy, my loyal friend, stood nearby, organizing documents and offering occasional words of encouragement.“You’re doing great, Ava,” Tamy said softly, placing a stack of sorted papers next to me. “Just a few more and you’ll be done.”I managed a small smile. “Thanks, Tamy. I just need to get through this.”Just as I was starting to find my rhythm, Clara burst into the study. Her presence was like a storm cloud darkening the room. She sauntered over, a smirk playing on her lips.I rolled my eyes at her, ready for another confrontation. "The illiterate wife is doing the numbers for our finances. Wow. Impressive. Please make sure to allocate more allowance to yourself this coming month so you won't go about accidentally stealing earri
LIAMDAYS LATERAs I drove to the family's company accompanied by my personal driver, a heavy sense of responsibility weighed on my shoulders. Uncle John was away on a business trip, leaving me with quite the freeedom I needed to get somethings in check. I was determined to get to the bottom of the missing funds. Mark, my personal assistant and close friend, had already begun an internal investigation, but I needed to see things for myself.Upon arriving at the office, I wasted no time. I called Mark into the conference room and briefed him on our plan. "We need to interrogate some people in the financial department," I said, my voice firm. "Someone is working tirelessly to bankrupt this company, and we need to find out who. It is quite absurd that all these is going on under uncle John's nose and he has no clue" Mark nodded, his expression serious. "Perhaps he knows but he isn't bothering anyone with his travails. Clara has her own business to manage, he believes you are mentally u
Months later AVA The morning sun poured through the windows, bathing the room in a warm golden light. I stood in front of the mirror, my hands gently resting on my swollen belly, feeling the soft kicks of our baby. I could hardly believe this day had finally come—our wedding day. Again. I smiled to myself, watching my reflection as my fingers brushed over the lace of my gown. It was simple, elegant, and perfect for the small, intimate ceremony Liam and I had decided on. A fresh start. A new beginning for our family. There was a knock on the door, and Clara walked in, her face lighting up when she saw me. “Ava, you look beautiful,” she said, her voice soft but filled with sincerity. I turned to her, smiling. “Thank you, Clara. I’m glad you’re here.” She walked over, her expression a little more serious now. “I wouldn’t have missed this for the world. After everything… you and Liam deserve this happiness. You deserve a fresh start.” Her words meant more to me than she k
LIAM The silence in the hospital room was deafening. I sat beside Ava, watching the steady rise and fall of her chest, my fingers trembling as I reached out to gently brush a strand of hair away from her face. She looked so fragile, so pale. I had never felt so helpless in my life. The day had dragged on endlessly, every hour a brutal reminder of how close I had come to losing her. The doctors had said she was stable, but she hadn’t woken up. I had tried talking to her, whispering reassurances that everything was going to be okay, but there was no response. Just the maddening, continuous hum of the machines monitoring her vitals. “Ava… please, wake up,” I whispered, my voice hoarse from hours of silence. “I need you. We need you.” The door to the room opened, and a nurse stepped in quietly, checking the monitors before giving me a small nod. “She’s doing well, Mr. Liam. It’s just a matter of time now.” Time. It felt like an eternity had already passed. I watched the nurse leave,
LIAM I held Ava tightly in his arms, feeling her tremble against me. Her breathing was shallow, and her skin, pale and cold. Despite everything, she had held on. We both had. As I brushed the dirt-streaked hair from her face, I whispered, “You’re safe now, Ava. It’s over.” Her lips parted as if she was trying to speak, but no words came out. Her fingers clutched weakly at my shirt, trying to ground herself. “I’m here,” I whispered, holding her as close as I could without hurting her. “I’ve got you.” She blinked up at me, her gaze unfocused before she glanced around, her eyes landing on Clara and Davies, who stood near the door, watching us with somber expressions. She looked back up at me, her brows knitting together. Her hand moved to her stomach, resting there for a moment before her eyes widened. “Liam…” “What is it?” I asked, my heart skipping a beat. Her grip on me tightened, and fear began to seep into her gaze. “I—Liam, something’s wrong.” Before I could even pro
LIAM The cold concrete floor felt like it was digging into my bones, and every breath I took was shallow and labored. My body ached, the weight of exhaustion and hunger gnawing at me with every passing minute. Ava sat beside me, her face pale, streaked with dirt, and her once-vibrant eyes dull with fear and fatigue. We had been here for what felt like an eternity, tied up, helpless, malnourished, and broken. I glanced over at her, my heart wrenching as she tried to keep herself together. Every now and then, she would give me a small, strained smile—something to reassure me, as if to say we were going to get out of this. But even her resolve was weakening. I could see it in the way her hands trembled, her breath coming in short, panicked bursts. The room reeked of sweat and desperation, the oppressive silence hanging over us like a death sentence. Then the door creaked open, and the sound of footsteps echoed through the warehouse. My pulse quickened as I turned to see John and El
