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
Richard’s lips crashed down on mine with a force that took my breath away. For a moment, I was too stunned to react, my mind reeling from the suddenness of his actions. His kiss was fierce, demanding, and there was a raw intensity in the way his hands gripped my arms, pulling me closer as if he was afraid I might disappear. I should have pushed him away. I should have screamed at him, fought him off. But instead, I found myself caught in the storm of his emotions, swept away by the fire that burned between us. There was a part of me—a traitorous, desperate part—that had longed for this, that had missed the feel of his lips on mine, the way his hands knew every curve of my body. It was as if, in that moment, all the pain, all the betrayal melted away, leaving only the two of us, tangled together in a web of passion and need. His kiss deepened, and I felt his hands move to the clasp of my clutch, fumbling with the delicate fabric. The sound of it falling to the floor barely r
As Richard turned to leave, the tension between us reached a breaking point. My emotions were a storm of guilt, love, and desperation. Before I could even think, my hand shot out, grasping his wrist. "Richard, wait," I called out, my voice trembling with the weight of all the unspoken feelings between us. He paused, his back still to me. When he turned around, what I saw in his eyes stopped my heart. Richard—strong, composed Richard—had tears brimming in his eyes, tears he was struggling to hold back. The sight shattered the last bit of resolve I had. "I’m so sorry," he whispered, his voice thick with regret. "Seeing you with him... I just lost it. The thought of losing you to another man... I couldn’t bear it." The anguish in his voice tore through me, and before I knew it, I had closed the distance between us, my hands cupping his face. "Don’t apologize," I murmured, my thumbs brushing away the tears that had escaped the corners of his eyes. "I’m just as much to blame."
The sunlight streamed through the curtains, casting a gentle glow across the room. I blinked, disoriented for a moment, unsure of where I was. Then it all came rushing back—the night before, the heated arguments, the tears, and finally, the comfort I’d found in Richard’s arms. But now, as I slowly turned to face him, the man who was always so stern and distant, he seemed oddly peaceful in his sleep. His usual frown was gone, replaced by a calm expression that made him look younger, almost vulnerable. For a long time, I just lay there, studying his face. The slight stubble on his jawline, the way his dark lashes rested against his cheeks, and the soft rise and fall of his chest. In sleep, he was an entirely different person—a far cry from the man who often scowled at me or spoke with that cold, detached tone. As I watched him, I felt a strange mix of emotions. There was still that lingering hurt from our previous interactions, but seeing him like this, I couldn’t help but won
Ava's Pov I arrived home, my heart heavy with the weight of the day. The house was quieter than usual, an unsettling silence that made me uneasy. As I stepped into the living room, I found Tommy sitting on the couch, his little face streaked with tears. His eyes were red and puffy, his cheeks still wet from crying. My heart clenched at the sight. “Tommy…” I whispered, rushing over to him. I reached out to touch him, but he flinched away from me, his small hands clenched into fists. He turned his face away, his lips trembling with anger. “You… you left me again!” His voice was sharp, filled with hurt. I felt a pang of guilt shoot through me. “Tommy, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to—” “You always leave!” He interrupted, his voice rising. “You always leave, just like before!” His words cut through me like a knife. I could see the pain in his eyes, the fear that I would disappear again, just like I had before. Tears welled up in my own eyes, and I knelt beside him, desperate to
I woke up to an empty bed, the cold sheets beside me a stark reminder that Ava was gone. The sunlight streamed through the curtains, but it did nothing to warm the void that had settled in my chest. I rubbed my forehead, the spot where she had kissed—or rather, pecked—me before she left still tingling. A small, bitter smile tugged at my lips. It was the first time in a long while that I had felt her touch, and I hated how much I missed it. Memories of that day flashed through my mind—the day when everything changed. I had been handed a picture of Ava, naked with another man. My heart had shattered, and in my anger, I had thrown her out. I had convinced myself that she had betrayed me, that she had broken the vows we had made to each other. But deep down, even as I watched her walk out the door, I regretted it. My anger had been like a raging fire, consuming every rational thought, every ounce of trust I had ever had in her. It wasn’t until later, after the rage had subsided
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