CHAPTER 3: PLAN RUIN

Raymond POV

I bounced onto my bed, letting out a frustrated sigh. Ava's face wouldn’t leave my mind—the way she walked off earlier, her back straight, but her eyes I can't even describe that look, I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

“Idiot!” I slapped my cheeks hard, trying to snap myself out of it. What was I even doing? Bringing my shameless ex here? For what? To make Ava jealous?

I groaned, sitting up and running a hand through my hair. “That was so stupid,” I muttered to myself. I hit my forehead with my palm.

I used to be better than this. I told myself I’d given up on love a long time ago. Every woman I met only cared about my money. None of them ever cared about me. I stopped believing in love after that.

But then, Daniel brought Ava into my office. The moment I saw her, it was like something inside me woke up. Just seeing her face made me feel things I hadn’t felt in years.

Ava was my first love. She’s the only woman who ever made me believe love was real. The only one who ever loved me for me, not for my money or my name.

It all started back in high school. I was the typical playboy back then—popular, cocky, always chasing fun. But Ava was different. She didn’t try to impress me or chase after me. Somehow,it started as a joke, when I approached her to prove a point to my friend, but she stole my heart completely.

But fate ruined everything. The night we graduated, the night I took her virginity, my world turned upside down.

That car accident.

I clenched my fists as the memory hit me. That crash ruined my life. My parents took me abroad for treatment and hid everything from everyone. They didn’t want the news to ruin their reputation.

I spent six months in a coma. Six more months trying to remember who I even was. And when my memories finally came back, the first thing I thought about was her—Ava.

I came straight back home and searched everywhere for her. I hoped I’d run into her on the street or at one of our high school reunions. But no matter how hard I looked, she was nowhere to be found.

All I heard was that her parents had died and no one knew where she had gone. She disappeared, just like that.

And now, she’s back. She’s standing in front of me again, but it’s not the same. She’s keeping her distance, acting like I don’t mean anything to her.

Is it because she’s married now? Maybe her husband doesn’t let her express herself. But then again, why would a married woman agree to this kind of contract? Or is she divorced?

I’ve asked Daniel about her so many times, but he won’t give me any answers. He just brushes it off every time I try.

I got up from the bed and walked to my desk. I opened the bottom drawer and pulled out an old photo.

It was from high school, a picture of the two of us. She was smiling so brightly, her eyes full of happiness. I stood next to her, grinning like the cocky idiot I used to be.

I ran my finger over her face in the picture, a small smile creeping onto my lips. “Ava,” I whispered softly. Just saying her name made my chest tighten.

She was the only woman who ever made me feel real love. And now that she’s back, I don’t know if I’ll ever get her back.

---

The next day came faster than I expected. It was time to make the announcement about our fake relationship. But before that, there was a dinner planned at the family mansion to introduce Ava to everyone.

I pulled up outside Ava’s apartment, glancing at the clock. She didn’t keep me waiting long. The sound of her heels echoed as she stepped out of the building, and my breath caught for a second.

She was stunning in a simple, fitted dress that hugged her figure just right, her hair falling in soft waves. She carried herself with a confidence that somehow made her look even more elegant.

I quickly got out and walked around to open the car door for her, but Ava acted like she didn’t see it. Instead, she walked to the other side and opened the door herself, sliding into the passenger seat without a word.

I stood there for a second, my hand still on the handle. Shaking my head, I went back around and got in.

The drive was quiet, the tension almost suffocating. I kept glancing at her from the corner of my eye, but she stared straight ahead, arms crossed like she was trying to build a wall between us.

**

It was a relief when we finally reached the family mansion.

Fast forward to dinner.

The dining room was grand, as usual, the long table adorned with silverware and a centerpiece of fresh flowers. My grandmother, always lively, was the first to greet Ava.

“Oh, you’re even more beautiful than Raymond described!” she said, pulling Ava into a hug. Ava stiffened for a moment, clearly surprised, but then smiled politely.

“Thank you, Mrs. ......,” Ava replied.

“Call me Grandma,” she cut her off, her eyes twinkling. “You’re practically family now!”

My father gave Ava a respectful nod. “It’s good to meet you, Ava. Welcome.”

But the atmosphere shifted when my stepmother and stepbrother entered. Their cold expressions were impossible to miss. They sat at the table without saying much, occasionally exchanging looks that made their disapproval clear. What am I expecting, no one expects a jack like me to introduce a fiancee..

Still, Grandma kept the mood light, chatting away and cracking jokes. “So, Ava, are you ready for Raymond’s antics? He’s always been a handful, you know.”

Ava smiled, her guard lowering just a little. “I’ll try my best to keep up.”

The twins, my younger cousins, joined in the teasing, clearly enjoying Ava’s presence, and Ava played her role smartly. She's just giving every daughter in law vibes, and she also calls me "Babe", touching my cheeks, while she and Grandma laughed and teased.

“You know, you remind me of myself when I was younger. Always quick with a comeback.” Grandma said..

Ava laughed softly and replied, “My daughter once said that to me—”

The words hung in the air as silence fell over the room.

Did Ava just say "My daughter"....

I stared at her, Her eyes widened as the realization hit her. She froze, her hand shaking, and the glass of wine slipped from her fingers, crashing onto the table.

Everyone stared, the sound of shattering glass echoing in the room.