AVA "Liam no cheating now," I chortled as Liam tried peeping at my bundle of cards. We were playing an indoor card game. Liam shook his head at me, "I am not cheating" I flashed him a warm smile and leaned my face closer to his, "But then I saw you trying to peep at my card", I said with a whisper. Liam gazed at me for a while, his eyes boring into mine while our faces were in close proximity with each other's. Suddenly multiple knots got tied in my stomach and I pulled back a bit, before raking my eyes through my selected cards and placing them on the floor. "Now your turn. Let's see if you can beat me" I smiled triumphantly. Liam laughed, "Ava I can win you. I, uncle John, Clara and Davies play this game all the time and I always win. Watch me win" Just the mere mention of those names wiped the smile off my face. To think that I expected John Tyson to atleast stick up for me but he follows his children to throw condescending remarks at me. And all because of what? Because
AVA I left the mansion with a heavy heart, each step weighed down by the burden of my circumstances. The thought of the upcoming function filled me with dread. The idea of facing Clara and the rest of the family in a public setting made my stomach churn. But I couldn’t afford to let them see me falter. I had to present myself with grace and dignity, even if it meant borrowing it from somewhere else. I made my way to the local boutique, my mind racing with worries. I didn’t have the money to buy new shoes, but I hoped I could rent a pair that looked elegant enough to pass their judgmental scrutiny. The bell above the door chimed as I entered, and the shopkeeper, a woman who looked like she was in her early twenties with sharp eyes and a tight-lipped smile, glanced up from behind the counter. “Good day Miss, how can I help you?” she asked, her tone clipped and professional. “Yes, I’m looking to rent a pair of heels,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. She raised an eyeb
AVAThe day of the family’s event arrived far too quickly. I dressed carefully, putting on the black heels that Liam had bought for me. I chose a simple yet elegant dress, hoping it would be enough to hold my own in front of Clara and the rest of the family. My nerves were a tangled mess, but I knew I had to face this with as much dignity as I could muster.As we descended the grand staircase together, Liam held my hand tightly, his presence a reassuring anchor. The mansion was abuzz with activity, the sound of laughter and chatter filling the air. We stepped into the main hall, where the guests were already mingling. I could see Clara across the room, her eyes narrowing as they landed on us.We made our way through the crowd, exchanging polite greetings and forced smiles. The room was filled with opulence, the guests dressed in designer clothes, their conversations laced with wealth and privilege. I felt out of place, a mere imposter in their world.Clara approached us, a sly smile p
AVAEventually, the time came to serve the cocktails. I moved through the crowd, offering drinks to the guests, all the while feeling the piercing stares and hearing the whispered judgments."Sweet girl, what's your name again?" an elderly lady, who seemed to be in her early fifties, asked as I handed her a glass of cocktail."Ava, ma'am," I replied with a curt nod."Aren't you the new daughter-in-law of the family?" She cupped my chin, a doting look on her features.I nodded once more, a warm smile spreading across my face. "I am, ma'am," I politely replied.At once, a sorry look washed over her face. "Then why are you doing this? Serving the guests like a waiter? This isn't befitting of someone of your status as the daughter-in-law of this family," the concern in her voice was evident.Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes. What could I tell her? That Uncle John literally forced me into serving like a waiter because it was the only thing I could do that was fitting for my status?
The morning after the disastrous party, Ava woke up feeling a sense of dread. The memory of the previous evening, the judgmental whispers, and the pointed glares lingered like a dark cloud. As she descended the grand staircase, she couldn’t shake off the unease. The mansion was unusually quiet, save for the distant sound of someone humming in the kitchen.“Good morning, Mrs. Tyson,” Tamy greeted her with a warm smile as she passed by.“Morning, Tamy,” Ava replied, trying to muster a smile of her own. She appreciated the maid’s kindness in a household where it was in short supply. "Is breakfast almost ready?" Ava asked Tamy to which she nodded, a warm smile on her lips."Yes. Your favourite actually," Tamy responded, a bright smile on her lips.Ava chuckled at her words. Apart from Liam, Tamy was another person who actually displayed kindness to her in the house.It was like she was a sheep in a den of wolves.Just as she ambled out, reaching the bottom of the staircase, her phone
AVAAfter the unexpected news from Uncle John, I felt a surge of hope and determination. Finally, I had a chance to prove myself and make a difference. The idea of managing part of the family’s income was both exhilarating and daunting. It felt like a step towards being acknowledged, even if it was a small one. But I was ready to take on the challenge.That evening, I decided to familiarize myself with the financial documents and reports Uncle John had mentioned. I spent hours in the small office room allocated to me, poring over spreadsheets and account statements. The figures and terminologies were overwhelming at first, but I was determined to understand everything.As the clock ticked closer to midnight, I decided to take a break. I stepped out of the office, intending to grab a glass of water from the kitchen. The mansion was eerily quiet, the usual hustle and bustle replaced by a serene stillness. As I walked down the corridor, I noticed a faint light coming from one of the room
AVA I was strapped in a car which rolled into a villa nestled in the quiet suburbs, far from the hustle and bustle of the city. It was supposed to be serene, but all I felt was a growing sense of dread. I just got married today. No wedding ceremony. No vows. No rings changing and kisses. Just an official marriage document which I was forced to sign. And a car is currently sending me to the suburb villa, together with my parents and sister. Don't get me wrong. They are not escorting me like a loving family, but to meet my husband's uncle, Mr John Tyson and other inlaws. As for my husband? Yes he is the heir to the Tyson family fortune but he is mentally unstable, a man who acts like a child. He is a fool and stain in his wealthy family, just like me, an illegitimate daughter in my family. As my older sister says, 'a fool and a bastard, what a perfect match.' My eyes glistened with unshed tears as the reality of my predicament dawned on me. "Smile and wipe your face. We don
AVA I wiped away the last of my tears and straightened my shoulders. I needed to find my way back to the living room. As I made my way down the long, ornate hallway, the laughter and chatter from earlier still echoed in my ears, a reminder of my harsh reality. Turning a corner, I nearly collided with Davies. His smirk told me he had been waiting for me. "Well, well, if it isn't the illegitimate daughter," he sneered, blocking my path. "What are you doing wandering around all alone, Ava? Trying to find your way back to the rest of us civilized folks?" I bristled at his words but tried to remain calm. "I'm just trying to get back to the living room," I replied evenly. Davies leaned against the wall, his eyes narrowing. "Tell me something Ava, did you marry Liam for his wealth? That's the rumor going around, you know. That you're just a gold-digger looking for a way to secure your future." What rubbish! I never even wanted to marry him in the first place but what choice did