Liam's POVWhen I texted my PA to send the letter while Ava was telling me about her dream to work at Blackwell Industries, I thought I was making her happy. I had been expecting a range of reactions: excitement, shock, maybe even tears. But as I watched her, jumping with joy and then kissing me, I realized I hadn’t expected this.Also, when I called my mother and asked her to conduct Ava’s interview—after she’d been pestering me to meet Ava ever since I first mentioned her—I hadn’t imagined that this would be the outcome.My mom had been eager to finally meet my wife, as she jokingly put it, though we both knew the circumstances meant she’d have to pretend like she didn't know me.Then, of course, I told Danielle to call around this time to deliver the good news, to see Ava’s reaction up close. But nothing could have prepared me for the feeling of her lips crashing against mine. Her mouth moved so sweetly, so passionately, and the way her hands slid up my chest, to my neck and to m
Ava's POVThe hospital’s normal antiseptic smell hit my nostrils as I rushed through the entrance, my legs moving like they were on autopilot.My vision blurred as tears rolled down my cheeks. Liam was right behind me, his presence the only thing keeping me sane.I scanned the waiting area of our private hospital until my eyes landed on my mother. She stood beside Natalia, who was sobbing into her husband's shoulder.My mother was leaning on the wall, tapping her feet nervously on the ground.Taking a deep breath, I approached them. As soon as mother's eyes locked on me, her gaze turned ice cold. Today, the look was colder than ever.“Why are you here, Ava?” she demanded, staring at me as if I was some unwanted guest, something disgusting.“I... I came here as soon as I heard. What happened to Dad?” I whispered, fear and confusion present on my face.“Why are you pretending to care?” Natalia’s voice was full of venom, her teary eyes glaring at me with hatred. “How dare you even show u
Liam's POVThe moment Ava entered her father's room, I turned around, my hands balled into fists, and faced the disgusting people who called themselves her family."Charlotte, let this be the very last time that you raise your hand on Ava. How disgusting can you be? You treat your own daughter like a piece of trash?"The despicable woman didn't even look remorseful or concerned. It made me wonder: just what had Ava ever done to them for them to treat her like this?Although Charlotte ignored me, Natalia didn't see any reason to. "Do not talk to my mother like that, Liam. Especially if you're going to be defending that slutty animal," she spat, her face twisted as if she were talking about a swine instead of a human being—her own sister.My jaw tightened as I heard that, and I trudged towards her angrily, then leaned my face in closer to hers. She shuddered, and her pale skin reddened. Wait a second... don't tell me she's affected by my presence. I barely stopped myself from laughing a
Ava's POVI sat at the edge of Dad’s hospital bed, wrapping my fingers around his cold hands. The steady beeping of the heart monitor sounded from the side. Seeing him awake had given me sweet relief, but the sorrowful look in his eyes now made my heart pound, as I feared what he meant.“Ava,” he said again, his gaze now locked on mine. “How could you do this to me?”I blinked, confusion flooding me. “Dad, what… what do you mean?” I whispered, my pulse spiking. “What have I done?”He sighed, his eyes welling up with tears, and I felt my chest tighten. “Ava,” he said, his voice trembling, “I know I only raised you for seven years before everything happened… but… be very honest with me. Was I a bad parent?”My heart dropped. What was he talking about? “No! Dad, no!” I exclaimed, shaking my head as my eyes filled with tears. “Why are you saying that?”Tension coiled in my stomach as a sudden realization came to my mind. Did he know? I swallowed hard, my thoughts racing. Has he found out?
