chapter 2

Chapter Two

Ava’s POV

The house was eerily quiet, except for the soft rustling of my hands as I packed away the last remnants of my past.

I stood in Lily’s bedroom, my fingers tracing over the framed picture of my little girl. Her bright smile was frozen in time, her eyes full of the happiness she had always carried. My chest ached, but I couldn’t cry anymore—there were no tears left. No more pain to wipe on.

Slowly, I removed the picture from the wall, placing it gently inside the bag I had set aside. The bag was meant for burning. I didn't want to see anymore of it that will bring pain towards me.

Every memory, every trace of the life I had built with Richard—I wanted it gone.

I took a deep breath and walked to my room, grabbing my suitcase. My hands shook as I folded my clothes and placed them inside. This was it. I was leaving. I am no longer staying with a man who sees me as nothing.

No more pain. No more suffering. No more Richard.

With a final deep breath, I pulled out my phone and dialed the number I had been too afraid to call for years.

It rang once. Twice.

Then, a familiar voice answered. "Ava?"

My father.

Tears welled in my eyes, but I forced myself to stay calm. "Dad… I'm coming home."

There was silence on the other end. Then, a relieved sigh. "I’ve been waiting for this day. Are you ready to accept the marriage?"

I hesitated. A part of me wanted to say no—to fight for my own choice. But after everything, I had nothing left. Right now my father is the only hope I have.

"Yes," I whispered. "I agree with the marriage dad."

My father didn’t say anything for a long moment. When he finally spoke, his voice was softer. "I’ll send a car to pick you up. I am glad you now come to your senses."

I ended the call, staring at my phone for a moment before slipping it into my pocket. Just as I turned to leave with my packed bags, the front door swung open.

The smell of alcohol filled the air before I even saw him.

Richard.

He staggered inside, a bottle of whiskey dangling from his hand, a lazy grin on his face. His eyes were bloodshot, his shirt wrinkled as if he had slept in it.

"Hey, baby," he slurred, stepping toward me. "I came to see the little one. I hope I came on Time."

His breath reeked, and when he leaned in to kiss me, I turned my head away, disgusted.

Richard frowned, his eyes narrowing. "What’s wrong? Not happy to see me? Come on babe, are you mad at me?"

I didn’t answer. I just picked up my bag and turned toward the door.

"Where do you think you’re going?" His hand shot out, grabbing my wrist tightly.

I yanked my arm away, my voice colder than ice. "I’m leaving, Richard."

His eyes flickered with something unreadable. "Leaving?" He let out a short laugh, shaking his head. "No, you’re not."

I turned to face him fully. For the first time in years, I wasn’t afraid. I wasn't the Royal wife I was anymore.

I raised my hand and slapped him across the face. The sound echoed through the house.

Richard stumbled back, shocked. "What the hell, Ava?!"

Tears burned in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. "I hate you," I whispered, my voice trembling. "I hate every single moment I spent with you."

His jaw clenched. "Where is the baby?"

I didn’t answer.

His gaze shifted around the room, his confusion turning into panic. "Where is my daughter?" His voice rose, growing frantic. “Where is she?”

He stormed through the house, calling out Lily’s name every second.

His movements became desperate as he checked every room. "Lily!" he yelled. "Where are you? Stop hiding, baby! Daddy's back."

I closed my eyes, willing myself to stay strong.

Richard turned to me, his face pale. "Where is my daughter, Ava?" His voice shook. "Where is Lily?!"

Without a word, I pulled a folded document from my pocket and handed it to him.

He snatched it from my hand, his eyes scanning the paper.

As he read, his face drained of all color. His knees buckled, and he fell to the floor.

A deep, broken sound escaped him. A sound I had never heard before.

His hands trembled as he looked up at me, his eyes filled with something close to horror. "No… Ava, tell me this isn’t real. Tell me it not real"

I swallowed the lump in my throat. "It’s real."

A guttural scream tore from his throat as he gripped the paper, crumpling it in his hands.

His chest rose and fell in ragged breaths before he turned to me, his expression twisted in rage and grief. "You let my children die."

I took a step closer, my own fury finally breaking free. "No, Richard. You let them die."

He shook his head, his eyes wild. "No. No, you called me too late. If you had—"

"If you had come when I called, they would still be alive!" I shouted, my voice raw. "If you had been a man and been there for us, this wouldn’t have happened!"

His face twisted in anguish, his hands pulling at his hair. "Ava, please…"

I shook my head. "I’m done. I’m going back to my family. Am starting a new life."

His laughter was bitter, sharp. "Back to the people who don't want you? The people you say abandoned you? You think they’ll just take you back after everything?" He staggered to his feet, eyes dark with anger. "You have nothing without me."

I tilted my head, my lips curving into a sad smile. "I know. But soon… you’ll see that I don’t need you."

I turned toward the door.

And that’s when it opened.

A woman stepped inside, her presence commanding the room.

She was beautiful—dark hair reaching over her shoulders, red lips curled into an unreadable expression.

For a long moment, we simply just stared at each other.