JASON'S POV The moment my phone rang and I saw Alex’s name on the screen, I knew something was wrong. He had never called me before. I hesitated for a second before answering. “What is it?” My voice came out rougher than I intended, but I didn’t care. “She wants to meet.” I gripped the phone tighter. “Ava?” Alex let out a dry chuckle. “Who else?” Hearing her name sent a wave of emotions crashing over me. It had been days since I last saw her lying unconscious after being poisoned. I had always checked in to be sure she was okay but didn't go see her because I knew she wouldn't want to see me. And now, when she finally reached out, she couldn’t even call me herself. She told Alex instead. A bitter ache settled in my chest. I had become nothing to her. “Where and when?” I asked, pushing the pain aside. Alex gave me the details of some private location he had arranged, probably making sure it was safe. I understood why. We still hadn’t figured out if the nurse who tried
AVA’S POV The cold evening air brushed against my skin as I stepped out of the restaurant, my bodyguard trailing behind me. The place had been empty except for Jason, me, and my bodyguard. Alex had booked the whole restaurant for my safety, and while I understood why, it still made me uneasy. Everything felt different now. Ever since the poisoning incident, I had to watch my back constantly. Every time I stepped outside, I wondered if Laura was planning something else, waiting for the right moment to strike again. My life didn’t feel like my own anymore. It felt like I was just surviving, not living. I took a deep breath and walked toward the black Mercedes-Maybach car parked near the entrance. The city lights reflected on the sleek surface, making it glow under the night sky. As soon as I opened the door, I saw Alex sitting in the driver’s seat, waiting. His eyes met mine immediately, scanning me carefully as if searching for any signs of distress. “You okay?” he asked as I s
JASON'S POV I drove home in silence, gripping the steering wheel so tightly my knuckles turned white. My mind was a mess. The weight of everything that had just happened sat heavy in my chest. The divorce papers were signed. Ava was gone. It was official – I had lost her. I never thought this day would come. Even after everything, some part of me believed we could fix things, that maybe she would give me one more chance. But she didn’t. The moment I stepped into my house, I knew something was off. Laura was sitting on the couch, her face red and swollen. I haven't seen her since Kevin's birthday party and the last I heard from her was when she called me complaining about being transferred to a normal ward. She turned to look at me, her lips parting as if she had been waiting for me. “Jason,” she said, her voice soft, almost hesitant. I barely spared her a glance. My mind was elsewhere – on Ava. On the divorce papers I had signed. On the fact that I had lost her forever. But
AVA'S POV (THREE YEARS LATER) The sounds of the busy Paris streets floated into the apartment through the open balcony doors. Somewhere below, people were laughing, probably enjoying their evening. The sun was setting, casting a warm, golden light over everything. It made the whole city look like something out of a painting. I stood by the window, holding a cup of tea, letting the warmth of it seep into my hands. My eyes rested on the Eiffel Tower in the distance, its lights just starting to twinkle as the sky darkened. It had been three years since I left everything behind – my past, my pain, and the life that once felt like a never-ending nightmare. Paris had given me a second chance. At first, I had worked for Alex, helping him with his investments while learning the ropes of the business world. But after a year, I stepped out on my own and built something from scratch – Avaris Luxe Holdings, a luxury brand that had quickly expanded across Europe and Asia. It was my pas
JASON'S POV The morning air was cool as I drove through the city. Three years had passed, but nothing had changed – not really. I was still here, trapped in a life I didn’t want, still waking up every morning with the same dull ache in my chest. Laura was my fiancée now. At least, that’s what everyone believed. That’s what my father Richard expected. But I knew the truth – I was never going to marry her. I had never loved her. Ava was the only woman I had ever truly loved, and she was gone. I had spent three years pretending to move on, but it was all a lie. No woman had ever come close to making me feel what she did. No one ever would. And yet, here I was, playing the role Richard had forced on me, carrying a title that meant nothing. I pulled up to Laura’s apartment, shutting off the engine with a sigh. Today, I had promised to take Mason Laura's son to school. The boy wasn’t mine, yet he carried my last name. Richard had insisted on it, saying it was ‘best for the f
LAURA’S POV The door clicked shut, and I moved to the window, watching as Jason guided Mason toward the car. He bounced excitedly, gripping his backpack straps, while Jason followed behind calm and composed as ever. I knew Mason was excited to go to school with Jason. I had to lie to Jason that he was bullied at school because of not having a father figure so that Jason would take him. I gritted my teeth. This should have been a perfect picture – Jason taking Mason to school while I, his fiancée, watched from the window, feeling loved and secure. But it wasn’t. Because no matter what I did, Jason never looked at me the way I wanted. I pulled my robe tighter around me, the silky fabric cool against my skin. I had worn it for him this morning, hoping, praying that for once, his eyes would linger. That he’d want me. But of course, he didn’t just like always for the past three damn years. He barely spared me a glance, as if I were just a man wearing silk lingerie. I turned away
