CHAPTER 034
AVA’S POV
I had just finished my consultation with the doctor, who had assured me that everything was fine with the little one inside me.
Jason and I had been too reckless earlier in his office. His kisses and his touch were so familiar, so like the old days, when we couldn’t keep our hands off each other.
But things were different now. I wasn’t just responsible for myself anymore. I had to think about the tiny life growing inside me that Jason was still not aware of.
I sighed softly, pressing a hand to my stomach. “It’s okay baby. You are perfectly fine.”
The drive home was a blur, my thoughts spinning like a storm. Meeting Laura at the hospital had deeply unsettled
- me.
I couldn’t shake the weight of her gaze which had lingered long after I walked away, and I couldn memory of her sharp, bitter laugh.
Was I too obvious? What if she had already begun to suspect the truth?
Because I knew she didn’t believe the little lie I told about being at the hospital because of work.
shake the
I gripped the folder on my lap, willing myself to stay calm. I couldn’t let her, or anyone, see the cracks.
I couldn’t dwell on it though, I needed to focus on something else.
Dinner. Jason had promised a fancy dinner tonight to celebrate my promotion to design director – the position that Laura had stolen earlier, but I’ve reclaimed.
A part of me felt proud of how far I’d come, but another part of me was nervous.
I sighed again, this time realizing nohe of my dresses would fit. My body had started to change, small, almost unnoticeable changes but enough to make my clothes feel tight and uncomfortable.
I pulled into the mall parking lot, hoping I could find something new.
The bright lights and soft hum of chatter offered a small reprieve from my racing thoughts.
I headed directly to a boutique I had been to previously, hoping to discover something fashionable yet comfortable.
Rows of stunning dresses were showcased on the racks, and I ran my fingers across the fabrics, searching for something that could represent who I had become.
A specific dress drew my eye, a red full–length gown with a cascading skirt and delicate beading at the neckline. It was simple yet elegant, ideally appropriate for tonight’s dinner.
I took it off the rack and pressed it to my body, facing the mirror to check its appearance.
My relationship with Jason had been getting better ever since his grandfather talked to us during his birthday dinner, and now, with Laura terminated from the company and gone from our lives, a wave of optimism filled me.
For a moment, I let myself believe this could be a night for jason and me, something normal, something to enjoy and remember. But that hope was short–lived.
“Well, well,” a familiar voice sneered. “If it isn’t Ava, playing dress–up again.”
I froze, my grip on the dress tightening. Slowly, I turned to face Miranda, Jason’s cousin who stood a few feet
CHAPTER 034
away, her expression oozing disdain.
Miranda was immaculate, her designer outfit and flawless makeup a constant reminder of how different we were.
just shopping for a dress,” I said quietly, hoping she wouldn’t escalate things
Miranda’s smirk widened. “Shopping? You mean pretending you can afford anything here?” She stepped closer, her voice loud enough for the other shoppers to hear. “Honestly, Ava, don’t you ever get tired of this act?”
I clenched my jaw, trying to stay calm. “I don’t want any trouble, Miranda. Please leave me alone.”
“Oh, but this is too entertaining,” she laughed, her eyes landing on the dress in my hands. “That dress? You think you can pull it off?”
I didn’t answer, but Miranda wasn’t done. She turned to the saleswoman nearby.
“How much is this dress?” she asked, her voice dripping with challenge.
The saleswoman hesitated, her discomfort palpable. “It’s well, it’s a unique piece. There’s only one available.”
“Perfect,” Miranda said, her tone chilling, “I’ll take it. And I’ll pay double. No…triple. Wrap it up for me.”
My stomach dropped. “Miranda, you don’t even want this dress.”
“Oh, but I do now,” she said, her smile sharp as glass. “It’ll be fun to show you how a real woman wears it.”
Whispers spread among the other shoppers, and I felt heat rise in my cheeks. I tried to push the words back down, but they were already there.
The saleswoman glanced nervously between us. “I’m sorry, but this dress was already selected…”
“She hasn’t bought it yet,” Miranda snapped. “And I’m willing to pay more. Who do you think your store would rather please?”
The saleswoman remained silent, and I felt a lump form in my throat. Miranda’s words stung, but her actions made me feel smaller than ever.
“Don’t worry, Ava,” she cooed, stepping closer, her voice dripping with mock sweetness. “I’m sure they have something in the clearance section for you.”
“Stop it,” I whispered, my voice shaky.
“Oh, I’m just getting started,” Miranda smirked. “Let’s be honest. You don’t belong in Jason’s world. You never did. You’re nothing but a charity case he felt sorry for.”
Her words were a slap to my face, and I could feel the tears rising.
“Laura,” she continued, her voice sharp and cruel. “She is the one who belongs. She understands Jason in ways you never could. You’re just the placeholder until he wakes up and realizes it.”
Twanted to fight back, but the words were stuck in my throat. I was too overwhelmed, too hurt
Miranda looked at me, her triumph obvious. “Why don’t you do everyone a favor and just disappear from Jason’s life, Ava? You’re embarrassing yourself.”
I turned to leave, desperate to escape her cruelty, but her hand shot out and grabbed my arm, her nails digging into my skin.
“Don’t walk away from me,” she hissed. “I’m not done with you yet…‘
“Stop. How dare you treat my wife like this?”
CHAPTER 034
A deep voice boomed, cutting through the air, and freezing everything around me.
CHAPTER 035
+25 BONUS
CHAPTER 035
AVA’S POV
