"I'm sorry for everything I did in the past. I want us to reunite as a family. I want to be involved in my child's life," Julian said to Ava, his voice laced with sincerity as he held her hand. Ava shook her head, her finger pointed accusingly to his . "Now, you want me because i have a child with you? It's too late, Julian," she replied. "Ava, we can make this work. Just give me a chance to make everything right," he said to her in a pleading voice. She remained silent, trying to pull her hand away but Julian held it tight. He pulled her close, his lips brushing hers. "You will always be mine, Ava. If I can't have you then no one will," he whispered, his breath sending shivers down her spine. ~~~~~~~ After a painful divorce from her cheating ex-husband Julian, Ava thought she'd closed the chapter on her past. But when Julian reappears five years later, old wounds and feelings resurface. Complicating matters is the fact that Ava has a secret son with Julian and is now in a contract marriage with Alex, a rival of Julian's who has been her rock in times of need. As Julian tries to her back, Ava must navigate a complex web of love and loyalty. between her lingering feelings for Julian and her commitment to Alex, Ava must make a choice. Will she choose the father of her child or the man who has been her steady support? And what will be the consequences of her decision?
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~~SLOANE~~ *** I've been in love with my best friend, Finn Hartley, since we met in college ten years ago. It's not like I'll ever tell him I have feelings for him. I know he doesn't see me that way. He probably won't ever see me that way. Right now, we’re in his living room, and I’m holding him to my chest, listening to him sob. That damn girlfriend of his has broken his heart again, the third time this year. "I can't believe she did this to me, Sloane," Finn says. I run my fingers through his hair, trying to ignore how good it feels. "What exactly did she do?" I ask. "You still haven't told me." "I don't know how to say it." "Well, start from somewhere." My patience is wearing thin. I've been here for hours, sacrificing my Saturday to watch him disintegrate. I don't know why he bothers crying when he'll be back in her bed by next week anyway. They do this every damn time. I should be more sympathetic, I know. But ten years of watching him chase after the same toxic woman tends to erode a person's sympathy. "Delilah's not coming back, Slaone," he says. “She left me for good this time.” "You know that's a lie." "It's true. She's engaged. She sent me this digital wedding invitation, and I've been thinking about running my phone through a meat grinder." That actually surprises me. Engaged? Delilah's getting married? Finn pulls away from me, and I can finally see his face. The stubble on his jaw has grown past the sexy phase into something wilder. His white t-shirt is rumpled and stained with what might be yesterday's dinner. I've never seen him this wrecked, and that's saying something. He fumbles for his phone, fingers trembling as he pulls up the screen. Then he thrusts the phone at me. There it is—a nauseating rose-gold invitation with flowing script announcing the union of Delilah Crestfield and some guy named Hunter. Eight weeks from now. My heart skips several beats, a fluttering sensation spreading through my chest. I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from smiling. This is the best news I've heard in years. The witch is finally, actually, genuinely out of the picture. "Poor baby," I say, trying to sound sympathetic. "Did you know she was dating someone else?" "I mean, it's Delilah. When has she ever been faithful?" "You've got a point." I hand him back his phone. "I just can't believe she's leaving me, Sloane." He collapses back into the sofa, staring at the ceiling like it might offer some cosmic explanation. "I find it hard to believe myself," I say. My eyes trace his strong jaw, his lips, the eyelashes spiked with dried tears. I've memorized every inch of his face over the years, cataloged every expression. This one is new—complete and utter defeat. It should make me sad to see him so broken, but all I can think is, ‘This is my chance.’ They've been lovers since high school, way before I came into Finn's life. Sometimes I wonder if that's the key to her hold on him—she knew him before I did, when he was just a boy with a fragile heart. I've watched Delilah string him along, always knowing she'd come back for another round. The thought that she's finally cut him loose is both thrilling and terrifying. What happens to us now? "Who am I without her, Sloane?" Finn asks. "You're Finn Hartley. You'll be alright." I reach over to squeeze his knee. “I can't be alright without Lila.” "There are over eight billion people in this world, statistically. Just pick someone new." "Statistically? You're such a nerd." His words hurt. He's said it a million times before, his usual teasing about my cybersecurity analyst job, my love for random facts, and my collection of vintage sci-fi novels. But today it lands differently. A nerd. That's all I am to him. Not a woman. Never a woman. I stand abruptly, smoothing down my jeans and adjusting my glasses. I’ll show him just how wild I can be. "You know what?" I say. "Let's go to a club and get wasted." Finn looks at me like I've suggested we rob a bank. "You want to go to a club?" "Yes." "Have you ever been to a club before?" He sits up straighter, some of the fog clearing from his eyes as he takes me in—plain Sloane in her weekend uniform of jeans and a faded band t-shirt, hair in its usual bob and bangs. "Not exactly. But there'll be drinking and dancing. I bet it will be fun." I sound more confident than I feel. The truth is, clubs are my personal hell—loud music, sweaty strangers, overpriced drinks. But I'd walk through actual fire if it would make Finn smile again. A slow grin spreads across his face. "Great," he says. "You're right. I need a distraction." He stands up, suddenly energized. "I’ll go put on something appropriate, and then we'll stop by your house so you can change out of whatever the hell you have on right now." I look down at my outfit, suddenly self-conscious. "What's wrong with what I'm wearing?" "Nothing, if we were going to a library book sale." He disappears into his bedroom, calling back, "Trust me, Sloane. Let's show Delilah what she's missing!" I sink back onto the couch, already regretting my impulsive idea. What have I gotten myself into? ~~~ The club is everything I feared and worse. The dress Finn insisted I wear—pulled from the back of my closet, a relic from a cousin's wedding three years ago—is too tight, too short, and making me painfully aware of body parts I usually manage to ignore. We've been here for forty minutes. Forty minutes of watching Finn transform into someone I barely recognize—throwing back shots at the bar. Twenty minutes ago, he found a girl—a tall, willowy blonde in a dress that looks spray-painted onto her body. Amber. That's her name. I stand awkwardly at the dance floor, nursing a watered-down vodka soda, watching Finn and Amber grind against each other in a way that should probably be illegal in public. Her back is to his chest, her arms raised above her head, fingers tangled in his hair. His hands are on her hips, guiding her movements, his face buried in her neck. I feel sick. I feel stupid. I feel painfully, obviously alone. "Sloane?" Finn calls out. "You can't just stand there. Dance!" "I don't know how to," I shout back. Amber frowns at me. "Then why are you here?" "To keep an eye on my best friend." "Like a chaperone?" "Yes," I say. "In case you try to slip him a roofie or something." Finn looks embarrassed. "Just ignore her," he says to Amber, his arm tightening around her waist. "She's a control freak." Amber snorts. "More like your mom." "Big sister would be more appropriate," Finn corrects. Amber's eyes rake over me in a way that makes my skin prickle. "She's hot though, with her bangs and screw-me glasses. A hot nerd." Finn grimaces. "That's not a very comfortable image." “Come on. Don't you see it?” “See what?” “You don't find her nerdish vibes stimulating?” Finn is thankfully avoiding my eyes. “More dancing, less talking.” "Seriously? You're not even a little tempted to see Sloane naked?"Third person's povEveryone was dressed in black, the air tense and tears could be heard in every angle. Ava held Diamond tight to her chest. Diamond's heart was shattered into a million pieces. She just lost the man she had wanted to be with for a long time. Her father died right in front of her, and there was nothing she could do about it. Julian and his children were as well present at the burial ceremony. All that was on his mind was how Alex just died like that. The almighty Alex, the man who was feared by many. It made him realize that anyone could die at anytime, and life was just a gamble. Things could change in just a twinkle of an eye. He promised to do better with his life, create memories and make a good impact. The only thing that was on Ava's mind was the new responsibilities for Julian, and the burden that would come with it. She wasn't ready for all of that, but there was nothing she could do. The doctor recorded his voice when he almost died. Alex said he wanted
