All Chapters of The Stand-in wife : Married to my Hockey Ex: Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

Avelina’s first day at work began before sunrise. She tied her apron tightly around her waist, smoothed her hair back, and stepped into the restaurant’s main floor. The place was even more stunning during work hours—warm lighting reflected off polished wooden tables, glass panels glimmered, and soft jazz drifted faintly through the speakers. It was the kind of place where wealthy clients came for breakfast meetings, dates, and quiet indulgence.“Alright, Avelina,” the head waitress, Mira, said as she handed her a small notepad. “Just relax. Smile. Take orders clearly, and if you need help, call me. Don’t try to handle a difficult table alone on your first day.”Avelina nodded nervously. “Yes, ma’am. I’ll do my best.”“You’ll do fine,” Mira assured her before walking off.Avelina took a deep breath and approached her first table—a middle-aged couple dressed in expensive office wear. She placed their menus down gently.“Good morning,” she said with a polite smile. “Welcome to Royale Spi

The moving truck pulled up to the Morussa estate on a crisp Saturday morning. Avelina stood beside it, holding Kyle on her hip while Martha supervised the movers. Everything they owned fit into one small truck—a stark contrast to the mansion that would now be their home."This feels like a dream," Martha whispered, her eyes wide as she took in the sprawling gardens and fountains."If it is, don't wake me up," Avelina replied, shifting Kyle to her other hip. He babbled happily, pointing at the stone lions flanking the entrance.The front door burst open. Alina came running down the steps, her face lit up with excitement. "You're here! You're actually here!"She threw her arms around Avelina, careful not to squish Kyle between them. The little boy giggled, reaching for Alina's dangling earrings."And you must be Kyle," Alina cooed, gently taking him from Avelina's arms. "Oh my goodness, he's perfect. Look at those cheeks!"Mrs. Morussa—"Call me Diana," she'd insisted—appeared next, with

Three weeks had passed since Zane showed up at the estate. Three weeks of silence. Avelina threw herself into her studies, spending hours at her desk while Kyle played nearby. She still hadn't called Zane. Hadn't made a decision."You can't avoid this forever," Alina said one afternoon. They were in the company boardroom, sitting through a marketing presentation."Watch me," Avelina muttered.After the meeting, Robert pulled her aside. "There's a charity gala next week. For the children's hospital. I'd like you and Alina to attend. It's good for the company image.""A gala?" Avelina's stomach twisted. "I don't know—""You'll be fine," Robert smiled. "Besides, it's time the city meets both my daughters officially."The gala was held at the Grand Pavilion downtown. Avelina wore a silver dress that Diana had picked out—sleek, elegant, expensive. She felt like a stranger in her own skin."You look beautiful," Martha said, adjusting Avelina's necklace. "Now go. Have fun. Kyle and I will be

Thursday evening arrived faster than Avelina expected. She stood in front of her closet, pulling out dresses and putting them back."You're overthinking this," Alina said from the doorway. "It's just a team dinner.""With Zane. And Mikael. And a bunch of hockey players I don't know.""So wear jeans. Be comfortable." Alina walked in, grabbed a pair of dark jeans and a emerald green blouse. "This. It says 'I didn't try too hard but I still look amazing.'"Avelina changed quickly. Alina wore black cargo pants and a fitted leather jacket, her hair in a high ponytail."You look like you're about to rob a bank," Avelina teased."Better than looking like I'm trying to impress someone," Alina shot back with a grin.The restaurant was called Russo's. Upscale but casual, with dim lighting and exposed brick walls. They arrived ten minutes late.Zane was waiting outside. His face lit up when he saw them. "You came.""Mikael invited us," Avelina said."Right. Of course." Zane's smile dimmed slight

Avelina showed the texts to Detective Harris first thing Tuesday morning. The detective's expression darkened as she read them."We need to bring her in immediately," Harris said. "This crosses the line into direct harassment.""Can you actually find her?""We're working on it. She's been staying off the grid. No activity on her credit cards, no address on file. But these texts give us what we need to escalate."Avelina left the station with two police cards and instructions to call immediately if Elena contacted her again. Security at the estate had been doubled. A guard now followed Avelina whenever she left the house."This is insane," she told Martha that afternoon. Kyle was napping upstairs. "I feel like I'm in a movie.""You're safe. That's what matters." Martha poured tea with steady hands. "Have you talked to Zane since yesterday?""No. And I don't plan to.""Sweetheart, he made a mistake by not telling you. But he's trying to make things right.""By letting his crazy ex terro