Mag-log inAva's POVIt was Monday morning.I stood in front of my mirror, fixing my hair while my mind kept going back to Saturday night.When Sebastian first asked me to be his date to the celebration, I didn't want to go.I knew Liam would be there, and his grandmother would be there too.The thought of standing in the same room with them made me uncomfortable.But eventually, I decided to go.I didn't want to hide from anyone.If Margaret wanted to see me, then she could see me. I wasn't going to act like I had done something wrong by simply existing.The party had actually gone well.I met a lot of people and spoke with several important executives. For a few hours, I almost forgot about everything else.Almost. Because Liam was there.And somehow, my mind kept going back to the sex we had at the hallway.It was crazy. And honestly, a little scary.What if someone had seen us? What if someone had walked in?I shook my head.I needed to stop. Liam and I were no longer together.I needed to c
Liam's POVI kept my eyes on Ava.I tried not to. I really did.But every time I looked away, my eyes found her again.She was moving from one group of people to another with Sebastian beside her. He introduced her to investors, executives, and other important guests as if she belonged there.And she looked comfortable. Too comfortable.I hated how jealous I felt and I had no right to feel this way.Ava wasn't my girlfriend anymore.I was the one who ended things. I was the one who told her we couldn't be together.So why did seeing another man beside her feel like someone was ripping something out of my chest?I took a glass from a passing waiter and drank it.It didn't help.I looked at her again.Sebastian leaned toward her and said something.Ava smiled.My grip tightened around the glass.“Liam.”I turned.A man standing nearby smiled at me.“Mr. Reynolds, could I have a word with you?”I forced myself to look away from Ava.“Of course.”I listened to him talk about a possible in
Liam's POV“Liam.”Adrian's voice pulled me back. His hand was still gripping my arm.“Get hold of yourself,” he said quietly. “You don't want to blow your cover here.”I looked at him, then toward Ava and Sebastian.She was still standing beside him.My jaw tightened.I knew Adrian was right.I couldn't walk over there and cause a scene. Not here. Not with half of the most powerful people in New York watching me.I took a deep breath. Then another. In and out.“Liam.”This time, it was Clara.I turned and looked at my sister.She was standing a few feet away, staring at me with a worried expression.I looked at her, then back at Adrian.“People are watching,” he said. “Your reaction right now isn't helping.”I glanced around.He was right. Several people were looking in my direction.I forced myself to relax my shoulders.I smiled. It wasn't a real smile, but it was enough.“I'm fine,” I said.Adrian gave me a look that clearly said he didn't believe me.I ignored him and straightene
Liam's POVSebastian Cross was getting too close to Ava.That was the thought that had been irritating me ever since our conversation at the company.He had been bold about it too.He wanted Ava, and he wasn't even trying to hide it anymore.The worst part was that it bothered me.More than it should.I had no right to be jealous. Ava and I were no longer together. I was the one who had told her that our relationship might not work.But every time I imagined Sebastian taking her out, buying her things, making her laugh, or simply standing too close to her, something inside me tightened.I hated it. And I hated myself for caring.My mind went back to the night Ava and I had slept together.I had wanted her so badly that night.For a moment, everything between us had disappeared. The anger, the betrayal, the years she had kept Damien from me. None of it mattered when she was in my arms.But morning had brought reality back.We weren't together. And I couldn't pretend otherwise.I hadn't
Genevieve's POVAll my life, I had been the only daughter of the Langley family. The only child of Richard and Victoria Langley.The heiress to Langley Jewels Group.My parents had spent more than five years trying to have a child before my mother finally became pregnant with me. They had gone through doctors, treatments, disappointment, and everything else that came with wanting a child and not having one.They had even started considering adoption. Then my mother became pregnant with me.From the day I was born, I was treated like I was made of gold.My parents gave me everything I wanted.If I wanted something, I got it. If I didn't like something, it was removed.I grew up knowing exactly who I was.A Langley.The future owner of one of the biggest jewelry companies in the country.I had always maintained the perfect image.I knew how to walk into a room and make people look at me. I knew how to speak to important people. I knew which events to attend and which ones to avoid.And
Sebastian's Pov I watched Ava walk away from the lobby until she disappeared through the doors.A small smile formed on my lips.There was something about that woman. Even when she was clearly dealing with problems, she still had that fire in her.And I liked it. Maybe more than I should.Liam and Ava were no longer together. Everyone knew that. And for the first time, I felt like I actually had a chance.I wanted her. Not just for a few dates.I wanted her to be mine.“Boss.”I turned around.My secretary stood behind me.“Everything is ready.”I nodded.“Good.”I started walking, and several executives followed behind me.We entered the elevator together.As the doors closed, I leaned against the wall and checked my phone.The first collaboration between Cross Industries and Reynolds Holdings had finally reached its first major milestone.Everything was moving exactly as planned.When the elevator opened, we headed toward the meeting room.Liam and his executives were already seate
The sun was bright when Damien and I reached the park. He held my hand until we stepped onto the grass, then he let go and ran ahead, full of energy. His laugh carried through the air as he darted toward the swings, then the slide, and then the sandbox. I kept my eyes on him, sitting down on a benc
Liam’s POVDinner was quiet at first. Diana pushed her fork around the plate, not really eating. I tried to lighten the mood, asking about school, her drawings, her favorite book. She gave small answers, distracted.Finally, she put the fork down and looked at me.“Daddy,” she said softly. “Can I a
Ava’s POVFive years had passed, but New York still felt like it wanted to swallow me whole.The skyline towered above as the cab turned down Flatbush Avenue, the glass and steel throwing back the morning sun. Damien’s small hand was wrapped around mine, his fingers sticky from the muffin Isa had b
Liam’s POVThe phone rang while I was at my desk, and for a second I considered ignoring it. I had told Ivan I didn’t want any calls, but when his voice came through the intercom, I knew something was wrong.“Sir,” he said, calm but firm. “It’s Dr. Miranda. She insists.”I straightened in my chair







