Chapter 2: Cracks

The next morning Ava woke up with a smile the silver bracelet still rested on her wrist sunlight poured through the curtains, warming her small bedroom for the first time in weeks, she felt hopeful maybe she had been overthinking things maybe Noah really was just busy after all, building a company wasn't easy.

He loved her Didn't he?

Ava pushed away the uneasy feeling lingering in her chest and got ready for work her phone buzzed while she was waiting for the elevator a text from Noah came.

Good morning don't forget lunch today you always skip meals Ava laughed softly yes sir.

A second later, another message appeared good girl heat rushed to her cheeks no matter how stressful life became, Noah always knew how to make her smile.

The elevator doors opened she stepped inside what she didn't notice was the woman standing across the street watching her building Vanessa Clarke lowered her sunglasses her perfectly painted lips curled into a smile.

"So that's where she lives."

The luxury car behind her cost more than Ava's apartment the difference between their worlds couldn't have been more obvious Vanessa hated that not because Ava was a threat but because Ava shouldn't have been one yet somehow, she was.

Five years five years Noah had stayed with a woman who had nothing to offer him at least that's what Vanessa believed and she was growing tired of waiting that evening Noah attended another business dinner the restaurant was filled with wealthy investors, executives, and influential figures everything about the evening screamed money.

Noah sat at the head of the table discussing expansion plans when one of the investors suddenly spoke "Kingston, when are we meeting your future wife? several people laughed Noah forced a smile.

The conversation continued casually but Noah noticed something whenever relationships were mentioned, the wives and girlfriends being discussed came from wealthy families Influential families powerful families women who could strengthen business connections women who belonged in rooms like this.

Without warning, Ava's face appeared in his mind her tiny apartment her modest salary her ordinary background the same things he had never cared about before for some reason, they suddenly seemed impossible to ignore.

You should bring your girlfriend to the charity gala next month Noah looked up What gala?" The Blackwell Foundation event one of the investors smiled everyone important will be there Noah nodded absentmindedly the conversation moved on but his thoughts didn't.

Later that night, Ava was curled up on the couch watching television when her phone rang Noah. Hey you busy tomorrow?" her face brightened no  she smiled.

"Do you finally have time for me? I always have time for you the answer should have sounded romantic Instead, it sounded distracted like his attention was somewhere else Ava ignored the feeling what are we doing?

I have an event the smile slipped slightly "Oh."Come with me that immediately made her happy again Noah rarely invited her to work-related events.

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"I'd love to."

"Great."

His voice softened I will send someone to pick you up, after ending the call Ava practically danced around her apartment because she was so excited to follow him out to a public event maybe this was a sign Noah was finally ready to stop keeping their relationship private five years was a long time most couples would have been engaged by now.

Ava opened her closet and stared at her dresses she wanted everything to be perfect the following afternoon, Noah stood inside his office staring at the city skyline a knock sounded Vanessa entered without waiting for permission as she always did.

"Ready for tonight?"

Yes Noah sighed, are you still bringing Ava? Vanessa asked and Noah replied her again yes Ava is coming with me her smile tightened Interesting very interesting.

"That's brave." What does that mean? Vanessa crossed her arms nothing when Noah said nothing, she continued "I just wonder how she'll fit in."

The words were casual almost harmless but they hit exactly where she intended Noah's jaw tightened "She'll be fine." Of courseVanessa smiled sweetly.

"I hope nobody embarrasses her the moment she left, silence filled the office Noah stared at the closed door then he looked back at the city.

For reasons he couldn't explain, Vanessa's words refused to leave his mind and for the first time he found himself wondering the same thing would Ava fit into the world he was building or was she becoming a part of the life he was slowly leaving behind?