chapter 4

Ethan's POV;

"It won't be hard to find a bride for you," my mom assured me. "You're one of the richest and most handsome men in the city. You'll have no problem finding someone."

I shook my head, trying to push away her words. I didn't want a bride. I didn't want anyone but Ava. She was gone, and I might never be able to bring her back.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. I had to focus on the future. As I thought about Ava, I could still see her long, silky brown hair cascading down her back, framing her strikingly beautiful face. Her deep blue eyes were like the ocean, and her long, elegant nose only added to her allure. I found myself entranced by her perfect lips, and her alluring scent still lingers in my memory. But I knew I might never have her again. I had promised myself that I would never fall in love again, never put myself in a position to be hurt like this again. I tried to forget her, but I knew it was impossible. I would always carry a piece of Ava with me, no matter how hard I tried to forget her.

"I shouldn't have lied," I groaned, a note of frustration in my voice. "I should have just let Liam take the company."

"No, my son, 'What you did was the best thing for you and the company. You did the right thing."

I looked at her, my eyes filled with doubt. "I don't know if I believe that," I grumbled.

"I can't just marry a stranger, even if I decide we're going to divorce after a year," I mumbled, my voice sounding more desperate than I had intended.

"Don't worry," a small smile played on her lips. "I'll find you the perfect girl, and you'll get to know her before you get married. Everything will be fine."

I wasn't so sure, but I nodded, trying to give her the reassurance she was looking for.

*********

I felt like I had to reach out to Ava again, even though I knew it might be a mistake. I took a deep breath and dialed her number, listening to the phone ring and praying she would answer. I didn't know if I could convince her to give me another chance, but I had to try. I just hoped I wouldn't make things worse.

"Hello?" her voice sounding cautious. I could feel the tension in the air, even though we were just talking on the phone. I knew I had to tread carefully if I wanted to repair our relationship.

"Hi Ava," I tried to sound as calm as possible. "I'm sorry to bother you, but I wanted to talk to you about what happened."

There was a long pause before she spoke.

"I'm sorry, Ethan," her voice sounding firm. "But I've moved on. I don't think it's a good idea to talk about this anymore. I just want to put it behind me."

I felt my heart sink as I heard her words. It was clear she wasn't interested in rekindling our relationship, and I felt a wave of disappointment wash over me. But I knew I had to accept her decision, even if it wasn't what I wanted. I looked at the phone, Ava's words ringing in my ears. I felt the pain in my chest, aching knowing that I had lost her forever.

I knew I had to be emotionally strong if I wanted to succeed in finding a partner before the week was over, but at that moment, I felt so weak. I promised myself that I would never love again, that I would never risk feeling this way again.

I heard a knock at the door, so I quickly ran to my PC and pretended to be working. I tried to hide the fact that I had been trembling because I didn't want anyone to know how upset I was, especially not my mom. I wanted to seem strong and put-together, instead of someone who was falling apart.

"Come in," my voice was stern and even. I tried to hide the fact that I was on the verge of a breakdown, but I could hear the anxiety in my voice.

As soon as my mom walked into the room, I knew something was up. There was a mischievous sparkle in her eyes, a smile playing on her lips. She'd found someone for me, I was sure of it. I braced myself for the inevitable announcement. "I've found someone for you." She was beaming with excitement. "I think you're going to like her. Her name is Olivia. I think you guys should go on a date first before the wedding," my mom suggested.

I considered her advice, realizing that it could be a good idea to spend some quality time with the lady in question before taking the plunge into marriage.

I had planned to divorce her after a year, but I had to admit that my mom's suggestion was reasonable. Since I needed to be married to inherit the company, I decided I might go on the date with the lady."

"Thanks, Mom," I'll go on a date with her and see how it goes." But inside, I was already dreading the prospect of meeting this mystery woman. How could anyone possibly measure up to Ava? I pushed those thoughts away, knowing that it wouldn't be fair to judge this woman before I even met her.

****************

I glanced down at my watch and was shocked to discover that it was past nine o'clock. I had to hurry if I was going to make the date on time.

I sprang to my feet and headed for the shower.

Dressing to impress wasn't my goal.

It's not like I was going out with Ava. If it was Ava, things would be different. I would have made an appointment with the most exclusive designer in the city to create a one-of-a-kind outfit for me. I would have cancelled all of my plans and taken a day off from work, just to make sure I looked my absolute best for her. But all of that effort, all of that care and attention, was for nothing. I felt like a complete fool, and the emptiness in my heart was overwhelming.

I threw on a simple white shirt and some jeans and left the house in a hurry.