Ava's pov
I slowly opened my eyes to find myself in a hospital bed. I tried to remember what happened and how I got here. "You are awake," a man said with a smile as he walked in. I stared at him, he was gorgeous. He was tall, well built, dark hair, full pink lips and handsome face. I wondered if he was the doctor. "Who are you?" I asked politely and he chuckled as he walked closer to me. "My name is Alex, I saved you three days ago on the streets," he replied and my eyes widened. " Three days ago? I have been out for three days?" I asked in disbelief, my heart racing and he nodded. Sweat formed on my forehead as I panicked about the bills. I had no money on me, how was I going to pay the bills? "The bills has been sorted out, you don't have to worry about a thing," he assured me, as if he just read my mind. "Thank you so much," I said, my voice shaking and he smiled. I have to worry. I have no money and no home. "It's fine and you must not go through any stress because of your baby," he urged gently and i raised a curious brow. "What baby?" I questioned with confusion etched on my face. His eyes widened. "Don't you know?" He asked, his voice soft and i shook my head. I sat up feeling hot all of a sudden. I better not be pregnant for that monster. "You are three weeks pregnant," he announced, and I felt like I had been hit by tons of bricks. "No, I couldn't be pregnant. I can't..." I stammered as tears stung my eyes. I couldn't be pregnant with Julian's child. I remembered that night three weeks ago when Julian came home drunk. We had sex but it was quick. I never thought it could lead to a pregnancy. Tears streamed down my face as i thought about my situation. "What's wrong? You should be happy not sad," Alex asked, his voice full of concern. I couldn't go back to Julian. He wouldn't believe me anyway. I had no money to take care of myself and the child. "There's nothing to be happy about," I whispered, shaking my head as i wiped my tears. "You can tell me what's wrong. I can help you," he offered and i took in a deep breath. "My husband divorced me because I couldn't give him a child. I caught him in bed with another woman and she is carrying his baby. I have nothing, Alex. No money, no home... I'm all alone," I explained. "I'm so sorry about that. Why would he do such thing to a beautiful woman like you?" Alex growled, his face darkening. "I don't know what to do about the child. I'm not financially capable to take care of a baby," I groaned, Alex touched my hand. "I will help you. I will take responsibility for you and your unborn child," he promised, and I laughed bitterly. My laughter died down when I saw the seriousness on his face. "Why? Why do you want to help me? You barely know me," I asked him. "I need a wife. You can be my wife, a contract marriage thing," he proposed. Another marriage? I shook my head. "I don't think i want to get married again. Julian has put me through enough trauma," I disagreed. "Did you just say Julian? Julian, the mafia leader?" He asked and I nodded. "That son of a bitch," he muttered and I raised a curious brow. "You know him?" I asked and he nodded, his hands balled into fists. "Julian is a fucking monster and I will see the end of him soon," he nodded, his jaw clenched. "He is strong, Alex. He is the leader of all the mafia lords in America," I pointed out. "I'm also the leader of all the mafia lords in Mexico," he revealed and I opened my mouth in shock. I felt a spark of hope ignite within me. Julian would know him and maybe i can get back at him by accepting his rival's proposal. "I accept the marriage contract, Alex. I want him to know that I can live without him," I said with a smile spreading across my face. "You are not weak. Don't let any man pull you down," he encouraged, smiling back. "My name is Ava," I introduced myself, feeling a sense of determination wash over me. "I came here for a business meeting, Ava. I will be going back to Mexico tonight," he informed me, standing up. "I will go with you," I decided, making up my mind. I needed a change of environment and I would make sure Julian doesn't know about my unborn child. "I will go see the doctor now," he said with a smile before walking out of the room. I closed my eyes feeling happy about the new development. I would have a roof to my head and money to survive. "I will come back here bigger and stronger, Julian," I promised myself. "Let's go