"I-Isaac! B-Babe, I... I didn't see you there.""Clearly," he replied, his jaw clenched. "I heard everything. All your plans... to steal my wealth and disappear." Erica's facade crumbled. She swallowed hard, she doesn't care if she's seeing how anger and hurt he is. All she wants now is to think any words to fool him. "Isaac... please, let me explain." He held up a hand to stop her. "Do you have any idea how heartbreaking this is for me? I trusted you, Erica. I thought you were different. I thought you were the one who wouldn't betray me. Tears fakely welled up in her eyes as she reached out to him. "B-Babe, can explain!" Erica stammered, her voice trembling."Explain?" Isaac's voice was a low growl, barely containing his anger. "Explain how you were planning to use me for my wealth? How you were going to betray me like...like that fucking Peterson!?"Erica's eyes darted around the bar, seeking a way out of this confrontation. "It’s not what you think. You misunderstood. I wasn’
Isaac’s knuckles turned white as he gripped the steering wheel, his mind racing faster than the car speeding down the highway. The headlights of the other vehicles blurred into streaks of light, his focus narrowing on the road ahead—and on the hospital where Ava was.Why didn’t Ralph tell me sooner? Isaac thought bitterly. I could have done something...His chest tightened at the thought of her lying in a hospital bed because of him. As another word of guilt is echoed in his mind: She’s in there because you never let up. You never gave her a moment of peace.Isaac’s jaw clenched as memories flooded back—the cold glares, the endless tasks, the way he piled work on Ava just to see her struggle. He’d told himself she deserved it after everything she put him through. But now, it seemed that spite had pushed her to a breaking point.“Damn it,” he muttered, the anger bubbling inside him. Not just anger at Ava—but at himself. He’d spent years hating her for abandoning him, and all that rage
Isaac rushed into the hospital, his heart pounding with fear and guilt. The fluorescent lights overhead buzzed softly as his footsteps echoed through the sterile corridors. He scanned the waiting area, his eyes darting from one person to another, searching for Ava. But she was nowhere in sight. His chest tightened with panic."Excuse me," Isaac asked a passing nurse, his voice tight with worry."Ava... Ava Peterson. She was admitted here, room 314. Is she still here?"The nurse gave him a sympathetic look, then shook her head. "I'm sorry, but she was discharged earlier."Isaac's heart sank. "Discharged? When?""About an hour ago."Before he could respond, someone stepped into his path. Isaac looked up and was greeted by the sight of Gregory, his face twisted in anger, a deep bruise on his jaw. His fist was already clenched at his side. Without warning, Gregory lunged forward and threw a punch. Isaac barely had time to react before he was sent stumbling backward, his head ringing fro
Isaac’s mind raced, searching for something, anything that could change Gregory’s mind. But the more he looked at Gregory’s expression, the more he realized that there was nothing he could say. Ava was gone. And it was his fault."I didn’t mean to hurt her," Isaac said quietly, more to himself than to Gregory.Gregory’s face softened, just for a moment. "Maybe you didn’t. But you did. Over and over again. And now, she’s had enough."Isaac’s eyes dropped to the floor, his thoughts a tangled mess of regret and guilt. He had never intended for things to get this bad. He had always thought that, no matter what, he and Ava would work things out. But now, standing in this cold hospital hallway, he realized how naive he had been.Gregory watched him for a moment, then let out a sigh, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. "Look, Isaac, I don’t hate you. But you have to understand... Ava needs to move on. She needs to be happy. And she can’t do that if you’re still around, dragging h
Isaac didn’t answer. He couldn’t. Because deep down, he knew Gregory was right. But the guilt, the regret, it was too much. He couldn’t shake the feeling that he had ruined everything. "Listen," Gregory said after a long pause. "Ralph and I were talking. We know you’re miserable. And honestly, man, we’re tired of watching you go through this. Yes, I won't defend myself, I actually don't want you to be with Ava because I think that you're just gonna hurt each other more. But...""Seeing you like that? Isaac, you know that I love Ava, and maybe... you're right, you're the only man she wants to spend her life with your baby." Isaac sat up, his heart suddenly pounding. "W-What?!""She's pregnant? And why didn't you tell me before?! Damn it, Gregory!" "I know, I made the wrong choice, Isaac. But you can't blame me. Ava almost begged me not to tell you, because she's even afraid that you might hate the child." "Arghh! Damn it!" For the first time in weeks, Isaac felt a glimmer of hope
Ava sat alone on a park bench, staring blankly at the horizon as the sun began to dip, painting the sky in a fiery array of oranges, reds, and purples. The beauty of it all felt distant to her, like something she was no longer a part of. She rested a hand on her growing belly, feeling the gentle movements of the baby inside her. Every kick was a reminder of how different her life was now, how much everything had changed since she’d left Isaac. She swallowed hard, trying to push back the wave of emotion that threatened to overwhelm her. It was always like this—whenever she sat alone, her thoughts would drift back to him, and the life they could have had together. Ava took a deep breath, blinking away the tears that were already welling up in her eyes. She couldn't afford to break down. Not here, not now. She was supposed to be strong. She was doing this for her child. She had convinced herself that leaving was the right choice—Isaac had moved on, after all. He was set to marry someon
At San Francisco California, Armory ClubThe night was hot and humid. The bar was crowded with a bunch of sweaty people in suits, some talking about stocks, others gossiping about their wives. A few of the men were playing poker, which they didn't do often as much fun was on TV when you could watch it at home. A couple of guys stood by the bar drinking beers and laughing like crazy, while most of them are just looking at the woman who's dancing at the center pole. She wore a low cut red top that made her look like a sex kitten but she was really wearing a tank top under it. Her hips swayed from side to side gracefully, and her hair was tied into a ponytail at the back of her neck. It was a sight for sore eyes, because no one could keep their attention away from her."Ugh... That woman making my dick hard," a group of man chuckle at one of their friend's reaction. They can blame their friend. Ava Peterson, the most popular member of the club, was dancing on stage, singing sexy songs
"So girl, you are really going to accept our manager's offer?" Emily asked Ava, they're now in front of the Armory club, waiting for a taxi. This morning, Ava just woke up with a new problem. The house that's the only remembrance of her deceased father is on the verge of taking away from them because of the unpaid taxes that's piling up. She doesn't want that to happen, because that house is actually her remaining reason why she wants to stay there despite her abusive step mother. "I am still going to think about it Emily," she said as she took the cigarette pack from Emily hands, lit it and exhaling the smoke. Emily smiled and shake her head."I don't understand you at all, Ava. I know that you didn't dream to become a nun or someone too afraid to enjoy tasting other men. Can you tell me the truth, are you still didn't get over your ex boyfriend whom you just left when you move over here in California?" Emily asked with a teasing expression plastered across her face. "Because i