I sat there frozen, the world around me fading into a blur as Richard walked in, his arm wrapped around her—Han. My step-sister. The woman who had destroyed my life in another time, in another life. The same wicked smile played on her lips, and the sight of it made my blood run cold. How? How could this be happening? My mind struggled to grasp the reality of what I was seeing. Richard’s gaze passed over me as if I were nothing more than a shadow, a ghost haunting the edges of his perfect life. His expression was stern, and there was no warmth, no recognition of the woman he had once promised to love. The words I wanted to shout, to demand answers, died in my throat. I was too shocked, too horrified to do anything but sit there, trembling in disbelief. Han’s body was practically glued to him, her hands tracing the lines of his arm possessively, and I felt the old familiar sense of dread creeping back into my bones. This couldn’t be real. This had to be some kind of nightmare
The jealousy festered, feeding on my insecurities, on the deep-seated fear that I had been replaced, that I was no longer needed or wanted. I sighed, the sound shaky and filled with a sadness I couldn’t shake. My hand clutched at my chest, as if I could physically hold onto the remnants of the life I had once known, but they slipped through my fingers like sand. The image of Richard holding Han, comforting her the way he used to comfort me, haunted me. The thought of them together, sharing the intimacy that had once been ours, was unbearable. I whimpered softly, the sound breaking the silence of the room. My head dropped into my hands, and I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to block out the thoughts that were tearing me apart. But they persisted, clawing at the edges of my mind, refusing to be silenced. I couldn’t stop picturing them, couldn’t stop imagining the way Richard’s arms might have wrapped around Han, the way he might have whispered soothing words to her as they lay t
Today started like any other, filled with the usual buzz of excitement that came from working at the restaurant. There’s a certain joy in being able to do what I love. My son, Tommy, often stops by after school, and I’m always relieved to see how much the staff and even the manager adore him. He’s always so well-behaved, almost too quiet, when he’s here. But today, something unusual happened. As I was wiping down a table, I glanced up and froze. There was Richard, walking into the restaurant hand-in-hand with Tommy. A wave of shock and anxiety washed over me. Oh my God, how do I look? Am I presentable? I quickly turned around, smoothing my clothes, trying to make myself look more put together. “Ava,” I heard Richard’s voice call out. Just the sound of it made me feel small, shrinking into myself. God, I miss him. I really do. It’s been over three months since he started dating my ex-step-sister, and every single day, she makes it her mission to remind me that he’s hers now.
As I pushed the front door open with one hand, Tommy's small, sleeping form nestled in my arms. The dim light from the hallway spilled into the living room, casting long shadows across the floor. I didn’t expect to see anyone awake at this hour, but there they were—Richard and my stepsister, Han, entwined on the couch like two serpents, with Richard looking particularly uncomfortable. Han, as always, had that smug look plastered on her face, like she knew something I didn’t. I stopped short, the sight of them together sending a sharp pang through my chest. Neither of them bothered to look at me. Not that I expected them to, but it was like a slap in the face nonetheless. I shifted Tommy's weight in my arms and moved towards the stairs, deciding against acknowledging their presence. They could continue their little charade without me—Tommy needed to be put to bed, and that was far more important. Once upstairs, I gently laid Tommy down on his bed, careful not to wake him. His li
I stood in front of my wardrobe, my fingers drifting across the rows of clothes. “What am I going to wear?” I muttered, feeling the frustration grow as nothing seemed to fit. I was starting to get irritated with the prospect of picking out something, and my patience was wearing thin. Just as I was about to give up and settle on anything, a loud bang on the door startled me. Before I could even respond, the door swung open, and my stepsister, Han Gregory, barged in uninvited. I turned to face her, my eyes narrowing. “Oh, how may I help you?” I asked, my tone dripping with sarcasm as I crossed my arms, making it clear I wasn’t in the mood for whatever she had to say. Han's smirk was as condescending as ever. “I’m supposed to be asking you that, Ava,” she sneered. “What are you still doing here? You know very well that my fiance, Mr. Richard, and I are getting married soon, and I won’t allow you to stay in this house. You and that little thing you call a son need to pack your bag
Standing outside the grand hotel, I could feel the nervous energy coursing through my veins. The imposing structure loomed above me, its elegant facade bathed in the warm glow of evening lights. It had been so long since I’d stepped out for anything like this, not since that night. The memory of it sent a shiver down my spine, but I pushed it away. As I waited outside, I was hyper-aware of the people passing by. The crowd was a mix of well-dressed men and women, their laughter and chatter filling the air. I flinched every time a man walked too close, my heart pounding in my chest. I reminded myself to breathe, to stay calm. Nothing was going to happen here. Not tonight. But still, the anxiety lingered, a constant companion. After what felt like an eternity, I spotted Mr. Eddy making his way through the entrance. His tall, distinguished figure was unmistakable, even from a distance. Relief washed over me as I watched him approach. Finally, I wouldn’t have to stand here alon
