LAURA'S POV I couldn’t stand the way Jason kept his eyes glued to Ava. Every time she laughed with Alex, I could see the jealousy burning in his eyes. His grip on his glass tightened, his jaw clenched. He was trying so hard to hide it, but I saw it all. It was pathetic and annoying at the same time. I was sitting right next to him, but it was like I didn’t even exist. He didn’t even spare me a glance or respond to me. Why does she always get all his attention? Why can't he just forget her? I wanted to yell at him, but I kept it inside. Instead, I turned my gaze to Ava, sitting there so calm, drinking water like she was so perfect. She thought she was better than me, didn’t she? I couldn’t stand it anymore. I leaned in closer, making sure my voice was loud enough for everyone nearby both those standing and the few seated to hear. “Ava, why are you drinking water at a cocktail party?” I asked, my words filled with venom. “Shouldn’t you be drinking something like wine? Or at
AVA'S POV Last night had been one hell of a night. I had avoided Jason all through, I didn’t want anything to ruin my evening, so I focused all my attention on Alex. I didn’t even realize when Jason and Laura slipped away from the party. It didn't matter. I told myself it was just one more thing that proved he wasn't going to change and that he didn't deserve a place in our lives, mine and the baby's. He could do whatever he wanted, I didn't care anymore. I was actually glad Alex came to the party last night. His presence was a good distraction. Talking to him made the night enjoyable, even fun. He made me laugh wholeheartedly, something I hadn't done in a while. I can’t even remember the last time I felt that good. Alex was indeed a perfect gentleman who knew how to treat a woman properly. A knock on the door snapped me out of my thoughts. “Ava? Are you awake?” Sally's voice rang out from outside the door. I winced from the pain in my head. I didn't know why it hur
AVA'S POV It had only been a minute since I’d passed his room and seen Laura lying on his bed dressed in a seductive nightwear and now here he was, in my room, asleep, as if nothing had happened. I didn’t know what to feel – anger, confusion, or something else. But one thing was for sure: I was pissed and felt irritated. How dare he lie in my bed with his filthy body? I couldn’t take it anymore. My hand moved before I even thought about it, and I slapped him hard across the face. The sound of it echoed through the quiet room, sharp and deafening. Jason shot up in bed, his eyes wide with shock, trying to process what had just happened. The look on his face showed he couldn't believe I could slap him. "Ava… what..." His voice was still heavy with sleep, and he rubbed his cheek where I’d slapped him, looking at me like I was some kind of puzzle he couldn’t figure out. I crossed my arms, trying to keep my cool, but it was hard. I could feel my fist clenching, the anger I fe
LAURA'S POV Jason’s words echoed in my head, each word felt like sharp blades cutting through me. For a second, I thought I’d heard him wrong. But no, the truth was painfully clear. He had just announced his marriage to Ava in front of the entire company. My hands gripped the edge of the table so hard that my knuckles turned white but I forced my face to remain calm, even though anger was building up inside me like a storm. How could he do this to me? Humiliate me like this? Everyone in the company thought I was his secret wife. Now, what would they think of me? A mistress? A desperate woman chasing another woman's husband? My jaw tightened, and my nails dug into the table. The dining area buzzed with whispers and shocked murmurs, but all I could hear was the pounding of my heart.After refusing to touch me last night and even calling Ava's name while drunk, as if that wasn't enough he had to do this to me. Jason stood there, calm and collected like he hadn’t just shattered m
AVA'S POV The moment Laura walked out of the dining area, the room grew quiet, but the silence didn’t last long. Everyone’s attention turned to me. I could feel their eyes on me some envious, some whispering to the person beside them. "So Ava is the CEO's wife? OMG! That's so shocking. She's so lucky," a colleague whispered to the next person sitting beside her. I'm not sure how I even heard that since they were whispering but somehow I did. It's one of those strange things about me being able to hear whispers that no one else can. But no, she was wrong. I wasn't lucky at all. I thought I was but the past few months have made me realize I wasn't. Their stares felt heavier than ever, making me want to shrink into my chair. Jason's eyes met mine for a brief moment but I quickly looked away. Wait... was this what he meant by proving he loves me? Announcing our marriage now? It was too late. His words didn’t mean anything to me anymore. Nothing he did could change my mind.
