Andrew’s povCalifornia! I just arrived and on my way back home. I left a lot of things unattended and the basic one was the surprise I had planned for Ava when she secured her first investment project.She called me yesterday and told me that the charity case I had picked and am trying to invest in was none other than her ex-husband's company. I knew that but I couldn't tell her that I was the one who ran the company to the ground.I wanted him to suffer and taking away the one thing he loved the most was the best option on the table. I wanted to see him on his knees begging Ava. I know Ava would not let what he did to her be the one thing to stop her from investing. That's why I love her, she is the sweetest person on this goddamned earth but her sweetness is always taken for granted. My phone rang and I picked it up without checking the caller ID.“Good day sir, we have eyes on Mrs Annabel” I heard the voice of the private investigator. “Great, keep a close watch on her, and one slip
Ava’s povKim and I came down from the car and walked into the restaurant. It was one of the biggest five-star restaurants and I remembered that I went here on my first date with Derek. I knew he was planning something but I was not going to entertain his stupid tactics.The waiter pointed us to our seats, we walked in and Derek was already seated with John at his side. When he saw me he stood up to greet me.“Hey, Ava. Thanks for honoring my invitation” he smiled at me, his eyes rolling down my body.“I thought it was a good idea. I will be back with my fiance soon, so it would be a good thing to celebrate our little wins, right?” I said to him and his face fell when he heard the word—Fiancee. “Ya, I guess it is. Please seat” he pointed to our chairs, which I pulled out and sat down.“So…..Ava, how have you been? How has London been treating you?” He asked me, trying to start a conversation.“Oh, you know, but I just want to finish up and go back to my fiancee. He has been blowing my phon
Annabel’s povI watched Ava walk out of the restaurant, my fist clenched, I wanted her to strike first, a boost of her strengths but she did not. I looked back at Derek who did not seempleased that I crashed his well-thought-out date. I walked to his left, pulled out a chair, dropped my bag, and got comfortable.“John! Can you give us a moment?” I asked sweetly.He quickly stood up from the chair with full force, “Ya…. I will be in the car.” he walked out leaving just Derek and I. When he was out of there finally, I looked back at Derek and I smiled at him. He glared at me and I just knew he had a lot to say.“The floor is open, you can say what you want to say”He threw his face to the other side, avoiding my stare “I don't have anything to say to you, Anna.” “Are you sure?” I asked him“Yes…….what am confused about is how you knew where I was. Are you stalking me? Or do you have someone following me?” His eyes held anger but I couldn't care less. I stood up from the chair, seeing that he
Ava’s povI brought out my phone and turned it on to see different text messages from Kim when I was asleep. She was trying to tell me about the scandal. I clicked on the link and it directed me to a blog website. My picture where I sat with Derek was on full display. This was when Kim and John left to get our food.The comment on the post was nasty, with guys dragging me down, and girls insulting me for playing two guys. I could feel myself getting angry and I knew the only person I could think of who was this horrible. “Annabel”The waitress dropped the food down on my table but I had an appetite right now. I dialed Kim’s number and she picked up at the first ring.“Where have you been? Have you seen the news? I have been trying to reach you but I couldn't!” Kim rapping “Kim! It is okay, please. I just saw your text and the news. I would take care of it, just be at the airport before the time of the flight!” I told her, trying to calm myself down.“I would be there on time, but are you
Ava's POVAs the plane landed safely, I felt a mix of relief and anxiety. Kim and I were escorted to Andrew's luxurious car, where his security team waited. The airport was filled with the press who got wind that I would be landing soon, which was all thanks to Annabel. Kim and I got into the car, dodging the cameras. We settled in as the driver greeted us. "Welcome, ma," the driver said with a smile. "We'll get you to Andrew's estate safely."I nodded, grateful that I was already on my way out of this crazy scene. The car I was in was in-between two cars, which had the security team but it did not stop the press from swarming the car, hitting the glass to try and get an interview.The team had to clear the path before we were able to drive through and finally left the airport.“Damn, that was crazy!” Kim said, looking back at the press who stood there in disappointment.“This is just the tip of the iceberg” I sighed in frustration, already tired of the games Annabel was playing. As we dr
Ava's POVAs Andrew carried me upstairs, I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief wash over me. He kissed me gently as we moved into his room. I was lost in my world, feeling relief wash over me through his kisses. He laid me down gently on the bed, his eyes roaming over my body “You are so beautiful my love——I miss you so much” I blushed at the compliment, “I miss you too baby.”He bent down to my neck and kissed it softly and slowly. It shot pleasure down my spine, I wanted this and I have dreamt about this for the past two days.He began to undress me slowly, pulling my top, then my trousers. In a minute, I was left with just my underwear. His fingers trace the cup of my boobs, down my stomach. He wasn't doing anything yet but I could feel myself getting turned on at each stroke of his fingers.“Babe….” I called out, my voice grasped as he placed kisses on my body. “What do you want, babe?” Andrew asked, feigning ignorance but I could feel him smirking.“Stop….teasing me, plea