As I walked through the hall with Mr. Eddy, the atmosphere was thick with tension. I could feel Richard's gaze on me, hot and intense. When he finally turned to look at me, the deadly glare on his face sent a shiver down my spine. There was no mistaking the jealousy burning in his eyes, and that knowledge only spurred me on. “Mr. Eddy,” I whispered softly as I beckoned on him to bend a little because he was too tall for me to be able to execute my plan. “Please, just play along with me.” He hesitated for a moment, then caught on to what I was asking as he glanced towards where my eyes were looking and with a small, understanding smile, he leaned in closer. I gave him an apologetic smile before brushing my lips against his cheek in a quick, playful peck. I turned to look at Richard and his reaction was immediate—his eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched, and I could almost see the storm brewing within him. Mr. Eddy, ever the gentleman, wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled m
“May I?” The tall, handsome man stood over me, his gaze piercing through the dimly lit room. His voice was smooth, confident, and filled with an unspoken command as he gestured toward the empty seat beside me. I hesitated, my heart pounding in my chest. Richard’s presence was like a dark cloud hovering over me, and I could feel his eyes burning into my back. My breath caught in my throat as I glanced at him from the corner of my eye. His body was rigid, his fists clenched at his sides as he stared at the man, his expression a mask of barely restrained fury. For a fleeting moment, I considered refusing the stranger’s request, fearing the consequences of provoking Richard further. But then, a wave of defiance surged through me. Why should I care what Richard thought? He had made it abundantly clear that he didn’t want me anymore. That he was done with this marriage. If he could so easily discard me, then I had every right to live my life as I saw fit. With a small, forced smil
Ava's Pov The morning sunlight streamed through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the bustling household. The once-quiet home had transformed into a lively battleground, where the daily routines of life were anything but mundane. The sound of footsteps echoed through the hallways as Ava scrambled to get her children ready for the day."Tommy, come here, sweetie," Ava called out as she fastened the straps on his backpack. Tommy, now eight years old and full of energy, ran over to her with an excited grin on his face."Are you ready for school, my big boy?" Ava asked, ruffling his hair."Yes, Mommy! I can't wait to show my friends the new toy Daddy got me," Tommy replied, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.Ava smiled, her heart swelling with pride as she knelt to help him adjust his backpack. "That’s my boy. Remember to listen to your teacher and be nice to your friends, okay?"Tommy nodded eagerly. "I will, Mommy!"As she finished with Tommy, Ava’s attention was suddenly drawn
Richard's Pov I had just finished filling the tub with warm water when Ava stepped in, letting out a sigh of relief as the warmth enveloped her swollen body. Mornings like this had become our little ritual, a time for her to relax and ease some of the discomfort that came with carrying three babies. I could tell she appreciated it, even if she didn’t say so outright. I grabbed the washcloth and gently started to soap her back, moving slowly, knowing how sensitive she’d become in these final weeks. Ava leaned forward, resting her head on her arms, eyes closed, a faint smile playing on her lips. “This feels amazing,” she murmured, her voice a soft whisper. “I could stay here all day.” “Maybe you should,” I teased lightly. “I can bring you breakfast, lunch, and dinner right here in the tub.” She chuckled, a sound that always managed to brighten my day, no matter how stressed or tired I was. “Tempting, but I think I’d turn into a prune if I stayed in here that long.” I laughed, a
Richard's Pov As I sat in the waiting room, time seemed to stretch into an eternity. The minutes dragged on like hours, and the silence in the hospital was deafening. The bright, sterile lights overhead did nothing to calm my nerves, and the rhythmic ticking of the clock on the wall only served to heighten my anxiety. I had been here for three hours, and the night had fully descended, casting a heavy darkness outside the windows. The only thing I could focus on was the fact that Ava was still unconscious, and I had no idea what was wrong. I replayed the events of the evening in my head over and over again. The way Ava had suddenly gone limp in my arms, her eyes fluttering shut, and how she hadn't responded to my frantic attempts to wake her. The memory of it made my heart pound in my chest, fear gripping me like a vice. I couldn't shake the image of her pale face, her body so still and lifeless. What if something was seriously wrong? What if she never woke up? The thought was
