“Please tell me I gave you the schedule yesterday,” Ava said as she walked towards Bella, still holding Jenna in her arms.Bella squinted her eyes in puzzle as she replied, “What schedule?”"Oh, oh,” Ava muttered as she sat down.“You mean the one you got from the guy who got on your nerve?” Bella asked.“Yes, I think you have missed an important meeting, Bella,” Ava said.“Oh my god!” Bella exclaimed, her eyes wide in shock as she looked at Ava.“I’m so sorry, I didn’t...” Ava was saying just as Bella burst into a fit of laughter.“Why is she laughing?” Ava asked BradBrad shrugged as he stood up, strolling up the stairs as he said, “I’m the wrong person to ask.”“I got a call earlier today to reschedule; don’t worry, you haven’t caused anything,” Bella replied.Ava sighed deeply as she replied with a relieved smile, “That’s not nice.”“What isn’t, I was just pulling your legs,” Bella replied.At that moment, Lucy walked in, an apron wrapped around her waist as she said, “Good day, Av
“She’s dead,” Bella replied. “Oh my god, I’m so sorry,” Ava gasped, wishing she had never asked. “No, it’s fine. She died while giving birth to Angel,” Bella said, her voice hoarse with emotion as she cleared her throat. “It’s been years, and I know that doesn’t take away the pain that you, and especially Brad, must have felt; I for one understand that,” Ava said, placing a reassuring hand on Bella’s shoulder. “Thank you,” Bella said, adding, “and please, can you not bring it up with him?” “Of course I won’t, promise,” Ava stated firmly. As they reached their destination, Bella’s phone rang, interrupting their conversation. Bella glanced at the screen and saw it was an unknown number. “Hello,” Bella said, putting the call on speaker as she drove into the Civic Tower parking lot. “Hello, Ms. Isabella, this is Mick, the project director for Mr. Elliot Sage. I’m calling because your personal assistant says she’s not with you,” Mick said. “Oh, yeah, there’s a bit of a cha
Pasting a smile on her face, Ava looked up and saw Noah staring at her, his brows raised in question, a hint of amusement in his eyes.“Hello,” Ava said, stepping out of the elevator.“Hello, do you feel better?” Noah asked, now smiling at her.“I believe I do,” Ava replied, returning his smile.“You look breathtaking, by the way,” Noah said, his voice husky, eyes intently on her.“Oh, thank you,” Ava replied, flashing a confident smile.She felt more assured in her charm than she had ever been when she was married to Nathan.“Fancy running into you here. I didn’t quite get the time to speak with you at length yesterday,” Noah continued.“Oh, hmm, I came to see an acquaintance. What about you? Shouldn’t you be at the hospital?” Ava asked, then quickly added, “Not that I’m saying you have to only be at the hospital.”Noah chuckled. “Of course, I get what you meant. I also came to see an acquaintance. He’s a barrister here.”“Oh, I see,” Ava replied.“Yes, well, don’t let me hold you up
“Don’t look so surprised. Have a seat, please,” Oliver Tilper said to Ava.Ava noticed Oliver Tilper was slightly older than she had pictured. His hair was thinning, with streaks of white interspersed throughout.“You know I changed my name?” Ava asked, her surprise evident.“Of course, how else do you think I found you? That’s your mother’s name, after all,” Oliver replied.“It’s been months since you sent me that mail,” Ava said as she sat down in front of his desk.The office was large, with shelves lined with books—a typical barrister’s office. Oliver had on glasses that sat on the edge of his nose like a trophy.“Yes, it has. I was beginning to think you were never going to show up. That would have greatly disappointed your mother,” Oliver replied.Ava felt her heart stop for a second as she stared at Oliver, her stomach dropping as if she were standing on an edge.“My mom?” Ava asked cautiously.“Yes. How about some tea? You’ll need it because this is going to be quite a long st
“Nathan, it’s time for your appointment,” Mike said as he walked into Nathan’s office.They were preparing for a project, which meant Nathan had more meetings than paperwork.“Who am I meeting today?” Nathan asked.“Ella Howard, the head of creative,” Mike responded.“Oh, I thought Ella was out of the country.” Nathan said.“Yes, but she got back a few days ago, and I managed to get her personal assistant to schedule this appointment for us,” Mike explained.“Oh, okay, that’s fine,” Nathan replied.“I’ll get the driver to bring the car up front,” Mike said, turning to leave the office.“That reminds me, Mike, where are we on preparations for the kids' competition?” Nathan asked.“Oh, the school committee will be meeting soon. Once they submit a report, we can proceed with our usual support,” Mike explained.“Okay, keep me posted. Since Thomas couldn’t go for registration today, I should use that opportunity when taking him to see the school chairman,” Nathan said.Mike nodded, smiling
Nathan and Ava stood in the elevator, locked in a tense stare. Oblivious to the company staring at them outside the elevator.A slight cough broke the silence as a couple entered the elevator.“I think we’ve reached your stop,” Ava said, stepping back from Nathan.“You’d better step out so you don’t miss it.”Nathan’s face was hard, his jaw clenched as he tried to calm himself.“This is not over, Ava,” he whispered before turning away and walking out of the elevator.“It’s been over for a long time,” Ava murmured to herself as the doors closed.A few minutes later, Ava took the other elevator and reached the second floor in no time. She quickly dialed Bella’s number.“Hello, Bella, I’m here,” Ava said as soon as Bella picked up.“Great! Just walk straight down the hall, and you’ll see a door marked ‘kitchen’ on your right,” Bella instructed.Following Bella's directions, Ava walked the short distance to the kitchen. At the entrance, she noticed several people seated in the large room,
Nathan walked into La Cuisine, trying to shake off the unsettling encounter with Ava.The restaurant was one of the most prestigious in town, frequented by the city’s elite.An attendant greeted him as he entered.“Welcome, Mr. Crawford. Right this way, please,” the attendant said, leading Nathan to Ella's table.“Hello, Ella,” Nathan said as he approached.Ella sat waiting, dressed in a simple green dress that complemented her skin tone. Her short blonde hair framed her chubby cheeks, making her smile even more endearing.“You’re the only person capable of getting a meeting during my lunch break,” Ella said with a raised brow, the left side of her lips curling into a half-smile.“Naturally,” Nathan replied, taking his seat across from her.“You look like something's pissed you off,” Ella observed as Nathan sat down.“Not really,” Nathan said, managing a smile as he patted her hand."I don't believe that, but we both know you won't talk unless you want to, so I won't push," Ella said,
“I was talking about him,” Ella muttered under her breath, her eyes fixed on the figure approaching their table.She hadn't noticed Nathan was still on the phone.As Nathan finished his call, Elliot and Daphne joined them at the table.“Ella?” Elliot exclaimed, his eyebrows shooting up in surprise.“Yes, it’s me, and get that surprised look off your face, will you?” Ella replied, crossing her arms.“I didn’t know you were back in town,” Elliot said, his gaze shifting to Nathan.“Sure you didn’t,” Ella murmured with a shrug.“Hello, Nathan. How’s it going?” Elliot asked, turning his attention to him.“I’m good. Sorry, I left without saying anything yesterday,” Nathan said, looking up.“No worries, I think I get why,” Elliot replied, a knowing smile playing on his lips.Ella’s eyes darted to Daphne, her brows raised as she stared daggers at the woman.“And who do we have here?”Daphne met Ella’s stare without flinching.“I don’t believe we’ve met,” she said coolly.“Oh, I see,” Ella sai