AVA MAXWELL POV “Ain't you going to ask what had happened to me back there?” I murmured while staring down at him but he shook his head with a calm expression.“You don't have to say anything, the police filled me in on what had happened.” He muttered while disinfecting my wounds. I hissed in pain as I bit down on my bottom lip.We stayed in utter silence unsure of what to say anymore and all I could do was watch him quietly.Once he was done, he kept the first aid box aside and held my hand in his and almost immediately a knock landed on the door and Doctor Marcus walked in. A look of surprise flashed through his eyes when he saw me but he quickly replaced it with a soft smile.“Hello, Miss Ava.Jerome.” He calmly greeted me as he stepped closer to me.Jerome glared coldly at Marcus who didn't spare him a glance. Marcus and Jerome had been close friends since they were kids.“What took you so long?” Jerome looked like he was chewing off the head of his best friend.“Was in the middle
AVA MAXWELL POV.I quietly changed into my clothes which had been dry cleaned and handed back to me.Helen would be picking me up shortly so I'd be ready.I was struggling to pull my zipper up when I felt a hand gently pull up my zipper.I turned around to find Jerome standing right there with a calm expression.“You can stay with me if you want.” He muttered without taking his eyes off me and I looked away immediately.“Thank you for your generosity, Mr Parker but I can take it from here.” I cut him off before he could say anything further.“In that case a car will take you to your apartment.” He added and I resisted the urge to roll my eyes at him.“You do not have to worry about that, Helen will be picking shortly.” I muttered as I walked towards the door immediately.Every second around him felt suffocating and my stupid heart wouldn't stop beating so loudly.“Suit yourself.” He whispered just loud enough for me to hear but I couldn't be bothered with him as I descended down the s
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN : Shadows of ControlJEROME'S POV“We found our attacker.” Adrian spoke on the other line and my hand tightened on the cell phone.“Bring him in, let's have a little chat.” I muttered and hung up swiftly and placed the cellphone in my pocket without taking my eyes off the magnificent view my office has of the city. My eyes were fixated on a building. Hunter group.I couldn't help but wonder what she was up to at the moment. A scoff left my lips as I turned around and picked up my jacket before walking towards the door immediately.My employees all stood up and bowed as I made my way towards the elevator with a stern expression.The elevator opened up at the underground parking lot and I walked towards my car unhurriedly.The chauffeur effortlessly held the door for me as I got into the back seat and he took over the wheels.“To the villa, Phil. I muttered dryly and he immediately turned on the ignition and drove off swiftly while I leaned against the leather seat
AVA MAXWELL.The soft, rhythmic beeping of the machines filled the air as I sat beside my father’s hospital bed. I had been here every day for over a month, praying, hoping, and willing him to open his eyes. I refused to accept the doctors’ grim outlook. I just couldn’t. He was my father, my only family. And I believed, with everything in me, that he would come back to me.I sat cross-legged in the chair, my laptop perched precariously on my knees, working on a report that should have been done days ago. My mind wasn’t in it, not fully. Every few minutes, I glanced up at his pale, lifeless form, silently pleading for a sign—a twitch of a finger, a flicker of an eyelid. But there was nothing.It was eerily quiet, save for the hum of machines and the occasional shuffle of nurses in the hallway. I didn’t realize how heavily I was immersed in my work until the loud, jarring beep of my father’s monitor yanked me back to reality. My heart dropped as I saw his body tremble violently, the onc
AVA MAXWELL.I couldn’t face him.The thought of Jerome just a few steps away from my door made my chest tighten and my head spin. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. He wasn’t supposed to be this close—not anymore. I had moved on. Or at least, I thought I had.The sunlight streamed through the blinds, illuminating my living room, but it felt like a prison cell today. My sanctuary had been invaded by the one person I needed the most distance from. I kept the curtains drawn as much as I could without plunging the apartment into total darkness. I didn’t need any more shadows to accompany the ones already dancing in my mind.I picked up my cell phone and placed a call across to Helen.“Bring all the paperworks that needs my attention to my apartment, I won't be coming to the company today.” I hung up before she could respond and went to the kitchen to get a cup of hot coco before walking towards the floor to ceiling window to take in the city's view.Ever since I'd moved in here, I'd ne
AVA MAXWELL.“Why are you avoiding me now?” The air in the parking lot felt heavy, almost suffocating, as I hurried towards my car. I hadn’t seen Jerome coming—didn’t hear him approach—but his voice hit me like a sudden storm.“Ava.”I froze mid-step, my fingers curling around my car keys. It wasn’t the first time today I had heard his voice in my head, but this time it wasn’t my imagination. His voice was right there, inches behind me, pulling at a thread of dread I couldn’t ignore.I spun around sharply, my heart pounding. There he stood, his tall, confident frame illuminated by the dim overhead lights. Jerome Parker, the man who once meant everything to me, and now, a walking reminder of betrayal and broken trust.“What do you want, Jerome?” I snapped, my voice colder than I felt.He tilted his head, his expression unreadable. “I should be the one asking you that. Why are you avoiding me?”“Why wouldn’t I?” I said bitterly. “Considering I can’t seem to get away from you no matter
CHAPTER 21: A Heart’s Final GoodbyeAVA MAXWELL.It's been weeks since my little outburst in the parking lot and Jerome hasn't shown up in front of me like he always did. I guess he already gotten the message and had decided to stay away for good and try to distract me any further.The hours had blurred together, the days an endless monotony of work and sleepless nights. Jerome’s absence, though welcome, only fueled the void in my mind that he and the mysterious man left behind. That man, the one who tried to take me, haunted me in ways I couldn’t explain. No traces, no records, no evidence of his existence—how was that even possible?It didn’t matter how deep I dug, or how many connections I used to investigate him. He was a ghost. And though he hadn’t reappeared, I couldn’t shake the gnawing sense of dread that followed me everywhere. Something was coming. Something terrible.I pushed the thought aside as I glanced at the clock. Nearly 6pm Another day lost in paperwork and reports.