AVA'S POV The plane touched down smoothly, the gentle hum of the engines filling the cabin. I let out a slow breath as I stared out the window. America. Emma wiggled excitedly beside me, her tiny fingers gripping my arm. “We’re here!” she squealed, her big brown eyes sparkling with excitement. She had insisted on coming back to America with me, and her dad, who was a single father, had approved when he saw the persistent look on his daughter’s face. I smiled softly and brushed a stray curl from her face. “Yes, baby. We’re here.” She bounced in her seat as the flight attendants announced our arrival, and soon, we were walking through the airport. Despite the time that had passed, stepping foot in this country again sent a strange chill through me. The air smelled the same, the people moved with the same hurried energy, but everything felt… different. Or maybe I was the one who had changed. “AVA!” A familiar voice made me turn just in time to be pulled into a tight hug. Th
AVA'S POV The door swung open, and to my surprise, it was Alex standing there, dressed in a sharp grey suit, the top button of his shirt undone like he had rushed over with a small smile plastered on his lips. I blinked. “Alex?” He grinned. “What? Not happy to see me?” I folded my arms. “You scared me! And I thought you said you’d come after work.” He shrugged, stepping inside like he owned the place – which, technically, he did. “I couldn’t wait to check on my two princesses who just arrived." Before I could reply, Sally let out a dramatic gasp from behind me. “Oh, so what does that make me? The forgotten prince?” she huffed, putting both hands on her hips. Alex chuckled, shaking his head. “You? A prince? You wish.” Sally scoffed. “Rude.” I laughed as she grabbed a cushion and smacked his arm. He dodged it with ease, laughing. Over the years, Alex and Sally had grown closer. Although Alex could put on a tough front when necessary, he was actually playful and light
JASON'S POV My world stopped, I couldn't breathe as my eyes locked on the woman on the stage. Ava was here. Three years. Three damn years, and now she was standing right in front of me. Not as the woman I once held in my arms, not as the love I lost, but as her. The CEO of Avaris Luxe. The woman who had just taken the entire room’s breath away. I didn’t even hear half of what she said in her speech. My ears were ringing, my head spinning. All I could do was stare at her at the way she carried herself, at the cold confidence in her eyes. I swallowed hard, my grip tightened on my glass. My heart was pounding so loudly that I was sure Laura could hear it. My whole body was focused on the woman standing before me. The applause erupted as she finished her speech, and I barely registered the sound. My vision was locked on her as Alex Grey stepped forward. He smiled at her. He reached out and she took his hand. A muscle ticked in my jaw. Alex leaned in, whispering something in her
LAURA'S POV The atmosphere shifted the moment the lights dimmed. A hush fell over the grand hall, conversations dying as if the entire room had taken a collective breath in anticipation. “Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the CEO of Avaris Luxe.” The announcer’s voice echoed through the vast space, commanding attention. I straightened, my grip tightening around Jason’s arm as my heart pounded with excitement. Finally. The mysterious owner of Avaris Luxe was stepping into the light. The entire world had speculated about the person behind the brand rumors whispered of a secretive, powerful figure, someone untouchable, someone who controlled an empire with nothing but vision and ruthless ambition. I lifted my chin, my posture poised as my eyes locked onto the stage. All around me, I could hear the hushed murmurs, the quiet gasps of anticipation. The spotlight flickered. A poised, confident figure stepped onto the stage. And the air in my lungs vanished. My fingers, still
LAURA’S POV The day had finally arrived. The Avaris Luxe grand opening – the most exclusive event of the year. A night of luxury, power, and influence. I had spent days preparing for this. The moment I would step onto that red carpet beside Jason, the cameras would capture us, and the world would finally see what I had always known – I was Jason Campbell’s future wife. I stood in front of my full-length mirror, adjusting the neckline of my dress. The deep emerald silk draped over my body like liquid, hugging every curve in the most flattering way. It was bold but refined, the kind of dress that demanded attention. Under the lights, the fabric shimmered, exuding power and confidence. Exactly what I wanted. Jason’s suit matched my dress, a detail I had carefully planned. I had picked out everything – his cufflinks, his tie, even the exact shade of fabric. When the designer sent it over, I had fully expected Jason to refuse, to toss it aside as he did with everything I tried to
