Ava leaned against her kitchen counter, absently stirring her tea. The events of the evening played on a loop in her mind: Alexander’s sudden reappearance, Linda’s arrogant smirk, and the unsettling feeling of being followed.Her phone sat on the counter, buzzing with the same message she’d been staring at for the last ten minutes.We need to talk.She didn’t need to guess who it was. Alexander’s presence at the restaurant was no coincidence, and neither was the cryptic message. He’d found her.Ava exhaled sharply, setting the mug down with a clink. How dare he show up now? After years of silence, years of rebuilding herself from the wreckage he’d left behind. She had moved on—or at least tried to. Yet, there he was, pulling her back into his orbit with nothing more than a text.Her phone buzzed again, jolting her from her thoughts. This time, it was a call.Ignoring the call, Ava turned toward the living room, but a knock at the door stopped her mid-step.Her heart jumped. It was lat
Ava's heart raced as she approached her apartment door that evening, but this time, it wasn't fear that consumed her. Instead, it was curiosity. After the strange knock earlier, she'd braced herself for something sinister.But when she opened the door, all she found was a bouquet.The arrangement was stunning—roses, lilies, and soft sprays of baby’s breath nestled in an elegant vase. A small card peeked out from between the blooms. Ava hesitated before picking it up, her fingers trembling slightly.“For everything I can’t say yet—A.”Her breath caught in her throat. Alexander.She placed the bouquet on the kitchen counter, unsure of what to feel. Was this an apology? A peace offering? Or just another way to confuse her? She decided not to overthink it. Tonight, she needed rest.The Morning AfterAva woke to sunlight streaming through her curtains. For the first time in days, she felt a sense of calm. Her night had been quiet, no strange knocks or texts to disrupt her.As she prepared
Ava pulled into her apartment’s parking lot, the eerie sensation of being watched still lingering in the back of her mind. She turned off the ignition, letting the silence settle around her. The dim lights of the parking lot flickered, casting long shadows over the rows of parked cars. She glanced at her rearview mirror, half-expecting to see someone step out of the shadows.But there was no one. Just her nerves playing tricks on her again.“Get a grip, Ava,” she murmured, shaking her head as she stepped out of the car. She locked the door and walked briskly toward the building’s entrance, her heels clicking against the pavement.Unbeknownst to her, a pair of eyes tracked her every move. Hidden in the shadows, a man dressed in dark, nondescript clothing reached for his earpiece.“She’s inside,” he said quietly. “All clear for tonight.”On the other end of the line, Alexander sat in his study, leaning forward in his chair as he listened to the report. His fingers drummed lightly agains
Ava placed her phone down after reading the latest email from her investigator. The report confirmed everything—Linda’s string of affairs, underhanded deals, and exploitation of Alexander’s connections to boost her career.“She’s been doing this for years,” Ava said to herself, disgusted.Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on her apartment door. She opened it to find Dr. Liam Brooks, her colleague from the hospital, holding a small container of food.“I figured you’d be too busy to cook today,” Liam said with a warm smile. “Hope you don’t mind.”Ava stepped aside to let him in. “You’re a lifesaver, Liam. Come on in.”Liam placed the container on the kitchen counter and turned to her. “You’ve been looking stressed lately. Anything you want to talk about?”Ava hesitated, not wanting to drag him into her messy personal life. “It’s just… work and some personal stuff. Nothing I can’t handle.”He studied her for a moment, then nodded. “Well, you know where to find me if you need an ea
Ava glanced nervously at the clock in the hospital lounge. She hadn’t expected Alexander to come so quickly after their call. Her heart raced as she replayed their brief conversation in her mind. Did she make the right choice, asking him to meet her?The sound of the door creaking open jolted her. Alexander walked in, his presence commanding the small space. He was still dressed in his tailored suit, though his tie was slightly loosened, giving him a more approachable look.Ava stood, clutching her phone. “You didn’t have to come so fast. I know you’re busy.”Alexander crossed the room in a few strides, his gaze soft but intense. “I told you I would always come when you needed me.”She looked away, unsure how to respond. His sincerity both comforted and unsettled her. “I… I just wanted to talk about everything. About us. About Linda.”His jaw tightened slightly at the mention of Linda, but he nodded. “Go ahead. I’m listening.”Ava took a deep breath. “I know there’s a lot we need to s
Ava had always been strong, resilient even in the hardest moments. But after everything that had happened, she felt like she needed to step away from the chaos, to find her own way without the constant pull of Alexander’s presence.She wasn’t going to tell him. Not yet.She packed a small bag, made arrangements at the hospital to take some time off, and left without a word. Her colleagues didn’t ask where she was going. They knew she had been through a lot. But Alexander? He was the one person she couldn't bring herself to face.The days would be hers to reclaim, to breathe and to heal.Back in the city, Alexander was consumed by work, but his mind kept drifting back to Ava. She had disappeared without a trace. No calls, no messages, nothing.He had been worried at first—more than he cared to admit—but as the silence stretched on, his frustration grew. Why wouldn’t she answer him? Where had she gone?He wasn’t used to being left in the dark, not with her. She had always been so transp
