AVA'S POV
The days that followed Laura's departure were strange. Jason became more loving and attentive towards me. He cooked for me, bought me flowers, and even took a leave of absence from work to spend quality time with me. It felt like the early days of our relationship. I felt that he was trying to compensate me for all the agony I had undergone during these past recent months. He could not have been more successful. After getting home from work, Jason changed his clothes and went to prepare dinner. And I rested on the couch and watched him busy in the kitchen. He was tall and handsome, and the sunset shone on him through the windows, creating a light halo that removed some of his coldness. He lowered his eyes slightly, and his hands with distinct bony fingers handled the ingredients skillfully. This scene gave me a feeling of peace. “What’s wrong?” He turned around and asked me in a gentle voice. “Babe, will you be able to accompany me to the hospital tomorrow for a check-up?” I decided to break the news of my pregnancy to him hoping it would make our bond stronger. “Oh yes, Is everything okay?” He asked, coming to me and looking worried. “Yes, just a regular check-up, but I want you to be my company,” I replied, my voice slightly trembling. “Okay darling,” he leaned and kissed me on my forehead. My cheeks turned pink. That evening Jason made my favorite meal. We talked and laughed over dinner like we hadn't done in years. After dinner, we cuddled up in bed while watching a movie till eventually I fell asleep in his arms. In the late hours of the night, I woke up and found Jason's side of the bed empty. I felt a sense of uneasiness about it as a knot of anxiety started forming in my stomach. I got off the bed and padded out of the room. My footsteps echoed silently through the dark house. I reached outside the balcony only to see him talking to someone on his phone and I felt relieved. He didn't notice my presence because his back faced me. I noticed his voice was low and he sounded tense. I stood by the door, straining my ears to hear the details of his conversation. “If she wants to die try to stop her, if you can't stop her, call 120. Don't call me. I won't divorce Ava for her.” I felt like the ground had been pulled out from under my feet. My heart thudded in my chest as I stepped back not wanting him to know that I was there. The warmth and security of the evening evaporated, replaced by a cold crushing reality. Despite everything, Laura was still a part of our lives and Jason's conversation over the phone suggested that she was still a problem. I returned to the bed, my mind racing. What did he mean? Was Laura threatening to hurt herself? I had hoped that his rejection of Laura meant a new beginning to us but now I wasn't so sure. Amidst my thoughts, I drifted off to sleep. When I woke up the next morning Jason was gone. The servant informed me that he had left early, saying he had urgent matters to attend to. I called him hoping for some explanation. He answered on the third ring sounding tired. I noticed that there must be something wrong. “What happened?” “Babe, I'm sorry I can't come today,” he said, his voice distant. All my expectations were extinguished in an instant, and I felt cold from head to toe. My heart sank, I felt disappointed and worried. He had promised to come with me to the hospital but now he was nowhere to be found. I held the phone, unable to speak for a long time. I wanted to ask something, but it seemed meaningless. I hung up feeling a familiar sense of abandonment. The hope I had felt days ago seemed like a distant memory. I was the one he gave up after weighing things over and over again. I subconsciously touched my belly, and suddenly began to wonder again, should I keep this baby? If I keep it, it will be difficult to completely break off the relationship between him and me even if I want to. My mind was filled with thoughts about Jason and Laura as I drove alone to the hospital.” While driving past the crowded road, I was plagued with a funny feeling that something was wrong. Jason’s conduct, Laura’s residual presence, and my insecurities were like having a dark cloud hovering above me. I attempted to concentrate on the road, but my mind kept wandering back over the events of the last few days. Not paying attention I only noticed when it was too late that the light ahead had turned red. I stepped on the brake but my legs felt as though they were made of lead and the car skidded across the wet pavement. My vehicle spun around and