Liam's POVI faced Ava, my mind racing as I tried to figure out what to say to her. I took two steps closer to her, but she took two steps backward. If she had heard me, then she was doing a pretty bad job of trying to hide it.The way her eyes widened when I called her name, the way she flinched when I tried to hold her hand, and the way she turned on her heels, facing away from me, was enough proof that she had heard something.Don't be too sure, Liam; it could be that she didn't hear everything.I took in her appearance, and it didn't look well at all. Her reddened eyes showed that she had been crying so much. Her face was pale. At the moment, all I wanted to do was hold her in my arms and let her relax and rest—she had been through so much for one single day."Ava," I called out, my throat tightening."Liam," she replied, her voice almost inaudible. I noticed her shoulders trembling. "My dad wants to see you. He knows everything about the marriage, so be honest." Her words tumble
Trigger Warning: This chapter contains emotional abuse, grief, and traumatic revelations. Please do not read if you are sensitive.Ava's POVAs I stepped out of Dad's room into the bright light of the hallway, I let out a deep breath, feeling my tensed shoulders relaxing. I had almost lost my composure in front of not only Liam but Dad too.I walked aimlessly around the hospital, dragging my heavy feet along. I stepped out into the dark chilly night, feeling a shiver run down my spine, making me wrap my arms around myself in hopes of producing some warmth.I gazed up at the dark gloomy sky, with its stars hidden behind the dark clouds, matching my heart at the moment. Everything was happening too fast, and I wasn't sure I would like the outcome.The sound of sniffles had me snapping my head towards the small alley at the back of the hospital. My senses heightened, goosebumps spreading along my skin. Who was there? Were they okay? Should I go check, or should I leave?Leaving would hav
Liam’s POVMy heart pounded as the door clicked shut behind Ava, leaving me alone with her father. I could feel Robert Patel's cold gaze burning into me as he leaned against the pillow.I gulped, trying to keep my expression neutral, although I knew it was useless. He knew, I could see it in his eyes.Just how did he find out?"You can drop the act," Robert said, his voice accusing. "I know who you are, Liam. You think I wouldn’t recognize a Blackwell when I see one? I have been your dad's friend for long."Not anymore Robert. Not since you...I clenched my fists, taking in a deep breath so as to steady my erratically beating heart.Calm down Liam, play it cool. "I don’t know what you’re talking about, Mr. Patel," I muttered, my voice as calm as I could make it.A low humorless chuckle escaped his lips. "I’m no fool, boy. The first day I saw you in my house, I knew something was off. You’re not just some guy, are you? You’re Liam Blackwell. So, what do you want? Why hide who you are t
Ava's POVThe beeping of machines was the first sound that greeted my ears as I woke up. My body felt heavy, as if I hadn't moved it in months. Liam was standing by the window, staring outside. His gaze was lost, as he hadn't noticed I was awake. The second I groaned, his eyes snapped towards me, and he rushed towards the bed."You're awake," he said, his voice sounding relieved. His warm hands reached for my head, running through my hair, sending a soothing feeling within me. "You scared me, baby."I tried to sit up, but I was too weak and I fell back on the bed. Liam placed his hands gently behind me, lifting me so I could lean against the pillows. "What... happened?" My throat was dry and scratchy, the words hoarse."You fainted." He replied, letting out a small sigh while running a hand through his hair. "You’ve been pushing yourself too hard, Ava. I'm sorry; I should have noticed."The guilt in his voice disturbed me, but I couldn’t focus on that right now. My thoughts immediate
Ava's POV Two months later Andrea was giving me a headache. Being a mother was lovely, though, and I wouldn't want to switch it for anything else in the world. "Come on! You just ate! I haven't even eaten!" "And what is going on with my beautiful wife and baby?" Liam walked into the room where I sat, staring at her as she cried. She glanced at me with her doe eyes, wanting to be fed again. "Your daughter is eating too much." "Uh, nope. See how tiny she is? Give my princess whatever she wants. Go on, feed her." "Do you think I am a milk-producing machine? I am a human being." "A human being who has enough breast milk here and here," Liam said, palming my boobs. I tried slapping his hands away. Not only was he doing this in front of our two-month-old baby, but his hands there were sending desire coursing through me. "Liammmm." "Yes, Ava? What is it you want to tell me?" "Liam, stop it." "Yep, you want me to stop it, and yet you are not pushing my hands off. Is there somethin
Ava's POV"Mother.""Charlotte," Liam and I echoed at the same time."What the hell did you do?" Liam boomed, walking toward us while I still stood frozen in front of her.The pieces of the puzzle were beginning to fit together in my mind. My baby had been kidnapped—by my mother."Yes, Ava," she responded, as if reading my thoughts. "I kidnapped her, and I'm sorry. You can go ahead and arrest me now. I need to suffer for my crime.""Crimes, you mean?" Miriam spoke, emerging from behind.Charlotte's eyes widened at the sight of her. "Miriam? How? But you are—""Yes, I'm supposed to be dead, as you planned to kill me, right? Well, shucks to be you. I'm not dead. I'm very much alive. And I believe it really is time for you to suffer for everything you've done before anyone else gets hurt. You even have some nerve kidnapping my grandchild.""The child is my grandchild too," Charlotte argued back.Funny enough, I could only stand there watching them fight. She had some nerve claiming the c
