Chapter 1

Ava's Point of View

The atmosphere was serene, with soft music playing in the background. Above me, a chandelier cast a warm glow, while dim lighting illuminated the room, exuding an air of opulence that only the wealthy could afford. This was a haven for high-profile people, and I sat amidst it all, a glass of wine clutched in my hand.

I've been sitting here for hours, waiting for my husband, but there was no sight of him. I should have left a long time ago, but somehow my heart told me he wouldn't disappoint me tonight.

Deep down, I knew the truth, but I still held onto the hope that he'd keep his word, at least for today.

Each passing second, a lump formed in my stomach, making me nervous.

His actions were a bitter pill for me to swallow.

We've been married for five years. I've given him everything he could ever ask for: a peaceful home and a son, and I've been nothing but a good wife. His family treats me like trash, and he never valued me at all. Still, I stayed, holding onto the hope that he might change.

But he doesn't care about me, and every day he makes sure to remind me of it.

I exhaled a sad breath as I placed the glass of wine on the table, I got up from the chair, and grabbed my handbag from the table, clenching it to my shoulder.

Just as I was about to make my way to the bathroom, I halted in my steps when I caught a familiar face across from my table.

My eyes widened in shock as I saw Julian and Lily seated at the table a few steps away from where I was seated. Tears clouded my eyes as Lily cut her cake and fed it to Julian, who smiled as he took a bite. He then cut a piece of cake and fed it to Lily.

My knees weakened as I slumped back in the chair, a sharp pang cutting through my chest.

I exhaled deeply, trying to keep my emotions in check.

He can't do that to me. He's the one who sent me this address; he promised he'd come and celebrate my birthday with me, and like a fool, I believed him. I really thought he'd keep his word, but who was I kidding?

Lily was the woman he loved. She's been abroad all these years, and she just returned, apparently sick with only a few months left to live, and my dear husband was making beautiful memories with her and making her relive their past love story.

I turned to look at them again, a lump forming in my throat as I stared at them. They looked so happy together, and it felt as though I was the other woman coming between them.

With the little strength I had, I rose from the chair and started making my way to the bathroom, reaching there.

I pushed the door open and stepped in. I stood frozen in front of the sink, my gaze locking with my reflection in the mirror, my hands grasping the cool edge, my fingers spread wide for support.

After a few minutes of standing there, I splashed water over my face, letting the cold water drench my face. I grasped a tissue towel and wiped my face dry.

Applying a little lip gloss, I stepped out of the bathroom and went back to the restaurant, only to find Julian now seated at the table where I was seated.

I cleared my throat as I walked over to the table, grabbed the chair, and pulled it back before I settled on it, placing my handbag on the table.

"You are late." His frosty gaze locked with mine, his hands placed on the table.

"I was in the bathroom." I balled my hand into a fist under the table. "I came here a long time ago and waited for you." It took everything in me to keep a straight face and my emotions in check.

"I had a very important meeting," he shrugged nonchalantly. "Order what you want to eat; I need to leave in thirty minutes."

My heartbeat seemed to have stopped completely before it started racing again after a few seconds. I blinked back the tears that threatened to burst out of my eyes. I can't cry in front of him; he can't see me breaking down.

"I'm not hungry; you can go and attend your meetings," I didn't want to force him to stay here when he didn't want to; he can go if he wants.

He slammed his hand against the table, and I flinched back , quickly removing my other hand from it. "What's wrong with you, Ava? I came all the way here for your birthday, and you are telling me you aren't hungry. Why did you waste my time by letting me come here?" His jaws clenched, his frustration clear as day.

A heavy ache settled in my chest, making it hard for me to breathe freely. My gaze locked with his dark one, which held no emotions in it.

"I'm sorry for wasting your time. I'm sorry for being in your way, and I'm very sorry for thinking you cared a little bit about me. I'm sorry for everything I didn't do, actually. I'm sorry," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. I tried everything in my veins to blink back the tears that threatened to burst out of my eyes.

Julian's brows squished together in confusion as his eyes locked with mine. I bit down on my lower lip, trying to keep my calm.

I should be used to this; he'd always treated me like this for the past five years. It has always been like this, so why does my heart hurt? Why am I feeling this unbearable pain cutting through my chest?

Before any of us could utter a word, panic erupted as people started screaming and running out of the restaurant. My eyes widened in horror at the sight of flames that seemed to have broken out inside the hotel. Chairs scattered everywhere as the fire escalated, consuming everything in its path. I froze in my seat, fear gripping my throat like a vice. The mere sound of the flames sent a shiver down my spine, paralyzing me. I couldn't move a muscle, let alone a finger.

Without a word, Julian rose from the chair and rushed to the table where Lily was seated earlier.

Tears streamed down my cheeks as I watched him carry her and rush out of the restaurant along with other people.

As I rose from the chair, ready to leave, people pushed past me, causing me to stumble and fall on the ground. I winced as a table fell on my leg, sending a sharp pain piercing through my skin, more tears welling up in my eyes as more people stepped on me, running out of the restaurant, saving their lives.

I couldn't stand because of the table on my leg, nor did I have the strength to push it off me. Did I even have any reason left to live? My husband just carried another woman out of here, leaving me all alone, and now I was trapped.

The smoke shrouded the whole place, and it started filling my nostrils, and I started coughing so hard. Everyone was out of the restaurant, and I doubted if there was anyone in here. No one was going to come and save me; it was clear I couldn't save myself. I'd die in here, and no one would even care.

Just when I thought no one was going to come, someone rushed inside the restaurant. I couldn't see his face clearly, but I was certain it wasn't Julian.

He pushed the table off me, and I screamed in pain as he practically pulled it out of my skin. He scooped me into his arms and rushed out with me in his arms. Dizziness washed over me because of the smoke that blurred everything around me as I fell into darkness.