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029 Making Life Normal Again
Last Updated:
2025-04-25 10:49:05
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Revenge From Ashes, Ruin for the Billionaire 030 Is It Me?
(Ava)My phone buzzes just after I’ve cleared the kitchen bench. I’m still thinking about Kai, about how pale he looked earlier this morning.It’s eleven in the morning now. Have the doctors been to see him?Kai had Aplastic Anemia in the past time. Is it that again? Should I say something?Zach’s name flashes across the screen. Oh, at last. I answer.“Hey.”“Hey,” he says. It’s softer than I expect. “You home?”“Yeah. Lila’s with Paige. I’ve just been... regrouping. Going over my planner so I can fit in all my internships and classes. How’s Kai?”“The doctors did rounds. They’re sending Kai home.”My chest loosens a little. “That’s good.”“They’re still watching him, though. They said if anything else happens, they’ll start running tests—immune panels, marrow checks. I hate the thought of him having something serious.”My stomach turns. I sit down at the counter. “You must be so worried.”I know what it’s like to lose a child. But the marrow donation wasn’t the thing that killed Lil
Last Updated : 2025-04-26Revenge From Ashes, Ruin for the Billionaire 031 Something I Can Build
(Ava)Zach calls just after seven the next morning.I’m dressed, sipping my second coffee, Lila still asleep. I’ll take her to Paige in a couple of hours.I answer, keeping my voice casual. “Morning.”“Morning,” he says. “You’re looking gorgeous.”“Thanks. You look ready to smash some deals today. I’ve got a lunch meeting.”“With Luca?”“Yes.”Zach has that look on his face. The one that he always gets when Luca is mentioned. “Is that really necessary?”“Zach—”“I know what he’s up to, Ava. He’s still in love with you.”I sigh, setting my mug down harder than I mean to. “You’re not serious. You’re really going there? After you kept secrets from me with Sienna, you don’t trust me?”“I do trust you. It’s him I don’t trust.”I shake my head. “Unbelievable. Sienna drugged you for sex and I have to trust her.”“I’ve seen the way he looks at you. Everyone has.”“He’s my future business partner. He’s also a friend. We’ve worked damn hard on this.”“A friend who wanted to be more. Maybe still
Last Updated : 2025-04-26Revenge From Ashes, Ruin for the Billionaire 032 Class Attack
(Ava)Luca slides the pickle off his burger and drops it onto my take out box without looking up.I pluck it off and pop it on my burger without a word.We’re having a quick bite before class resumes. We’re also finishing off our design details to hand in to the professor today for final assessment.“Rounded edge or squared off for the central island?” I ask.“Rounded. The rest of the space is straight lines. Needs some sexiness and curve.”“Exactly what I was thinking.”“You’re overthinking it. Just sketch what feels like the solution, not what looks like one.”“I’m trying to make it clean,” I murmur, biting my lip.“It’s too clean. Mess it up a little. That’s where your magic is.” He grins at me sideways. “We’re design soulmates.”“Or no one else can put up with our off-the-wall ideas…”“Either way, we have an edge.”Professor Moran’s voice pulls us from our rhythm. “Before we begin this class, I have an announcement you’ve all been waiting for.”Luca grabs my arm, mouthing, “Drumro
Last Updated : 2025-04-26Revenge From Ashes, Ruin for the Billionaire 001 A Nightmare Realized
(Ava)Just one year ago, my life was picture perfect. I had a beautiful daughter with a patient and loving man, Zach Lorne. I still remember his smile, his playful teasing, the day he held Lila for the first time.The thing is, Zach already has a son with his ex, Sienna. And they are still a big part of his life. But I couldn’t care less, I was in love. To my relief, once Zach married me, and I was pregnant, Sienna seemed committed to making our blended family work.All that turns out to be a big fat lie.Then the day that broke my world apart and smashed my heart to a million pieces came:Zach screams at me, brandishing paternity results. His broken heart revealed in his eyes.He had the blood tests. Lila is not his daughter. It was definitive. I’d lied. I’d tricked him for his billion-dollar empire. I argued that I signed a prenup so that theory was ridiculous. That I’d never made love to another man. He was my first and my last. But he wouldn’t have it.He was so angry that da
Last Updated : 2025-04-21Revenge From Ashes, Ruin for the Billionaire 002 The Viper’s Voice