Ava's povAiden, and his sister had gone to bed. I was left with my husband, the private time was really needed."Baby, can you believe that guy paid a hundred million dollars just like that?" Julian said, stroking my hair. My eyes widened in shock. "Just because you agreed to be the face of his brand. I told you babe, the fame and position you have is enough for you. You don't have to be a chairman. You are okay the way you are, all we need is more higher places."He smiled, a deep genuine smile. "I don't even want to be the chairman anymore, I feel so relieved and happy right now," he said.Sighing, we kissed briefly. "Thank you so much, love. Thank you so much for your support. And, I'm very proud to call you my husband. You remain the best forever.""I'm proud to call you my wife too. We should live and enjoy life with our children now. We are complete, and there's nothing we are looking for," He muttered in his sexy voice.I chuckled, sipping my drink. "You are right about that,
Alex's povHolding Diamond's hand, I felt my heart almost burst with happiness. I was taking her to a private lounge where we would have a heart to heart conversation. She was very quiet, and I couldn't help but wonder what was going on in her mind. She looked just like me, with a touch of her mother's face. The only thing that made me worried was her outfit, it was screaming dark aura. She wore black from her head down to toes. She used to love pink and all this bright colors when she was a kid, I wondered what changed. "Let's sit here, I want to talk to you," I broke the silence, pointing to the couch. She nodded, sitting on it without protesting. I called the waiter to bring us a fruit wine without alcohol. We were both on our phones until the waiter brought the drink. "First of, I want to apologize for everything that has happened. I didn't want to leave you alone for all these years, but Julian made me go far away. I'm not putting the blame on him, but we were entangled in a
Julian's povFinally, everything has been resolved now. I bid Alex goodbye, and left for my house. I knew Ava would be so happy when I tell her everything has been sorted out. At least, we wouldn't live in fear anymore. Everyone would be free, a smile didn't leave my face all through my ride back home. Daisy welcomed me with a bright smile the moment I stepped outside my car. "Daddy, welcome back home," She said. I hugged her, handing the bag of gift I bought. "I bought you some chocolates, sweet and toys."She was very happy, and it was my joy to see my children happy. I met Diamond sitting in the living room with her boxes beside the door. "Welcome daddy," She muttered, avoiding my gaze. I sighed, walking to sit beside her. She had tears in her eyes, and my heart ached for her. I still loved her like my own, she was still my baby after all."I'm sorry dad. I know you are very angry at me for all the hurtful things i've said to you. I shouldn't have said all those things to you,
Alex's pov Jordan's eyes widened when I told her about my child that would soon become part of our small family. "I don't understand the reason why you will want back the child after so many years, Alex. This thing you are doing will destroy what we have, do you think the child wouldn't try to come in between us?" Jordan asked, raising a curious brow. I sat on the bed, removing my shirt. "Nothing can come between us, babe. I can't just stay here when I know fully well that I have a child somewhere. I want to be called a Father too," I replied, calmly. She had tears in her eyes suddenly. "You are doing all this because I failed to give you a child, Alex. All this is because I failed to be a good wife to you," she muttered, her voice shaky. Pulling her closer to me. "This is not about you, babe. We have both tried but nothing is coming forth that's why we want to go for surrogacy. Technology has made everything easier for us. I love you babe, and I don't ca
Ava's pov"You want to leave? How can you say you want to leave and go meet Alex?" I asked in disbelief. The first time she said it, I actually thought it was a joke. Diamond chuckled, shaking her head. "Why won't I want to leave? I'm tired of staying and you guys don't even want me here anymore. Let me just go, and meet my father."Julian and I exchanged glances. "Let her go meet her father, Ava. I don't want to fight anymore, and the girl wants her dad too."I was just in pure shock after Julian talked, and walked away like he didn't care. "Julian! Why are you doing this to us? You raised this girl since she was a child."He ignored me until he was out of sight. "Your husband doesn't care about me, I see no reason why you should be bothered about me," Diamond muttered, rolling her eyes. "What do you mean by he doesn't care about you? This man raised you since you were a little baby, Diamond. Why can't you appreciate him for once? All you do is make him sad and disrespect our famil
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