Ethan walked in, his face unreadable as always. He was composed, "there was a hint of turmoil in his eyes, like a storm was raging just beneath the surface."Noah, sensing the tension in the air, gently took Ava’s arm and pulled her out of the kitchen. “Come on, let’s give them some space,” Noah whispered to her, though curiosity was eating her alive.As they sat in the living room, Ava couldn’t help but glance back toward the kitchen. Something felt off between Ethan and Victoria. Goosebumps rose on Ava’s arms when she heard Ethan’s cold, sharp voice.“What are you still doing here?” His words sliced through the air, low and sharp.Victoria, unbothered by the chill in his tone, smiled sweetly and moved closer to him. “I missed you, baby. I thought we could catch up. I even made you breakfast, your favorite,” she said, her voice dripping with an unsettling softness. “I don’t need your breakfast. I have a cook.” Ethan’s voice was ice-cold, sending a shiver down Ava’s spine. She had ne
Ava's POV I haven't seen Ethan since the mess with Victoria. It shouldn’t bother me, right? I mean, we don’t have that kind of relationship, but it does. I don’t know why, but it bothers me a lot.It had been over a week since I'd last seen him. I figured he hadn't been home. But then, out of nowhere, Ethan walked out of his room all dressed up and looking fine.I couldn't help but stare. He still had that something special about him. When he smiled at me, my heart did a little flip. Damn those butterflies! He came down the stairs and gave me this warm smile that made me realize how much I'd missed him."Good morning, princess," he said with that smirk of his. I felt my face turn red hot. Then, to make things worse, I started hiccuping. Talk about embarrassing!He handed me a piece of paper. Between hiccups, I took it and looked inside. It was a meal plan. I looked at him, totally surprised."You need to eat healthy. That's your meal plan," he said, walking towards the door without l
Exercising without Ethan has been tough. I hate to admit it, but I really miss him. It's been over a week since he left on that mysterious trip. I don't know what's gotten into me, but I can't stop thinking about him.“Come in,” I said, my voice slightly tired. The door creaked open, and there was Noah, as cheerful as ever.“Good morning, cupcake!” he greeted with his usual energy. “Get dressed, it’s time for your workout.”Noah’s been like this every day since Ethan left. I can’t thank him enough for keeping me on track, even when my motivation dips. He always finds a way to get me moving.“I’m ready,” I said, forcing a smile. I didn’t feel ready, but I knew I needed to keep going.“Oh, then let’s go burn that fat, cupcake!” Noah grinned as he stepped out of my room, his enthusiasm contagious.Exercising with Noah isn’t bad, actually. He doesn’t coach me but he’s always there to make me laugh. Even when I’m struggling, he finds a way to lighten the mood. But he never stays long—only
Ava's POV I made a decision a month ago—not to let Ethan see me on video calls anymore. Every week's call had been fun, crazy even, but I wanted to keep my transformation a secret until I could surprise him in person. Every time he called, I switched to normal calls or made sure to show him only the gym or surroundings, avoiding any chance for my reflection to slip through. I wanted the big reveal to be perfect, not ruined by the pixelated image of a video call.This has been going on for over six months now. Ethan hadn’t seen me once, and in that time, I had transformed beyond recognition. I was down to 150 pounds, muscles forming in all the right places, and my body… Well, it felt like everything had shifted perfectly. My curves were more defined, and for the first time, I actually loved what I saw in the mirror. I’d never been slim before—always the chubby girl who adored junk food—but now, seeing this version of myself? It felt like I’d stepped into someone else’s life.Noah was
My mom flung open the door, a parade of chefs bustled in, their arms laden with steaming dishes. The rich aroma of home-cooked meals filled the air.“Mom, not again,” I sighed. This was her routine every time I stayed too long at the hospital.“You need to eat well,” she insisted, her voice firm but loving as she waved the cooks toward the dining table. They laid out the trays one by one, filling every inch of the table with food. I couldn’t help but smile. Her food was delicious, no doubt about it. I missed it, but this? This was overkill. I wasn’t hosting a party, and I certainly didn’t need half the city’s chefs showing up at my doorstep.She kept holding my hand like she was afraid I’d disappear if she let go. I tried to pull it free, but she just tightened her grip, dragging me over to the dining table and practically shoving me into a chair. “You need to eat a lot. That’s why I made all this,” she said, already piling food onto my plate. “Ava, darling!” she called out, snappi
After freshening up, I decided to head downstairs and spend some time with the boys. They didn’t seem like they were in any rush to get back to work, which was a good sign. I was starting to enjoy having everyone around, especially after months of mostly being by myself. The moment Liam saw me, his jaw practically hit the floor. "Ava, I barely recognize you," he said, looking like he’d just seen a ghost. " I've been gone for a few months, and now... look at you!" I smiled, feeling a bit shy. "Thanks, Liam." "Your body transformation is insane. I honestly thought Ethan brought back a new girl." He laughed. Why did everyone think Ethan would bring a girl back? Is he some sort of playboy? I wondered to myself but shook the thought away quickly. Before I could sit down, Noah’s voice rang out. "Hey, Ava, I booked that hair appointment you wanted." I perked up. I’d been wanting to do a little makeover. Since everyone thought I was dead, I figured a new look wouldn’t hurt. Maybe,