I felt an acute pain in my side as my seatbelt dug into me. At this point, my head was spinning and I couldn’t see clearly because of how blurry my vision was. With a bang, I crashed into something. When I came to my senses, I felt dizzy and my ribs were in unbearable pain. The first thought that pierced through my mind was the little one growing inside of me. I needed to make sure my baby was okay. With shaking hands I reached for my phone and dialed Jason's number, praying he would answer. The phone rang endlessly, each ring increasing my fear. My stomach began to ache, and I was gripped by a fierce fear at the thought of losing my child. Please! Jason! Pick up the phone! Finally, someone picked up, but it wasn't Jason. “Didn’t Jason tell you that he has no time for you today? He’s busy. Why do you keep calling?” Laura’s voice was like ice water, shocking me into silence. The realization that Jason was with her and that he had allowed her to answer his phone was too much hurt to bear. My breathing was blocked, tears welled up in my eyes, and my fingers trembled. The call disconnected and I felt a wave of nausea. I struggled to breathe. I had loved that man for so many years. But at this moment, my feelings towards him were only hatred. The world blurred around me and the last thing I remembered was the sound of my ragged breathing and the feeling of tears on my cheek as I lost consciousness. Then, all I knew was darkness.AVA'S POV I regained consciousness in a hospital bed feeling dazed and confused. The room was well-lit, and the clean scent of disinfectant overwhelmed my senses, almost suffocating me. My pulse quickened as the accident flashed back into my memory, vivid and harsh. The baby was my first concern. Fear took hold of me as I touched my belly, dreading the worst. “Hey, easy there,” came a familiar voice breaking through my racing thoughts. It was Sally sitting beside my bed. Her presence gave me a bit of comfort, but I got more anxious when I remembered I hadn't told her about my pregnancy. The weight of keeping this secret felt like a big rock was stuck in my throat. She saw the fear in my eyes and helped me lie back down on the bed, putting her hand on my arm. “Don't worry. The baby is fine," she said in a calm and reassuring voice, but I could tell she was worried too. Her words brought me relief but also made me feel guilty. I hadn't planned to reveal my pregna
AVA'S POV The nurse’s words kept echoing relentlessly in my mind, refusing to let me breathe as my body went numb in an instant. The world around me blurred, and the white, sterile walls of the hospital seemed to close in, trapping me in between. Laura is pregnant with Jason's child! It seemed like a dream to me and I could feel the heat rise inside me, as if my inside were heated to a hundred degrees Celsius. When did Jason start cheating on me? Why did he cheat? Wasn't I enough for him? Or.... was it because I didn't satisfy him sexually? These questions ran through my head causing my head to ache so badly since I had no answers to them. I wasn't very experienced at first when I and Jason started dating back in college. He was actually my first for everything. He was both my first love, my first kiss, my first sexual partner, my first....... everything. Did he cheat on me because I couldn’t satisfy his needs? No, that can’t be it. I know it isn’t. I tried my
AVA'S POVI sank into the passenger seat, drained, as Sally drove me home from the hospital. The car was silent, just like I needed.Sally understood I didn’t have the energy for conversation. Every now and then, she’d put her hand over mine, her quiet support saying more than words could. She had helped me with the discharge papers, and while we hadn’t said much, just having her there with ms brought some comfort.I felt heavy, weighed down by exhaustion and a painful realization about how alone I had been and felt in my marriage since Laura came into my life. It was as if I’d been living with a stranger.Sally looked over at me, her eyes warm and soft. “Ava, you know I’m here if you need anything. Just call, any time.”I managed a weak smile, though it probably looked more like a grimace. “Thanks, Sal. I'll be fine. You’ve done so much already. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”She nodded, though her eyes showed she wasn’t convinced.As we reached the gate, she pulled me in f
