A big thank you to all who supported me with gems and comments. I'm forever grateful. I'll be taking a break from writing because I know I need to perfect my skills. Thank you once again and stay blessed 🙏🏿
Chapter OneAva’s POVI looked up at the Patel mansion, wondering if coming back here was worth it or just the biggest mistake of my life. I guess I’d have to find out. I hope I don't regret it.But who was I kidding? Nothing good had ever come out of this house. Never had, never will.The Patel mansion looked as magnificent as ever, towering over the other luxurious homes in one of the richest neighborhoods in the city of Pinecrest.A gravel driveway that seemed to go on forever led up to the water fountain where cars were parked around. The tall marble pillars lining the entrance to my home, decorated by various flowers. This house was easily the most beautiful in this part of the city.The last time I saw this house, I was barely eight years old and being sent away, exiled to a boarding school with nothing more than a silly explanation and a hurried goodbye. Now, after so long, I was back. And the truth was, I still wasn’t ready to face them just yet.As I made my way to the gate,
Chapter twoAva's POV“How I miss my bed.” I groaned, feeling my eyes drooping.The night of Natalia's engagement party had finally arrived, and I was barely able to stand straight. After a long day of trying to perfect the decorations in the grand hall and cooking food that could feed a million men, I hadn’t had a moment to myself.The chandeliers sparkled from the ceiling, brightening the ballroom. Beautiful flowers adorned every surface, their sweet scent engulfing my nose. Food and drinks were lined up on the buffet tables.As I hurriedly descended the grand staircase, I tried to smooth down the simple blue dress I had thrown on earlier. It was my best dress, but it was even less fashionable than all the maid's clothes. To think I am the daughter of the Patel family.However, I didn’t care much about appearances. I had learned long ago that my role was to remain in the background. And that wasn't going to change tonight.Lost in thought, I slammed into someone. Hard. A firm grip c
Chapter ThreeAva's POVA jarring pain shot through my head as I jolted awake. and I had to close my eyes for a few seconds to get rid of the wave of dizziness that washed over me.Something was wrong. Very, very wrong. I got a hint once I took off the blanket and noticed I was as naked as the day I was born.No, this couldn't be happening. My clothes lay in a heap on the floor on the other side of the bed. The other side of the bed rumpled as if someone had slept there too. It looked like I had been involved in a passionate encounter in the night, but that couldn't have happened. I came here to get something for Mom.The realization shot through me.Oh shit, Natalia's gift.Oh no! I didn’t do what I was sent to do. Mom will kill me.I looked at the desk where the gift was supposed to be, but it was empty.“What... what happened?” I whispered to myself, trying to grasp what was happening. But everything after I came into the room was a blur.My phone buzzed with a new message. My st
Chapter fourAva's POVI stood still, the thumping of my heart against my chest loud enough for all in the room to hear. Good thing I was alone.I was dressed in a silky white gown. No, it wasn't fancy or eye-catching, nor was it expensive. It was my aunt's dress, one she had made for her wedding years ago. Although Liam had tried hard to get me to use his card to buy a dress and everything I'd need, I had rejected his offers. "We would need the money after the wedding," I had told him, my tone flat, signaling the end of our conversation.The door suddenly opened behind me as the sound of wheels made their way to my ears. I turned around quickly, barely catching myself from face-planting the floor."Dad," I muttered, my voice cracking as I gazed at my dad, who had just been pushed into the room in his wheelchair by his caretaker."My Princess, you look so adorable. You're all grown up now," Dad expressed, his face spreading into a beautiful smile.My heart ached as a pang of guilt hi
Chapter 5 Ava's POV We arrived home later in the day, after a small celebratory meal. It wasn’t planned, but somehow it just felt necessary. I wished, more than anything, that my dad could have been there on my wedding day. Lost in thought, I barely noticed that Liam was speaking to me until he raised his voice, breaking my train of thought. “Ava!” I jumped, glancing at him. “Sorry, what were you saying?” “Ava, I was asking if you’re okay… you’ve been zoned out for a while.” I noticed Liam and Uncle Bertram watching me with concern. I managed a smile, “I’m fine,” I said softly. “I just… I wish Dad would have been here. Even if the wedding was fake, even if this whole thing probably won’t last… It would’ve meant a lot.” They stared at me, their gazes soft and filled with pity. I didn't like that, so I hastily added, “But, well, he had to be at Natalia’s wedding. It’s understandable. Mum probably made sure of that.” Liam’s gaze softened. “Why do your mother and sister treat you l
Chapter 6Ava's POV"Liam, please stop!" I shouted as I ran behind Liam, but he paid me no heed. Oh my God, my heart was nearly jumping out of my chest. What was this? And why was this happening to me now? I didn't need Liam to attack my family.I had only agreed to do what Mother had said because I knew that she would manipulate the situation in her favor. I would leave this house soon and then find a way to get back at them. But for now, I just wanted to obey them.I didn't expect Liam to get angry and try to attack them. "Liam, please stop!" I shouted, but it was almost too late. He was not listening, and he was getting really close to the door.I ran, my feet pounding against the tiled floor, but still, I was unable to stop Liam. He was too fast, and before I could even reach him, he had pushed open the big doors, separating the servants' quarters from the main house, causing them to bang loudly against the wall.The chatter that was being heard in the ballroom while we came died
Chapter 7Ava’s POV“Ava, can you see what you’ve done?” Natalia’s voice rang out in the tense silence, full of anger and bitterness. “Look at what you and Liam did to my husband. I swear, I’ll make you both pay for this.”I rolled my eyes. “Natalia, maybe your husband wouldn’t have gotten involved if he’d let the argument stay between the people it actually concerned. And he's not a kid so stop crying.”She gasped, her eyes narrowing. “How dare you? He’s my husband, and he has every right to stand up for me however he wants! I’m going to make sure you and Liam regret this.”Her words usually sent a chill through my heart, but not this time. This time, I felt… nothing but calmness. I wonder why though.I looked back at her, my tone of voice steady “I got married today, and so did you. We’re all tired, and we need rest. Let’s keep this quiet. You know how Dad’s health is—I’m not sure he would appreciate any of this noise.”My mother gave me a cold stare, but rolled her eyes and turned
Liam's POVI paced back and forth in my office, frustration etched deeply on my face. How could Ava's family treat her so badly after everything she had been through? I couldn't let this continue. Jason, my personal assistant, watched me with a raised brow.“Boss, if I may ask, why did you marry Miss Ava?” he inquired.I turned to him sharply. “What do you mean? We were blackmailed.”He chuckled, shaking his head. “Never mind that. Liam, I'm your friend; I’m not going to call you boss during this conversation.”I rolled my eyes. “What is it, Jason?”“Liam, you’ve never faced a blackmail situation in your life. You could have destroyed those pictures the moment they surfaced. But you chose to marry Ava. What’s your plan?”I sighed, exasperated. “You know my plan. I’m not letting Ava go. Not now. And that family needs to suffer. I’ll make sure of it.”“Just be careful,” he warned. “We don’t want Ava getting hurt in the process, do we?”Just then, my father walked in. “Hey, my boys, wha
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