ALEX'S POV I watched Ava closely, searching her face for any sign of hesitation. She had been fine, determined, until she saw his name on the guest list. Her fingers tightened around the folder, her knuckles turning white. She didn’t say anything at first, but I knew what was running through her mind. I had been by her side for three years. I knew that look. Damn it. I ran a hand through my hair, trying to keep my voice calm. Stay rational, Alex. Don’t push her. “Ava,” I said, keeping my voice steady. “If you don’t want to see him, I can take him off the list.” Her head snapped up, her eyes meeting mine. There was something unreadable in them, something locked away behind years of carefully built walls. But she didn’t waver. “No,” she said firmly. “I’m ready.” I narrowed my eyes. “You sure?” A small smirk tugged at her lips. “What, you don’t think I can handle it?” I exhaled through my nose, shaking my head. She was stubborn had always been but this was Jason. This
AVA'S POV The door swung open, and to my surprise, it was Alex standing there, dressed in a sharp grey suit, the top button of his shirt undone like he had rushed over with a small smile plastered on his lips. I blinked. “Alex?” He grinned. “What? Not happy to see me?” I folded my arms. “You scared me! And I thought you said you’d come after work.” He shrugged, stepping inside like he owned the place – which, technically, he did. “I couldn’t wait to check on my two princesses who just arrived." Before I could reply, Sally let out a dramatic gasp from behind me. “Oh, so what does that make me? The forgotten prince?” she huffed, putting both hands on her hips. Alex chuckled, shaking his head. “You? A prince? You wish.” Sally scoffed. “Rude.” I laughed as she grabbed a cushion and smacked his arm. He dodged it with ease, laughing. Over the years, Alex and Sally had grown closer. Although Alex could put on a tough front when necessary, he was actually playful and light
AVA'S POV The plane touched down smoothly, the gentle hum of the engines filling the cabin. I let out a slow breath as I stared out the window. America. Emma wiggled excitedly beside me, her tiny fingers gripping my arm. “We’re here!” she squealed, her big brown eyes sparkling with excitement. She had insisted on coming back to America with me, and her dad, who was a single father, had approved when he saw the persistent look on his daughter’s face. I smiled softly and brushed a stray curl from her face. “Yes, baby. We’re here.” She bounced in her seat as the flight attendants announced our arrival, and soon, we were walking through the airport. Despite the time that had passed, stepping foot in this country again sent a strange chill through me. The air smelled the same, the people moved with the same hurried energy, but everything felt… different. Or maybe I was the one who had changed. “AVA!” A familiar voice made me turn just in time to be pulled into a tight hug. Th
LAURA’S POV The door clicked shut, and I moved to the window, watching as Jason guided Mason toward the car. He bounced excitedly, gripping his backpack straps, while Jason followed behind calm and composed as ever. I knew Mason was excited to go to school with Jason. I had to lie to Jason that he was bullied at school because of not having a father figure so that Jason would take him. I gritted my teeth. This should have been a perfect picture – Jason taking Mason to school while I, his fiancée, watched from the window, feeling loved and secure. But it wasn’t. Because no matter what I did, Jason never looked at me the way I wanted. I pulled my robe tighter around me, the silky fabric cool against my skin. I had worn it for him this morning, hoping, praying that for once, his eyes would linger. That he’d want me. But of course, he didn’t just like always for the past three damn years. He barely spared me a glance, as if I were just a man wearing silk lingerie. I turned away
JASON'S POV The morning air was cool as I drove through the city. Three years had passed, but nothing had changed – not really. I was still here, trapped in a life I didn’t want, still waking up every morning with the same dull ache in my chest. Laura was my fiancée now. At least, that’s what everyone believed. That’s what my father Richard expected. But I knew the truth – I was never going to marry her. I had never loved her. Ava was the only woman I had ever truly loved, and she was gone. I had spent three years pretending to move on, but it was all a lie. No woman had ever come close to making me feel what she did. No one ever would. And yet, here I was, playing the role Richard had forced on me, carrying a title that meant nothing. I pulled up to Laura’s apartment, shutting off the engine with a sigh. Today, I had promised to take Mason Laura's son to school. The boy wasn’t mine, yet he carried my last name. Richard had insisted on it, saying it was ‘best for the f
AVA'S POV (THREE YEARS LATER) The sounds of the busy Paris streets floated into the apartment through the open balcony doors. Somewhere below, people were laughing, probably enjoying their evening. The sun was setting, casting a warm, golden light over everything. It made the whole city look like something out of a painting. I stood by the window, holding a cup of tea, letting the warmth of it seep into my hands. My eyes rested on the Eiffel Tower in the distance, its lights just starting to twinkle as the sky darkened. It had been three years since I left everything behind – my past, my pain, and the life that once felt like a never-ending nightmare. Paris had given me a second chance. At first, I had worked for Alex, helping him with his investments while learning the ropes of the business world. But after a year, I stepped out on my own and built something from scratch – Avaris Luxe Holdings, a luxury brand that had quickly expanded across Europe and Asia. It was my pas