CHAPTER 013
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 allhanks for making time tonight.”
“Of course,” he said, holding the door as we headed out. “Is 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 escape from everything weighing on me.
As we sat, Alex looked over, his eyes kind but curious.
“So,” he started, putting down his menu, “tell me about what you envision for this project. I can see it’s something close to your heart.”
I took a breath, grounding myself in the familiar topic. “It is,” I said, meeting his gaze. “I’ve poured a lot into it, and I just want to make sure everything goes right, no matter the obstacles.”
He nodded thoughtfully. “I get that. From what I’ve seen, you’re doing an amazing job.”
His words gave me a warmth I hadn’t felt in a while. I smiled, feeling a bit lighter. “Thank you, Mr. Grey. That means a lot.”
We g got into the details–fabric choices, tailoring adjustments, and how the design would complement the model’s look.
For a while, I was fully immersed, not thinking about Jason not thinking about how I would raise my child alone. after I divorce Jason, not thinking about any of it.
But that uneasy feeling crept back. The one who told me everything was crumbling, no matter how hard I tried to keep it together..
I tried to stay focused, but my thoughts slipped. Was it the Baby kicking, or just the weight of it all? Whatever it was, it left me feeling like I was barely holding on.
Then my eyes wandered across the room, landing on the two people I never expected to see here.
Jason and Laura.
They were at a table across the room, laughing together, looking relaxed like nothing was wrong.
Laura, who Jason had said was going through something and was supposed to be in the hospital, had her hand on his arm in a way that felt too close, too familiar.
1/2
+25 BONUS
CHAPTER 013
I thought I’d be over it, thought I wouldn’t care anymore. Bot seeing them, seeing him smile at her like that…it hurt more than I expected.
How could he do this? How could he sit there and pretend everything was fine, knowing what it was doing to me?
To us?
The anger was there, building up, but I pushed it down. I wasn’t going to make a scene. I’d told myself I wouldn’t confront him about Laura again.
But everything inside me screamed to walk over there, to demand answers, to make him feel the way he was making me feel.
Instead, I took a deep breath and forced my attention back to Alex, though it was nearly impossible.
“Everything okay?” Alex’s voice cut through my thoughts. You seem distracted.”
1 forced a small smile. “I’m fine. Sorry, I just…got lost in thought for a while.”
He nodded, his expression kind. “Alright then. Let’s eat.”
I nodded, but my mind kept replaying that image of Jason and Laura across the room. Jason laughing, so at ease with her.
Iwanted to confront him. To scream. To make him feel my burt. But I kept my composure, even as I felt it slipping.
I looked over at Jason again, trying to keep my expression calm. And that’s when he looked up, his eyes locking
onto mine.
For a moment, everything else faded–the noise, even Alex’s voice. Just Jason and me.
I couldn’t read his expression, but I saw a flash of something–maybe surprise, maybe regret. It was like he hadn’t expected to see me like he hadn’t expected me to see him.
My heart pounded as I felt everything I’d tried to bury all night–the anger, the hurt, that little bit of hope I hadn’t quite let go of
Jason didn’t look away. He just kept staring, like he wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words. Somehow, that made it all worse.
I held his gaze, refusing to be the first to look away. Letting him see everything he was putting me through.
In that split second, it felt like he understood. Like he felt the same tangled emotions that I did, but he was just better at hiding it.
I felt this strange pull, wondering if he’d look away or show any sign that he knew what he was doing to me. But I didn’t look away. I held on to that moment, waiting, not sure if I was ready for whatever might happen next
