BLAKEI had the perfect plan in my head. If I wasn't going to get Ava, I could get her through the person she loved most in the world, and that was her grandma.To be honest, it’s been a long time since I saw her Grandma anyway. So that was why I was in her cottage. Everything seemed to be going well so far. At first, I was surprised that Ava would show up—that was never part of the plan. I thought she would figure out my plan and expose me, but she was playing along just well.I discreetly watched her throughout the whole thing. I could see the conflict in her eyes. The greatest advantage I had with Ava was that I'd known her for years. I knew almost everything about her, even though she tried to act tough. I knew the right buttons to press and the right actions to show.So, when I held Grandma's hand, declaring my passionate love for her, I expected her reaction.She walked out of the room and used the washroom as an excuse. But I kne
AVAAlexander was like the guardian angel that God hadsent my way. He always knew the right time to step in and ease the situation. Or…maybe he just felt the tension between Blake and me from a mile away and quickly got me away before I could strangle him with my bare hands. It was kind of a good thing, and not, because I would end up being too indebted to Alexander if he kept coming to my rescue like this everytime.The rain had resumed pouring with loud pitter-patters, the harsh winds whipping my hair around my face. I wrapped my arms around my body, feeling cold already. My stomach turned in uneasy knots and I hadn’t even realized when Alexander shrugged off his suit jacket and slid it over my shoulders, ushering me to the car quickly.He quickly pulled out his car remote control from his pocket and unlocked the vehicle with a bleep control, then pulled the passenger door open for me to get in. I didn’t hesitate one bit, both to get
ALEXANDERAva leaning in was the last thing I saw before her lips trapped mine in a passionate kiss. Instinctively, I brought my hand up to cup her cheek, deepening the kiss. She felt so soft and I wanted nothing more than to have our bodies pressed against each other.She didn’t slow down the pace, my lips moving in sync with hers as she let out a small sigh. Her to he molded with me and she arched hungrily against me, grabbing on to my biceps for stamina. This was perfect. It felt like a sick part of me was being chased and the feeling that toiled inside of me was one that I knew all too well. She stumbled forward, enabling me to step back. My leg hit the mattress softly, until I realised exactly what Ava was doing.Angling in for one last kiss, I then pulled away from her breathless. My eyes fleeted up to meet hers. She crinkled her bows in confusion. Her soft, pink lips were swollen and her chest heaved up and down gently as she looked down at me.
AVAAs soon as I pulled up to the company, Layla was the first to greet me, pulling the car door open for me.“Good Morning, Miss.” She bowed her head slightly. A coffee was in her hand, presumably the one I’d told her I specifically liked. I wasn’t planning on bothering Layla with too much manual labor, especially since she was an intern. But, in the meantime, she’d help me with my daily supply of caffeine—very important.I was just so surprised. She was taking this role so seriously, that she had waited by the elevator in the parking lot until I pulled up. Well, it was a good thing, we could make our way up together now.The jitters of returning back to work hadn’t left my body, especially with all that had happened in the past few days. It was definitely a lot to think about.“Oh please, I’ve told you to cut it out with the honorifics. You’re making me feel old,” I rolled my eyes
AVAMy mouth gaped open in horror, as I glanced around the table. Everyone was watching me now, and I had never felt so uncomfortable in my damn life.Was Blake crazy?! Why would he do such a thing?I almost wanted to stand up and strike a slap right across his face, but that would be too much to do in front of the people seated around the table. As I glanced around, my eyes met Lila’s. For some reason, her expression was neutral. I couldn’t tell what was running through her mouth, as she gave a small tight-lipped smile.“Well, congratulations to you both!” She declared with a slow clap, and the others followed ensuite, until the sound of claps filled the room. My head hammered, as I brought my hand up to rub on my temples.No, no. This couldn’t be happening to me right now. This was supposed to be my day for crying out loud . A day to relax and be happy for myself, without anyone ruining it! But as always, Blake had t
AVAI watched him walk away, with his head hung low as I folded my arms over my chest. My face was probably streaked with a few tears and I gently dabbed it away with the inner collar of my shirt.That felt like hell opening up, quite literally. He didn’t even bother picking up the damn ring, and I stared at it for a second, before moving to it to quickly pick it up. I examined it, twisting it between my fingers.Scoffing, I clenched it in my fist tightly. I wouldn’t have been surprised, if it was originally meant for Chloe anyways. She was first choice, and I was nothing but the back up girl to Blake.After he took everything from me.I’d never forgive him for this, even if I was on my death bed. He thought I was just a stupid fragile girl, but I’d definitely prove him wrong.I held onto the ring, spinning around on my heel. I’d spent far too much time outside, surely one or two people would’ve noticed by
