AVAI wrapped a towel around myself, droplets of water tracking down my arms as I fumbled for the device on the nightstand.“Hello?” I answered.“Am I on to Ava Winters?” A male voice responded.“Yes, speaking.” I tucked the phone against my shoulder as I used my other hand to secure my towel more firmly.“This is Officer Daniels from the Whitechapel Police Station. I’m calling because your number was listed as an emergency contact for a Blake Montgomery. Do you know him?”My hand froze in the process of reaching for my robe. Blake? Why would I still be his emergency contact? And more pressingly, why was a police officer calling about him?“Yes, I know him,” I replied cautiously. “What's this about?”“Mr. Montgomery has been arrested. I'm afraid I can't discuss the details over the phone.”A cold feeling that had nothing to do with my damp skin spread through my chest.“Is he—is he okay?”“Physically, he's fine. Are you a family member, Ms.Winters?”“No,” I said quickly. “No, we're ju
Trap at Pine LodgeI had to wait until granny fell asleep before making my move to leave. I loaded the last of my bags into the trunk and glanced back at the cottage, where Ava was about to shut the door.I smiled lightly at her and she nodded before shutting the door. There was too much to say and no way to say it. I almost blurted out my feelings in the kitchen earlier.Turning back to my car, I went in, turned in the ignition and backed down the driveway while watching the cottage grow smaller in the rearview mirror until it was just a collection of distant lights, then nothing at all.The radio came on automatically, filling the car with soft static before settling on a station.I rolled down the window slightly, resting my elbow on the frame as the cool night air whipped through my hair while accelerating into the empty main road.The song initially playing on the radio faded out, and a new one began.“No way,” I muttered on hearing the familiar song.It was the song that was pla
AVAIt was the second day of staying at grandma’s…with Blake.I was in the backyard to tend to grandma’s garden after a tense lunch where we all pretended everything was perfectly normal.Gardening used to be a form of therapy for me when I was younger because there was something soothing about nurturing living things and watching them respond to care and attention. But today I was doing it because it gave me a much-needed excuse to avoid being trapped in the cottage with Blake and grandma's not-so-subtle hints about what a lovely couple we made.I was busy spraying her pink rosebush when the water from the hose suddenly stopped. I squeezed the nozzle harder, but nothing happened.So I dropped the hose and went over to the pump that supplied water to the garden. Since I hadn’t loved her in a very long time, I forgot that this particular pump usually had faults and sometimes required some coaxing to continue functioning. Gra
AVAThree months as CEO of my parents’ company still felt surreal, but I was enjoying and making the most of it. Sales increased fifteen percent since my installation, and the board’s initial skepticism vanished into thin air in a matter of weeks.I traced my finger along the edge of a kitchen renovation concept. Alexander helped me identify the designer who was a recent graduate with a fresh perspective on sustainable materials.My assistant Sophie appeared in the doorway, tablet in hand. “Your three o’clock canceled, and the supplier meeting wrapped up early. Your schedule is clear for the rest of the day.”I glanced at my watch, surprised to find it was barely past noon.“Thanks, Sophie. Could you email me the quarterly projections before you leave? I’d like to review them tonight.”After she left, I leaned back in my chair as thoughts I had been avoiding for a while came floating back. It w
AVAThe afternoon that was supposed to be spent having a great time with Isabella now turned awkward and disturbing. Now, we were sitting together in the living room after Charles left.Isabella excused herself briefly to freshen up, giving me a moment alone with Alexander. His jaw was tight as he stared out the window.“Did you know?” I asked him quietly.Alexander shook his head, then frowned even further.“I suspected things weren't perfect, but this...Isabella’s always been private about her relationships, even with family.”When Isabella returned, she’d reapplied her makeup, but that still couldn't disguise the weariness that had settled in her normally vibrant eyes. She carried a silver tray with a crystal decanter and three glasses.“I think we could all use something stronger than tea,” she said, trying to lighten up the mood as she poured into our glasses.Alexander took
AVAI could hear the ringing penetrating my dreams, Without opening my eyes, I reached across the bed and patted my hand around the bed to find that Alexander wasn’t there. I reluctantly pried my eyes open and winced at the bright morning light.The phone rang again.I crawled across the bed to pick it up, squinting at the screen. It was Isabella.“Hello?” I answered and almost immediately, I yawned loudly.“Well, good morning to you too. Someone must have had quite the long night,” she teased through the phone.“Hi, Isabella,” I chuckled.“I'm sorry for waking you, darling. Did I interrupt your beauty sleep?”“Don't apologize,” I said, running a hand through my tangled hair. “I should be up anyway.”“I've missed you and I was hoping you might join me for afternoon tea today. Nothing formal, just us catching up. It's been too long.”My fingers twisted in the sheets. “That sounds lovely,” I found myself saying.despite the tiny warning bells chiming in my“Wonderful! Let's say two o'cl
AVA“You should sit down. Can I get you anything? Water? Pain meds?”“I’m fine, Ava. It looks worse than it feels.”I nodded. “I'll make some tea," I said, my voice unsteady.”His footsteps followed me to the kitchen, and I felt his presence behind me as I filled the kettle.“Ava,” he said softly, his breath warm against my neck. “Look at me.”I turned as he trapped me between himself and the counter. His uninjured arm rested beside me, not touching but close enough that I could feel the heat radiating from his skin.“You're exhausted.”“Yeah, it's been a long night,” I replied.“It has. But I'm okay. You're okay. That's what matters.”Alexander's hand came up to cup my cheek.“I was so scared,” I admitted.“I know. But we're home now. Safe.”He lowered his head to kiss me from my temple down to my cheek. When he reached my ear, he licked it, making me squirm as heat flooded my face.“Your arm,” I said, gently touching the edge of the white gauze. “We shouldn't…”He interrupted, his g
AVA“Alexander!” I screamed.He staggered slightly as I reached for his wounded arm. His shirt was soaking his shirt at a horrifying speed as my shaky hands examined the wound. The cut wasn't deep, which made me feel some kind of relief, but it was a long, angry slice of wound.Chloe laughed maniacally through the chaos as two security guards came to restrain her. Yet she was thrashing against their grip with surprising strength for her slight frame.“Look at you!” she shrieked, “The damsel that’s always protected. What makes you so fucking special?”Blake stood frozen between us with shock on his face.“Get her out of here,” I ordered, and more security personnel appeared to surround Chloe.She continued screaming and laughing as they dragged her away.“He still loves her. That foolish Blake! Ask him! Ask your ex-CEO why he gave up his position!”Once she was taken away, the space felt silent again. Guests were huddled in shocked clusters of gossip and speculation. And I wasn’t even
CHLOEThe city felt different now, more hostile, and mocking. I was able to get accommodation at a former colleague's. Sharon.One day Sharon paid for a spa day at a spa because she couldn't attend my birthday last year and knowing I needed that little luxury, I headed there.While there, I overheard two women gossiping in the steam room."”—the most extravagant party. At Alexander’s lake house.”“For Ava Winters, right? I heard they're celebrating her taking over that company.”As soon as I heard Ava’s name I got interested and decided to join.“Quite the scandal how she got it back,” I added. “When is it again?”“This weekend. My husband's firm handles their events.”This was my chance to confront Ava face-to-face and demand answers about what she'd done to Blake. I had to make everyone see the kind of snake she was; she couldn't just take everything and leave the rest of us with nothing.****It was Saturday. That D-day.Getting in was the hard part because I didn't have an invitat