CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER ONE

Ava’s POV

The reflection from my mirror stared right back at me. All I could see was a shattered soul, one with emptiness inside. I didn't hate her, not really, I just didn't recognize her anymore. 

The dress I wore just didn't fit or maybe it was the person putting it on.

Today is my third anniversary yet I feel like I just met Desmond Parker. He completely changed after we got married.

“Ava, he just left,” our housekeeper said softly at the front of my room pity lacing her face. “Mr. Parker said he had an important meeting before the dinner at his family's house.”

“Important meeting?” 

“Yes, he said he couldn’t wait”

Of course, he couldn’t. He never waits for me anyway.

I gave a small nod and grabbed my purse. My heels made an echo in the silent house as I walked on the marble floor.

Though the ride was short,  it felt like a long ride to the Parker Mansion.

I practiced the smile on the night of the dinner with his family inside the car. The thought of Desmond not liking my outfit came rushing down my spine.

I wore a black dress with a slit on the right side, and had to redo my makeup in the car just so I would stand out as his wife tonight. The one he made those vows to, but I wasn’t sure over the past few months.

By the time I arrived at the Parker Mansion, everywhere seemed beautiful and in my thoughts, he did all this for me? I hoped to see him outside or at the entrance waiting to take me in with him but instead I saw him laughing with a beautiful lady. She leaned on him at every word spoken by her and laughed like a comedian was in front of her. Desmond didn’t flinch away from all the touching on his chest by another woman. 

I clenched my fist and quickly rushed to the restroom to hide my tears but was stopped by his mother Mia Parker.

“Why are you here?”

Did you think showing up uninvited would make you important again?”

Uninvited?

“ I’m his wife and it’s our anniversary. This is my place.”

Mia laughed, stepping back to look me over. Her gaze slithered from my head to my waist down to my toes and back to my face again.

“Wife,” she repeated as though the word tasted rotten.

“ You should be grateful my son married you. Have you seen yourself?”

My heart sank hearing that question. She’s supposed to be my mother-in-law yet she stands before me mocking me.

Her eyes narrowed, “You weren’t invited” she said low and sharp. “This is a family dinner and you’re not family.”

“ I’m here as his wife, besides it’s our third anniversary. We plan on celebrating here as a family.”

Mia burst into laughter, “Family?” Please don’t be deceived. The only family I want is Grace Adams, she’s everything I want in a daughter-in-law not a pathetic, poor, and miserable housewife like you. She spat on the floor beside me.

Tears welled in my eyes

“You should be grateful Desmond married you.” Then she stepped forward with a whisper.

“Go home, quietly. You’ve always been good at being invisible. A housewife that’s where you belong, not in the public. So please don’t embarrass yourself or the Parker family. You’ve already done enough by dragging our name through the mud.”

I couldn’t answer, the words hit too deep and then she saw through my silence and smiled like she had won a battle. 

And then she left, leaving only her cologne and poison. 

I stood there for seconds not knowing what to do but I needed a space to myself and the restroom was the closest, so I quickly walked in and locked the door. 

Then the tears rolled out.

I had given myself to him for three years. Put my dreams on hold just to support him and now I am nothing to him. All these years I thought he never liked smiling but there he was smiling at another woman. He just didn’t like smiling at me.

What did I do wrong? Or where did I go wrong?

I don’t know how long I sat there crying my eyes out. It could have been thirty minutes to one hour. I cleaned my eyes with the napkin in my purse. 

As I dashed into the hallway, everyone seemed excited, laughter and glasses lifted but I couldn’t find Desmond anymore. 

Suddenly, two ladies walked past me, Mr Parker didn’t come with his wife one said, That lady looks like Grace Adams.

“Grace Adams? No way 

“Heard she was married and left the country.

Not at all the other responded. She recently became a partner in Parker Group and has been going on business trips and late nights.”

“Huuh poor Ava,”  they both shook their heads, their heels causing a reminder of what had been said.

Grace Adams, Desmond’s ex and first love, is the heiress to the Adams Foundation. Someone everyone respected. 

Then I realized that my husband has been going on business trips and keeping late nights but then again I doubt he would betray me. 

Then I saw his assistant. “Have you seen my husband?”

Voice calm and steady. 

He blinked, startled. “Huh, he left half an hour ago” with Gr.., he paused eyes open. 

“Grace Adams, where to” I asked

“I…I don’t know. I’m sorry” he stuttered 

I nod slowly, picking up my phone but my hands betray me as they shake. I tried Desmond’s number but it went straight to voicemail.

Again but it was still the same.

The floor felt shaky but it was all me and honestly, I wished it would take me in it. 

I staggered out of the hallway needing air.

He would never cheat on me, not after the years I gave him. No, he wouldn’t dare.

But something inside me couldn’t take it anymore. Something’s up and I need to find out.