Bound by Desperation のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 11 - チャプター 19

Ava's POV I frantically paced round my living room, my mind struggling to settle on one thought Of all the men in the world, my boss? He knew it was me and still he came? Did he just know or he'd known for long? I had just gotten back from the lunch and I couldn't wrap my head around what or who rather, who I had just encountered But I thought he hated me? He literally just makes everyday at work a living hell Or is it going to be like in the books where the boss likes his worker but hides it? “Eww” I spat out, irritated by the thought of it Even if it were me in that situation, definitely not Brandon I stopped pacing and dropped myself onto the couch “No. Absolutely not.” I shook my head as if the thought itself could physically be removed from my head There was no way Brandon Lockwood didn't like me If anything, he tolerated my existence because I happened to work for him I remembered all the times he'd called me into his office over the smal

Ava's POV Lily came to the hospital later that evening. I didn't ask her to, but seeing how I quickly rushed to the hospital after the conversation with Brandon, she insisted on coming to see me We sat outside Ethan's room, away from the constant beeping of the monitors and the nurses moving through the hallway. I had barely said two words since she arrived.Eventually she couldn't take the silence anymore “What happened?”I looked at her“Everything”Her eyebrows pulled together “What does that mean?”I let out a tired breath. Then I told her. I told her about the contract and about my mother's call.She stared at me for several seconds after I finished“You're joking”I shook my head“I wish I was”She glanced towards Ethan's room before looking back at me “Are you actually considering it?”“I don't know”“Ava”“I don't know, Lily!” My voice came out sharper than intended Lily's expression changed, but she didn't say anything. Neither did I.I looked away, suddenly embarrassed

Ava's POV“Wedding dress?!” I yelled, my voice echoed through the room. I stared at the message on my screen, waiting for the words to somehow rearrange themselves into something that made more sense.I dropped my phone on the bed and took a few steps around my room before picking it up again. Maybe I had misunderstood. Maybe Victor meant someone else's wedding dress. Although that would be a pretty strange thing to send to me.I quickly tapped on his contact and pressed call. He answered after the second ring.“Hello Mrs Maxwell.”“Hello, sorry what exactly does this message mean?”“I believe the message was quite clear” he replied after a brief pause. I closed my eyes, of course he'd say that. He's so much like Brandon, just a little bit more accessible. “Am I getting married tomorrow?”“No”“Then why am I shopping for a wedding dress tomorrow?” I asked, opening my eyes.“The wedding isn't tomorrow,” I breathed out in relief before he continued. “But the preparations begin tomorro

Ava's POV By the time I got home, I was exhausted. Not the kind of exhaustion that came from a long day at work. This was different. My mind had simply just had enough. I dropped my handbag on the couch and kicked off my shoes before walking into my bedroom with the shopping bag that was on my front porch. Inside it was the dress covered in a protective garment bag, it had been delivered while I was at the hospital. I carefully opened the bag after getting to the room and took it out to hang against the wall. I stared at it from across the room, my chest felt heavier. I walked closer and slowly pulled the garment down. The dress appeared underneath; white, beautiful, expensive. A wedding dress.. my wedding dress. I reached out and touched the fabric, it was soft beneath my fingers. I couldn't help but imagine how different this moment would have felt it things happened differently. If Ethan were standing beside me, if this were a normal wedding, if I had spent months pla

Ava's POV My entire body literally went stiff. I slowly turned around and there he was, standing several feet behind me. His suit jacket was on, his hair perfectly pressed, and his expression was calm. Far too calm. I looked at the office, then at him.“I wasn't going inside.”“I can see that,” his eyebrow lifted.“I was just looking.”“From inside the doorway?”“Well…” I swallowed, then continued. “I'm sorry I was curious.”His gaze shifted toward the door and back at me. “You should be careful with your curiosity, Ava.”“Okay,” I replied, nodding slowly.He glanced at his watch, “I have a meeting in an hour.” Then he continued. “I'd be gone for most of the day, the rules still stand.” Then walked closer to me till there was almost no space between us and said, “you do not want to get on my last nerve, Ava Maxwell.” I swallowed hard then he turned to leave. As he turned, I remembered something so I stopped him.“Wait.” He stopped and turned to me. “What am I supposed to do today?”