now, Ava," Alex said as he pushed the door open. He helped me out of the hospital bed. My legs trembled, he supported me by wrapping his arms round my waist as we walked out. "What did you know about me?" He asked as he drove away from the hospital. "Only that you are a mafia leader from Mexico and Julian's rival," I replied. "That's a good start but let me tell you more. I'm not only mafia leader, i'm a business man and i'm Julian's nemesis," he said with a chuckle. "Nemesis? That's a strong word," I raised an eyebrow. "Julian and I have a complicated history. I'm looking forward to making him pay for what he has done," he said. "Is that why you asked me to marry you?" I asked and he shook his head. "I asked you to marry me before I knew Julian was your ex husband, Ava," he corrected, I nodded in agreement. "Let's build something new. Let's make him pay for betraying you, Ava," he said as his gaze locked into mine. "I'm in, let's make him pay for what he has done," I nodded in agreement with a smile on my face.Five years later Ava's pov "Mommy! I want to go play in the park," my son, Aiden exclaimed, his big brown eyes pleading with me. "Mommy is busy now, sweetie. Go meet your nanny she will take you," I said as i gave him a gentle kiss on his forehead. "I want you or daddy to take me," he whined, crossing his arms and i sighed. "Aiden, we will take you to the park on Saturday okay? Just go meet your nanny," I assured him. "Promise?" He asked and I nodded. He didn't seem satisfied and I rolled my eyes. "Promise," I replied and he ran off. Kids can be so difficult and Aiden was stubborn like his father. Alex, my husband, approached me and gave me a warm kiss. "Hey babe," Alex said. I shivered at the feeling of his lips on mine. "I thought you were asleep," I said smiling up at him and he groaned. "Aiden's voice woke me up," he replied chuckling. "He is so stubborn," I complained, rolling my eyes. Alex smirked and wrapped his arms round my waist. "I want mor
Ava's pov "I can't let you go there alone, Ava," Alex said, his voice laced with concern when I told him I was going to find that gold. "Alex, I'm not a kid. I'm capable of taking care of myself," I said firmly and he paced around the room. "What if Julian sees you at the mafia's party huh?" He asked, his brow furrowed with worry. "He doesn't attend parties like that. Stop stressing," I said, trying to assure him. "I don't feel good about this. We should go together. I will drop everything and come with you," he insisted. "You can't do that, Alex. You have important meetings to attend. Just calm down and let me handle this," I said. "Are you sure about this? You should be the one panicking and not even me," he muttered, shaking his head. "I have nothing to worry about. Max will be with me and we are leaving tomorrow," I informed him, his eyes widened in surprise. "Why tomorrow? The party isn't until next week!" he exclaimed. "We need to gather information about
Ava's pov I walked towards a hallway, pretending i was looking for the restroom. Most of the doors were locked, one particular door was opened. "We have to check this room," I whispered to Max and he agreed. "Stay outside and signal me if anyone is coming," I ordered. I removed my heels and tiptoed into the room. There was only a dim light reflecting off a box which was on the table. I walked towards it and saw the gold inside. I sighed in relief and grabbed the box. Suddenly, I felt a hand choking my neck. I screamed loudly for Max to hear, but I got no response from him. "This room is soundproof," the person whispered into my ear. The voice sounded familiar, and I hoped it wasn't Julian. He released the pressure on my neck, and I hit him between his legs. The box was still in my hands, i didn't bother to check the person. He groaned and i quickly walked towards the door to open. The box fell from my hands when I felt the cold metal on my head. "Turn around wi
Ava's pov "Your wife?" Julain said with a mocking laugh, his eyes fixed on me with a mixture of amusement and desire. "Yes, my wife," Alex spat, his voice cold. "And I don't want to see you anywhere near her," he added. "You don't deserve to breath the same air as me, Alex. I will leave, but you know where to find me, baby girl," Julian said to me, his gaze never leaving mine. I felt a shiver run down my spine as he turned and walked away. I watched him leave, my heart racing and gasped as Alex grabbed my hand rougly. "So if I hadn't show up, you would have had sex with him, huh?" He growled, his eyes darkened in anger. "No," I managed to say, but he pushed me into the room, his hands still gripping my shoulders. "You are lying, Ava, and I hate lies," he muttered, his breath hot into my ear. I knew something bad was going to happen. Alex was a jealous maniac and he couldn't bear the thought of seeing me with someone else. "Strip!" He yelled in a d