AVA'S POVThe shock on Jason’s face was clear as the words left my mouth, each one hitting harder than the last.It was like I’d pulled the ground out from under his feet, and he didn’t know how to steady himself from falling.He just stood there, frozen, his mouth opening and closing, as if he wanted to say something but couldn’t."Ava… you don’t mean that.” he stuttered.I crossed my arms, standing firm. “I’ve never been more serious about anything in my life.”He ran a hand through his hair, and his shoulders slumped as he took a step toward me. "Ava, please….” His voice was soft, and pleading, his eyes shone with sincerity and it almost made me falter. Almost!"No, Jason,” I said, steadying my voice even though everything inside of me felt ready to break."I can’t do this anymore. You lied to me....for what? To protect her? To protect yourself?”His eyes widened, I could sense the desperation showing in them as he stepped closer. “I never wanted to hurt you. I never wanted any o
AVA'S POVA few hours later, we were lying in bed, wrapped in the quiet of the night. I had my back to him, feeling the warmth of his body pressed against mine, and it almost felt like the old us.I let myself get lost in the familiarity of it—the feeling of being close to him again, as I tried to clear the numerous thoughts swirling in my mind about what my decision would be. Should I forgive him and give him another chance? Or should I give up on us?I was still in love with him, I admit. He was my first love and the man who took my virginity, so no matter how much he had hurt me, I just couldn’t stop loving him. But I also couldn’t tolerate being disrespected constantly because of him and Laura. But then, in the silence, I heard it—the soft buzz of his phone vibrating on the nightstand. At first, I tried to ignore it. Phones ring all the time, and it might just be a random call, not Laura. I even tried to convince myself that it wasn’t anything important and that I shouldn't
AVA'S POVI had no appetite for the breakfast he was preparing, so I walked back to the room, my footsteps slow but purposeful. The project I had been working on for months wasn’t going to finish itself—it was crucial, and it felt like the only thing in my life I could still control. I was designing dresses for Grey Empire, one of the biggest companies in the country. They dealt with a wide range of industries, and apparently, they were hosting a jewelry launch show. It was well-known that they needed a designer to create dresses for the models showcasing the jewelry. This was a big opportunity. I had to pitch my designs to them, and if I landed the project, it wouldn’t just yield significant profits to the company, it would introduce my work to the world. The thought of that kept me grounded, this was the one thing I could hold onto in a life that had become a whirlwind of betrayal, lies, and hurt. Jason had made it clear—he was going to keep running back to Laura. And th
ALEX'S POVI walked into the conference room, my gaze moving over the woman seated across from me.It was a familiar sight. Corporate companies often sent their most attractive female employees to try to win me over with charm in hopes of securing investments or partnerships. It had become routine, almost predictable.But it never worked on me. I wasn’t here for distractions or flattery. I was here for one thing—business.She was striking, of course—dark hair, confident posture, and those eyes, sharp and focused. But that was irrelevant. I wasn’t here to make friends. I was here to assess if her pitch was worth my time. When I entered, she stood to greet me, offering a smile that was friendly but not overly eager. That was good. A professional. “Mr. Grey, thank you for taking the time to meet with me,” she said, her voice calm but sure. I nodded and took a seat. “Let’s get started, Ms.…,” I glanced at the file in front of me. “Taylor, right?” “Yes, Ava Taylor,” she confirmed
AVA'S POV I sat in the conference room, absentmindedly scrolling through my emails as I waited for Alex. My mind was far from work, though—it was tangled up in thoughts of Jason, and everything that seemed to be falling apart between us. The ache in my chest was constant, but I did my best to ignore it. The door opened, and there was Alex with a slight smile. “Hope I didn’t keep you waiting too long, Ava.” I shook my head, managing a small smile back. “Not at all. Thanks for making time tonight.” “Of course,” he said, holding the door as we headed out. “It’s my pleasure.” The drive to Nino’s Bistro was peaceful. Alex kept the conversation light, mostly work-related, not pushing too much, which I was grateful for. It was nice to step away from everything, even if I knew it wouldn’t last long. When we arrived, the restaurant had the same cozy elegance I remembered. Jason and I had been here before. The dim lighting, the jazz in the background—it was like a small