Ava’s POV Do you have a problem with me?" I asked, my frustration spilling over. "Is it my hair? Is that why you’re acting like this?” “For a second, I wasn’t sure if he was going to respond. But then, a sly smile crept across his face as he stood up, his eyes never leaving mine. He gently brushed my hair behind my ear, his touch sending an unexpected shiver down my spine. “You look hot, princess,” he murmured, his voice low and smooth. “I love the hair.” His breath was warm against my cheek, and suddenly, I felt my face flush. My heart raced, and before I knew it, I was hiccuping. Embarrassed, I grabbed the water bottle from his desk and gulped down a huge drink while he chuckled softly. Regaining my composure, I cleared my throat and stepped back. “Anyway,” I said, trying to sound more serious, “I went through my father’s files and found something interesting. You’re one of the major investors in his company.” He didn’t say a word, just watched me, his expression unreadable o
Ava was lost in thought, she couldn’t just sit idly by while the empire he built slowly crumbled. Out of his three hotels, only one was performing well, and if she didn’t act fast, the rest would be sold off. The weight of that realization pressed down on her. A sudden knock on the door pulled her out of her thoughts. She turned to see Ethan walk in, carrying a file. Without a word, he handed it to her. Confused, she took the file and opened it, her eyes scanning the contents. It was a new identity—papers with a different name, background, and history. She stared at him, waiting for an explanation.“I figured you might need a change of identity for the time being,” Ethan said, his tone casual.Of course, Ava knew she needed it. Going back into the business world as herself, given all that had happened, would be dangerous. But she didn’t want to admit it to him, not after the way he had dismissed her plea for help the day before. She wasn’t sure what to make of his sudden change of he
I got home after the long meeting. I don’t know why my father always insists on me making half of the decisions concerning the company. It’s like he can’t decide anything without dragging me into it. He’s perfectly capable of running things on his own, but no, he has to involve me in everything. I sighed heavily as I opened the door to my house.Then I saw her. She was standing there, her back slightly turned, looking through the window. Just someone I wanted to see. She looked stunning in that dress, the way it hugged her curves perfectly. My exhaustion faded for a moment, replaced by a warm feeling. Without thinking, I walked toward her and wrapped my arms around her in a tight hug. She didn’t look surprised; instead, she stayed calm, almost like she’d been expecting it. I buried my face in her hair for a second, inhaling her scent. Her shampoo smells sweet, soothing. Seeing her already calmed me down. “I didn’t think you’d still make it back,” her soft voice broke the sil
“Grace killed him,” Ava said, her voice trembling as she moved closer to Ethan. Ethan’s brows furrowed, his eyes fixed on her. “How sure are you?” he asked, his tone calm but probing. “Because I was there…” Ava whispered, her voice breaking. She swallowed hard, trying to hold back her emotions. “I was… I was there when she pushed him to his death,” she burst out, the tears she had been holding back spilling freely. Ethan moved toward her, pulling her into his arms. “I’m sorry you had to experience that, Princess,” he said softly, as he held her trembling form. Ava couldn’t hold it in any longer. She broke down completely, her legs giving way as she clung to Ethan. “I want her to pay,” she sobbed. “I want justice for my father. All he ever did was love her, and she killed him.” Ethan tightened his hold on her, his hand gently rubbing her back in an attempt to calm her down. He didn’t say anything at first, letting her release the pain she had bottled up for so long. When her
“Ethan… about Grace’s party,” Ava began, standing a few steps away from him. Ethan looked at her, his expression unreadable as his piercing eyes locked onto hers. He didn’t say a word, just waited. Ava took that as her cue to continue. “I know you said you didn’t want to go, but it would mean a lot if you came with me,” she said softly, keeping her voice calm while her eyes pleaded. “It’s… it’s been a long time since I’ve been to my father’s house, and I really don’t want to go alone.” Ethan’s gaze didn’t falter. After a moment, he asked, “Why do you want to go so badly, Ava?” For a brief second, she considered telling him everything. But instead, she answered, “There are things I need to do there,” she murmured. “And… I feel safer when you’re there.” Ethan’s expression softened just slightly, the corners of his lips curling into a faint smile. “No,” he said plainly, turning his back to her with that same faint smile as though the conversation was already over. Ava frow
