LOGINAva was silent. Kain wasn’t sure why, but her silence was both haunting and something else he couldn’t name. Something that pulled at him. And for some reason, the way she looked at him so innocently, with those auburn eyes wide and unguarded, made his pulse quicken. She smiled just then, a small smile that took him by surprise. She looked at his wrist. “I can’t believe you still wear that old thing,” she said softly. There was a pause, then he smiled at the comment without thinking. “Gotta say the same for you,” he gestured with a tilt of his head toward the necklace resting against her collarbone. Ava glanced down and looked back at him. She chuckled lightly. “I guess we’re the same.” “Wearing each other’s flimsy gifts,” he said, but his voice had gone quieter. She shook her head, her expression softening. “Not flimsy. Thoughtful. That’s why we don’t take them off.” Kain blinked, once then twice. There was something in the way she was speaking. Was it him or had she stepped c
Brunch?! Ava was there to see Kain?!Evie felt as though her entire world had crumbled over. “What?” Her voice was hoarse, stripped of its usual confident tone. Ava snorted, smirking. She tilted her head. “Hmm, I guess he didn’t tell you,” she mocked, letting the words bite at her. “Oh yeah… why would he?” She attempted to walk past Evie, done with the conversation, but Evie, her face red with fury, grabbed Ava’s arm and yanked her back down two steps. She pointed a finger at her, shaking. “I don’t know who you think you are, but let me tell you one thing. You have nothing. You are nothing. A charity case in a borrowed dress.” Ava felt a sharp and unexpected sting. Evie continued, scoffing at her, her lip curling. “You think Kain likes you because he gives you his time? You’re delusional. You’re not even worth his disgust, you fugly bitch. Even if you threw yourself at him, like the slut you are, he wouldn’t treat you as less than garbage. So stop acting all high and mighty like y
Glenn Harvey? Who the fuck is that?Liam couldn’t stop the deep frown forming on his face, his jaw tightening. Who was Glenn Harvey? And why was he buying Ava lunch? Was he a friend of hers? A colleague? Or…..a rival of his? The thought alone sent something hot and possessive curling in his chest. Just then, Liam’s heart dropped at the possibility that made his blood run cold. In real time, Ava had never really said anything about being single or in a relationship. He had never asked. Liam stopped the thought before it landed fully. There was no way. She wouldn’t have let him kiss her —kissed him back— if she had a boyfriend. She wasn't the type. But the messages were still there, glowing on her lock screen, giving off an intimate feel. He got up from the sofa just then, his movements sharp. This guy, Glenn Harvey, had stirred up something in his chest that felt dangerously close to panic. He lifted his phone to his ear, and after the call connected, he spoke, his voice controll
“Hey, what do you think you’re doing?!” Ava demanded the instant she stepped in, her senses immediately heightening. The stranger stopped immediately, his fingers hovering over the keyboard as he’d been caught. Then slowly and deliberately, he lifted his head. The brim of the black cap shadowed his eyes, but not the smirk. His voice was low, cunning. “Hey.” Ava felt her heart stop. Then restart, pounding hard. She paused, needing a full minute to process the whole thing. She pointed, her finger trembling with something between shock and rage. “You!” Her alertness immediately turned to heavy annoyance. He chuckled then, smirking like a smug cat. “You should see your face, Ava. Or should I say… Doctor Patel?” He leaned back in her chair like he owned the place. Ava’s eyes twitched. She hurried to close her door shut before coming to face him fully. She stalked over and pulled her laptop toward her, reclaiming it, while he sat on her chair like it was a throne and he was the king o
Ava felt her stomach tie into knots as she asked, her voice carefully even. “Um… is that the Children’s Hospital charity gala happening next Friday?” Glenn’s eyes lit up, and for a second he looked in his twenties again, hopeful and unguarded. “Oh, you know about it? You have changed then.” He leaned forward, elbows on the table, the candlelight catching in his grey eyes. “What do you say? With me?” Ava swallowed, her throat suddenly dry. The risotto turned to sand in her mouth. She set her fork down. “I’m sorry, Glenn, but I can’t.” The fire in his eyes disappeared instantly, like someone had blown out a matchstick. He leaned back, his disappointment conspicuous, written in the sudden slump of his shoulders and the way his smile faded. “Oh,” he breathed. Ava looked at him. His emotions had always been so obvious. Then and now. He wore his heart on his sleeve, and it was both his best and worst quality. She wasn’t obliged to explain anything to him—why she couldn’t go with him. An
Glenn… he was stunning. The younger version of him suddenly played in Ava's mind. Glenn looked different now, even she couldn't deny it. His appearance, aura, and attitude, all seemed to have grown. Even then at the hospital. Then, as if drawn by her presence alone, Glenn’s eyes snapped up and their eyes met. He didn’t smile immediately. He was caught between emotions, and Ava could see it. The feeling of relief warring with disbelief. He hated that a bigger part of him doubted she would understand the message, that she would remember the old days, and that she would come. But then here she was. Standing beautifully at a distance. From his perspective, Ava looked like she had stepped out of the moon itself. Her hair dyed silver, caught the moon’s glow, turning almost white, the dark roots showing beneath. It framed her face, making her auburn eyes look darker and deeper. She wore a simple black slip gown, but on her it looked breathtaking.She stood there with her chin lifted, sho
Evie stormed off, clicking her heels loudly. She left Liam on the floor, reeling from the sickening fall. He started to panic. He needed help standing up, but he couldn't see a thing. And where was Ava when he needed her? Out having sundaes with his brother. The thought of it only made him angrier
Ava didn't understand why Kain suddenly chuckled. He sat up. “Oh, you mean Evie? Why she's my fiancee,” he smiled. “Eh?” Ava's jaw dropped. Fiancee?? “By your expression, I can tell you didn't know,” said Kain, still smiling. “Well, it hasn't been made public yet, so how would you know?” He laugh
Ava was pacing back and forth in her room, waiting for the drugs. Her eyes snapped at the door when it opened. It was Thelma. Hadn't she said the maids would deliver? “Madam Thelma” Ava held her cool. Thelma gave her the drugs, instructing “Make sure he has them as prescribed.” “Sure,” Ava took t
“I…” Ava found herself stuttering. She wasn't a very good liar and hadn't anticipated Thelma's sudden appearance. But she tried to keep her cool. “I thought I'd do a little shopping for some food items.” “Oh?” Thelma raised her brows. “In that case, I'll send someone to drive you” “No need” Ava a