Ava’s POV The morning sun shines in my eyes, making me groan. I lifted my left hand to cover my eyes before turning my body to the right side. I heard a soft chuckle and slowly opened my eyes to see Andrew staring at me with a sweet smile. “Good morning, sleeping beauty; how was your night, or should I say your lower back?” He asked in a teasing tone.I blushed in embarrassment, remembering what happened last night, and hid myself in the pillows. “It hurts a bit," I mumbled in between the pillows.Andrew burst out laughing and pulled me over to his side, making me lay on his lap; he placed his right hand under my chin, forcing me to look up at him and meet his soft gaze. He was wearing a cream top, and the gray sweatpants were peeking out from under the blanket. “I'm sorry, my love, I just couldn't help it; I missed you a lot while you were gone on your business trip." I giggled like a toddler and wrapped my hand around his waist. Oh, have I missed this feeling while I was away? I
Andrew's POVI glanced up from my conversation with Tristan to see Ava standing at the doorway, watching us with that soft smile I loved so much. The way her eyes lingered on us, the warmth that radiated from her—it was everything I wanted to protect. She deserved this happiness, this peace, after everything she’s been through.“Mom!” Tristan called, waving her over with his pancake-covered fork, nearly flinging syrup everywhere. “Come sit with us!”She walked over, and I noticed her wince just a bit. Trying to hide it, of course, but I knew her too well to miss even a slight change. I reached over and pulled out the chair next to me, gesturing for her to sit."All refreshed and ready to join the land of the living?” I teased as she slid into the seat beside me, shooting me a look.“Very funny,” she replied, rolling her eyes. “But yes, thanks for the... well, everything.” She paused, her hand resting on mine as her gaze softened. “I missed this. That business trip was so exhausting and th
Writer’s POV. The months flew by in a blur of board meetings, late nights, and stolen moments of laughter with Tristan and Andrew. Ava’s life had transformed into something unrecognizable—she had gone from a struggling single mother to one of the most powerful business leaders in the world. Yet, despite her newfound success, Ava remained grounded. Each accomplishment, every milestone, was tethered to a deeper purpose: creating a stable, loving environment for her growing family and proving to herself—and the world—that she could rise above her circumstances.What surprised her most wasn’t the success or the wealth but the unyielding love she had found along the way. Andrew’s unwavering belief in her had been her anchor, a constant reminder that even amidst chaos, she was never alone.---Ava and Andrew’s WeddingThe day dawned bright and warm, sunlight streaming through the tall oak trees that lined the estate’s gardens. A soft breeze carried the scent of roses and lilies, mingling w
Ava's POV.Mrs. Pierce smiled through her tears, her gaze fixed on Tristan with a tenderness that tugged at something deep inside me.As the evening wore on, we sat around the dining table, the air still heavy with unspoken emotions. After dinner, Mrs. Pierce folded her hands on the table, her expression serious.“There’s something else I need to tell you, Ava,” she began, her voice calm but resolute.I raised an eyebrow, bracing myself for yet another revelation. “What is it now?”She glanced at Andrew and Tristan, then back at me. “I’ve kept my distance for years because I didn’t think I had the right to disrupt your life. But I’ve been following your journey, and I’ve wanted to come back sooner than this.”“Following my journey?” I repeated, narrowing my eyes.“Yes,” she said, her voice trembling slightly. “Ava, I wasn’t just trying to rebuild my life after I left you. I…well, I married someone. A man who believed in me and my dreams. Together, we built a life—a very successful one.”I fr
Ava’s POVThe weeks that followed Annabel's arrest were a whirlwind of emotions—relief, anger, and a lingering sense of unease. I couldn’t shake the feeling that she wasn’t entirely gone from our lives, even as the police assured me she would be locked away for a long time.But life had a way of throwing curveballs.One morning, as I sat by the window sipping tea, the nausea that had plagued me for days returned with a vengeance. I barely made it to the bathroom in time. Tristan, ever the observant little boy, knocked on the door.“Mommy, are you okay?” he asked, his voice tinged with worry.“I’m fine, sweetheart,” I replied, forcing a smile when I emerged. “Just a little stomach bug.”But it wasn’t a bug. Deep down, I knew. The signs were unmistakable, and a test later that evening confirmed it.I was pregnant.I stared at the test in my trembling hand, the reality sinking in. Another child. A sibling for Tristan. A symbol of everything I’d fought so hard to protect.As the news settled in,
