CHAPTER SEVEN

The sun beat down hot and bright, clouds absent in the wide expanse of blue.

'Not quite the weather for a funeral' Ava thought, tugging at her black lace gloves and stared absentmindedly in front of her, she say primly, the bench hard under her as she listened to the priest.

"We gather here today to celebrate the memory of our beloved brother, Kenneth Alvin McQueen"

In the silence that reigned in the cathedral, the priest voice droned on, seeming to echo from off the high ceilings.

Kenneth had died from complications on the final surgery for his cancer at seventy one years.

Kenneth, the person who had pushed for her marriage to Ethan.

Kenneth, the one person who had patted her back when she cried secretly.

Kenneth, the one person whose gaze she didn't want to disappoint.

Taking a deep breath, her heart aching but her eyes and mouth were surprisingly dry.

She was seated by herself among the well wishers, while Victoria say with Ethan and the rest of the family in the pew reserved for the McQueen family.

She didn't feel sad, she could barely keep it together if she had to sit with them and the death stares from Ethan did nothing to make her move.

As everyone filed out to the cemetery, she watched quietly as the coffin was lowered into a freshly dug hole and covered with death.

'Goodbye Kenneth and thank you for taking me in' Ava closed her eyes, around her people said their goodbyes tossing dirt into the open grave as a sign of their final goodbye, some crying freely, others dabbing at tears with their handkerchiefs.

She glanced at where the McQueens stood, regal with Victoria and Phoebe smiling as they received the mourners words of consolation.

'Of course they'd smile,they are finally rid of the only obstacle keeping them from absolute control of the McQueen group' Ava thought staring at them in hatred.

After the news of Kenneth's death had arrived two weeks ago, the family had first shown shock then a hint of relief.

Ethan's father had immediately sprang into action, calling the board to discuss official business, Ethan ,Phoebe all scrambled for whatever they could get, all forgetting about the final burial arrangements.

Ava has taken it upon herself to ensure the ceremony was a success.

As soon as the priest finished the ceremony, the crowd began boarding their vehicles, leaving the family behind.

She saw Ethan begin walking towards her, his steps purposeful.

Victoria watched them, smiling with her arm linked in Phoebe's and glaring angrily at Ava.

'That snobbish woman, just you wait, act arrogant all you want, Ethan will be mine soon enough!' she thought bitterly as she bit her lips in anger.

Ava began to walk away and Ethan rushed towards her blocking her path.

"I think we have unfinished business Ava" he said, an a stretched out to prevent her from walking away.

He looked imposing in his black custom designer suit, his face strained and red from being out in the sun.

"I have no business to speak of with you, just sign the divorce papers when I serve them to you later" Ava replied, pushing his arm out of the way and walking to her car.

"Are you really going to be like this?" Ethan sneered,his jaw tense as he reached out to grab her arm.

"You must not have heard but grandfather willed everything to me" he hissed near her ears "You lost Ava, so stop this nonsense about a divorce, you're getting nothing from me"

"Really now?" Ava snatched her arm out of his grasp and laughed in his face.

"Oh Ethan, you don't have to worry about that, you can keep your little toys, I have no use for them" she said ,watching Ethan's jaw clench harder in anger.

Satisfied, she turned and signaled to Andrew "Bring the car, we are leaving".

"Leaving?" Andrew replied,glancing back and forth at Ava and Ethan "What about the boss?"

"That is none of your concern" Ethan snarled.

"Get the car Andrew" Ava sighed "Now"

"Yes, I'm sorry" Andrew said as he scurried to the parking lot as Ava stared disappointingly at his back.

'Has he became brain damaged from the accident?' she wondered 'why is he so scatterbrained nowadays'

Turning to Ethan "well, I'd see you at the house, my lawyer will be bringing the divorce papers,do not keep me waiting"

With that she sauntered towards her parked car, leaving Ethan staring after her with an unreadable look on his face.

***

"My goodness, what a rude woman" Phoebe said, coming to stand beside Ethan "Are you okay?" She asked looking at Ethan's hard profile.

'Was he okay? He didn't know, what has gotten into her? What is she trying to prove?'

His grandfather had indeed willed everything to him, contrary to his former condition of having a child with Ava, he had been confused momentarily but then, the request never made sense in the first place.

So his grandfather had actually outsmarted Ava, who had tried to manipulate him into marrying her to his grandson for his wealth.

'Was that it?'

Was she angry her plan failed and was going to make a grand exit??

" Haa, how shameless" Ethan scoffed, but why was he feeling this way, he looked at his trembling hands.

'i am ...afraid?? I am actually afraid of her leaving?'

The moment she had said she was divorcing him, he had surprised then panicked, and finally gritted his teeth in anger.

Who did she think she was to decide when to enter and leave his life?

Something was not adding up and he was going to find it.

"I am heading back" he said to his mother before walking briskly to his already parked vehicle.

"Oh ,we should go together Ethan..."Victoria said but was ignored as Ethan slammed the door and signalled the driver to leave.

To the mansion where Ava was waiting for him.