Ava's pov "Tell Max to go with you to his house. I will join you there," Alex said and I raised a curious brow. "Do you know where he lives?" I asked him and he chuckled. "I have my ways, baby. Go and keep him busy, I will show when you need help just like I did now," he replied. I kept the gun at the edge of my sweatpants, the familiar weight brought me comfort. I covered my hair with my hoodie cap. Upon opening the door, I met with Max. "The gold is fake," I informed him and his eyes widened with shock. "What do we do? Do you know where he lives, ma'am?" He asked and i nodded. "Are you fully armed? Things could get messy," I questioned, my eyes scanning his attire. "Give me five minutes, and i will meet you in the car," he said, rushing into his room. I sighed, my stomach twisting in knots. The silence was oppressive, and I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease. I didn't know what to expect at Julian's house. Was he married to the woman I caught him with? Did he
Ava's pov "Daddy! Who is she?" Julian's child asked, her voice innocent and curious. Julian lifted her up, his eyes locking on to mine for a brief moment before he replied. "She is daddy's friend, a close friend that you will be seeing often." Max and i exchanged glances, both of us wondering what Julian meant by that. "Go upstairs and meet your nanny, daddy needs private time," he said to his child, his voice gentle. "Bye miss," the girl waved me bye and ran upstairs. Julian walked towards me, his gaze intense and piercing. "My pretty girl," he whispered, his voice low and husky. I rolled my eyes, feeling a surge of annoyance. "Don't call me that," I spat. He placed his hand on his chest, feigning hurt. "That's harsh," he muttered. "Listen, I'm here to get my gold from you, not to have small talk," I said in a firm voice. Julian chuckled and sat on the couch, crossing his legs. "You can have a seat," he offered and we sat across him, the tension palable. "I bough
Julian's povPleasure and excitement coursed through my veins as i watched Ava drive away, a smile spreading across my face. I had to restrain myself from jumping into the car and taking her right there.Her face had haunted me for years, and I regretted divorcing her. Sophia, Diamond's mother and i had issues before she gave birth to my daughter. I discovered she was a two faced spy, sent to manipulate me, and i let my desire for a male heir cloud my judgement. "Lucas! Clear of this mess!" I yelled at my right-hand man. My compound was filled with blood and bodies of the men working under me. Ava's bodyguard was strong to have taken down this men. She was more mature and sexy now, but it infuriated me that she was married to my long time rival, Alex. I would stop at nothing to make her mine again and treat her right this time.I walked upstairs to check on Diamond. Her face lit up when she saw me, and she ran towards me. "Hi daddy," she said with a smile, and my heart swelled with
Ava's pov "How can you agree to this?" I asked in disbelief. Alex sighed, "Baby, we need to get this gold from him. Let's do his bidding," he replied. "Alex, what is really going on? You were jealous yesterday for seeing us together, now you want me to spend a night with Julian," I said. "Nothing is wrong, babe. You can handle this, just get the gold and i will deal with Julian later. I love you," he kissed me, and left the room with his bag. I sat on the bed, shaking my head, my mind racing with thoughts. Was i ready to do this because of the gold? What if Julian wanted sex? Grabbing my phone, i searched for him on I*******m and sent him a DM asking where we would meet for the night. My black dress stopping midway my thighs, my hair in a messy bun and makeup on my face to make my features pop. I felt confident, like I could take on the world. I took in a deep breath, looking at myself for the last time before leaving the room for the hotel. ***** "Have a good night ma'am,"