Annabel’s POVThey all thought they’d won. Ava, Derick, even Andrew—they all got to walk away happy. But what about me? Where was my happy ending? Where was the life I’d envisioned? Derick wasn’t supposed to go back to Ava. He wasn’t supposed to turn his attention to some child. Tristan. That boy had ruined everything.I stared at the grainy photo I’d taken of Tristan at the park last week. His laugh still echoed in my mind, grating against my nerves. Derick doted on him, Ava clung to him, and even Andrew looked at him like he was some precious treasure.It wasn’t fair.If Tristan were gone, maybe things could go back to the way they were supposed to be. Derick would grieve, of course, but I could help him heal. I’d be the one he turned to. The one he leaned on.The plan had been forming in my mind for weeks. It wasn’t impulsive—I wasn’t stupid. I’d spent hours studying their routines, noting every detail. Ava’s work schedule, Derick’s visitation days, and Tristan’s after-school activ
Ava’s POVThe judge’s voice echoed through the courtroom, cutting through the tense silence like a blade.“In the best interest of the child, the court has decided on joint custody. Both parents will share equal responsibility in raising Tristan.”I sat motionless, my fingers gripping the edge of the table. I had prepared myself for this outcome, but hearing the words spoken aloud still sent a chill down my spine. Sharing Tristan with Derick wasn’t what I wanted—but the court had decided, and I had no choice but to accept it.Tristan was my whole world. The idea of someone else, even his biological father, having a say in his life felt like an intrusion. But the judge was right. Tristan deserved both parents in his life. No matter how much I resented the situation, I had to focus on what was best for my son.As the courtroom emptied, Derick approached me. He walked hesitantly, as if unsure of how close he should get. I glanced at Diane, who nodded and took Tristan by the hand, guiding
Derick’s POVThe small park bench felt impossibly narrow as I sat there, nervously gripping the edge. Tristan was perched beside me, his little legs swinging back and forth, not quite reaching the ground. His curious gaze was fixed on me, a mix of innocence and wisdom far beyond his five years.I took a deep breath, unsure how to begin. The truth was, I had no idea how to talk to a child—especially one who looked so much like me, yet felt like a stranger.“Do you like the swings?” I asked, trying to break the ice.He shrugged, clutching the juice box I’d handed him earlier. “They’re okay.”Silence fell between us again, heavy and awkward. Finally, Tristan spoke, his voice quiet but firm. “Why weren’t you there when I was born?”The question hit me like a punch to the gut. I looked at him, my throat tightening. How could I explain something I didn’t even fully understand myself?“I didn’t know about you,” I admitted. “Your mom didn’t tell me until…until she needed help.”His small brow
Annabel's POVThe glow of the city lights spilled through the floor-to-ceiling windows of my apartment, casting shadows across the sleek marble floor. I sank into the plush sofa, glass of wine in hand, as my phone buzzed with yet another update.Tristan seemed fine today. No incidents.Ava’s watcher confronted someone near the school, but they got away.Andrew stopped by Diane’s office this afternoon. He’s definitely keeping her in the loop.I smirked, setting the wine down and scrolling through the messages. It was almost laughable how predictable they all were—Ava, so desperate to appear the perfect mother; Andrew, playing knight in shining armor. And Derick, as always, trying to manage things while keeping me in the dark.Poor, naive Derick. Did he really think I didn’t know everything already? The updates he shared during our hushed conversations were a watered-down version of the truth—carefully curated to make him look like the doting father fighting for his son. But I had my ow
Ava's POV“Did you report it to the school?”“Not yet,” he admitted. “I wasn’t sure if it was anything serious or just a parent lingering, but now…”“Report it,” I said firmly. “And keep an eye out. I want to know if you see him again.”After hanging up, I texted Diane, filling her in on the new development.We need to discuss this tomorrow. I’m doubling Tristan’s security and contacting the school.Her reply came almost immediately. Agreed. This will only work in our favor if we act quickly.I stared at the phone for a moment, my chest tightening with frustration. Diane was right—this could show the court how vigilant I was and how far I’d go to protect Tristan. But deep down, I hated that I even had to do this. I hated that someone was using my son as a pawn.I called the number again my hand clenching the phone tighter. “Did you get anything? A description? A photo?”The watcher hesitated. “Not really. He wore a baseball cap, pulled low, and kept his head down. It was deliberate—li
Ava's POV.The courtroom loomed over me as I stepped out of the car with Diane at my side. Her calm demeanor was reassuring, but my nerves refused to settle. Tristan’s laughter echoed in my mind, a reminder of why I was doing this.“Ready?” Diane asked, her sharp eyes scanning my face.I nodded, clutching the folder of evidence she’d helped me prepare. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”The court had given us a month to prepare for this, and every single day had been a battle. Between balancing Tristan’s needs, meetings with Diane, and keeping myself together, I felt stretched thin. Andrew and Kim had been my rocks during this time. Andrew’s unwavering support and Kim’s relentless encouragement kept me going when I wanted to break.“You’re a good mother, Ava,” Andrew had said the night before, his voice steady. “The court will see that. No one could love Tristan the way you do.”Kim had chimed in during one of our late-night calls, her voice fierce. “You’ve got this. You’re smart, you’re str