AVA'S POV The sharp voice sent a chill down my spine. I turned my head slowly, my body stiff with tension. Only to realize it was Laura. She stood a few feet away, dressed in the hospital gown, her long dark hair falling loosely over her shoulders. I didn't expect to see her here. But then it crossed my mind that she might have been brought here after the pool incident. Just the sight of her made my blood boil. The memory of my baby, my little angel, flashed through my mind. Her eyes locked onto mine, filled with pure hatred. I could feel the heat of her anger burning through the space between us as she stomped toward me, her hospital gown swaying with every step. Before I could react, she lifted her hand, aiming to slap me across the face. But she never made it. Alex’s fingers wrapped around her wrist mid-air, stopping the slap before it could land. His grip was strong, his eyes cold as he glared at her. Laura’s face twisted with rage as she yanked her hand free, turn
LAURA'S POV I could still feel the chill of the pool water clinging to my skin, even after being changed into a hospital gown. My body ached, and my head throbbed badly. I was relieved that nothing had happened to my child, not because I cared about it, but because I needed it to stay alive as my ticket to keep on fooling Jason. Jason had dived into the pool at Kevin's birthday party to save me. Me and not her. That alone was proof that I still held a special place in his heart. He believed my lie when I told him that Ava had pulled me into the water on purpose to make me lose my child. His concern, the way he ordered his driver to rush me to Royal Crest Hospital, and the way he called the hospital director and demanded that he take good care of me because I was pregnant were all proof of my victory. Or at least, that’s what I thought. The moment I arrived at the hospital, I was led into a VIP room, just like I deserved. The soft sheets, the large windows, the private bat
AVA'S POV The quiet sound of the air conditioner filled the room as I lay down on the freshly clean bed. The sharp smell of antiseptic was still in the air, but I didn’t mind. At least all traces of Laura had been removed from the room. After the director left, a doctor in a white coat walked in accompanied by a nurse. He was in his late fifties, with sharp eyes that carried years of experience. “Mrs. Ava Campbell?” he confirmed, glancing at me before looking at the chart. I nodded weakly, my body still feeling sluggish. He asked a few routine questions about my condition – headaches, dizziness, nausea. I answered the best I could, though I felt very tired like a heavy blanket was covering me. After writing down my responses, he prescribed some medication, instructed the nurse to fetch it, and started an IV drip. When the needle was about to be inserted, I instinctively pulled back my hand. Suddenly, Alex's hands covered my eyes gently. “Don't be afraid, the needle is a
AVA’S POV I woke up the next morning feeling… lighter. My body was still weak, but the heavy exhaustion from last night had faded a little. I blinked a few times, adjusting to the soft morning light coming in through the window. My head turned slightly, and I saw Sally sitting in the chair beside my bed. She had one leg crossed over the other, scrolling through her phone. The moment I stirred, she looked up. “You’re finally awake,” she said, relieved. “How do you feel now?” I stretched a little, only to wince as the IV needle pulled at my arm. “Better. Still tired, but not like last night.” “Good,” she said, standing up. “Because if you ever fall sick again, I swear, I’ll throw you out of this bed myself.” I let out a weak chuckle. “Noted.” Before I could ask her if she had come into my room last night, a nurse entered, pushing a small cart with trays of food. She set them down on the table beside me. “Breakfast is here,” she said with a polite smile. Sally’s eyes
AVA'S POV He stood at the doorway, his usual proud posture stiff, his wrinkled face filled with shock. His eyes, piercing and wise, slowly scanned me from head to toe as if trying to process what he was seeing. I felt the tight lump in my throat grow bigger. I had always tried to keep my emotions in check, and always tried to stay strong in front of people. But at that moment, seeing Grandpa, someone who had always treated me with so much kindness, all my walls broke down. Tears blurred my vision before I could even think to stop them. “G-Grandpa…” My voice cracked, weak, and trembling. His eyes softened immediately. He stepped forward, his cane tapping lightly against the floor. His driver followed behind him, carrying a small bag, but I barely noticed. Grandpa reached my bedside and sat down carefully. The moment he was close, I couldn’t hold it in anymore. I burst into tears. My shoulders shook as I sobbed uncontrollably. It wasn’t just sadness, it was everything.
LAURA'S POV Sitting in my pathetic hospital bed, I clenched my fists so tightly that my nails dug into my palms. The dull white walls of this cheap room suffocated me. Sleeping here last night made my anger rise I didn’t belong here. I should be in the VIP ward, pampered and cared for. I should be the one everyone was visiting. But instead, I was rotting here alone. No one had come to see me. Not a single soul, not even Jason. But Ava? That wretched woman? She was basking in the attention. She had a lot of people by her side but I had no one. A knock on the door made me snap my head up. One of the nurses I had paid handsomely to keep an eye on Ava and report back to me slipped inside. Her gaze flickered with hesitation, but I didn’t care about her nerves. I wanted information. “Well?” I snapped, sitting up straighter. The nurse swallowed before speaking. “Mr. Campbell came to visit her, but she didn’t let him in.” I froze. “What?” I hissed, my hands gripping the shee
AVA’S POV Grandpa’s words kept repeating in my head even after he left. “Over my dead body will Laura become Mrs. Campbell.” My chest tightened. He had always been good to me and always treated me like family. But hearing him say that… made me realize how much he truly cared about my feelings. Before leaving, he took out a small container from the bag his driver held and placed it on my bedside table. “I brought you some supplements,” he said in a calm voice. “You’re weak right now, Ava. Take care of yourself.” A lump formed in my throat. Even after everything I had lost, even after knowing I wouldn't be with Jason anymore, he was still here, still thinking about me. Still treating me like I mattered. I blinked back my tears. “Thank you, Grandpa,” I whispered. He hesitated for a moment, then reached into his coat pocket. When he pulled his hand out, I froze. The bracelet. The same bracelet I had returned to him just now. Confused, I looked up at him. “You don’t h
ALEX'S POV I walked down the quiet hospital hallway, my footsteps echoing against the cold floor. I came to see Ava since I left in such a hurry the last time. As I neared her ward, I noticed a nurse walking out of her room. She wore a nose mask and moved quickly, her head slightly lowered, as if she didn’t want to be noticed. For a second, I frowned. Something about her seemed off. My guts told me to stop her but I shook the thought away. Maybe she was just in a hurry. It wasn’t unusual for hospital staff to be busy. I pushed the door open and stepped inside and then my heart stopped. Ava was convulsing. Her body jerked violently against the bed, her fingers twitching uncontrollably. The IV stand rattled beside her. Her lips parted as if she was gasping for air, but no sound came out. Her face was pale – too pale. Panic slammed into my chest like a sledgehammer. “Ava!” I shouted, rushing to her side. My heart was pounding so loudly, that I could barely think. Her e
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
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 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 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