CHAPTER FOUR

Ava's POV

Ten billion dollars stared right back at me,

 I blinked once, then gently rubbed my eyes. I checked the name, then the amount, as if it might change.

“Is this…?”

My words trailed off as Anna cut in

“That’s not all, eighty percent shares and other assets including the estate are yours now.” She added

“I'm rich.. no,” I  let out a breathless laugh

“I'm disgustingly rich”

Anna and Butler Brooks' lips parted softly, eyes crinkling at the corners making the room feel warmer. 

“Miss Ava”  Anna called 

“You will need to recover first, then you claim everything and we would like to know what you want to do about Desmond.”

I smirked, the kind that seems dangerous

“Leave that to me, I will handle it.”

A cough broke the moment,  it was the doctor's. My eyes glanced at him, and I blinked twice. 

“Ava, I need to check your vitals and schedule you for surgery months from now.”

I nodded gently

Soon Butler Brooks and Anna left.

“Doctor Lucas,” I called

His eyes shone like electricity down my spine. How did I not see a man like him? 

“I..I just wanted to say thank you for saving me but I’d like to know why you saved me.”

“Oh!”

“About that,” he stared into space, scratching his head as if he were searching for the right answers.

“I just did what I swore to do, save lives” he chuckles, “but to be honest, no one deserves to die like that and by the way, call me Lucas.”

The corners of my lips widened, something I can describe as a smile. Warmth filled the room and for a moment everything felt lighter.

Then the sharp ring of his phone cracked the silence.

He answered 

“Speak” he said 

 Taking a few steps away from me. I turned to the other side acting sleepy.

My eyes sharpened when I heard the name Parker group.

Curiosity stirred within me

When the call ended, he walked up to me.

“Lucas, I…” I hesitated.

“I don’t mean to eavesdrop but did you mention Parker Group? as in  the Desmond Parker Group?”

He nodded. 

“Your ex-husband?”

I looked away 

“Do you mind telling me how it all began?”

I took a deep breath and stared into space.

My lips parted gently and I began

Seven years ago!

“My Dad called me to tell me about an engagement with a family friend's heir. In his words,”

“Just take a look at his picture Ava and meet him once” 

“I coldly said no and walked out.”

“His voice roared behind me but I didn't care. I wasn't ready for a marriage especially because it felt like a business deal so I came up with what I thought was a brilliant idea.”

A faint smile touched my lips

“I thought it was the best idea at the time.”

“One day, I brought in a man who happened to save me when I was a kid in a swimming pool.”

“Swimming pool?,” Lucas repeated, his voice quieter now.

I nodded slowly

“I didn't see his face but I remembered one thing”

“A rare gold necklace”

Lucas went still, something flickered across his face like he had seen it before.

“Years later when I saw Desmond,” I let out a short bitter laugh, “he was wearing that exact necklace so I married him.

Lucas fingers tightened slightly at his side, his gaze fell on me.

“And  you're sure…it  was him?” he asked

Silence filled the room 

Then I nod slightly.

“ In order to repay him and put an end to my parents' request I thought marrying him was the best choice but I was wrong.”

“When I took Desmond to my Mansion, he was happy, loving and respectful.”

“My Dad's jaw tightened seeing that the person I introduced as my husband, wasn't the person he wanted.”

“He threatened me after that day, froze my accounts just so I backed down but all those acts only pushed me into marrying Desmond.”

“Little did I know that Desmond was in for my money and never loved me.”

“ After we got married, my father reluctantly gave me a few shares. Not long after, my mother died in a car crash  and the shock pushed my father into a coma. He never woke up.”

“Suddenly the mansion felt empty, accounts frozen, the calls stopped and everything that was once mine was gone.”

“I did everything in secret to elevate Desmond through my design skills but instead of a reward, I  got a divorce, betrayal, and nearly died. My third wedding anniversary was the night everything went wrong in my life because I found out the truth and wanted to fight back.”

By the time I finished, tears welled up in my eyes, and I felt a gentle pat on my shoulder. Then those comforting words came, ones I haven't heard in a while.

“Ava, I won't let anyone hurt you again.” His voice was firm and his hands gently wiped off the tears that rolled down my face.

Present Day! 

Lucas took a deep breath, Ava that night was a night that marked a new beginning.

I grinned brightly then he continued

“There’s a gala tonight. Desmond is signing a contract with the Cohen group.” 

My jaw tightened 

After all these years he still ends up getting what he wants. I couldn’t say a word even though I wished him all the miserable things in life for the pain he caused me.

Then a knock on the door cracked the silence.

“Boss” a young man who happened to be very polite and respectful. I can’t mistake him for another person than a secretary.

“Martin, is everything set for tonight?” Lucas asked

Martin gave a nod and handed him a file.

His eyes shone as he flipped through the pages.