In the privacy of the shower, Ava let herself feel the pain, the disappointment, and the confusion that welled up inside her. She refused to let her emotions go unnoticed, acknowledging the hurt that lingered beneath her smile. With each droplet of water, she vowed to rediscover her strength and find the answers she sought.As the water cleansed her body, Ava resolved to confront Sebastian with her true feelings, to voice her insecurities and seek the reassurance she craved. She knew that their connection went beyond a mere contractual arrangement, and she longed for him to recognize the depth of their bond.With renewed determination, Ava stepped out of the shower, wrapping herself in a towel. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for the conversation that lay ahead. It was time to face the uncertainty head-on and find solace in the truth, whatever it may be.Ava stormed out of the bathroom, her damp hair clinging to her shoulders, and her eyes blazing with a mix of anger and hurt
The warm rays of the morning sun streamed through the curtains, casting a golden glow across Kim's room. Kim woke up with a contented smile on her face, feeling a surge of happiness coursing through her veins. It was one of those rare mornings when everything seemed right in the world.As she swung her legs over the side of the bed, a vibrant melody filled the room, beckoning her to dance. Unable to resist the infectious rhythm, Kim sprang to her feet and twirled around the room with unbridled joy. Her movements were fluid and graceful, as if she were in perfect harmony with the music that enveloped her.She danced with wild abandon, twirling, spinning, and leaping across the room. Her body moved effortlessly, following the rhythm of the music that resonated deep within her soul. With each movement, she felt a sense of liberation, as if all her worries and troubles had melted away, leaving only pure bliss in their wake.Kim's laughter filled the air, a joyful melody that accompanied h
As Ava lay curled up in her bed, the weight of Sebastian's words bore down on her like an unbearable burden. The echo of his callous statement reverberated in her mind, each word piercing through her heart with painful clarity. He had made it abundantly clear that he only desired her for her body and nothing more.A rush of self-reproach flooded over her, consuming her thoughts and leaving her feeling vulnerable and exposed. How could she have allowed herself to hope for something more? How could she have let her heart believe that there was a chance for love and a deeper connection with Sebastian?Tears welled up in Ava's eyes, blurring her vision as she battled with her own emotions. She despised herself for daring to dream, for wanting to be cherished and loved beyond the confines of physical desire. The ache of disappointment settled deep within her, intensifying the pain of unrequited longing.In the solitude of her room, Ava's thoughts spiraled into a dark abyss of self-doubt. S
Sebastian tossed and turned in his bed, unable to sleep and unable to get his ass up either. He kept replaying the scene from earlier that night, when Ava had stormed out of his apartment after their heated argument. He had never seen her so angry and hurt before. He hated himself for making her cry.He reached for his phone on the nightstand, tempted to call her and apologize. He wanted to hear her voice, to tell her that he was sorry for being such a jerk. He wanted to make things right between them.But he also felt a surge of resentment towards her. Why did she have to ruin what they had by catching feelings? They had agreed to keep things casual, to pretend to be in a relationship for his investors and his ex-girlfriend. They enjoyed each other’s company, had fun, and had amazing sex. They had been friends with benefits, nothing more.He didn’t want to commit to anyone, especially not to Ava. She was too good for him, too sweet, too innocent. She deserves someone who could love h
Determined to make things right, Sebastian wrapped a towel around his waist and reached for his phone once again. This time, he dialed Ava's number without hesitation. He was ready to put his pride aside, to apologize, and to express the truth that had been echoing in his heart: he wanted her, not just for her body, Okay perhaps it was just for that. Or perhaps she meant so much more. One thing was sure. He needed her.As the phone rang, his heart raced, hoping against hope that she would answer. He knew that the road to reconciliation wouldn't be easy, but he was willing to take the leap, to fight for what he believed in. For Ava, he was ready to face his fears and embrace vulnerability, hoping that she would give him a chance to prove that he was capable of more than he had once believed.As the phone continued to ring, Ava glanced at the screen, recognizing Sebastian's name flashing across it. A mix of emotions surged within her—confusion, longing, and a tinge of anger. Part of he
Mrs. Monroe's disappointment softened further as she looked at Ava, understanding the complexities that often accompanied the modeling world. She had witnessed many aspiring models lose themselves in the pursuit of success, compromising their own well-being and happiness. She didn't want the same fate for Ava."My dear, I know this industry can be challenging," Mrs. Monroe said, her voice laced with compassion. "But never forget that you are more than just a model. You are a remarkable young woman with dreams and desires that extend far beyond the runway. Your happiness and fulfillment should always be a priority."Ava nodded, absorbing Mrs. Monroe's words. She knew that she couldn't allow her personal struggles and heartache to overshadow her professional aspirations. She needed to find a way to compartmentalize her emotions and focus on her career, even if it meant suppressing her feelings for Sebastian."I will, Mrs. Monroe," Ava promised, determination glimmering in her eyes. "I w
