All Chapters of THE COST OF LOVING YOU : Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

53 Chapters

CHAPTER 31: INSECURITY

A few days later, Nico came to her, looking sharp in a tailored suit, holding out a matching dress he had picked out for her.“Come with me today,” he said. “I have some work to do at the main office. I want you there with me. I want to show you where I spend half my life.”It was a big step. He had never taken her to his workplace before. Ava accepted eagerly, thrilled that he wanted her by his side in his professional world.The headquarters was a towering glass structure in the financial district, sleek, modern, and imposing. Nico led her through the lobby, nodding at employees who bowed their heads respectfully as he passed. He took her up the private elevator and straight into his office. A massive, corner room with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the entire city, mahogany furniture, and art on the walls worth more than she could comprehend.“Wow,” Ava breathed, turning in a slow circle. “This is… incredible.”“Wait until you see the view at sunset,” Nico said, walking up be

CHAPTER 32: RULES & DATES

Nico found her back in the penthouse, pacing the living room, her arms wrapped tight around herself, her eyes red and swollen. He walked through the door fast, tossing his keys aside, looking ready to tear the world apart, but the moment he saw her, his shoulders dropped.“Ava,” he started, stepping toward her. “Michelle means nothing. She’s arrogant, she’s manipulative, and she knows exactly what she’s doing…”“I don’t want to hear about her,” Ava cut in, turning her face away. “It doesn’t matter what she wants. It matters what you let happen.”“I didn’t let anything happen,” Nico said firmly, closing the distance between them. “And to make sure nothing like this ever confuses you again… I’m changing the terms.”Ava looked at him sharply. “Changing them how?”“I’m adding a new rule.” He stood right in front of her, his gaze intense and unwavering. “From now on, we have non-transactional time. It’s not about the contract. It’s not about what you owe me or what I’m owed. It’s just… us.

CHAPTER 33: FIANCÉ RETURN

He pushed two fingers inside her, curling them just right. Ava cried out, back arching.“Fuck, Nico… yes, like that.”“You like my fingers stretching you?” he growled, pumping them faster. “Wait till you feel my cock.”He released her wrists and moved down, spreading her thighs wide. His mouth replaced his fingers, tongue licking long stripes up her center before sucking hard on her clit.“Oh my God…” Ava’s hands flew to his head, hips grinding against his face. “Nico, I’m gonna come.”“Come on my tongue, baby. Let me taste it.”She shattered with a loud moan, thighs clamping around his head as she came hard. Nico didn’t stop, licking her through it until she was trembling.He moved back up, kissing her deeply so she could taste herself on his lips. “You ready for me?”“Yes. Please.”Nico shoved his pants down, freeing his hard cock. He rubbed the head against her soaked entrance, teasing her again.“Tell me you want it,” he whispered, eyes locked on hers.“I want you inside me. Now.”

CHAPTER 34: COLDER THAN SILENCE

Ava walked straight to the living area, the sheet still clutched tight around her body. She found her phone on the center table where she had left it hours ago. Her fingers were steady as she unlocked the screen, she pressed the familiar contact. It rang twice before it connected.“Hello? Ava? It’s late, you okay?” Tessy’s voice came through, bright and alert even at this hour.“I need you to come get me,” Ava said. “I’m still at Nico’s place. The address is 45th Floor, Skyview Tower, Central Business District. Bring a cab. Don’t ask questions, just come.”“Ava? What happened? Did he…”“Just come, Tessy. Please.”She ended the call and placed the phone back on the table. She turned slowly and walked toward the guest restroom to dress.Twenty minutes later, the security gates at the ground level buzzed, and moments after that, the main door to the penthouse opened. Tessy stepped inside, scanning the room until they landed on Ava.Tessy closed the door behind her and walked over quickly

CHAPTER 35: NO LONGER WHAT WE WERE

The morning sun came pouring through the tall windows, lighting up the whole dining room. The long table was set just like it would be for a serious business meeting.Nico was already sitting there when Ava walked in. He was dressed in a deep blue suit, looking every bit the powerful man he was, his eyes looked tired, like he hadn’t slept a wink. In front of him was a notebook and a pen.Ava walked into the room. She had dressed differently today, a neat cream-colored blouse and black trousers, her hair pulled back tight and smooth. She held a folder and a pen in her hand. She didn’t smile, just walked straight to the chair right across from him, pulled it out, and sat down calmly.She opened her folder and clicked her pen.“You asked to see me,” Ava said. Her voice was sounding almost too normal. “I’m here. What do you want to talk about?”Nico looked at her, and his heart sank. He had hoped that after sleeping on things, maybe she would be a little softer, or at least look at him l

