Chapter 8

Chapter 8

When Caleb showed no intention of reciprocating the kiss, she tried to deepen it, but he pulled away. She attempted to lean in again, only to have him place a hand on her shoulder, keeping her at arm's length.

"Not tonight, Sophia," he said, causing her face to fall as he picked up her robe from the bed.

Caleb walked back to Sophia and handed her the robe. "Put it on," he commanded, his voice firm yet calm.

"But—" Sophia began, but Caleb cut her off. "Just put it on, Sophia," he repeated, his tone more forceful this time, causing her to flinch.

Reluctantly, Sophia took the robe from him and put it on, her forehead creased with frustration.

"I'm really tired. You should use the other room tonight," He stated, his words sounding like an order rather than a suggestion.

"But we always sleep together," Sophia protested, her fists clenched tightly.

However, the seriousness in Caleb's expression made her think twice about arguing further.

"Okay," she conceded, forcing a smile. "Good night," she said before leaving the room.

As she closed the door behind her, her feigned smile turned into a scowl. All her efforts had been in vain, as her plan to seduce Caleb while he was intoxicated had failed miserably. She had drugged the meal made for him, in hopes that he could manipulate him into sleeping with her.

Of course, she knew he would reject her if she used a direct approach, but she still tried anyway and was met with a blunt refusal as expected. But not only did Caleb reject her advances, he also kicked her out of the room.

Was he still thinking about Ava? Sophia wondered, folding her arms across her chest with a disgruntled expression.

"That woman," Sophia muttered to herself.

Even after four years, Ava somehow still managed to interfere in her life and happiness.

She clicked her tongue in uncontrollable annoyance. Caleb had been making excuses and postponing their wedding, and Sophia's prolonged illness only complicated matters.

She was desperate to become Mrs. Reed, and was willing to do whatever it took to sleep with Caleb and carry his child, even if it meant resorting to unconventional methods to achieve her goal.

She glanced at the room door one more time before leaving, grumbling frustratedly as she left.

*****

With a bright smile on her face, Ava quietly watched Aurora as she happily devoured her fluffy pancakes, savoring each bite as if it were the most delicious thing she had ever tasted.

"Did you enjoy your meal?" Ava asked, and Aurora nodded enthusiastically as she cutely chewed the last morsel of pancake in her mouth.

Ava chuckled at her daughter's cute expression, gently wiping the food crumbs from the side of Aurora's mouth with a napkin.

Today was the day of the movie shoot, and both she and Aurora were dressed and ready. Now, they were just waiting for Chris to pick them up and drive them to the movie set.

Just as she thought of him, her phone began to ring, displaying Chris's name on the screen.

"Good morning," Chris's voice came through the phone as soon as she answered.

He sounded quite lively and energetic.

"Morning. Aurora and I are all set," Ava said, switching the phone to her left hand so she could help Aurora down from her seat.

"Ok. I'm in front of the building right now," Chris replied.

"Alright, we're coming down," Ava said before ending the call.

She took Aurora's hand, grabbed her bag, and they both stepped out of the hotel room. When they emerged from the building, Ava immediately spotted Chris standing next to a black BMW.

Aurora let go of her mother's hand and ran happily towards Chris, giggling as he lifted her off the ground.

"I had delicious pancakes for breakfast," Aurora exclaimed with a cute grin on her face.

"Really? Were they tastier than mommy's pancakes?" Chris jokingly asked, to which Aurora shook her head.

"Mama's pancakes are the best in the whole wide world," she declared as if stating a well-known fact, her expression serious, causing Ava to chuckle.

Chris placed Aurora in the back seat of the car, buckling her seatbelt before he and Ava got in and he started the car, driving off.

Meanwhile, Caleb sat in the back seat of his car, dressed in a dark blue suit with his hair perfectly styled, scrolling through his schedule for the day on his ipad. His attention shifted to the busy road and passing cars for just a moment when he caught sight of another vehicle passing by. It wasn't the vehicle that his attention, but the person in the in it.

His eyes widened and he immediately called his driver's attention.

"Follow that black BMW that just passed us." He ordered, his urgency evident despite his calm voice.

The driver swiftly made a turn and began following the car per his boss's order.

Caleb couldn't believe his luck in seeing her again so soon. For some reason he couldn't explain, he felt happy and slightly excited. It felt as though fate was on his side. A small smile crept onto his face, but it quickly faded as he remembered the man who was with Ava in the car.

Was that man her husband? Caleb wondered, feeling a sudden wave of jealousy wash over him. He shook his head, admonishing himself for having such emotions. He knew he had no right to feel envious, but he couldn't help it.

Pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration, Caleb acknowledged that something was definitely off with him. He had been unable to stop thinking about Ava since he last saw her at the airport. Perhaps if he saw her again and had a chance to talk to her, even if it was just for a few minutes, he could clear his mind and focus on other things, removing her image from constantly reappearing in his daily thoughts.