Ava's Pov The door creaked as we stepped into the dark room, the air heavy with a damp, metallic scent. My heart pounded in my chest, but I kept my face neutral. Richard had asked me not to cause any trouble, and I intended to keep that promise, even though every fiber of my being screamed at me to run. The room was dimly lit, shadows dancing across the walls, making the space feel even more oppressive. I could barely make out the figure in the center of the room. My breath hitched when I saw him. Matthew. My ex-husband from my past life, tied to a chair, his head slumped forward. Blood dripped from various wounds on his body, pooling on the cold, concrete floor beneath him. The sight made my stomach churn, but I swallowed the bile rising in my throat. How could this man—this monster—still have such a hold on my life? Was he so hell-bent on ruining everything for me, both in the past and now? I had thought I was done with him after I ensured he was sent to the correctional cente
Ava's Pov I woke up to an empty bed. The sheets beside me were cold, a clear sign that Richard had been gone for a while. I rolled over, my mind still foggy from sleep, and tried to shake off the unease that settled in my chest. I remembered how exhausted I felt last night, how I had fallen asleep almost instantly after... Well, after everything. Richard had seemed concerned, but I had brushed it off as nothing. But now, as I lay there alone, something felt wrong. I reached for my phone on the nightstand, hoping for some kind of distraction. Just as I picked it up, it buzzed in my hand. A notification. I frowned, wondering who would be messaging me so early. When I unlocked the screen, my heart stopped. It was a video message from an unknown number. My hands trembled as I tapped the screen, my breath caught in my throat. The video began to play, and my world tilted. "Ma-Mama... Papa, please... I'm scared." Tommy’s tiny voice trembled through the speaker, and I felt
Ava's Pov The moment we stepped off the plane and into the warm Hawaiian breeze, I could hardly contain my excitement. My eyes widened as I took in the stunning view of the island, and I turned to Richard, practically bouncing on my toes. "Richard, you never told me we're spending our honeymoon in Hawaii!" I exclaimed, my voice full of surprise and delight. Richard flashed that charming smile of his, the one that always made my heart skip a beat. "Yeah, that’s the advantage of being married to me. You get to experience different surprises," he said, a playful glint in his eyes. I couldn't help but let out a little squeal of joy as I grabbed his arm, squeezing it tight. "You do realize this means you're going to have to keep surprising me like this for the rest of our lives, right?" He chuckled, pulling me close to him as we began walking down the road towards our hotel. "I wouldn’t have it any other way." As we made our way through the bustling streets, I felt like a ch
Ava's Pov The day had finally arrived. After three months of meticulous planning, every detail was in place, and yet, despite the joy that should have filled my heart, I couldn't shake the chills running through my body. This was my second marriage—one from a past life and now this present one. The thought of walking down the aisle again felt surreal. I stood in front of the mirror, my reflection showing a woman who had endured so much, yet still managed to find happiness again. The delicate lace of my gown hugged my figure perfectly, but it was the nervousness in my eyes that stood out the most. My father—well, the father of this body, the man who had become like a real father to me—appeared at the doorway. He had been the one to support me through everything, and now, he would be the one to lead me down the aisle. He walked over, his expression a mix of pride and emotion. “You look beautiful,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “I’m so proud of the woman you’ve
Ava's Pov We were nestled comfortably on the couch, watching a rerun of one of my favorite shows. Richard had been quiet all evening, but there was a certain energy about him, something that made me feel like he was up to something. “I invited Nana to stay over,” Richard suddenly said, breaking the silence. I turned to look at him, confused. “Why? Are we going somewhere?” He nodded, his eyes sparkling with that mischievous glint that always intrigued me. “Yes, we are.” I felt a wave of exhaustion wash over me. “Richard, I’m really tired. I don’t feel like going out.” He tilted his head, concern touching his features. “Why? Is something wrong?” I shook my head quickly, not wanting to worry him. “No, it’s nothing. I just… don’t feel like it today.” Richard’s expression softened, and then a slow smile spread across his face. “What if I told you there’s a surprise waiting for you?” My fatigue seemed to melt away instantly, replaced by curiosity. I straightened up on the couch,
Ava's Pov The soft rays of morning light filtered through the curtains, gently nudging me awake. I was lying there, cocooned in the warmth of my blankets, when a delightful aroma wafted through the air, teasing my senses. The smell was intoxicating—a rich, savory scent mingled with something sweet and buttery. I inhaled deeply, savoring it, and slowly blinked my eyes open. My gaze fell on Richard, who was standing at the foot of the bed, watching me with an amused smile. His eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief, and he held a tray of food in his hands. "I knew you'd wake up the moment you caught a whiff of this," he teased, his voice low and smooth. A playful smile tugged at my lips as I stretched lazily, my body still half-asleep but my mind fully awake. "You know me too well," I murmured, pushing myself up to sit against the headboard. "But you also know that I don’t really fuss over food like this… unless it’s something special." Richard chuckled and walked around to