Two Months A Lot has happened within those space of timeIt had been three years. Three years of silence. Of searching. Of hoping. Alexander had finally found her—Ava—after all this time. But when he had first reached out, there was no joy, no warmth in her response. Only distance. She had spoken to him, but each word felt like a wall she was putting up between them.The first time he had messaged her, apologizing for everything—what he had done, what he hadn’t done, how he had failed her—she hadn’t responded. Not for days. When she finally did, it was brief.“It’s over, Alexander. We are over.”That had been the first blow. It hurt, more than he had expected, but he couldn’t stop himself. He kept reaching out. He called, he messaged, he wrote letters. Every time, he apologized, hoping for some sign that she was still the woman he knew, that there was still some chance for them.The fifth attempt, she answered with a coldness that stung.“You’ve apologized, but it’s too late. I don’t
Ava had spent the past three years building a life she could be proud of, but tonight, she allowed herself a rare indulgence—attending a prestigious charity gala. She moved through the grand ballroom, her emerald gown a stunning contrast to her confident but distant demeanor. The event was a chance to network for her surgery center, but Ava felt uneasy, her nerves stirred by the faint sense that tonight was going to be different.She was in the middle of discussing a new medical partnership when she saw him. Alexander.Her heart skipped a beat. He stood across the room, looking sharper than she remembered. His dark suit hugged his tall frame perfectly, but it was his expression—a mix of regret and longing—that left her breathless. Ava didn’t know if she wanted to turn and leave or march up to him and demand why he was there.Before she could decide, another figure stepped into view. Linda.Ava froze. Linda, Alexander’s first love, was speaking to him, her hand brushing his arm in a wa
Few weeks LaterThe gala hall was alive with the sparkle of luxury, reporters mingling with socialites, all eyes on the glittering figures in the crowd. Ava stood apart, observing the spectacle with a quiet unease. This wasn’t her world. The flashing cameras, the whispers behind delicate fan-shaped hands, the ostentatious displays of wealth—it all felt so foreign to her.But Linda… Linda was in her element.The famous model entered the room like she owned it, every inch of her radiating confidence, her high-end designer dress draped perfectly over her frame. Her presence was magnetic, every movement drawing attention as cameras flashed in her direction. Linda knew how to work the room. She knew how to stay in the headlines, even when she wasn’t trying.Ava watched Linda from the edge of the crowd, her stomach twisting with a mixture of dread and curiosity. Linda was a force—impossible to ignore. But Ava didn’t need to guess what Linda was up to. She could feel it in the air, the way t
The low hum of chatter filled the luxurious lounge of the hotel as Ava entered, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor. She scanned the room, her gaze locking onto Linda almost instantly. Seated at the center of a small group, Linda exuded confidence, her laughter ringing out like a bell as she entertained her entourage.Ava’s presence didn’t go unnoticed. The moment Linda’s sharp eyes landed on her, the laughter stopped. A flicker of surprise crossed her face, quickly masked by a cool smirk.“Well, if it isn’t Mrs. Pascal,” Linda drawled, rising gracefully from her chair. Her tone was syrupy sweet, but the underlying venom was unmistakable. “To what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?”Ava stepped forward, her chin held high. “We need to talk. Privately.”Linda’s brow arched in mock surprise. “Oh? This sounds serious. Ladies, if you’ll excuse me.” She gestured to her companions, who hesitated before reluctantly dispersing.Once they were alone, Linda’s mask of civility dr
The quiet hum of the bathroom fan was the only sound between them as Alexander emerged from the shower, his movements relaxed but purposeful. Ava, standing by the vanity with the phone still clutched tightly in her hand, barely glanced up as he wrapped a towel around his waist. Her thoughts were a chaotic storm, Linda’s cutting words replaying in her mind like a broken record.Alexander, ever observant, caught the subtle stiffness in her posture. “Everything okay?” he asked, running a hand through his damp hair.Ava forced a neutral expression, slipping his phone onto the counter. “Linda called,” she said simply, her tone clipped.His movements stilled for a fraction of a second before he picked up the phone, his brows furrowing slightly. “What did she want?”“She didn’t say,” Ava replied, crossing her arms over her chest. “Just that it was urgent.”Alexander sighed, placing the phone face down without returning the call. “I’ll deal with it later,” he said, his voice calm but dismissi