CHAPTER TWENTY TWO : The Weight of LossAVA'S POV.I never thought the moment would come when I’d have to look at my father like this—lifeless, cold, and unresponsive. The morgue smelled faintly of antiseptic and something else I couldn’t quite place, a sterile sharpness that made my stomach churn. The sight of him lying on that metal slab shattered the fragile wall of denial I had built around myself.I had been holding onto a thread of hope that this was all just a cruel misunderstanding, but the truth was right in front of me now. My father was gone.The first sob escaped me in a broken gasp as I stepped closer to him. I barely noticed Jerome’s hand on the small of my back, guiding me forward. My legs felt like they would give way any second, but somehow, I made it to the slab. My hands trembled as I reached out and took one of his in mine. It was ice-cold, the warmth of life completely drained from his body.“Daddy…” The word barely escaped my lips before I broke down entirely.I
CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE.DAMIAN WITHWORTH…“Gentlemen, please help yourselves!” I happily said as we all feasted and partied. Autumn had managed to invite most of the shareholders of her father's company out to a drink. She intentionally made mention of the fact that Ava was an illegitimate child to spark doubts and confusion and she did.My assistant snapped his fingers and the ladies who were assigned to keep the men company were all brought in.I also got one for myself also while Autumn got herself a male gigolo. We were having fun partying and drinking like nothing else matters especially with the death of the old man. Autumn had promised me a fair share of the estate but I knew sooner or later she was going to double cross me but of course I needed to take care of her before that happens.Autumn was a dangerous woman and one thing was certain, she wasn't willing to share her wins which was why I'd devised a plan of my own to take everything for myself.Our plan was still in motion
CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR: Crimson ShadowsAUTUMN “What part of stand down don't you understand huh? I specifically told you to not ruin my plans, Damian!” I half yelled at the man who was smoking his life away and couldn't be bothered with me and that irritated the fuck out of me..“Relax, Babe, everything is going according to plan.”He whispered as he puffed out smoke.“How's everything going according to plan? Are you seriously telling me you don't know your plans failed and Jerome found your man? Tsk! Be for real,Damian! You're going to get us killed!” I barked and he covered his ears like I was some mad dog.Damian knew how to get under my skin with his words and I hated it to a point of wanting to kill him but I guess that would have to wait till I'd gotten everything I wanted.“He won't talk… So take a chill pill.. It's only a matter of time before Jerome realizes that he's useless to him and kill him but rest assured that my man won't say a word.” He assured me but deep down I was
CHAPTER TWENTY THREE.AVA.The press conference had drained every ounce of energy from me. I had delivered the necessary updates about my father’s death and the company’s plans, maintaining a composed façade even as the weight of grief and responsibility threatened to crush me. The flashing cameras and rapid-fire questions had felt like a spotlight burning into me, forcing me to reveal cracks I didn’t want anyone to see.I knew they were hungry for more—juicy details about the company’s future, salacious tidbits about my personal grief—but I had given them nothing beyond the essentials. The moment I left the podium, I let out a shaky breath, my legs threatening to buckle under me.Helen, always practical and composed, whisked me out of the building before the reporters could chase me down. She didn’t say much during the ride back to my condo, and for that, I was grateful. My thoughts were too chaotic to articulate.The city lights blurred as I stared out the car window, my mind loopin
CHAPTER TWENTY TWO : The Weight of LossAVA'S POV.I never thought the moment would come when I’d have to look at my father like this—lifeless, cold, and unresponsive. The morgue smelled faintly of antiseptic and something else I couldn’t quite place, a sterile sharpness that made my stomach churn. The sight of him lying on that metal slab shattered the fragile wall of denial I had built around myself.I had been holding onto a thread of hope that this was all just a cruel misunderstanding, but the truth was right in front of me now. My father was gone.The first sob escaped me in a broken gasp as I stepped closer to him. I barely noticed Jerome’s hand on the small of my back, guiding me forward. My legs felt like they would give way any second, but somehow, I made it to the slab. My hands trembled as I reached out and took one of his in mine. It was ice-cold, the warmth of life completely drained from his body.“Daddy…” The word barely escaped my lips before I broke down entirely.I
CHAPTER 21: A Heart’s Final GoodbyeAVA MAXWELL.It's been weeks since my little outburst in the parking lot and Jerome hasn't shown up in front of me like he always did. I guess he already gotten the message and had decided to stay away for good and try to distract me any further.The hours had blurred together, the days an endless monotony of work and sleepless nights. Jerome’s absence, though welcome, only fueled the void in my mind that he and the mysterious man left behind. That man, the one who tried to take me, haunted me in ways I couldn’t explain. No traces, no records, no evidence of his existence—how was that even possible?It didn’t matter how deep I dug, or how many connections I used to investigate him. He was a ghost. And though he hadn’t reappeared, I couldn’t shake the gnawing sense of dread that followed me everywhere. Something was coming. Something terrible.I pushed the thought aside as I glanced at the clock. Nearly 6pm Another day lost in paperwork and reports.
