CHAPTER 009
AVA’S POV
The shock on Jason’s face was clear as the words left my mouth, each one hitting harder than the last.
It was like I’d pulled the ground out from under his feet, and he didn’t know how to steady himself from falling.
He just stood there, frozen, his mouth opening and closing, as if he wanted to say something but couldn’t.
“Ava… you don’t mean that.” he stuttered.
I crossed my arms, standing firm. “I’ve never been more serious about anything in my life.”
He ran a hand through his hair, and his shoulders slumped as he took a step toward me.
“Ava, please….” His voice was soft, and pleading, his eyes shone with sincerity and it almost made me falter.
Almost!
“No, Jason,” I said, steadying my voice even though everything inside of me felt ready to break.
“I can’t do this anymore. You lied to me….for what? To protect her? To protect yourself?”
His eyes widened, I could sense the desperation showing in them as he stepped closer. “I never wanted to hurt you. I never wanted any of this. Please, understand….”
“I do understand,” I cut him off, my chest tightening in a way that made it difficult for me to breathe properly.
“Jason, I understand that I’m not enough for you. I understand that every time I needed you, you were always with her.”
“I understand that when I was in the hospital and needed you by my side, you were with Laura. That’s what I understand.”
I could see the hurt in his eyes, the guilt, but it didn’t change anything. Not anymore.
I’d been holding on, telling myself things would get better, that he’d come back to me and we could go back to the way things were before Laura came into our life.
But deep down, I’d known all along that his heart was no longer here, no longer with me.
“Ava, it wasn’t like that. Laura… she’s going through something. It’s not it’s not what it looks like.”
His words were empty, they were meant to make me feel better, but they didn’t. They didn’t even make sense in
my ears anymore.
How many excuses’could he give before I’d finally stop believing them? How many times could he expect me to take the lies?
“I don’t care about your excuses anymore, Jason.” My voice cracked, and for the first time, I felt all the weight I’d been holding in. The anger, the sadness, the betrayal–everything crashing over me at once.
“I know about the pregnancy. I know that you’re expecting a child with Laura. I know what’s going on.”
His face went pale, drained of its color. I could see him trying to figure out what to say, but there was nothing he could say.
I had caught him red–handed, and there was no way for him to talk his way out of this.
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+25 BONUS
CHAPTER 009
My thoughts were interrupted by his voice.
“It’s not mine, Ava,” he said finally, his voice quiet but certain. “It’s not
He added, “It’s her ex–husband’s.”
by baby, I swear.”
The words hit me harder than I expected, like a punch to the gut. I wanted to feel relieved, to feel like I could breathe again, but instead, I just felt… numb.
How could I believe him now? After everything? After all the les?
But something in his eyes, in his voice, made me pause. He sounded sincere, like the baby wasn’t his, like he really didn’t want to lose me like he was sorry for what happened and everything he had put me through.
But I wasn’t sure if that was enough.
I took a shaky breath, trying to push back the tears that were brimming in my eyes. “So… what does this mean, Jason?” My voice trembled. “What are you asking for?”
He stepped closer, reaching for my hand, but I put my hands behind my back. I didn’t want him to touch me at that moment. I needed to think with a clear head, not a love–struck one.
“I’m asking for a chance, Ava. A chance to make things right. Please… I know I messed up, but I swear I didn’t want any of this. I love you. I always have.”
I wanted to believe him. God, how badly I wanted to. But I couldn’t shake the image of him with Laura, the lies he’d told me over and over. I couldn’t erase the hurt that had built up for weeks.
Part of me, the part that still loved him, softened.
But instead of making any decision, my mind just went blank. I was exhausted, overwhelmed by everything.
I shook my head, feeling drained. “Jason… I’m tired,” I munnured, looking away. I couldn’t face him, not now, not after everything.
At that moment, all I could say to him was: “I’m tired.”