Ava was in the middle of tidying up the living room when the sound of a car pulling into the driveway caught her attention. She glanced toward the window, a flicker of surprise crossing her face as she saw Alexander's car parked ahead of schedule. He was early—far earlier than he usually was for their tense dinners. The moment felt different, charged with anticipation. But as she stood there, her heart racing for reasons she couldn’t quite explain, she quickly masked the smile that crept to her lips.It wasn’t like her to feel this way. She'd spent so much time guarding her emotions, building walls between them, but something about tonight felt different. Maybe it was the idea of finally addressing the issues that had been quietly growing between them. Maybe it was the unexpected chance for them to reconnect without the weight of their families hovering over them. Either way, she couldn’t let herself get too hopeful.A moment later, Alexander knocked softly on the door, and without wa
The morning after the storm, Ava woke with a heaviness that had settled deep into her chest. The rain had stopped, but the remnants of the night still lingered—both the storm outside and the one inside her. She lay there, staring at the ceiling, her thoughts a jumble of old emotions and new doubts.Alexander was in the next room, likely still asleep. His presence was a strange comfort, but it also made her question everything she thought she knew about herself. Hadn’t she moved on from him? Hadn’t she convinced herself that she could be happy without him?But seeing him again had opened a door she thought was sealed shut. His apology, his vulnerability—things she had never thought she would hear from him—had cracked her defenses wide open. It wasn’t just the words, though. It was the way he had looked at her. How could she ignore that?Ava sighed, sitting up. She needed space, time to think without him watching her every move. As she moved toward the bathroom, her phone buzzed on the
Ava had spent the past three years building a life she could be proud of, but tonight, she allowed herself a rare indulgence—attending a prestigious charity gala. She moved through the grand ballroom, her emerald gown a stunning contrast to her confident but distant demeanor. The event was a chance to network for her surgery center, but Ava felt uneasy, her nerves stirred by the faint sense that tonight was going to be different.She was in the middle of discussing a new medical partnership when she saw him. Alexander.Her heart skipped a beat. He stood across the room, looking sharper than she remembered. His dark suit hugged his tall frame perfectly, but it was his expression—a mix of regret and longing—that left her breathless. Ava didn’t know if she wanted to turn and leave or march up to him and demand why he was there.Before she could decide, another figure stepped into view. Linda.Ava froze. Linda, Alexander’s first love, was speaking to him, her hand brushing his arm in a wa
Two Months A Lot has happened within those space of timeIt had been three years. Three years of silence. Of searching. Of hoping. Alexander had finally found her—Ava—after all this time. But when he had first reached out, there was no joy, no warmth in her response. Only distance. She had spoken to him, but each word felt like a wall she was putting up between them.The first time he had messaged her, apologizing for everything—what he had done, what he hadn’t done, how he had failed her—she hadn’t responded. Not for days. When she finally did, it was brief.“It’s over, Alexander. We are over.”That had been the first blow. It hurt, more than he had expected, but he couldn’t stop himself. He kept reaching out. He called, he messaged, he wrote letters. Every time, he apologized, hoping for some sign that she was still the woman he knew, that there was still some chance for them.The fifth attempt, she answered with a coldness that stung.“You’ve apologized, but it’s too late. I don’t
Ava had always been strong, resilient even in the hardest moments. But after everything that had happened, she felt like she needed to step away from the chaos, to find her own way without the constant pull of Alexander’s presence.She wasn’t going to tell him. Not yet.She packed a small bag, made arrangements at the hospital to take some time off, and left without a word. Her colleagues didn’t ask where she was going. They knew she had been through a lot. But Alexander? He was the one person she couldn't bring herself to face.The days would be hers to reclaim, to breathe and to heal.Back in the city, Alexander was consumed by work, but his mind kept drifting back to Ava. She had disappeared without a trace. No calls, no messages, nothing.He had been worried at first—more than he cared to admit—but as the silence stretched on, his frustration grew. Why wouldn’t she answer him? Where had she gone?He wasn’t used to being left in the dark, not with her. She had always been so transp
Ava glanced nervously at the clock in the hospital lounge. She hadn’t expected Alexander to come so quickly after their call. Her heart raced as she replayed their brief conversation in her mind. Did she make the right choice, asking him to meet her?The sound of the door creaking open jolted her. Alexander walked in, his presence commanding the small space. He was still dressed in his tailored suit, though his tie was slightly loosened, giving him a more approachable look.Ava stood, clutching her phone. “You didn’t have to come so fast. I know you’re busy.”Alexander crossed the room in a few strides, his gaze soft but intense. “I told you I would always come when you needed me.”She looked away, unsure how to respond. His sincerity both comforted and unsettled her. “I… I just wanted to talk about everything. About us. About Linda.”His jaw tightened slightly at the mention of Linda, but he nodded. “Go ahead. I’m listening.”Ava took a deep breath. “I know there’s a lot we need to s