Sebastian stormed into his office, his frustration simmering beneath the surface. The failed attempts to reach Ava had left him with a sour mood, and he found himself taking it out on his unsuspecting employees.As he entered the bustling workspace, his eyes scanned the room, searching for any signs of incompetence or mistakes that he could seize upon. His sharp gaze fell on Emily, one of his assistants, who was engrossed in her work. Without a moment's hesitation, Sebastian strode over to her desk."Emily, is this how you prioritize tasks? It's unacceptable!" he barked, his voice laced with irritation. His words hung heavy in the air, causing heads to turn in their direction.Emily looked up, startled by his sudden outburst. Her eyes widened, and her face paled. "I-I'm sorry, Mr. Thompson. I didn't realize—"Sebastian cut her off, his tone biting. "You should have realized. I expect better from my team. Fix this immediately and be more attentive in the future."He turned on his heel,
Sebastian walked into the dimly lit bar, his mind clouded with frustration and regret. He needed a temporary escape from the whirlwind of emotions that had consumed him since his conversation with Ava. Taking a seat at the bar, he signaled the bartender and ordered a whiskey.The amber liquid was poured into a glass, its rich aroma filling the air as Sebastian contemplated the events that had unfolded. He took a sip, savoring the burn as it traveled down his throat, momentarily dulling his senses.He couldn't help but replay their interactions in his mind, dissecting every word, every gesture. The realization of his own mistakes weighed heavily upon him, the consequences of his fear and commitment issues becoming more apparent with each passing moment.Sebastian had always been adept at compartmentalizing his emotions, locking them away behind a carefully crafted façade. But with Ava, it had been different. She had broken through his defenses, exposing vulnerabilities he had long supp
One month laterThe wedding had been a splendid affair and from the start, Ava was practically forbidden from lifting a finger for herself by Kim, Renee, Violet, and the flock of servants at her disposal due to how heavy she had become and she resorted to staying put unless she risked the ire of the women helping her dress up. Sebastian had planned a proposal with the rest of their friends leaving her in the dark. It was unexpected and it felt real and different this time around, they had come through so many difficulties and they both knew it was the right time to make it all real this time around.At the stroke of midnight on her wedding, Ava was standing at the entrance of the hall already adorned with palatial decorations with cascading floral arrangements hanging from every side of the grand room, sparkling white chandeliers hung high above with delicate draperies completing the settings designed to evoke an atmosphere filled with love and warmth. A group of violinists was posit
It’s been two months since Sebastian was released from the hospital and Ava moved into the mansion with him. The penthouse held too many hurtful memories and she wasn’t eager to go back there and be plagued by nightmares during her sleep. Jake’s trial hadn’t taken a lot of time either, there was a ton of insurmountable evidence against him and the jury didn’t take much liking to him either, or the judge. In reality, no one was going to take the side of a journalist with murderous intentions over New York’s most desirable couple. Their return to the spotlight had been a field day in the media world especially as articles and gossip about their breakup had been going on for a while now, their appearance together had all but quietened every rumor going on about them. Ava was becoming used to being pregnant and after a few weeks of tedious work down at the agency, she had gone on maternity leave that would run well into a few months after she gave birth.One of her favorite parts of be
Damian looked back and forth between Ava and Sebastian and it was pretty obvious that they had eyes for just each other right now, everything else faded into the background. He didn’t need any further clue, his time here was up.“I believe it’s best I give you both some space to talk things through.” Damian cleared his throat, gave Sebastian a nod, and patted Ava’s shoulders as he walked past her. “Do you think they’re going to be fine?” Violet asked Damian as soon as he got to the door. Sebastian spared them a glance over his shoulder before returning his gaze to Violet. “I can’t possibly say for sure but if what I noticed between them was true then we’ve got nothing to worry about.As soon as Ava heard the door shut behind her, she walked towards the bed, maintaining a friendly distance as she pulled out a chair and sat on it. Sebastian didn’t know how to start tackling their issues so he decided to make small talk first, it always worked for him and he was hoping that it wouldn