AVA'S POV The house was warm when we got home, filled with that familiar smell of pasta and garlic and something sweet baking in the oven. I stepped in first, holding Emma’s tiny hand while Mason followed close behind, his eyes quietly taking in the space. He hadn’t said much on the drive, but he looked comfortable beside Emma, and that was enough for now. “Alright, lovebug,” I said softly, crouching to unlace Emma’s little shoes, “bath time first, okay?” She groaned but didn’t fight me. “Do I have to now?” “Yes, ma’am,” I said with a teasing grin. “You’ve been outside all day. We need to wash off the playground.” Emma rolled her eyes dramatically, then grinned and ran toward the bathroom. I turned to Rose, who had just come from the kitchen wiping her hands on a towel. "Welcome ma'am." “Can you keep him company for a bit?” I asked, giving her a quiet nod. “Just until I get Emma cleaned up?” “Of course,” Rose said, her voice warm. She walked over to Mason, crouching so
LAURA’S POV I couldn’t move. For a second, I honestly couldn’t breathe. My ears were ringing and my heart was pounding so loud I could barely hear what the officer was saying. There must be some kind of mistake,” I managed to say. My voice came out shaky – thinner than I wanted it to sound. They had a f*cking warrant. This had to be serious. “What… what is this about? The officer didn’t flinch. “We’ll explain everything at the station, ma’am. Please come with us.” I looked around the room, begging silently for someone – anyone – to say something. Defend me. Help me. But no one moved. No one even looked at me directly. They all just sat there, frozen. Some stared at the floor. Others avoided my eyes completely. These were people I’d worked with for years –people who’d celebrated wins with me and leaned on me for direction. Now they just looked… uncomfortable. Afraid, even. What was I expecting? They’d just asked Jason to fire me over a silly mistake. Could people like that re
AVA'S POV It had been hours since that email came in, and I still couldn’t stop smiling. Not even a little. Vogue. Freaking Vogue. Every time I thought about it, my cheeks hurt a little more from grinning like an idiot. I should’ve been tired. I should’ve curled up and napped or maybe done something productive. But I didn’t want the moment to pass without doing something with it. And then it hit me – Emma. I hadn’t picked her up from school in a while. Rose usually handled it with her usual grace and mom's energy, but today… I wanted to do it myself. I tossed on some jeans and a soft cream knit sweater – something simple but still presentable. The weather was light enough for flats, and my hair was still air-dried from the bath earlier, tucked behind my ears. I didn’t even bother with makeup. Just lip balm and a little smile I couldn’t get rid of. The school wasn’t far, and traffic wasn’t terrible for once. When I got there and stepped out of the car, I scanned the small crowd
JASON’S POVThe moment they all noticed my presence, chairs pushed back and everyone stood up fast like soldiers waiting for orders. No one said a word. The air felt heavy, like the tension had soaked into the walls and the only sound heard was the low hum of the AC above.I looked around the table every face tight with nerves. Some tried to look busy. Some looked right at me. But when my eyes landed on Laura again, she looked away fast, pretending to focus on her notepad.I walked straight to the head of the table, pulled out my chair, and sat down. Everyone else followed. Laura was the last to sit. She moved slowly like her body knew what was coming even if she hadn’t admitted it to herself yet.I opened the folder in front of me and flipped a few pages. The sound echoed in the silence. No one dared speak. I didn’t rush. I let the quiet stretch. Let it press on everyone’s shoulders a little more. A few people glanced at each other. I caught Steph glancing toward Ben. Laura’s fingers