CHAPTER 36: UNWELCOMED GUEST

The gym in the penthouse was bright, cool, and quiet, usually a place Nico came to clear his head. But today, as he stood in the doorway watching her, his mind was anything but clear.Ava was there, wearing tight black leggings and a matching sports top that clung to her body. She was facing away from him, lifting weights, her muscles moving smoothly under her skin. Nico found his eyes tracing over her shape… the soft curve of her hips, the fullness of her thighs, the way her waist dipped in before flaring out again. He had always thought she was beautiful, but seeing her like this, focused and strong and so incredibly womanly, it hit him harder than ever. Every line of her body called to him. He hadn’t touched her properly in days. He hadn’t been this close to her skin since that night everything fell apart. He couldn’t just stand there and watch anymore.Nico stepped into the room, the sound of his footsteps barely making a noise on the rubber floor. Ava heard him anyway. She pause

CHAPTER 37: NO PLACE TO GO

Ava stood outside Tessy’s apartment door, she didn’t have anywhere else to go. After what happened at the penthouse. Ava had grabbed her bag, walked straight out, and didn't look back. She hailed a taxi and came straight here. It was the only safe place she knew.She walked in the moment the door creaked open, and heard it.“Oh God… yes… right there… don’t stop…”It was loud, breathless, unmistakable.Ava stood with her hand still raised to knock. The voice was definitely Tessy’s, high and throaty, followed by the deep, low groan of a man. She stood there awkwardly, not knowing whether to step inside or turn around and leave.“Fuck, Tessy… you feel so good… take it all…” the man’s voice came, rough and hungry.Ava sighed, stepping fully into the living room and closing the door quietly behind her. Great. Just perfect. She leaned back against the door, dropping her bag on the floor. She wasn't going anywhere. She just had to wait.She walked over to the sofa and sat down, crossing her

CHAPTER 38: DEAR EX

Tessy frowned, leaning forward. “Jealous? Of me? Why? You are living in a penthouse, wearing designer clothes, driving nice cars, with one of the richest men in the city.”“Exactly,” Ava replied, her voice bitter. “I am living in a cage made of gold. And you? You are living wild, Tessy. You are free. You are reckless and you don't care what anyone thinks. You take what you want, you have fun, and you walk away clean. You don't get your heart stepped on. You don't get lied to. You don't end up being the other woman while the actual wife walks through the front door.”Tessy’s smile vanished instantly. Her eyes narrowed, studying Ava’s face closely, picking up on every single word. “Wait a minute.” Tessy sat up straight, her whole body going alert. She reached out and grabbed Ava’s knee, squeezing it hard. “What did you just say? The actual wife? Ava… what happened? What is going on?”Ava looked away, staring at the wall. She swallowed hard.“It wasn't just a message on a phone, Tessy.

CHAPTER 39: WRONG OPTION

Ava pulled away from Tessy, her eyes wide and horrified. She stared at her friend like she had just suggested she go play with a venomous snake.“Parker?” Ava practically spat the name out. “You want me to call Parker? Tessy, are you out of your mind? Do you actually know what you are saying?”Tessy blinked, taken aback by her reaction. “Girl, calm down! I know you guys ended things badly, but I didn't think you hated him this much. I mean, he seemed nice enough before…”“Nice?” Ava cut her off, her voice rising. She stood up from the sofa, pacing away, her hands balling into fists at her sides. “You think Parker was nice? You think we just broke up because we fell out of love or something? Oh God… you have no idea. You have absolutely no clue.”She stopped and turned to face Tessy, her chest heaving, tears spilling over again, but this time they were tears of fear and old pain.“Ava, what is going on?” Tessy asked, standing up too, looking scared now. “What did he do?”Ava swallowed

CHAPTER 40: JUST GIFTS ISN'T ENOUGH

Nico stared at her for a second. Then, suddenly, he let out a short, dry laugh. He actually chuckled, shaking his head slightly, looking at Tessy like she was an amusing little child throwing a tantrum.“That’s very brave of you,” Nico said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “Very protective. I’m shaking in my boots, really.”Tessy’s eyes went wide with fury. Her face turned bright red. She clenched her fists by her sides.“He thinks I’m a clown,” Tessy muttered under her breath, so low only Ava heard her. “He actually thinks I’m a joke. He thinks I’m just playing.”“You think this is funny?” Tessy snapped, stepping closer, getting right in his face. “You think you can just laugh at me? You humiliate her in your home, you bring another woman into her space, you treat her like trash, and then you…”“Tessy, calm down,” Nico said, his smile vanishing instantly, his voice turning cold and sharp. “You don't know what you are talking about. You don't know the first thing about what goes on be

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