Ava's POVI squinted my eyes, trying to get rid of the excess sunlight that was boring into them. A beeping sound beside me caught my attention, and when I turned, I saw a heart monitor with various cables wired toward me.Everything in the room was white, save for a few pieces of equipment. I shook my head, trying to remember anything that had happened, but I could only let out a groan as my head throbbed.Soon, however, a memory flashed before my eyes—a picture of a jet.I was pregnant.My hand immediately flew to my stomach as I remembered how Jim had taken me onto the plane.Oh my God, my baby!I panicked, feeling my stomach a little lighter than before.No, no, no, no—my baby!I got up and out of the bed, disconnecting the monitor's wires from my body and pulling myself out of the hospital room.The corridor was empty—no nurse, no doctor in sight.I remembered being saved from Jim by someone. Maybe Carlos or Domenico... So where were they, and why was this hospital so empty?Coul
Liam's POV"Well, thankfully, we managed to save both mother and child."A chorused sigh of relief rang through the hallway when we heard that they were both fine."Fortunately, the drug she was given hadn't gone far into her system to cause any damage, but she will be unconscious for a little while. However, your baby is in the nursery. She will be out soon if her examinations prove she is fine.""Thank you so much, doctor. Thank you.""You're welcome, Mr. Blackwell, and congratulations on becoming a father to a beautiful baby girl.""Oh my God." Tears filled my eyes as I sat back on the seat I had woken up from.I am now a father.I have my own little princess.Oh my God.Is this what it feels like?My heart couldn’t stop jumping, and I felt multiple people tap my shoulder and whisper congratulations. When I lifted my head, I saw that everyone had mixed reactions.Mom and Dad were visibly excited at the thought of having a grandchild.Grandpa hurried to call Grandma and tell her the
Liam's POVBarely two weeks after I was rescued, and this just had to happen.We had expected trouble from all angles but missed one—Jim Dallas.I never thought he had the balls to go after my wife, let alone kidnap her, even after finding out she was a Blackwell.Grandpa and Grandma—not my mother's parents, but my father's parents, whom I hated so much—were the ones who had kidnapped me.I don’t know how they found a way to capture me and have no family member suspect them, but they had been the ones, alongside a few of their trusted guards, who held me captive until Grandpa Blackwell saved me the week before Ava's dad's memorial.Apparently, it was just a vendetta because of my uncle and their daughter's condition, although I knew someone else was working with them. But Grandpa assured me that it had nothing to do with any family member.Of course, many shocking things had been happening, like me discovering that Miriam was alive.Yes, I had paid her a visit, asking her why she had
Ava's POVI groaned, my head throbbing as I squinted my eyes to adjust to the light. When I finally came to, I noticed I was sitting in a moving car, speeding through an isolated area. My head was resting on someone's lap.When I remembered what had happened in the restaurant, I shot up from my seat."Jim, what's going on? Where are we driving to? Wait, what have you done to me? Answer me, damn it!" I tried hitting him when he paid no attention to me, focused on his phone instead.But in the confines of the car, there was only so much I could do, even as I tried to open the moving vehicle. Jim just sat leisurely in his seat."Ava, you need to rest, you know. What you're doing is stressing you out, and it's not good for the baby."All I could see when I stared at him was a devilish smirk—a smug look. He knew he had the upper hand."Help!" I screamed, banging on the windows. But to no avail. No cars had passed by since I woke up, and neither had I seen any houses.Finally, the car slowe
Ava's POV"Shit, Ava, wait! Ava!"The voices echoed behind me, almost in the distance, as I ran off. Thankfully, the elevator opened and closed just in time before they could get to me.Inside, I tapped my feet incessantly, praying that before they could use the stairs, I would be out of this building.I couldn’t stay with the Blackwells anymore. They had outdone themselves with secrets. It seemed like every one of them had a secret they were keeping from me—including the fact that Miriam was alive.My own mother was alive, and I hadn’t known it for 25 years of my life.No. There was no way I was staying here.The ping of the elevator barely reached my ears when I dashed out, ignoring the concerned glances of the people in the lobby, seeing a pregnant woman rushing out of the building.I thought of taking the car, but the keys weren’t with me, so I had to use my legs and rush down the street, hoping they wouldn’t know the exact direction I had gone.It worked because, for almost 10 mi
Ava's POVWe sat in one of Mr. Blackwell’s lush, elegant vehicles. Three cars were ahead of us, and four more trailed behind. This kind of power never went without heavy security. Unfortunately, that was one of the downsides.However, the last thing on my mind was his cars—I had more important things to worry about.For instance, how he had managed to get those pictures of Natalia. Had they been photoshopped?I had known my sister for a while, and even though I had been away at school for half of our lives, one thing I was sure of was that she wouldn’t become promiscuous.No, she would rather date one man at a time, and if things didn’t work out, she would move on to another.So what exactly had pushed her into that—if it was true? Something must have caused it."And what has my angel's mind far away?" Grandpa Blackwell’s voice called out, pulling me from my thoughts."Oh, I’m sorry, I was just—""You don’t have to apologize. Thinking is pretty normal. I just don’t want you to dwell o
Ava's POVGasps echoed around the massive living room after the declaration had been made. I swiveled around, my eyes landing on the most powerful figure I had ever seen—Liam's grandfather.No. Not Liam's dad's parents.No. This man walking in with a black suit and hat, holding a walking stick more expensive than the dress I was wearing, was the Mr. Blackwell. The powerful father of Elena Blackwell. The man whose name made grown men shit their pants.He was the one who had spoiled my husband so much and made him become the great CEO he currently was. And he was currently walking into the Patel mansion, commanding attention like he owned the place. No. This place was definitely beneath him.My mother—Charlotte Patel's businesswoman side—took over, and she rushed forward, her eyes darting nervously, her mind probably wondering what was going on that had brought this man here.It seemed like everyone had forgotten what he had said a few seconds ago. All the wealthy elites started arrang