AVAAnother day to try and keep everything in control. How was it possible that things were going so well and at the same time, falling apart in my life? As I locked my car with the remote control, I slung the luxurious bag over my arm and headed straight for the elevator.I couldn’t deny the sickening feeling that kept churning my insides. As soon as I clicked the button, the elevator began its ascend. I took deep breaths in and out, gripping the handle of my bag tightly.I made a mental note to visit Grandma in the hospital soon, as I observed the flashing lights at the top of the elevator, signaling which floor I was on. Finally, the doors slid open with a ding and I stepped out, glancing around.The office was already hustling and bustling, and even as I stepped in, I could already feel many different pairs of eyes on me. Some colleagues gave me a more welcoming greeting, while the rest seemed to acknowledge me with just their judging eyes. They
I spent the rest of my time with Grandma, catching up and making her feel better. A couple of times, the nurses had come in to check her vitals and make sure that she was responding well to the medicine that they were administering to her.She seemed to be getting better and I was glad. After a while, I stood, getting ready to take my leave.“Grandma, I’ll miss you.” I sighed, an apparent frown on my face as I held my bag to my body tightly. Every single nerve in my body just wanted me to sit back down, and stay with Grandma up until daybreak. But, I had work, and just being given this new position, I couldn’t slack off so early.“I’ll miss you too, my sweet.” I leaned over and she gave me a kiss on the forehead, her warm hands cupping my face. “And do greet my darling, Blake, for me, would you? I still don’t understand why he had to leave in such a hurry.”I chuckled nervously. “You know h
AVAI slid my sunglasses from my face, hooking them into the neckline of my blouse as I approached the reception desk.The woman behind it smiled at me.“Good morning. How may I help you?”“I'm looking for Annalise Morris. Does she still work here?”The receptionist's smile tightened slightly. “Is there a particular issue I can help you with?”“No issue. I'm a friend of hers.” I returned her smile. “You can just let her know I'm around.”As the receptionist made a call, I turned to survey the lobby.Annalise and I used to be good friends and business partners before Blake's manipulation drove a wedge between us.We worked at the company together and until Blake stepped in and suggested I stepped back to focus on my health. He also kept planting seeds of doubt about Annalise's, which escalated over months until I was convinced my best friend was undercutting me.
AVAI woke up slowly. Then there came the pleasant ache in my muscles.I opened my eyes to find Alexander watching me, his head propped on one hand, dark hair deliciously mussed from sleep and other activities.The morning stubble along his jaw gave him a rougher edge than his usual polished appearance.“Jesus,” I gasped, jerking slightly. “You scared me.”“Sorry.” He smiled but he didn't sound sorry at all.His touched my waist from under the sheets and his thumb traced idle circles on the bare skin above my hip bone.“How long have you been watching me sleep like some kind of gorgeous creep?” I asked, my voice still rough with sleep.“I don't know. Fifteen minutes, maybe.”His eyes traveled over my face with shameless appreciation. “You talk in your sleep.”“I do not,”I answered quickly.“You do. Something about dolp
AVA“What!”Three steps brought him within arm's reach of me.“You heard me,” I replied, feeling strangely detached from the chaos swirling around us.His adam's apple bobbed under the collar of his shirt. “Have you been playing me this entire time?”I laughed. “Don't act like an innocent puppy, Blake. I was only playing your game. The one you taught me when you fucked another woman behind my back for months.”Charles made a strangled sound from somewhere behind Blake.Isabella didn’t really seem surprised because I already told her happened.“You want to know the secret Sara was threatening to expose? I'll tell you myself. I slept with Alexander the night of your father's wedding.”Blake's face went instantly pale.I turned to Isabella with a pang of genuine regret even though I was satisfied to have let that out.“I'm sorry you had to hear this. But that was the same night I caught Blake making out with a married woman on the terrace. I had to leave because I couldn't take it. I got
AVAHis offer wastoo good to be true and too dangerous to ignore. I“Why would you want help me with that?”He answered, “Because unlike you, I've been honest about my feelings from the beginning. And I wouldn't let a woman I love suffer at the hands of someone like Blake when I have the power to stop it.”Love. He loved me…?The word landed like a stone in still water, and it sent ripples through everything I thought I understood about us.I stared at him and there was only raw sincerity in his eyes, which scared me more than any threat could have.The truth was…I did feel something for Alexander.But I never allowed myself to fully acknowledge it or name it or trust it. Even now, standing here soaked to the skin with the taste of him still on my lips, I was afraid to admit how deep it went.“We should…” I swallowed hard, “We should find somewhere to dry off.”Alexander still kept his eyes on me for a while longer before he nodded, although made no move to lead us back toward the vil