AVA’S POV I ignored him and walked past him with steady steps. Sally stayed right beside me. I could feel his eyes on my back, heavy and intense, but I refused to turn around. A few months ago, I would have hesitated, unsure of how to act around him, afraid of upsetting him. But not anymore. I had accepted things as they were. Jason could stare all he wanted, but I wasn’t going to react the way he expected. As we reached the volleyball area, the sound of laughter and cheering filled the air. The golden sand was warm beneath my feet, and for a moment, the lively atmosphere made me feel lighter. “Ava.” I looked up to see Alex approaching with a relaxed expression and a smile etched on his face. “How are you feeling?” he asked, his voice warm with concern. “Are you okay now?” I tilted my head slightly, surprised by his question. I didn’t remember telling him anything was wrong with me. But then I recalled – at the cocktail party, he had noticed how tense I was, and I had
JASON'S POV I stood there, frozen, my hands clenched into fists at my sides. I couldn’t believe what had just happened. Ava my wife had yelled at me in front of everyone – in front of my employees. Not just yelled at me, but looked at me like I was nothing like I had done something unforgivable. And all because of Alex Grey. I could still see it so clearly. The way she rushed to his side, the way she touched him, the way she helped him up like he was the only one that mattered. And worst of all she didn’t even look back at me. How could she tend to another man that way in my presence? I had just revealed to everyone that she was my wife and she does this in front of the same people I just told about our marriage. Lines creased my forehead as anger boiled beneath my skin. The whispers around me were getting louder, but I couldn’t make out the words. I didn’t need to. I knew what they were saying. I gritted my teeth, my jaw tightening. I wanted to shut them all up, to make the
AVA'S POV I walked back to the beach with Alex and Sally after helping Alex with his injury. My heart still felt heavy from what had happened earlier. I knew Jason had deliberately hit the ball so hard towards Alex to hurt him, and I had a feeling it was because of me. That's why I felt responsible for making sure he got treated. But now, as I glanced at Alex beside me, I could see he was still in pain, even though he tried to act fine. “You really should be in bed resting,” I said, frowning at him. “I told you to stay back.” Alex chuckled lightly, shaking his head. “And miss all the fun? Nahhh...I’ll be fine, Ava.” I sighed, knowing there was no point in arguing. He was stubborn, just like Jason. But at least Alex listened sometimes. Jason… Jason only does what he wants, without listening to anyone. The crowd on the beach was still gathered around, some playing, some talking while others were relaxing and enjoying the cool ocean breeze. Alex excused himself and went to joi
JASON'S POV Stacks of paperwork covered my desk, demanding my attention. Contracts, approvals, financial reports – I had barely made a dent in them, yet the day was already slipping away. My head throbbed from lack of sleep, but I forced myself to focus. Ben hadn’t gotten back to me yet concerning what I told him to look into. Even Ava has refused to speak with me. I tapped my pen against the desk, staring at the untouched papers in front of me. I found it impossible to concentrate on work. My mind kept circling back to that one question – the one that had haunted me ever since Laura spat out her bitter words. The thought had consumed me, making sleep a distant memory. I exhaled, shaking my head. "Focus Jason." I needed to focus. Just as I reached for a contract, the door to my office burst open. “Jason!” I looked up, frowning as Laura stormed in. Her blonde hair was perfectly styled as always, but her eyes were wild with panic. I clenched my jaw. “What the hell are yo
AVA'S POV Jason didn’t call again. Days had passed since Sally last informed me about his desperate attempts to reach me, but now… nothing. No messages. No calls. Just silence. I should’ve felt relieved, but instead, a part of me remained cautious. Jason wasn’t the type to back down so easily. He had tried calling me endlessly after the Avaris Luxe opening, and then suddenly, he just gave up. Unlikely. I pushed the thought aside as I scrolled through emails, making a mental note of upcoming meetings. Avaris Luxe had only been officially open in America for a short time, and already, things were moving fast. Faster than I expected. Just then, a soft knock sounded at my door. “Come in,” I called, not looking up. The door opened, and Sally walked in, a small smirk on her face as she clutched her tablet. “You’re going to love this,” she said, sliding into the chair across from me. I leaned back, arching a brow. “That depends. What is it?” She tapped a few times on her s