JASON’S POVI ended the call and tossed the phone on my desk. It landed with a loud thud. Steph and Ben stood there like statues like they were too scared to even blink. The room was thick with silence, and I could feel their eyes on me, waiting for whatever was going to happen next. “Steph, you can go,” I said, not even looking at her. She hesitated. “Uh… sir, my phone?” I looked down and realized I was still holding it. I picked it up from the desk and handed it to her without a word. She grabbed it and practically sprinted out of the office. I didn’t blame her. I could be very scary when I am angry. Ben shifted a little like he wasn’t sure if it was safe to speak. “Should I still gather the design team?” he asked quietly. I leaned back in my chair, staring at the wall for a second. I let out a slow breath, trying to cool the anger in my chest before I answered. “Push it back one hour.” Ben blinked. “One hour?” “I said one hour. We wait for Laura.” I said, my voice s
JASON’S POV I slammed the tablet on my desk so hard that Ben flinched. “Have you seen this crap?” I barked. Ben shifted awkwardly, standing a little straighter. “Yes, sir. It’s all over the internet.” I dragged a hand down my face, then leaned over the tablet again, jaw clenched. The headline burned into his eyes. I stared at the screen, my fists clenched. Every word in that article made my blood boil. “Storm Management Faces Backlash After Campbell's Group Runway Disaster.” “Campbell Group’s designs labeled uninspired, rushed, and low-quality.” And then the photos. One of Storm's management top models in Milan walked down the runway while the sides of her dress split wide open. I could see the moment on her face – shock, embarrassment, trying to stay professional while the cameras flashed. It was a disaster. A very public one. And my company’s name was all over it. Everyone in the world already knew about it. Beneath that, editorials ripped the collection apart. “Un
AVA’S POV I arrived at the hotel and it was ridiculous. In a good way. Like, over-the-top, velvet-everywhere, fountain-in-the-lobby kind of ridiculous. The kind of place that didn’t just want to impress you – it wanted to slap you in the face with money and say, this is how the other half lives. I’d been in luxury spaces before, obviously, but this one was on a different level. It was the kind of place you don’t just walk into – you glide, like you’re supposed to belong. A sharply dressed concierge met me the moment I walked in, addressed me by name, and immediately led me to the elevator without asking any questions. It was like she knew me already. No waiting, no nonsense. Just pure efficiency wrapped in gold trim. I took a quiet breath as the elevator rose. I don’t know why I was nervous. I shouldn’t have been. This was my world. This was what I did. I have met a lot of important people – she wasn't the first and she wouldn't be the last. Still… I guess something about bei
AVA'S POV TWO DAYS LATER I walked into the office just after seven, coffee in hand and hair properly styled. The city outside was still waking up, but I was already halfway through my to-do list. It felt good to be early – like I had a head start on the day. The tightness in my chest wasn’t there anymore I won't say it was fully gone, but it was looser somehow. Lighter. Maybe it was because the storm had finally calmed down. The interview, the red carpet buzz, Sienna’s support – it all helped. So did the talk with Alex. We’d cleared the air. Things didn’t feel as tense between us anymore, and I could breathe without second-guessing everything I said around him. But of course, there was still one problem. One name that kept showing up on my phone like an itch I couldn’t reach. Jason. He was blowing up my phone with calls, texts, and even voice notes, though I never listened to those. He didn’t stop. Every morning, I’d tell myself, Just block him, Ava. Be done with it. And
AVA’S POV I watched Alex walk into the sitting room. He looked tired like he had a lot on his mind, but he still managed a small smile. I followed him, and we both sat down on the couch. For a few seconds, it was quiet between us. Just the soft hum of the fridge in the kitchen and the voice of a man speaking on the television. Then he turned his head to look at me. “Are you okay?” he asked gently. I blinked. “Yeah… why?” He gave a small shrug. “I don’t know. You’ve just been… different lately.” I tilted my head. “Different how?” I asked, even though I already knew what he meant. “You’re uncomfortable,” he said simply, looking me in the eyes. “With me.” I opened my mouth to deny it, but I hesitated. He looked serious. Like he’d been thinking about this for a while. “I’m not uncomfortable,” I said, even though my voice sounded unsure. “Ava,” he said, his voice soft but steady. “I know you. You can say whatever you want, but I can feel it. You’ve been pulling back ever