AVA MAXWELL.“Why are you avoiding me now?” The air in the parking lot felt heavy, almost suffocating, as I hurried towards my car. I hadn’t seen Jerome coming—didn’t hear him approach—but his voice hit me like a sudden storm.“Ava.”I froze mid-step, my fingers curling around my car keys. It wasn’t the first time today I had heard his voice in my head, but this time it wasn’t my imagination. His voice was right there, inches behind me, pulling at a thread of dread I couldn’t ignore.I spun around sharply, my heart pounding. There he stood, his tall, confident frame illuminated by the dim overhead lights. Jerome Parker, the man who once meant everything to me, and now, a walking reminder of betrayal and broken trust.“What do you want, Jerome?” I snapped, my voice colder than I felt.He tilted his head, his expression unreadable. “I should be the one asking you that. Why are you avoiding me?”“Why wouldn’t I?” I said bitterly. “Considering I can’t seem to get away from you no matter
AVA MAXWELL.I couldn’t face him.The thought of Jerome just a few steps away from my door made my chest tighten and my head spin. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. He wasn’t supposed to be this close—not anymore. I had moved on. Or at least, I thought I had.The sunlight streamed through the blinds, illuminating my living room, but it felt like a prison cell today. My sanctuary had been invaded by the one person I needed the most distance from. I kept the curtains drawn as much as I could without plunging the apartment into total darkness. I didn’t need any more shadows to accompany the ones already dancing in my mind.I picked up my cell phone and placed a call across to Helen.“Bring all the paperworks that needs my attention to my apartment, I won't be coming to the company today.” I hung up before she could respond and went to the kitchen to get a cup of hot coco before walking towards the floor to ceiling window to take in the city's view.Ever since I'd moved in here, I'd ne
AVA MAXWELL.The soft, rhythmic beeping of the machines filled the air as I sat beside my father’s hospital bed. I had been here every day for over a month, praying, hoping, and willing him to open his eyes. I refused to accept the doctors’ grim outlook. I just couldn’t. He was my father, my only family. And I believed, with everything in me, that he would come back to me.I sat cross-legged in the chair, my laptop perched precariously on my knees, working on a report that should have been done days ago. My mind wasn’t in it, not fully. Every few minutes, I glanced up at his pale, lifeless form, silently pleading for a sign—a twitch of a finger, a flicker of an eyelid. But there was nothing.It was eerily quiet, save for the hum of machines and the occasional shuffle of nurses in the hallway. I didn’t realize how heavily I was immersed in my work until the loud, jarring beep of my father’s monitor yanked me back to reality. My heart dropped as I saw his body tremble violently, the onc
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN : Shadows of ControlJEROME'S POV“We found our attacker.” Adrian spoke on the other line and my hand tightened on the cell phone.“Bring him in, let's have a little chat.” I muttered and hung up swiftly and placed the cellphone in my pocket without taking my eyes off the magnificent view my office has of the city. My eyes were fixated on a building. Hunter group.I couldn't help but wonder what she was up to at the moment. A scoff left my lips as I turned around and picked up my jacket before walking towards the door immediately.My employees all stood up and bowed as I made my way towards the elevator with a stern expression.The elevator opened up at the underground parking lot and I walked towards my car unhurriedly.The chauffeur effortlessly held the door for me as I got into the back seat and he took over the wheels.“To the villa, Phil. I muttered dryly and he immediately turned on the ignition and drove off swiftly while I leaned against the leather seat