Ava lay in bed, tossing and turning all night, her mind too restless to let her sleep. The thought of going to her father’s house for Grace’s birthday party—or skipping it altogether—kept running through her mind, refusing to settle. What if that party is my chance? she wondered, recalling that there was a CCTV camera on the balcony of her father’s home office. Maybe it had recorded something from the night that changed everything. The possibility kept her pulse racing. Finally, she glanced at the clock on her nightstand. It was already 5:00 a.m. Ethan should be awake by now, she thought. A small plan began forming in her mind. Maybe if I dress for the gym, I could catch him there and try to convince him to come with me to the party. Ava sat up, quickly slipping into her gym clothes, which hugged her body perfectly. She tiptoed to her bedroom door, peeking out cautiously to see if anyone was in the hallway. It was quiet and still, just how she wanted. Taking a deep breath, she m
Ava hesitated just outside Ethan’s home office, her hand hovering over the door. I don’t know if I should be doing this, she thought, her nerves twisting in her stomach. But finally, she took a deep breath and knocked.After a moment, she opened it and saw Ethan standing by the window, gazing out at the view with a paper in his hand. As she stepped inside, he turned to face her, his eyes following her every move.“The hotel was trying to reach you, but you weren’t picking up,” Ava said, holding up the rumpled card in her hand. “So I brought this for you.”She stepped forward to place the card on his desk, aware of his eyes still locked on hers.“What’s that?” Ethan asked, his voice low and cold, sending a chill through Ava. She forced herself to stay calm.“It’s an invitation,” she replied, trying to steady her voice. “It’s for Grace’s birthday party… she’s hosting it at my father’s house. I was hoping I’d go with you.”Ethan barely glanced at the card before turning back to the paper
Ava was just about to toss the invitation in the trash when the door burst open, causing her to pause, her hand still hovering over the bin. “Don’t you ever–” she began, turning around. But her words caught in her throat when she saw Gabe entering, a smile on his face. “Oops, sorry!” he said, slightly sheepish, “forgot to knock again. I’ll remember next time.” He grinned as he walked toward her. You won’t remember, Ava thought. You’ve never been the type to knock. Gabe noticed the invitation card in her hand and held up his own copy. “Oh, so you got the invite. I was just about to bring you one.” Ava raised an eyebrow. “Why?” she asked, not hiding her curiosity. “It’s an important event for the company,” he replied as he took a seat across from her. “Besides, Grace is the chairwoman. Everyone’s invited.” Ava held back a frown. “But you never…” she trailed off, lowering her voice. “You’ve never liked her much. Why are you so eager to go to her birthday party?” She murmured, hal
Good morning,” Ava mumbled as she stepped through the front door, hoping to make her exit quick.“Good morning, cupcake,” Noah replied, glancing up with a grin. “You look so… sexy today.”A loud, deliberate throat-clearing echoed from across the room, causing Noah to shift his gaze and quickly change the subject. “Uh… so, where are you off to this morning without even having breakfast?” he asked, motioning to the untouched food on the table.“I’m not hungry,” Ava replied, her voice slightly tense. “I’ll probably just eat at the office.” She felt Ethan’s eyes on her, but she kept her gaze firmly down, not daring to look up.“Ethan’s almost done with breakfast. Wait for him, and he’ll drive you to work,” Noah suggested casually.“No!” Ava blurted out, louder than she intended. She quickly cleared her throat. “I mean… no, Ethan doesn’t like being disturbed. Besides, I… I prefer taking a taxi.”Noah gave her a look. “Since when? You’ve never taken a taxi to work before,” he said, his brow
Ava's POV Ethan’s mouth covers mine before I can even think, his kiss fierce and overwhelming. I gasp, but my hands find their way into his hair, holding him close as the intensity of his kiss sinks into me. Every inch of my skin feels on fire, especially when his hands glide down my back, gripping me like he’s frustrated with the space between us. Suddenly, His arms encircle my waist and he lifts me, carrying me over to the kitchen counter and holding me against his chest. My heart pounds so fast it’s almost painful, and my hands are grabbing onto whatever they can, desperate for stability. His lips leave mine, trailing slowly along the corner of my mouth and down to my collarbone. The heat of his touch spreads down my neck, and when he finally reaches it, I can’t help the quiet moan that escapes my lips. It’s like he’s listening to every sound I make, and I feel him smile, taking it as encouragement to keep going. His teeth playfully nip at my neck, making me shiver and
Ava pushed open the front door, stepping into a dark, silent room. Why is it dark everywhere? she wondered, feeling the unsettling quiet around her.“Do you still like him?”,” Ethan’s voice echoed from somewhere in the darkness, low and unexpected.“Ava jumped, startled. “Oh, my—Ethan! You scared me. Why are you sitting here in the dark?”.She fumbled for the light switch. “Alexis, lights on,” she called out to the AI, and instantly, the lights brightened, and there was Ethan, sitting on the couch, staring at her, his expression unreadable.“What?” Ava asked, noticing his intense stare.“Do you still like him?” Ethan asked again, his voice now colder, sharper.“Who?” Ava asked, her brow furrowing.“Gabe. I saw the way you smiled when he touched you,” Ethan said, his gaze darkening.Ava hesitated for a moment, feeling the tension in his words. “What if I do? Gabe is not as bad as you think,” she said, narrowing her eyes. At least he’s not leading me on… or making me feel confused all