Clara had been restless, unable to sleep, and decided to head downstairs for a glass of water. As she descended the staircase, her footfalls silent against the thick carpet, she heard voices coming from John’s study. At first, she thought nothing of it. It was not unlikely for him to make calls this late. John often stayed up late for business calls, but as she reached the bottom of the stairs, something in the tone of his voice made her pause. She ducked into the shadows, peeking around the corner, just in time to hear him say something that froze the blood in her veins. “Once they are dead, the property and the company will be ours. There won’t be anyone left to challenge us. We’ve endured far too much and we’ve played those meaningless games with those two pests! Now it’s time to get rid of them forever” Clara’s breath hitched in her throat, her hand trembling as she clutched the banister. She didn’t dare move, didn’t dare breathe. John’s voice was calm, almost bored, as th
AVA I woke up with a pounding headache, my limbs heavy and sore. My eyes fluttered open, the room around me coming into hazy focus—a cold, dimly lit space with concrete walls and the faint hum of distant machinery. As I shifted, I realized I couldn’t move my arms. Panic set in, and my breath quickened. My wrists were bound tightly behind me. A groan escaped my lips as I tugged at the restraints, but they wouldn’t budge. It was then that I noticed Liam, slumped beside me, his head hanging low. “Liam,” I whispered, my voice shaky. “Liam, wake up.” He stirred slightly, groaning before his eyes slowly blinked open. “Ava…?” His voice was rough, groggy. “What… where are we?” “We’re tied up,” I said, my voice trembling as I fought back the fear rising in my chest. “Liam, I don’t know what’s happening.” His eyes darted around the room, assessing the situation much quicker than I had. He tugged at his own restraints, his jaw tightening when he realized there was no immediate escape
LIAM I stood outside Ava’s house, nerves tearing through me. It had taken me far too long to realize how deeply I had hurt her. I had been a fool—letting my own uncle, John, manipulate me into casting her aside. My heart raced as I stared at the door, hoping, praying, she would listen. I lifted my hand to knock again, but the door suddenly opened. Isabella, her stepmother, stood before me. The hostility on her face was unmistakable, her lips curling into a sneer as she crossed her arms. “What are you doing here, Liam?” Her tone was icy. “I need to see Ava,” I said, my voice pleading. “I need to talk to her. Please.” She laughed bitterly, stepping forward, almost blocking the doorway. “Talk to her? After what you did? You have no right.” My heart clenched, but I refused to give up. “Isabella, I know I made mistakes. I just need five minutes—” “No,” she cut me off sharply. “You’re not coming in, Liam. She doesn’t need to hear more of your excuses.” I was about to respond when, s
Clara paced nervously in the hallway outside her brother’s room, debating whether to knock. Her heart pounded against her ribs as she rehearsed the conversation in her head. She knew Davies was loyal to their father, John, but after everything that had happened—after all the plotting and scheming—Clara couldn’t keep quiet any longer. She had seen the damage her father had caused, not just to Liam but to the entire family, and it was time to stop it. Taking a deep breath, she raised her hand and knocked on the door. A moment later, Davies opened it, surprise etched across his face. "Clara? What’s going on? It’s late," Davies said, stepping aside to let her in. Clara entered, her steps hesitant as she glanced around his room. "We need to talk. It’s important." Davies raised an eyebrow. "Talk about what? It better be good Clara. You know I don’t like when somebody interrupts my sleep” “Oh shut up. I came to talk about something important. Dad’s plan with Ava and Liam. Don’t yo
In the dimly lit study, the heavy scent of cigar smoke lingered in the air. John Tyson sat behind his large oak desk, fingers tapping rhythmically against the polished wood as his mind churned with plans and schemes. Across from him, Clara perched on the edge of a leather armchair, fidgeting with her hands, her gaze flicking nervously between the door and her brother. "I don’t like this," she muttered, breaking the tense silence. "We’ve done enough damage. Liam’s health has improved since Ava came into his life. Maybe it’s time to let things be." John’s gaze hardened as he turned to face her, his fingers pausing mid-tap. “You think I care about Liam’s well-being, Clara? This isn’t about him. It’s about our legacy, our fortune. Ava’s nothing more than a distraction, and I’ll be damned if I let her undo years of planning.” Clara sighed, leaning back in her chair, her shoulders sagging under the weight of their family’s endless plots. “We’ve been at this for too long, Dad. We’ve done