(Ava)I push myself up in bed. “I’m going to see my baby.” I start to rip off patches.The doctor puts his hand on my arm. “Ava… Your mental health is in question. Legally, you aren’t allowed to see her.”His words cut through me like a sword. How can they think I would ever hurt my baby?“I am her mother. I will never hurt her! She needs me right now, I have to see her!”The doctor offers a subdued nod. “Ms. Lancaster, I’m sorry. I truly am. But I could lose my job if I take you.”I whisper, voice hard. “I’m going to see Lila, now. Even if I have to crawl there and end up in jail.”“I’ll take you.” The male nurse fixing my IV says with a smile, “Nico, nice to meet you.”He looks like he should be on a most wanted poster with that neck tattoo. But he is my only choice.The doctor holds up his hands. “Okay. I never heard anything,” and leaves the room.***Nico pulls the door open and pulls my wheelchair backwards into the room. He turns the chair to face the bed.And my heart shatter
Last Updated : 2025-04-21Revenge From Ashes, Ruin for the Billionaire 003 A Mother’s Last Wish
(Ava)The machines beep in slow, steady rhythms, a cruel mockery of the life slipping away from my daughter.Her doctor clears his throat. I barely glance up.“Ms. Lancaster, we’ve done everything we can.” His voice is measured, careful. Like I might shatter if he speaks too plainly. I swallow the lump in my throat. “You’re saying she’s going to die?”He hesitates. “Yes.”The air is thick, suffocating. My ears ring.“I can call a priest if you’d like,” he offers. “For last rites.”I blink, staring at him like he’s speaking a foreign language.Last rites? What good is praying to a god that could let this happen?“No.” My voice is hoarse, raw. “She’s not dying here.”The doctor’s expression falters. “Ava—”“She’s not dying in this place,” I snap, sharper this time. “She’s coming home.”His brows knit together, hesitating, clearly not wanting to argue. “I understand how you feel, Ava, but the law—”“Don’t speak to me about the law,” I cut him off, my voice ice. “Look at her! My baby has
Last Updated : 2025-04-21Revenge From Ashes, Ruin for the Billionaire 004 A Fiery End
(Ava)What do I do now? I am a woman who just “kidnapped” her daughter from the hospital and watched her die in my arms. The police will be here anytime to take me away. Then I'll no doubt be put in a mental institution forever, courtesy of Sienna.I don’t want that. In fact, I don't want anything in this world that I can't share with Lila.I should scream. I should rage. But all that’s left is silence.I head to the shed.I find gasoline.I move through the house, pouring gasoline around the perimeter of each room.I let the gasoline cover the memories I have in each room.The smell is awful but that doesn’t matter now. Lila can’t smell anything anymore.I wash my hands and light some tea candles, and I throw them on the floor.I watch the flames catch and spread slowly.I go back to Lila.The other candles I place safely on the sideboard near the window away from the gasoline-soaked floor. For now.I snuggle into the cushions and blankets and lift my daughter onto my lap and rock
Last Updated : 2025-04-21Revenge From Ashes, Ruin for the Billionaire 005 Going Back
(Ava)My skin is damp with sweat, my pulse pounding in my ears. The first thing I see is my bedroom ceiling, the bedroom I shared with Zach as a happily married woman. I whip my head around, my gaze darting across the room in frantic disbelief. I haven’t been in this room for so long. Not since Zach kicked me out after the divorce.Everything is here. The familiar four-poster bed, the pale pink walls, the scattered stuffed animals across the floor—Lila’s toys, as if time has stood still. I clutch the sheets in my fists, my mind spiraling. Was it all a dream? A hallucination? Did I imagine everything? No. The fire. The smoke. Holding Lila’s limp body in my arms. The searing pain in my lungs as the flames devoured everything around us. I can still feel it. I can still hear Zach screaming my name from outside the burning house. But… I’m here.A soft whimper cuts through my thoughts. I listen hard and hear a noise I know well. Lila when she’s sleeping. I watched her countless tim
Last Updated : 2025-04-21
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Revenge From Ashes, Ruin for the Billionaire 032 Class Attack
