CHAPTER 015
ALEX’S POV
I sat across from Laura, watching her reaction to my greeting, Silence filled the space, thick and charged.
Ava’s gaze darted between Laura and me, sharp and discerning as if she could sense there was something off about the greeting.
Jason, on the other hand, sat there, unaware of the growing tension between us, his expression one of confusion.
Laura’s hands trembled, and I could see her struggling to keep a calm facade.
Her gaze flickered from me to Jason. “Hi, Alex, same here, it’s been a while,” she muttered, acting as if everything was fine.
She then sat down, fixing her eyes on the wine glass in front of her, but I wasn’t about to let her off the hook that easily.
“It’s been a while since I last spoke to my brother,” I said, letting my words hang heavily in the air.
- Laura’s face went pale, as if drained of blood. A flash of panic crossed her face before she could mask it, and she forced a tight, uneasy smile.
“Oh?” she said, her voice barely audible.
“Yes,” I continued, keeping my tone controlled and casual “He’s in a… different place now, I’m sure you know that. Somewhere people go when they might never heal.”
Laura’s hands gripped her wine glass tightly, her knuckles going white. She swallowed hard, and I could sense the fear in her a feeling she deserved to experience.
Jason, oblivious to the depths of our history, looked between us with polite interest.
“How do you both know each other?” He asked, turning to look at Laura who was avoiding eye contact and staring at her wine glass.
I cut in, “She is my sister–in–law, or should I say ex–sister–in–law? Laura?” I asked, staring at her, but she refused to look up and meet my gaze.
She shifted in her seat, clearly uncomfortable. “I, um….” She glanced at Jason, then at Ava, her eyes darting toward the exit like she wanted to escape.
“Jason… I’m… not feeling well,” she mumbled, putting her hand on her stomach. “The baby is making me uncomfortable.”
Jason immediately looked at her, his brow furrowed with concern as he leaned forward, “Do you need anything? Should I ask the waiter to get you some water?”
Ava’s gaze hardened, she sat there, watching the scene unfold, her expression carefully composed but her eyes betraying a storm of emotions.
I could tell she was furning in anger, yet trying to keep her resentment under control. I sensed that it was Jason’s concern, his attentiveness to Laura that she was reacting to
A hint of satisfaction flickered within me as I watched Laura grow uncomfortable and scared.
The tension was of my making, and I intended for her to feel the full weight of it.
“Of course, the baby,” I said, leaning back in my chair, my tone light but pointed. “Congratulations, by the
Way. It
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CHAPTER D15
must be a joy to expect a child, knowing they’ll grow up in world you’ve shaped so carefully.”
Ava’s gaze flicked over to me, her expression shifting as if he were putting together pieces of a puzzle.
But she wasn’t focused on me for long, her attention shifted to Jason, who looked worried, eyes soft as he watched
Laura.
“Thank you,” Laura mumbled, barely looking up. Her voice was so faint it was nearly swallowed by the silence.
Laura’s hand moved protectively over her stomach, her face flushed. “I’m sorry, I… I just need some air,” she whispered, her gaze firmly fixed on the table.
Jason looked at her, a frown creasing his brow. “Are you okay? Maybe you should take a minute to rest,” he said, leaning toward her with genuine concern.
I saw Ava’s jaw tighten, her eyes fixed on her husband. That familiar ache of disappointment filled her gaze as she watched him give his attention to Laura–again
The way he leaned in, the way his voice softened, all for a woman who was the reason their marriage was failing.
Ava’s fingers tightened around her glass, her knuckles turning white.
She held herself together with quiet grace, but I could tell she was barely restraining the surge of anger and hurt bubbling beneath her calm exterior.
“Yes,” Laura stammered, casting a nervous glance around the table. “I think I’ll step outside… just for a moment”
She rose from her chair, her movements quick, almost panicked, and she hurried toward the exit.
Jason stood as if to follow, casting a quick, concerned look at me and then at Ava. “Excuse me,” he mumbled, clearly torn between his loyalty to Ava and his instinct to check on Laura.
“Go ahead, Mr. Campbell,” I said smoothly, watching the struggle flicker in Ava’s eyes. “I’m sure she needs you.
Ava’s gaze darkened, a flash of hurt flashing across her face as Jason finally nodded and moved toward the door.
She sat there, rooted in place, her gaze fixed on the table, as if she were trying to collect herself, to push down whatever pain Jason’s actions had just ignited in her.
A small, quiet satisfaction settled in me, like the first taste of victory in a game I was determined to win.
Ava finally looked up, her eyes meeting mine. “Mr. Grey,” she said softly, her voice carrying a mixture of curiosity and suspicion, “what’s going on here?”
“Nothing you need to worry about, Ava,” I replied, keeping my tone neutral. “Laura and L… have some history.”
“History?” she echoed, her brows furrowing as if she were trying to untangle a web of secrets.
“Yes,” I said, giving her a small smile. “Some things are better left in the past, don’t you think?”
She didn’t look convinced, but she nodded, sensing I wouldn’t reveal more.
Silence settled between us, Ava’s expression growing distant as her thoughts seemed to drift–perhaps to the man she thought I didn’t know she was married to, and the woman who kept drawing him away from her.
Yes, I knew it all!
I knew Ava was Jason’s wife, and Laura was his ex–who, after putting my brother in a vegetative state, had
returned to reclaim her old love and maybe do the same to him.
Who knows?
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CHAPTER 015
I turned my gaze to the door where Laura had just left, a sense of dark satisfaction curling within me.
This was only the beginning, and I had every intention of seeing it through and making Laura pay.
