Chapter 6: Mixed Signals

(Ava’s POV)

A buzzing sound pulled me out of my sleep. Eyes still closed, I reached for my phone on the bedside table. With a small yawn, I slowly opened my eyes.

Adrianna.

It was only a few minutes past five. Why was she calling? Had something happened? Did she know I overheard her conversation before she left?

My heart pounded as I pressed the phone to my ear.

"Hello?"

"Ava! Don’t tell me you’re still in bed," she said, her voice bright with excitement. "I’m so happy for you! You finally got called for an interview. I really hope things go well. You have all my support!"

Relief washed over me. She wasn’t calling about the phone conversation. But wait—how did she know about the interview? I never told her... did I?

"How did you know?" My voice came out weak, laced with confusion.

"Have you forgotten? You texted me last night," she said.

"Oh… right. Sorry about that," I chuckled awkwardly.

How could I forget? I really needed to pull myself together.

"I’ll ask Damon to drive you there so you don’t have to stress," Adrianna offered.

I immediately shook my head, even though she couldn’t see me. The last thing I wanted was to be anywhere near Damon—not after what happened.

"You really don’t have to—"

"Stop protesting and start getting ready," she cut in. "You don’t want to be late. I love you!"

And just like that, the call ended. I sighed, dropping the phone onto the bed. No point in arguing with her now.

After a quick shower, I got dressed, my mind swirling with thoughts of Damon and his terminal illness, the way he offered me money… it was all too much.

I glanced at the mirror. The black pants and white blouse suited me well. Forcing a smile, I grabbed my bag and walked out.

The job. That’s what mattered. If I got it, I’d finally have a reason to leave this house. I wouldn’t have to be so wrapped up in my sister’s marriage.

Inside the car, I shut the door and turned toward the window, determined to ignore Damon. But my racing heart betrayed me.

"You look beautiful," he said casually as he started the engine.

I remained still, pretending I didn’t hear him.

"Could you at least look at me? Maybe even smile a little?" he asked.

I swallowed hard, remaining silent.

After a moment, he sighed. "I guess I just have terrible luck with women."

My head turned before I could stop myself. "With those looks? Unlucky?" I scoffed internally. He was clearly teasing me.

I wanted to snap at him, call him a liar. But then I remembered his illness. His face lacked the usual spark.

Was he really hurting? I couldn’t imagine knowing I had less than a year to live.

"I miss her," he said suddenly, pulling me from my thoughts.

"Who? Adrianna?"

He laughed. "Who else? We live in the same house, but it feels like she’s a thousand miles away."

His voice held something I couldn’t quite explain.

"I wonder if she misses me too."

I stayed quiet.

"I love Adrianna so much," he continued. "But lately, it feels like she’s slipping away. We hardly talk. We don’t spend time together anymore. All that’s left are fake smiles and brief hugs. It’s not the way it used to be."

"You should talk to her. Fix it," I said.

He scoffed. "If it were that easy, I would’ve done it already. Trust me, Ava, it hurts. My marriage is falling apart, and there’s nothing I can do."

If he loved Adrianna so much, why did he keep coming after me? Why make those ridiculous offers?

His words sounded sincere, like he was really in pain. But the way he played with me? That was a different story.

"I just wish things could go back to how they were," he murmured.

I couldn’t tell him about Adrianna’s possible affair. Not yet. Not without proof.

He kept going on and on about missing her, wanting her back. And I was just... tired of hearing it.

Deep down, I wanted him to say something about his proposal. Maybe ask for an answer. Maybe try to justify it.

But he didn’t.

"I guess that’s enough about me," he said. "I must be boring you."

Thank God he noticed.

"So, tell me about your life before now. Besides Greg. Was there anything else? Something fun? Something worth talking about?"

"No," I answered sharply.

I couldn’t believe he was trying to make conversation like nothing happened yesterday. Immature. I scoffed.

I felt like he was playing games with me.

"Really? Nothing?" He raised a brow. "You must have given that man all your time. I wonder how hard it is for you."

"Hmm." I didn’t want to be reminded of Gregory. Not when I had a big day ahead.

"No hobbies? No close friends?"

I snapped.

"I’m human, not a damn piece of wood! Yes, I have friends. Yes, I have hobbies. You think I spent all my time daydreaming about Greg?" My chest rose and fell quickly. "I just don’t want to talk, Damon!"

He only smiled. "Aren’t you nervous? About the interview?"

Could he just stop talking? Before I could answer, my phone vibrated.

I glanced at the screen, then froze.

My heart pounded so hard it drowned out every other sound.

Gregory.

I hadn’t changed his contact name. "My Love" was still there, staring back at me. The phone kept ringing.

"Ava?" Damon asked. "Is everything okay?"

Why was Gregory calling me? We ended things. He had no right to. What the hell did he want now?

I clenched the phone so tightly my knuckles ached. The audacity!

After everything he did—after humiliating me, betraying me, leaving me to pick up the shattered pieces of my life—he had the nerve to call me?

My stomach twisted with rage.

 Did he think I’d forgotten? That I’d moved on so easily? That he could just waltz back into my life like nothing happened? My blood boiled at the thought.

 I wanted to scream, to hurl the phone across the car, to tell him exactly where he could shove his apologies—if that’s even what this was. Whatever he wanted, I wasn’t interested. Not now. Not ever.