Let’s Get Married.

“Dad…” Ava’s voice came out softer than she expected, and she rushed in for a hug.

“You're here without Adrian, that's new” Mr Sterling noticed, dropping his newspaper safely on the side table and adjusting his glasses.

“He had an important meeting to attend…”Ava explained leaving out the part that she was admitted or just coming from a hospital too.

She hesitated for a moment before continuing. “Dad…if there was a situation where I had to divorce Adrian… should I do it?”

Her father looked up from where he sat, clearly caught off guard by the question. For a second, he didn’t understand. Then he frowned slightly, “No, Ava,” he said almost immediately.

“Adrian has done a lot for us. He’s still doing more.” His voice was calm, certain.

“I believe whatever the problem is, you both can work it out. Talk it out like couples should.”

Ava lowered her gaze, she had expected that answer. Still, it stung.

“But what is the matter?” he asked, concern creeping into his tone. Ava shook her head quickly, forcing a small smile onto her lips. “Nothing, Dad. It’s just a little misunderstanding.”

The words felt heavy. But she couldn’t bring herself to tell him the truth. Not when he is in this condition…he wouldn't handle it.

She turned slightly, already preparing to leave, to escape the conversation before it went any further. But her dad's phone chimed.

Once.

Twice.

Again.

The repeated sound made her pause.

Her father frowned lightly and reached for the phone, unlocking it without much thought and then, his expression froze. The color drained from his face almost instantly as his hands trembled.

Ava noticed it immediately. “Dad…?” but he didn’t respond.

His eyes were fixed on the screen, wide with shock. Slowly, Ava stepped closer and then she saw it.

Messages from the anonymous number. “Livia!” She gritted her teeth. There was no room for denial this time.

Beneath them was a message.

[Your daughter already knows. I felt you should know too.]

[Advise your daughter to leave my man. He doesn’t love her anymore.]

Ava’s fingers curled tightly at her sides, but before she could react.

Her father swayed.

“Dad!”

He tried to steady himself, his grip on the phone loosening but his body gave out.

He collapsed.

Ava rushed forward immediately, catching him before he hit the ground fully. “Dad! Dad, wake up!” His breathing was uneven.

Strained, like he was fighting for air. Panic shot through her veins.

“Help!” she screamed, her voice breaking. “Someone help!”

The door burst open within seconds as nurses and doctors rushed in, surrounding them.

Everything moved quickly after that. They placed him on a stretcher, checking his vitals, speaking in hurried, urgent tones she could barely keep up with.

Ava stood there, frozen, her heart pounding violently against her chest. Few minutes later, a doctor approached her, his expression was serious.

“His condition has worsened,” he said. “He’s suffering from advanced congestive heart failure. The stress seems to have triggered an acute episode.” Ava felt her knees weaken.

“We need to move him to the intensive care unit immediately,” the doctor continued. “But you’ll need to make a deposit first.” The amount he mentioned made her head spin.

It was too much.

Far too much.

“I… I don’t have that kind of money right now,” Ava said, her voice trembling. “But I’m Adrian’s wife. Adrian Cole. When he gets here, he’ll settle everything.”

The doctor shook his head.

“I’m sorry. It doesn’t work like that. We need the deposit before proceeding.”

Ava’s hands shook as she reached for her phone, dialing Adrian’s number.

Her breathing grew uneven as she called again and again, three times in a row.

This time, the call connected.

Relief flooded her chest.

“Yeah, what can I do for you?”She paused, That voice wasn’t his.

Ava froze as she realized it was Livia.

“I need to speak to Adrian,” Ava said quickly, forcing herself to stay calm.

A soft laugh came from the other end.

“My man is in the shower,” Livia said casually. “He’s been handling me for a while, so he needs to recharge, you know… pregnancy cravings.” She giggled.

Ava’s grip on the phone tightened, “I don’t care about that,” she said, her voice shaking despite her effort. “Put Adrian on the phone. My dad is in critical condition. He needs to make a deposit before they can treat him.”

“Oh… I see,” Livia said, her tone almost amused. “I’ll see if I can tell him. But right now, we’re really busy. I hope you understand.”

The line went dead.

Ava stared at her phone, she couldn’t breathe.

Her father was dying.

But Adrian was playing house with another woman.Her chest tightened painfully, and tears burned her eyes, but she forced them back. Crying wouldn’t help, she needed to think.

Her mind raced, searching desperately for a solution.

And then, a name surfaced.

Damien.

Ava hesitated but just for a second. Then she scrolled through her contacts and dialed his number. The call connected almost immediately, “What is it?” His voice was calm and direct.

Ava’s composure shattered.

“I’m so sorry for calling,” she said, her voice breaking. “My dad is in critical condition. They need a deposit before treatment… I tried calling Adrian but…” Her words tumbled over each other.

“Please… help me.”

There was a brief silence, then…“Send me the hospital address.”

The call ended.

Ava stared at her phone, her heart still racing. It hadn’t even been a minute since she sent the message when everything shifted.

A specialized team rushed past her, moving with urgency as they headed straight toward her father’s ward. She blinked in confusion. Moments later, they wheeled him out toward the ICU.

A nurse hurried toward her.

“Your father’s bill has been settled by Mr. Damien Cole,” she said quickly. “He also requested that the best doctors handle his case. We’re really sorry for the earlier delay… if we had known…” She stopped herself, offering a quick apology before rushing off again.

Ava stood there, everything had happened so fast.

And then she saw him.

Damien.

He walked into the building with long, purposeful strides, his expression unreadable, his presence commanding attention without effort.

He looked like someone who didn’t belong in chaos, but controlled it instead.

He stopped in front of her, Ava opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out.

For once, she didn’t know what to say.

Damien didn’t say anything either.

He simply reached into his pocket, pulled out a handkerchief, and gently wiped the tears from her face.

That was unexpected, then he guided her to a seat. Ava sat down slowly, still trying to process everything. This wasn’t the Damien she knew, not the cold, distant man who barely spoke.

This was different.

Hours passed and Ava had calmed down, at least on the surface.

Damien remained beside her but he stood up a few times to talk with the doctors.

This was something Adrian does…then she remembered the reason her father was in the ICU. Her expression hardened slightly as she picked up her phone. Without hesitation, she forwarded all of Livia’s messages to Adrian.

Then she typed:

It seems you have found something good for yourself. I don’t want to ruin it for you. Lauren will send you the divorce papers. I have signed them. Please sign before the end of tomorrow.

She hit send.

Beside her, Damien saw it, a faint smirk touched his lips. But Ava didn’t notice.

She was already dialing another number.

“Lauren?”

“How’s your dad?” Lauren’s voice came immediately, filled with concern.

“He’s stable for now,” Ava replied quietly.

Relief came from the other end.

“I need a favor,” Ava continued. “Move all my things out of Adrian’s mansion. I’ll move in with you.” There was no hesitation.

“Done. I’ll call the movers. Don’t worry about anything.”

The call ended and she exhaled deeply, It felt like she was finally breathing.

Like she had been holding it in for too long.

“Adrian cheated?” Damien’s voice broke the silence. Ava turned to him, almost startled, as if she had forgotten he was there.

“Yeah,” she said quietly. “But don’t tell anyone.”

She paused, then added, “Thank you… for helping me. I’ll repay you. Even if I have to work every day.”

Damien’s expression didn’t change. His gaze remained steady, then, he smirked.

“Let's get married”

Ava blinked. “huh?” she asked, confusion flickering across her face. Damien remained quiet but his expression showed he wasn't joking.

Ava gulped, swallowing nothing and for the first time since everything began…She realized she might have just stepped into something far more complicated than she was prepared for.