AVAMy cheek throbbed the same rhythm with my heartbeat as I walked away from the hospital.How much more could I take? I walked into this situation willingly, eyes wide open, calculating the costs against the potential gains. I believed getting close to Blake again would help me reclaim what belonged to my family. But so much had happened so far that I didn’t even see it coming. Sara's vindictiveness and Blake's violence for example.Maybe there was another way to get my assets back that didn't require subjecting myself to Blake or Sara.The beach ahead of me was empty, save for one solitary figure standing at the edge of the water. I almost turned in another direction, but it wasn’t like Alexander owned the ocean after all.I headed towards the beach but stopped several yards away from him. The waves crashed over the water just as the cool breeze aided my stinging cheek.I didn’t look at Alexander and made sure my eyes were on the horizon where water met sky.I could see him studyin
ALEXANDER“Tell me.”“The test results are out, sir. It's been confirmed that the child she was carrying is not yours,” Matthew said over the phone.I closed my eyes briefly in relief, which was immediately followed by cold anger. Sara nearly succeeded in her plan to hold me hostage with the welfare of an innocent child.“She thought I was a fool,” I said quietly, more to myself than to Matthews.The level of calculation required to orchestrate this deception was quite impressive, if I must admit.I needed to put that woman in her place for good. No child meant no obligation, and no obligation meant Sara would finally face the consequences of her actions.Matthews's voice pulled me back from my thoughts. “There’s a second update, about Ms. Winters.”My attention sharpened instantly. “Go on.”“She’s been digging into Blake finances and financial dealings as of late. Our source at First Capital confirms she's been making discreet inquiries about specific transactions dating back eightee
SARAAlexander scooped Sara into his arms and carried her out of the door. Her face was contorted with pain and fear, her fingers clutching desperately at his shirt. And then they were gone, leaving me standing motionless in the middle of the kitchen, staring at the crimson puddle at my feet.I couldn't process what had just happened. One moment Sara had been threatening me as she laid claim to Alexander and his future. The next, she was screaming, bleeding and collapsing.“Ava?” Isabella's gentle touch on my shoulder made me flinch. “Are you alright?”I nodded mechanically, unable to form words. The kitchen was now filled with people; Blake was hovering uncertainly in the doorway, Charles was already on his phone arranging something and staff appeared with mops and towels.“Come on,” Isabella said, guided me away from the blood.I looked down and realized there were droplets of red on my shoes. I let Isabella lead me to a bathroom where she dampened a cloth and handed it to me.“What
ALEXANDERI had no choice but to bring Sara along. The moment the pregnancy was confirmed, she weaponized it with her subtle threats. She was using this child as leverage, and we both knew it. Despite wanting nothing to do with her personally, she was carrying my child. As much as I hated to admit it, anything that affected her could inadvertently affect the baby.So here we were. I didn’t expect Ava to be here.I saw her sitting with Isabella on the terrace and everything else faded to background noise. She looked beautiful in the morning light, hair loose around her shoulders, dressed simply in linen pants and a sleeveless top. For a split second before she noticed us, she was laughing at something Isabella had said. Then she saw me and the smile just faded.Sara, of course, noticed my reaction and held my arm more tightly. The tension that followed was excruciating. Ava politely distanced herself while I maintained my composure even though I hated it each time Ava averted her eyes
AVAThe seaside villa Blake booked was admittedly spectacular. It was all clean lines and panoramic windows that framed the ocean like living artwork. Not that I'd been in any mood to appreciate it since we arrived three days ago.This morning, Blake and Charles left at dawn for a deep-sea fishing expedition on Charles's yacht. Blake had kissed my forehead before leaving, whispering something about bringing back dinner and I pretended to be half-asleep as I murmured just enough acknowledgement to send him on his way.It wasn’t until the moment their boat disappeared from view that I felt like I could finally breathe.“More coffee?” Isabella's voice distracted me.She stood in the doorway to the terrace, wearing linen pants and a simple blouse that which she looked so elegant in.I gestured to the chair across from me, “Please.”She poured for us both and then settled into the cushioned chair with a contented sigh.“This is my favorite time of day here. Before the heat becomes unbearab