Ava made her way outside the building and towards the parking lot, it was lonely, just how she wanted it to be. She didn’t want any disturbance or interference from anyone. All Ava had wanted was for Sebastian to wake up from his coma. She spent days at his bedside, urging him to come back to her and he eventually did but she ran. There was no telling why she ran and she didn’t even have any logical explanation as to why she did it, the only thing she could say is that she was scared shitless and that was all she could say. She would eventually have to go back and talk to him afterward but she didn’t know if she could bring herself to do it. “Hey, sis.” Ava looked up to see Kim walking towards her flanked on either side by Renee and Violet, they all wore worried expressions on their faces and she could tell from their hesitation that they didn’t know if they should come any closer or maintain a healthy distance. “How did you guys find me?” Ava asked, her eyes were fixed to the g
“I’m only trying to look out for you,” Kim sighed. “I’m tired of seeing you crying after a couple of months where you think you’re in love and your troubles are behind you. It hurts me as much as it hurts you, Ava.” “I know,” Ava smiled sadly. Kim was right, she’d always been eager to jump right back into it without putting provisions in place in case her assumed fairytale moment didn’t come to pass. But things were different this time around, she had been through a lot and as a result, she’d been forced to put herself first for now before anyone else and if anything was going to happen, she would be the last person to instigate anything. She’d done enough and it wasn’t going to work, she wasn’t going to invest her time lifting a finger. She’s done enough already. “Things aren’t going to be the way it once was. I promise you that.”“Tell me you’re sure you know what you’re doing?” Kim nibbled on her lower lip. “I can’t promise you I know what I’m doing, Kim. But my heart is in the
“You really should stop feeling this way and making us feel like we’re strangers as well,” Kim frowned. “We’re here because we love and care about you, that’s the truth. You’re part of our lives so I don’t see how you keep interfering in what you’re a major part of. You’ve got to accept that so you’d stop feeling like you owe us something because you don’t.”Ava sighed. “Okay, you’re right and I’m sorry for feeling this way. It’s unusual to see a lot of people wanting to help me at the same time and that’s why I reacted that way,” “It’s okay, we don’t hold it against you. We know your past and how you’re still getting used to a couple of good gestures. Kim suffers from the same problem as well.” Violet assured her. “So, you mentioned that Sebastian woke up a while ago?” Kim asked, eager to steer the conversation away from their childhood. She wasn’t prepared to visit memories that she had worked so hard to repress. “Yes, he did. He wasn’t a hundred percent conscious and the doctors
Ava walked back into the hospital room as soon as the doctor mentioned it was okay for her to return. She walked back into the room to see Sebastian soundly asleep. “Is everything alright, doctor?” Ava sounded worried. “Did he go to sleep on his own or did he pass out?”“We gave him a sedative to keep him under for a couple of hours until he regains his full strength, he should feel much after he wakes up this time around and that’s what we’re hoping for. When that happens, we can then begin the final stage of his recovery process.” Ava nodded. “Thank you, doctor. We’re so grateful for the help you’ve rendered.”“It’s my pleasure to help. I’ve known Sebastian since we were both boys and my father has been the Bancroft’s family doctor for decades. He’s like family to me as well.” “Do I need to call you guys once he wakes up?” Ava asked, her eyes fixed on Sebastian. “You don’t need to, we’d be counting down the hours ourselves and carrying out checkups before midnight. You’ve got no
It’s been a week since the ugly incident and Sebastian hadn’t woken up yet. Ava was struggling to pull it together but she knew she didn’t have any other option, she couldn’t afford to break down right now not when she had to look after herself and the baby as well given the fact that the pregnancy was entering into its crucial phase.The doctor urged her to give him time and be patient till he decided to come around. His vitals were good and his condition was improving, he was going to wake up any moment from now, the doctor would always say giving her a warm smile in return. The conviction in his voice always seemed to calm Ava’s nerves so she waited calmly until Sebastian decided to come around.She was in his hospital room, sitting on a chair next to the hospital bed, her knees were pulled up under her chin with her face buried between a historical romance novel by Nora Roberts. Reading helped her calm down and forget her worries and she’d been doing a lot of it during the past f
“Life isn’t meant to be fair to everyone,” Damian offered Ava a soft smile. “It’s just the way life is and we’ve got to make the best out of what we’re given.”“Sebastian doesn’t deserve this,” Ava grumbled.“No one does but shit happens.” Damian shuffled his feet as he struggled to find a comfortable situation. “Do you think he’s going to come out of this? Be honest with me. I could use that right now if you don’t mind.”“Sebastian’s tough as nails. He’s one of the most stubborn men I’ve ever met and if there’s anyone I know who’s going to come out of this, it’s Sebastian.”“Thank you, Damian.” Ava rubbed her arms, trying to calm her nerves. “You’re welcome. If there’s anything you need, please, do not hesitate to inform me.”“I’m good. Besides, I have a lot of people doting on me already and you have work to do.” “If you say so but I’m still here if you need anything.”“I should’ve done this a long time ago but I want to thank you for talking to Sebastian and managing to convince