AVA I stood there on the doorstep, the cold night air biting at my skin, feeling more alone than I ever had in my life.I stood still for a moment, unwilling to believe that I was just thrown out of my matrimonial home.Suddenly the door was pushed open and relief shone in my eyes for a second, expecting to see Liam come for me but all my hopes were shattered in a matter of seconds when Clara stepped out, dragging my luggage behind her."Good you are still here. Here is your cheap bag ok. Leave us alone" she threw my bag on the ground. "Clara please..." I pleaded for her to hear me out but she upheaved her hand at me, a devious glint in her eyes as she marched towards me."Didn't I tell you on several occasions that one day, you'd be thrown out of this house? And now look. I didn't have to even lift a finger. You brought this upon yourself and you will suffer the consequences of it alone" Clara sneered before turning to leave.I stared at her as she shut the door, it sound reverbera
AVAThe next morning, I woke up with swollen eyes and a heavy heart. The events of the previous night replayed in my mind like a relentless nightmare. Tamy’s mother had been so kind, offering me a safe place to stay, but the pain of betrayal and the weight of the accusations against me were suffocating.I reluctantly got out of bed, my body aching from the restless sleep. The small room Tamy’s mother had given me was cozy, with soft, floral-patterned curtains and a comfortable bed. But the warmth of the room couldn’t penetrate the cold fear that gripped my heart. I sat on the edge of the bed, gathering the courage to face another day of uncertainty and humiliation.I just still can't believe that I have been finally thrown out of my own matrimonial home like a rag.Reaching for my phone, I hesitated before turning it on. A part of me didn’t want to see what the world was saying about me, but I knew I couldn’t hide forever. The screen lit up, and notifications flooded in. My heart sank
Chapter 39AVAI left Tamy’s mother’s house with a heavy heart, clutching the small bible she had given me for strength. The streets seemed colder, the air sharper, as I made my way to the cafe where Denis had demanded we meet. My mind was a whirlwind of fear and anger. How had it come to this? My life had become a tangled web of lies, and Denis was at the center of it all.The cafe was nearly empty when I arrived, its warm interior a stark contrast to the turmoil within me. Denis was already there, lounging in a corner booth with a smug smile on his face. His casual demeanor only fueled my rage as I walked over to him.“Ava, glad you could make it,” he said, his tone dripping with insincerity.“Cut the crap, Denis,” I snapped, sliding into the seat opposite him. “What do you want?”He leaned back, a predatory gleam in his eyes. “I’m here to help you, Ava. I can make all these accusations disappear. But there’s a price.”My stomach churned with dread. “What kind of price?”His smile w
AVAI was still trying to make sense of the meeting I had with Denis three days ago when the knock on the door jolted me from my thoughts. Tamy, who was in the kitchen, looked up at me from the stove with concern. Her mother’s small home had become my refuge these past few days, a place where I could hide from the humiliation and heartbreak that had driven me out of the Tyson mansion.Denis really expected me to accept his terms? The audacity of that man to request such an outrageous thing from me!He had accused me of something so vile, so utterly false, that it still made my stomach turn—cheating on Liam with him, he was a man I barely knew. And because of that lie, I had been thrown out like yesterday’s trash. The memory of John Tyson’s cold, unforgiving gaze as he ordered me to leave still haunted me.And now he wants me to sleep with him to clear my name. Just the thought and memory of his sly smile made me furious. My fist curled into balls and my chest heaved.The knock came ag
AVAThe tension in the room rose with an unprecedented speed as John Tyson glared at us. His lips were pulled to a sneer, his sharp gaze calculating as he stood some metres away from us like a barricade."What's going on father?" Clara asked as she descended down the flight of stairs. The moment our eyes locked,she let out a gasp, her eyes widening in surprise at my unwelcomed arrival."Ava?" She whispered, before turning to face her father, "What is she doing here dad? What's this adulterous woman doing back in our house. I thought we got rid of you" she spat.Normally, I'd be bold to speak out in my name but today, hearing her vile words and their scornful gazes made me want to recoil in my skin.I know I shouldn't have come here."Ask your cousin. Liam this woman doesn't belong here. We threw her out for a reason..." John Tyson pointed his forefinger at Liam, approaching him with predatorial steps as the words gritted out of his mouth.I became extremly frightened, clenching tightl
Uncle John sat in his dimly lit study, the heavy drapes pulled shut, blocking out the fading light of the day. The room was furnished with dark wood and leather, giving it a somber atmosphere that matched his mood. He looked up as Ava entered, her face pale but composed. She had been through a lot in the past few days, but she carried herself with a grace that John found both irritating and intriguing."Ava, my dear," he said, his voice smooth and deceptively warm. "Please, have a seat."Ava hesitated for a moment before taking the offered chair across from him. She was wary of Uncle John, aware of his dislike for her. Still, she knew better than to show her apprehension."Thank you, Uncle John," she replied politely.John leaned forward, his hands clasped together on the desk. "I want to extend my apologies for the way you were treated. It was a difficult situation for everyone involved, but I hope you understand that we had to act in the family's best interest."Ava nodded, her expr
The Rays family estate, a sprawling mansion stood imposingly against the backdrop of the late afternoon sky. In the opulent living room, Amelia and her mother, Isabella, were seated on a plush sofa, deep in conversation.Amelia’s eyes were bright with excitement as she spoke to her mother. "I’m telling you, Mother, this plan of ours is foolproof. Ava will be out of our lives for good, and Father will finally see her for the manipulative person she is."Isabella nodded, a faint smile on her lips. "Just be very careful honey. This is a dangerous game we are playing” Isabella advised.Yes she supported their endeavors but this was a risky plan nevertheless.“Why are you always worried about nothing mother? Just relax please” Amelia rolled her eyes, tired off her mother’s incessant worry.“Because you are not just toying with Ava but also with the reputation of her inlaws. The Tysons are a very powerful family" Isabella adviced.“I know mum. Ava has always acted like she was better than
AVA As I walked down the sidewalk, hand in hand with Liam, the late evening sun warmed my skin, a welcome contrast to the cool breeze that rustled the leaves above. I looked over at Liam, who was grinning from ear to ear, his eyes shining with pure, childlike excitement. It was rare to see him this happy, and it made my heart swell with affection. "I can't believe we're going for ice cream!" Liam exclaimed, his voice filled with glee. "It's been so long since we did this, Ava." I smiled, squeezing his hand gently. "I know, Liam. I've missed hanging out with you like this. It’s good to get away from everything for a bit, isn’t it?" He nodded enthusiastically, his eyes darting from one storefront to the next as we passed by. "I remember the last time we went, you got that weird flavor. What was it again? Something with chocolate and… pepper?" "Chocolate chili," I laughed. "It’s not that weird. You should try it this time. It might surprise you." He made a face, his nose crink
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