جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 20

AVA'S POVI had no appetite for the breakfast he was preparing, so I walked back to the room, my footsteps slow but purposeful. The project I had been working on for months wasn’t going to finish itself—it was crucial, and it felt like the only thing in my life I could still control. I was designing dresses for Grey Empire, one of the biggest companies in the country. They dealt with a wide range of industries, and apparently, they were hosting a jewelry launch show. It was well-known that they needed a designer to create dresses for the models showcasing the jewelry. This was a big opportunity. I had to pitch my designs to them, and if I landed the project, it wouldn’t just yield significant profits to the company, it would introduce my work to the world. The thought of that kept me grounded, this was the one thing I could hold onto in a life that had become a whirlwind of betrayal, lies, and hurt. Jason had made it clear—he was going to keep running back to Laura. And th

AVA'S POV I sat in the conference room, absentmindedly scrolling through my emails as I waited for Alex. My mind was far from work, though—it was tangled up in thoughts of Jason, and everything that seemed to be falling apart between us. The ache in my chest was constant, but I did my best to ignore it. The door opened, and there was Alex with a slight smile. “Hope I didn’t keep you waiting too long, Ava.” I shook my head, managing a small smile back. “Not at all. Thanks for making time tonight.” “Of course,” he said, holding the door as we headed out. “It’s my pleasure.” The drive to Nino’s Bistro was peaceful. Alex kept the conversation light, mostly work-related, not pushing too much, which I was grateful for. It was nice to step away from everything, even if I knew it wouldn’t last long. When we arrived, the restaurant had the same cozy elegance I remembered. Jason and I had been here before. The dim lighting, the jazz in the background—it was like a small

ALEX'S POV I sat across from Laura, watching her reaction to my greeting. Silence filled the space, thick and charged. Ava’s gaze darted between Laura and me, sharp and discerning as if she could sense there was something off about the greeting. Jason, on the other hand, sat there, unaware of the growing tension between us, his expression one of confusion. Laura’s hands trembled, and I could see her struggling to keep a calm facade. Her gaze flickered from me to Jason. “Hi, Alex, same here, it’s been a while,” she muttered, acting as if everything was fine. She then sat down, fixing her eyes on the wine glass in front of her, but I wasn’t about to let her off the hook that easily. “It’s been a while since I last spoke to my brother,” I said, letting my words hang heavily in the air. Laura’s face went pale, as if drained of blood. A flash of panic crossed her face before she could mask it, and she forced a tight, uneasy smile. "Oh?” she said, her voice barely audibl

AVA’S POVI knew what I had to do, but that didn’t make it easier. Every part of me screamed to leave, to stand up for myself, to stop being Jason's second choice. But I couldn’t. Not with everything at stake—the designs, the show, everything I’d worked hard for. I had to keep going. For the work I’d put in, even though I still didn’t know where I stood with Jason. I promised myself that after this project, after Grey’s jewelry launch, I’d file for a divorce. I would walk away and let Jason be with Laura. I’d stop pretending this marriage was anything but a lie. But for now, I had to play along. I had to finish the job. So, I agreed to meet Marcus. When I walked into the restaurant, my stomach twisted. The last place I wanted to be was here with Marcus Hale, but I couldn’t back out. Marcus was known for not respecting women, but since we were meeting in a public place, I didn’t think anything would happen. The waiter led me through the dining room, down a hallway, an

AVA'S POV I slowly regained consciousness, a pounding headache clouding my thoughts. I blinked, realizing I wasn’t at home. My eyes darted around, and then I saw him, Alex, sitting by the window. I quickly sat up, the blanket slipping off me. “Mr. Grey?” My voice was weak, barely more than a whisper. He immediately stood, his expression a mix of relief and something I couldn’t quite place. “You’re awake,” he said, stepping closer to the bed. “Why… why are you here?” I stammered, flashes of the previous night returning in pieces. “You don’t remember?” His voice was calm. I frowned, trying to recall everything. I remembered the dinner with Marcus, the strange feeling after I’d drunk the wine he offered, and then everything going hazy. The last thing I remembered clearly was being scooped up and carried out by Jason. “Jason…” I blurted out. “Why isn’t he…” Alex’s jaw tightened. He didn’t answer right away, and the silence stung more than words could. It wasn't Jason who had com