LOGINAVA POV. “Where do you want to go?” He asked, he was already staring at me. But for some reason, his question made my throat tighten. I didn’t know where to go because I hadn't thought that far. No. All I knew was that I needed to get away. To go where that wasn’t close to this miserable town. Anywhere that didn’t remind me of all the chaos I had waiting for me. “Anywhere.” I respond softly. His brows pull together slightly, he was a little shocked. “Anywhere?” I nod. “Just, somewhere I don't have to think.” He paused, staring at me for a a few minutes before finally starting the engine. He didn’t ask what happened or why I suddenly called a few hours after turning down his proposal. He just drove. I appreciated the silence between us, it felt better than any question could. But it also forced the thought that he just didn’t really care to throb louder in my chest. Turning towards the window, I watched the city sky scrappers pass outside as the ca
AVA POV. The moment I stepped inside Matthew's car, I couldn’t breathe. Pulling my sweater closer to my chest, I take slow deep breaths but it doesn’t seem to work. My chest just kept tightening, the air in my lungs closing in on me. Shutting my eyes, I try to focus but the images of his sister making out with his older brother keep flashing in my face and before I know it, I am reaching for the door. “Ava?” Matthew calls when he realizes am trying to open the door but I don't look at him. “Let me out.” I voice is so low, barely above a whisper that I almost can’t recognize it. His brows pull together. “What?” “Please.” I finally turn towards him, but I can't bring myself to meet his eyes for more than a second. I just needed space. Space from him and his family. I needed space from that this car and from everything that had happened today. “Ava, what's wrong?” He asks, his voice now laced with worry but I don't answer. Instead, I pull the doo
THIRD PERSON POV. A few hours earlier.. Matthew drove for almost forty minutes before finally turning off the main road. The streets became quieter as the buildings grew farther apart, until the city lights were replaced by large warehouses standing like dark shadows against the night. He slowed down as he approached one of them. A massive iron gate stood ahead, guarded by two men dressed entirely in black. Matthew didn’t stop the car. He simply lowered his window. One of the guards immediately stepped forward, took one look inside and moved aside. The gigantic gates slowly opened and Matthew drove through. He parked beside the building and stepped out, his expression already hardening as he looked around. The place was heavily guarded. Men stood at almost every entrance, some with their hands resting beneath their jackets, others communicating quietly through earpieces. Yet nobody stopped him. A few even lowered their heads slightly as he walked past.
AVA POV. “Hello?” I called through the phone, trying to press it against my ear at the same time. There was a little shuffling at the other end before the line suddenly disconnected. Confused, I stared at the phone, wondering if I had just imagined the voice that called my name the whole time. I tried calling again but this time, it went straight to voicemail. Sighing, I found an empty chair and sat there, waiting for the bus to make its round here. “Artkins.” I whispered out the name but it sounded so foreign and so different. Like it wasn’t even American. Probably Russian? Looking down at my phone, I opened my contacts again, staring at Matthew’s name. Babe- Matthew Clark. That was his name. Trevor Clark. Down below after several other contacts was his brothers’ name. At least the one I had known for years. The name written on every document, every invitation and every piece of mail that ever came into our house. Clark. Not Artkins. My eyebr
AVA POV. Staring wide eyed at the two red heads or rather couple a head of me, I didn’t know what to make at all of the situation. I watch as Trevor holds her hand, kissing it a little before intertwining there fingers, making sure to lower both their hands to his lap. Settling my mug back on the table, I scoff in disbelief. Is this what people were doing these days? Dating their own siblings? Did Matthew even know about this? Where they keeping it from him too. Turning my body back into the booth, I can’t help but keep my eyes on them both, wondering gutful they even were to do this. Let alone in public. What the hell were they even going this side of Manhattan? Didn’t Matthew just mention earlier that Trish was back at their home, waiting to have a look at the anniversary cards? Weren’t they both supposed to be in Alabama? Pulling out my phone, I press on Matthew’s contact. My finger hovers over it for a moment, wondering if I was doing the right th
AVA POV. ''WHAT THE CLARK! GET YOU HANDS OFF ME.' ''Let me see, let me fucking see Ava?'' ''See what exactly, huh?'' i yell in his face, trying to push his arm further away from me, particularly away from my thighs. But before I can comprehend with what he is doing, he packs the car, in the middle of the road. I pause mid sentence, my eyes looking around us as my brain tries to figure out what is going on before turning back to him. ''Are you out of your mind? Are you trying to get us killed?' "You tell me, Ava?” He nods sharply, turning to look at me. “Are you sleeping with someone else?” He asks him a very low, very calm voice that it takes me a minute to digest his words. “You have lost it Matthew. You have completely lost your goddamn mind.” I yell at him, acting very crazy like he just said the most absurd thing to me. But deep down, I knew I was finished, I knew this was it and if I didn’t corner this fire somehow, Matthew wasn’t going to stop at an
A sharp spike of heat shot through my entire body like lightning. It was a terrifying sensation. Breaking apart from the breathless kiss, he didn't give me a single second to collect my scattered thoughts, he bent over, gripped me firmly around the waist, and flipped me effortlessly over his
Ava Miller. I needed to get home before this storm broke. Standing inside the elevator, I impatiently tapped my foot against the cold metal floor, watching the red digital numbers slowly descend. 33... 32... 31... It was nearly midnight. My cleaning shift had gone on much longer
Staring at the note one last time, I tucked it into my apron before switching on the vacuum machine. Its loud hum echoed throughout the entire room, helping me to shut off the chaotic voices in my head. Matthew had left earlier in the evening to meet with Leo and Mr. Sterling to discuss some busin
My ride back home felt almost unbearable. I watched the city pass in a blur through the taxi window as tried to hold back my tears. I couldn’t seem to rub this feeling of disgust off of me How could I? Why could I? I was a cheater. I had silently betrayed our marriage a few months before w