(Ava)Luca slides the pickle off his burger and drops it onto my take out box without looking up.I pluck it off and pop it on my burger without a word.We’re having a quick bite before class resumes. We’re also finishing off our design details to hand in to the professor today for final assessment.“Rounded edge or squared off for the central island?” I ask.“Rounded. The rest of the space is straight lines. Needs some sexiness and curve.”“Exactly what I was thinking.”“You’re overthinking it. Just sketch what feels like the solution, not what looks like one.”“I’m trying to make it clean,” I murmur, biting my lip.“It’s too clean. Mess it up a little. That’s where your magic is.” He grins at me sideways. “We’re design soulmates.”“Or no one else can put up with our off-the-wall ideas…”“Either way, we have an edge.”Professor Moran’s voice pulls us from our rhythm. “Before we begin this class, I have an announcement you’ve all been waiting for.”Luca grabs my arm, mouthing, “Drumro
Revenge From Ashes, Ruin for the Billionaire 031 Something I Can Build
(Ava)Zach calls just after seven the next morning.I’m dressed, sipping my second coffee, Lila still asleep. I’ll take her to Paige in a couple of hours.I answer, keeping my voice casual. “Morning.”“Morning,” he says. “You’re looking gorgeous.”“Thanks. You look ready to smash some deals today. I’ve got a lunch meeting.”“With Luca?”“Yes.”Zach has that look on his face. The one that he always gets when Luca is mentioned. “Is that really necessary?”“Zach—”“I know what he’s up to, Ava. He’s still in love with you.”I sigh, setting my mug down harder than I mean to. “You’re not serious. You’re really going there? After you kept secrets from me with Sienna, you don’t trust me?”“I do trust you. It’s him I don’t trust.”I shake my head. “Unbelievable. Sienna drugged you for sex and I have to trust her.”“I’ve seen the way he looks at you. Everyone has.”“He’s my future business partner. He’s also a friend. We’ve worked damn hard on this.”“A friend who wanted to be more. Maybe still
Revenge From Ashes, Ruin for the Billionaire 030 Is It Me?
(Ava)My phone buzzes just after I’ve cleared the kitchen bench. I’m still thinking about Kai, about how pale he looked earlier this morning.It’s eleven in the morning now. Have the doctors been to see him?Kai had Aplastic Anemia in the past time. Is it that again? Should I say something?Zach’s name flashes across the screen. Oh, at last. I answer.“Hey.”“Hey,” he says. It’s softer than I expect. “You home?”“Yeah. Lila’s with Paige. I’ve just been... regrouping. Going over my planner so I can fit in all my internships and classes. How’s Kai?”“The doctors did rounds. They’re sending Kai home.”My chest loosens a little. “That’s good.”“They’re still watching him, though. They said if anything else happens, they’ll start running tests—immune panels, marrow checks. I hate the thought of him having something serious.”My stomach turns. I sit down at the counter. “You must be so worried.”I know what it’s like to lose a child. But the marrow donation wasn’t the thing that killed Lil
Revenge From Ashes, Ruin for the Billionaire 029 Making Life Normal Again
(Ava)Paige doesn’t ask why I’m not taking Lila to visit Kai.She just takes her from my arms, kisses her on the cheek, and says, “you don’t need to explain. Go. I’ve got her.”I nod, I’m tense. My heart is pounding remembering Lila in that same hospital. Small, fighting a battle for her life she could never win.“She’s safe with me,” Paige says. “You just do what you need to do.”I try to say thank you, but it catches somewhere in my throat. Instead, I turn and head for the car before I unravel in front of my daughter. I suck in a deep breath. I have to push through this.When I park outside the hospital, I don’t get out right away.I sit behind the wheel with the engine off, hands still on the steering wheel like I’m waiting for a green light that will never come. The glass doors to the pediatric wing are just ahead, automatic and indifferent.They’ll open the second I get close.Here I am in this same underground carpark Nico helped me into the taxi with Lila hidden under a blank
Revenge From Ashes, Ruin for the Billionaire 028 Collateral Positioning
(Zach)The Tokyo skyline glows outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, but all I see in my mind is a hospital room three time zones away.Kai’s in there. I’m here. Still wearing the same suit I flew in with. Still pretending like this deal matters more than what’s happening back home.It doesn’t. But I can’t walk away. Not from this. Not with my father breathing down my neck. Not with everything cracking beneath the surface.Across the conference table, another exec launches into licensing terms like it’s a game of chess. Vincent, my CFO, nods like he’s tracking every move. I should be.But my brain hasn’t caught up since Ava picked up the phone and said, in that quiet voice she uses when she’s afraid and pretending not to be, “Are you okay, Zach?”She is literally the only person to ask me that and really care about the answer.I’m not.Vincent turns toward me. “Zach, you want to weigh in on the licensing schedule?”I glance at the numbers on the screen. My mind grabs the first safe c
