Chapter 4 The Devils Game

There were still traces of last night's celebrations everywhere when I returned, although the workers had begun clearing away most of the arrangements and I was sure the new couple were already on their side of the estate. All I wanted was to make it to my room without running into Blake. He was the last person I wanted to see.

I dove into my room, tossing my purse on the bed before collapsing next to it. My head fell into my hands and immediately, uninvited images of last night with Alexander flooded my mind.

His hands on my skin, his mouth against my neck...

“No, stop it,” I muttered to myself, pinching the bridge of my nose. I threw my head back with a sigh before dropping it back down as I affirmed to myself,

“He didn't see my face. He has no idea who I am.”

It was a one-time thing, right? A mistake born of alcohol and heartbreak. The kind of story you take to your grave. Just forget it happened and move on.

And then there was Blake….

Who’d shattered everything to the tiniest bits. I could feel the lump of an ache starting to form in my chest again. Knowing I was going to start crying soon, I dashed into the bathroom and let the shower rain over me.

Four years ago, when my parents died in an accident. I was devastated and lost; Blake was —or rather he presented himself as my rock. I got a substantial insurance payout which was enough to secure my future. But it was at the same time Blake came complaining to me about his family’s failing business and how they were on the verge of losing everything. How could I have no? After all, Blake was been there for me through my darkest days. I handed over the money, believing it was the right thing to do. How stupid.

My parents' company used to be their pride and joy—after me. When I became the operations director after their death, I made sure to work very hard to keep that legacy running, and also prove that I was worthy of what they'd left me. I did a great job, really. The company flourished under our joint management. Blake and I made a good team…or at least, I thought we did. He handled the financial side while I focused on operations and client relationships.

Late last year, I started to fall ill very often due to the stress and burnout. He advised me to take a step back while he handled it all for a year and like a fool, I left him to it. Now, it’s been a year, and I could say that I had lost control over the business. I realized I didn’t keep track of a lot of things and Blake systematically pushed me out of every aspect of the company.

I might have been naive before, but I wasn't going to continue being stupid. One way or another, I had to reclaim what was rightfully mine.

Back in my room, wrapped in my favorite robe, I sat at my vanity and started drying my hair. The whirr of the dryer filled the room, almost drowning out my thoughts. I soon switched off the dryer and turned my face to the door because it sounded like I heard a knock.

The knock came again in the silence, and before I could even respond, Blake opened the door. I rolled my eyes the moment I saw his face, turning the hair dryer back on. He proceeded in anyway and shut the door. He walked closer and tried to touch my shoulder.

I quickly switched the dryer off. “Don't touch me,” I snapped.

He sighed that familiar condescending sigh of his. “Come on, Ava.”

“Had a good time with Chloe last night, huh?”

“Ava, please…”

“Get out of my room.” I turned back to the mirror, refusing to look at him.

He stubbornly asked, “Where did you run off to last night?”

“None of your business. Just leave my room! We're done.” I stood up, moving toward the closet. “And don't think I'm back here because I forgot everything. I'm here to take my things.”

He followed me, of course he did. Blake never could take a hint.

“Look, I'm sorry for what happened yesterday—“

I laughed and spun around to face him. “You can't be serious. Which part exactly are you sorry for, Blake? The part where I found another woman's underwear in your pocket? Or maybe the part where I caught you fucking your ex on the terrace? Oh, wait, I know…it must be the part where you suggested an open relationship to me like you were making me a generous offer!”

“Everything,” he said quickly, “I'm sorry for everything. I had a lot to drink and—“

“Don't you dare blame this on alcohol,” I cut him off, “Just admit it, you're a shitty person. You've always been a shitty person and I was just too blind to see that for eight years.”

He walked closer to me, nodding. “You're right. I am a shitty person. I accept that. And I'm sorry…baby, I know. I messed up. But we can fix this.”

“Fix this?” I yanked my closet door open. “There's nothing to fix. You destroyed everything already.”

“It was a mistake.”

“A mistake is forgetting to pick up milk on your way home. What you did? That was a choice. Multiple choices, actually. Every time you met up with her, every time you lied to my face.”

I started pulling clothes from hangers and throwing them onto the bed. Blake grabbed my hand as I was about to hurl another set of clothes, lookingmi to my eyes.

“I said I’m sorry.”

Looking at him, I realized I had to grab this opportunity. I would never trust him again, not after what he'd done. But I could still pretend just so I could get back all that was rightfully mine, that he didn’t want to pry his hands off.

“Fine,” sighed, crossing my arms.

“I'll forgive you on one condition.”

“Anything, baby. Name it,” he said enthusiastically.

“I'm coming back to the company. I want my place in the administration again.

I wasn’t surprised to see the instant change in his expression.

“What?”

“You heard me.”

He chuckled awkwardly, brushing his fingers through his hair.

“You know that's not possible right now….”

“And why’s that?” I shrugged.

“We've just completed a major restructuring. The board has implemented some new policies. Bringing in sudden changes might destabilize everything we've built recently.”

Of course. I knew he wouldn't give up control so easily. The company was his golden goose.

“I also don't want you to stress yourself,” he continued, his voice now honey-sweet. “You remember how overwhelmed you were before. How about this, I'll increase your monthly allowance to fifty thousand. You can shop, travel, do whatever makes you happy.”

I almost laughed in his face but I restrained myself. Once upon a time, I saw his extravagant gifts as proof of his love. All those surprise trips to Paris, the spontaneous shopping sprees, the way he always remembered every anniversary, how foolish of me to have thought that was something. Little did I know there were all golden handcuffs—to trap me.

“I don't want an allowance, Blake. I want my place back in the company,” I maintained steely.

“Baby, be reasonable—“

“Don't ‘baby’ me. It's my condition. Take it or leave it.”

He ran his hands through his hair again with more frustration. “The timing isn't right—“

“Then I guess we're done here.” I turned back to my closet.

“Okay, wait," he grabbed my arm. “Lemme...lemme see what I can do."

“I want an answer by tomorrow.”

“Okay. Okay.”

“Good,” I smiled.

“Does this mean you'll stay? We’re good now?”

I nodded, hating myself a little for the lie. “As long as you keep your word.”

His face lit up, and he pulled me into a hug. I let him, even though my skin was crawling. Over his shoulder, my smile turned cold. He had no idea what was coming. He thought he was winning me back, but this was just the beginning. I'd take back everything he stole from me, piece by piece, until there was nothing left.

“I love you,” he whispered into my hair.

“Fuck—you.” I said in my mind.

****

Later that evening, a call came into Blake’s phone. I didn’t bother myself with whoever it was on the phone or whatever it was they were talking about because I just didn’t care anymore.

“Dad wants us for dinner tonight,” Blake said after hanging up.

I was going to refuse. Blake must have seen what was on my mind because he immediately added, “Isabella's specifically asking for you. She says she misses you already.”

Isabella was such a sweetheart, and if for anyone, I had to accompany Blake anywhere, it would be her.

“You're coming, right?” He asked and I nodded.

Blake seemed relieved. “Great ‘cause Alexander will be there too. Need to be in his good books….”

Whatever Blake yapped about after mentioning Alexander’s name instantly faded into nothingness, because my heart stopped for a split second, my knees nearly buckling under my weight.

He was going to be there…