Regrets of the soul

AVA’s POINT OF VIEW

“You’re really going to make me do it again, aren't you?” my voice shook with a mix of outrage and desperation. “You’re going to make me get rid of this one too”

Logan’s expression turned cold, his eyes narrowing. “I'm not making you do anything, Ava. I'm just suggesting what's best for both of us”

“Best for both of us? You mean best for you, Logan. Best for your reputation, your business, your perfect little world”

Logan took a step closer, his voice low and even. “Ava, we've been over this. You know why we can't have a child right now, right? My mother..”

“Yes, I know. Because I'm just your chef, your employee. Not your partner, not your equal,” my voice was shaky “Just a convenience for you to use and discard, don't try to use your mother as an excuse again. You tricked me the first time but not again”

The tension between Logan and me was intense, but I wasn't ready to back down. Enough with his games playing me like I am a fool.

“That's not fair, Ava,” Logan said, his voice rising. “I've given you a great opportunity here, and this is how you repay me? Even when I had several other options I picked you to be my chef.. You are not been fair”

My eyes blazed with anger. “Opportunity? You call this an opportunity? You used me, Logan. You used my talent, my body… Am I been unfair? I went against my parents and aborted the first child all because of you..”

How did I fall in love with such a cold-hearted man? I only came here to work as a chef but ended up falling for my boss, and now I am pregnant for him for the second time! Ah, my parents warned me countless times to resign but I refused, my mother warned me against going through with the first abortion, and I turned deaf ears, to the extent that they disowned me! And this is what I get from this man?!

Logan's face reddened, his jaw clenched. “How dare you,” he hissed. “I've done nothing but help you”

My legs were beginning to go weak. “Help me? You've manipulated me, controlled me…”

Suddenly, the kitchen door swung open, and one of the senior chefs, Susan, stood in the doorway, her eyes wide with concern. “Excuse me, Chef? Ava? Is everything okay?”

My gaze locked onto Logan, my eyes gleaming with defiance. “Everything’s fine, Susan. Just a little… creative conversation”

Susan hesitated, then nodded and backed out of the kitchen, leaving me in a confused state.

Just as it seemed like the argument was going to escalate further, the kitchen door swung open again and Logan’s mother, Ryder, walked in. Her presence commanded attention, and both I and Logan turned to face her.

“Ah, perfect timing,” Ryder said, her voice dripping with sweetness. “I see you're discussing the... situation”

No way he told his mother about the pregnancy? He said his mother would never let him get married to a pregnant woman! He lied?! I have been a big fool! I narrowed my eyes around the room sensing something was off. “Mrs Ryder, what are you doing here? In the kitchen”

I asked her while trying to act normal.

Ryder smiled, her eyes gleaming with a sinister light. “I'm here to take care of things, dear. Things like you”

She never really liked me.

Before I could react or understand the situation, Ryder nodded to Logan, who grabbed my arms from behind. Ryder pulled out a syringe from her pocket and injected me with a clear liquid.

“What is that...?” I felt my voice slurred, my vision blurring.

“Just a little something to help you... relax,” Ryder cooed. “You won't be needing that pregnancy anymore”

I heard Ryder’s sinister laugh as I fell to my knees.

My world went dark as I felt myself being dragged away, but my vision was blurred and I was unable to see a thing.

RYDER’s POINT OF VIEW

Logan and I dragged Ava’s unconscious body to my room upstairs without anyone seeing.

“See what you almost brought upon yourself, right? Logan, I warned you countless times to get rid of this girl, but, no,” my heart pounding, I took water, and sat on the bed. “You have a beautiful girlfriend and wife-to-be, Harper.. The only child of a billionaire.. With her by your side.. Your lineage will be rich forever! Don't you understand, Logan?”

He nodded and hugged me. “Mum, what are we going to do? She has refused to abort the child”

“By the time she wakes up, that pregnancy will be gone.. I just need to think about how to get rid of her” I buried my face in my hands, and inhaled deeply.

Logan’s girlfriend, Harper, walked into the room, her eyes fixed on Ava’s unconscious form. “What’s going on here?” she asked, her voice laced with disgust.

I smiled sweetly. “Just taking care of a little problem, dear. Ava here was going to be a problem for you and your future husband”

I saw how Harper’s eyes burned with rage just by looking at Ava.

Her eyes lit up with excitement. “Ooh, I have a great idea! Let's get rid of her for good. We can take her out to the old cliff on the outskirts of town and...accidentally” push her off.'

Logan’s eyes widened in horror. “Harper, what?”

Harper pouted. “Come on, Logan. It's the perfect solution. No more Ava, no more problem, and just so you know I haven't forgiven you yet for getting this maid of yours pregnant twice,” Harper whimpered and removed her engagement ring from her finger “If you don't agree to throw this woman out of this house this minute then our wedding is canceled!”

I stared at Logan angrily. He can't refuse, Harper is his door to many more riches!

“Actually, Harper might be onto something. But instead of a cliff, let's just...misplace her. Take her out to the outskirts and leave her there. She'll never find her way back” I hurriedly said to ease the tension in the room, and I gave Logan a sign to hug Harper. He did and put back the ring on her ring, and I felt very relieved.

Logan hesitated, clearly torn. Ava’s fate hung in the balance. “Fine, I will go with whatever you want, Harper”

He said and kissed Harper on the lips.

“So what is the next step?”