Revenge From Ashes, Ruin for the Billionaire 027 Everything in the Gaps
(Ava)By the time Paige pulls into the driveway, the air in the house still smells faintly like Zach.Musk and citrus. Wood and heat. It’s been an hour and he’s already flown out now. But his presence still lingers like a bruise I can’t stop pressing. And the bruises are darkening where his hands gripped my body.But he has some marks that will keep him thinking for me for the next 3 days he’s away. I won that battle, Sienna. He’s still mine.Paige eyes me the second she walks in. “Well,” she says, popping Lila in her highchair, “you’ve been thoroughly defiled.”I don’t answer. I don’t need to. My hair is damp, my cheeks are flushed. Despite the shower, there are signs. She can read it all over me.“You want my judgment or takeout?” she asks. “But only one involves soy sauce.”“Takeout,” I say, following her. “Always takeout.”She doesn’t ask questions. She’s a true best friend.“She’s different now,” Paige says quietly as she watches Lila. “Her energy feels heavier. Older.”I nod.
Revenge From Ashes, Ruin for the Billionaire 026 The Unchosen
(Sienna)I should feel triumphant. Instead, I’m seething.Zach was supposed to leave for Tokyo this afternoon. Leave her here, both angry with each other. Both doubting. That was the plan. My plan. I saw to it myself—helped his assistant rearrange his itinerary, confirmed his car pickup, even made sure the right press outlets would spot him at the airport.But he didn’t go straight there. He went to her.I followed him. I told myself it was just to be sure. To see him off. But when his SUV turned toward his mansion estate, I knew I’d failed. Again.He didn’t even hesitate at the gate.He just went in.Now, back in my own mansion, I rip the earrings from my lobes and toss them onto the glass tray on my vanity. I’d gotten ready for the cocktail hour with the board, but I wasn’t in the mood.My staff avoids my eyes as I storm through the living room.“Miss Sinclair,” says the housekeeper softly. “Your mother called earlier. They’ll be here in twenty.”Of course they will.I pace li
Revenge From Ashes, Ruin for the Billionaire 025 The Edge of Us
(Ava)I’ve been given a second chance.And I still don’t know if he’s part of it—of my redemption—or the reason I’ll burn again.I twist the shower handle with trembling fingers and step under the spray. It’s hot. Too hot. But maybe that’s what I need. I close my eyes and press my palms to the tile, letting the water pound over me.My skin still tingles with his touch.Zach is behind me, naked, quiet. He doesn’t ask anything. Doesn’t speak.I turn to face him. His hand cups the back of my head gently, his fingers sliding through my hair. “Let me take care of you,” he says, voice hoarse.I nod.He lathers the shampoo into my hair, massaging my scalp with slow, careful circles. He rinses it out, then uses conditioner, and again, I let him.He rinses my hair clean, patient, gentle.Zach reaches for the soap and begins to wash my body, starting with my arms, my shoulders. Every motion is soft, reverent, like I’m something sacred. He doesn’t rush. He doesn’t touch with hunger—just devot
Revenge From Ashes, Ruin for the Billionaire 024 The Fire We Feed
(Zach)She doesn’t say the word. Doesn’t tell me to go.Which is all the permission I need.The second she doesn’t push me away, I’m on her. My hands find her waist and I slam my mouth to hers like I’ve been starving for it—and I have. I’ve been starving for her since the second she started pulling away.I can never get enough of her. I want her tenderness and I want her anger just as much. I want all the fire and frustration she’s taken out on me for days. I want her fury, her confusion, her heartbreak.I want it all, because it means she’s still here.I have no clue what she's holding inside, what she’s holding back from me. But I want to feel every bit of it. I need it.She tastes like rage and cinnamon chai and a dream I’ve been chasing since the day I said I do.She moans into my mouth, gripping the front of my shirt. I press her back against the kitchen counter, lifting her up onto the edge without breaking the kiss. She gasps when I wedge myself between her knees.“You