AVA'S POV After dropping Emma off at school, I wasted no time getting back into the car. The moment I shut the door, I let out a quiet breath, steadying myself. Today was important. My first official day running Avaris Luxe in America. I couldn’t afford to be late, not when I had spent the past three years building myself up for this moment. As the car moved through the streets, I tapped my fingers lightly against my lap. My mind was already racing with everything I had to do meetings, reports, and ensuring everything was running smoothly. But despite all that, a part of me still lingered on what had just happened at Darton School.I hadn’t expected to run into Laura there of all places. But seeing her with that little boy confirmed what I already knew she was still as manipulative as ever. Using her own son to make a statement, to remind me that she still held some power. But she was wrong. I wasn’t the same woman she had once tried to destroy, the same woman she had made lose h
JASON’S POV Laura’s heels clicked loudly against the marble floor as she stormed out of my office. I could see the hurt on her face, but I felt nothing. Once, I might have cared. Once, I might have tried to explain myself, to soften my words, to make her feel better. But not anymore. I had spent years thinking about her feelings – years that had cost me everything. Even when I was married to Ava, Laura had been a shadow in my life, always there, always pushing her way in. And I had let her. I had been too weak to shut her out completely because of the debt I owed her parents, and it had destroyed my marriage. It had cost me Ava. It had cost me my child. Or at least, that’s what I had believed. I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling slowly. Ava had a daughter. The words played in my head over and over again. Laura had said it so bitterly, so smugly, as if she wanted to rip my heart out. "While you were being loyal to a woman who divorced you and left you, she was busy moving
LAURA’S POV The moment I saw her, my blood boiled. Ava. Even her name left a bitter taste in my mouth. Standing there in her perfectly fitted dress, looking calm and collected, as if she hadn’t just humiliated Jason and me in front of the entire city. As if she hadn’t made a spectacle out of us, dragging Jason out like some common criminal while the media had a field day. It had been two days, but the shame still burned inside me. Every news outlet, every social media post – everyone was talking about it. I couldn’t step into a boutique without hearing whispers. Even at the charity luncheon I attended yesterday, some women were still giggling about it, hiding their smirks behind their champagne glasses. But here Ava was, acting like nothing happened. I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palm. I wanted to yell at her, slap her hard to wipe that calm expression off her face, but I wouldn’t embarrass myself in front of all these people. Parents were everywhere, dr
AVA'S POV The morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow across the room. Today was a big day. Not just for Emma, but for me too. I returned to America not as an employee, but as the CEO of Avaris Luxe. The power in that title sent a quiet thrill through me. The past three years have transformed me into someone stronger, someone who no longer waited for things to happen but made them happen. But before all that, there was something more important Emma. Her excited giggles filled the room as she bounced on the bed, already wide awake. “Aunt Ava, wake up! It’s my first day of school!” I smiled as I sat up, running my hand through her soft curls. Her big, bright eyes were filled with excitement, her small feet kicking under the covers. “I know, sweetheart,” I said, playfully tugging her nose. “Let’s get you ready, okay?” She nodded eagerly and jumped off the bed, running to the wardrobe. Watching her reminded me of how much had changed. Three years ago, I
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