Chapter Forty–One
Ava’s POV
“He did what?”
Phoenix’s sharp voice rang through the quiet air of the room, her body leaning forward, her face scrunched up in disbelief.
I flinched slightly at her reaction but didn’t blame her. It was the same disbelief that had settled in my chest ever since Kyle had walked back into my life with his audacity and despicable actions. I had barely gotten the words to her question out before Phoenix asked again.
“Please tell me you’re joking, Ava.” She shifted forward on the couch, her hands gripping the edge of the couch as she stared at me, waiting for an explanation that made sense. One which I had none.
I sighed, then muttered, “I wish I was,” I runned a hand through my hair before letting them fall on my laps, my eyes shifting to Zareon who was playing on the rug across us.
Phoenix’s expression twisted with a mix of disgust and frustration as they locked on to me. “So let me get this straight, you’re telling me that Kyle not only orchestrated a scheme to get access to your son but now wants to be in his life? Just like that? Like nothing happened?”
She scoffed, shaking her head in disgust as she leaned back in her chair. “That man must have lost his damn mind.” Her voice was sharp, laced with anger and a protective undertone.
I didn’t say anything in response; I just stared down at the line on my skirts, feeling more unsure than I cared to admit. A part of me was angry, furious at Kyle for showing up now, after everything, after the pain he put me through. Angry that he had the audacity to act as if he deserved a place in my son’s life. But then there was another part, a part I hated to acknowledge, that felt something achingly close to pity because Zareon was his son, too.
I hated myself for even feeling that way. It was ridiculous. Kyle was married. He had moved on; he had Lillian by his side and their son, growing up under his roof. I should be hard–hearted by now, shouldn’t I?
Then why had it hurt so much seeing them together?
That moment is still fresh in my mind. The way Kyle stood frozen, his eyes locked onto mine like he’d seen a ghost. Like I was the last thing he wanted to see, and I couldn’t blame him. The feeling was mutual. And Lillian, the strange woman he left me for. I saw the possessiveness in her. The way she held onto their son and leaned on Kyle as if staking a claim.
It made me sick.
I clenched my fists, my face tight in irritation. “I don’t know what to do,” I admitted, rubbing my forehead. “You saw how Zareon was the last time. He cried himself to sleep that night, Phoenix. I could tell he felt something for Kyle, and taking that away from him… it feels wrong.”
Phoenix’s eyes narrowed, her face stern. “Don’t tell me you’re actually considering his wish,” she “No,” I said quickly. “I mean… I don’t know. I…I’m just confused.” I sucked in a deep breath, hating the uncertainty in my own voice. “A part of me is…”
Phoenix’s narrowed gaze made me stop.
pped.
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“A part of you is what?” she challenged. Then, when she realized I wasn’t going to speak, she exhaled sharply and shook her head. “Listen to me, Ava,” she said, leaning forward as if about to lecture a child. “Do not do this to yourself. Don’t give Kyle the power over you again.”
“I’m not,” I murmured, but the words felt weak even to my own ears.
Phoenix gave me a knowing look. “Kyle broke you, Ava. He ripped your heart apart and didn’t even have the decency to look back. And now, now that you’re finally picking up the pieces, he waltzes back into your life, expecting what? A second chance? A happy ending? And you’re feeling sorry for him or what?” She scoffed. “I won’t let you do this to yourself.”
I swallowed hard, looking away from her. “It’s not just about me,” I whispered, feeling my stomach drop as the image of Zareon’s face, wet with tears, seeped into my mind.
It’s not just about myself, it’s about my little boy who had felt a connection to Kyle in the briefest moments they had secretly shared. It was about my son who had clung to him like he had found something he had been missing all his life.
And now, I was the one holding the scissors to cut that bond before it even fully formed. And God, does it
hurt to think about.
“I know that,” Phoenix said, her softer this time. “But Zareon has you. He doesn’t need Kyle. And you…”
she exhaled, shaking her head. “You deserve happiness, Ava. Not to be someone’s second choice.”
I winced, the word hitting me square in the chest. Because I had felt like a second choice for so long, like an afterthought in Kyle’s life, when his betrayal hit me like an angry wave.
There was a moment of silence before Phoenix leaned forward, resting a hand on her knee and fixing her gaze straight ahead. “Look at what happened when I gave my ex another chance,” she said quietly, her voice void of any real emotion. “I thought everything would be fine, that we could be a family again. And where did that get me?”
I knew where. And that is not a journey I want to experience.
Phoenix rarely spoke about her daughter or her past in general, but I knew she thought about her daughter every single day. She tried to act like it didn’t bother her, like she was fine, but I knew her better than that. I could see the quiet pain in her eyes whenever the conversation turned to children or when she watched little girls play. She might pretend that she had moved on, but deep down, I knew she still missed her daughter. Even if she never said it aloud, I could feel it. Anyone who truly knew her could see it if they knew what to look for.
However, I wasn’t like Phoenix. I wasn’t strong like her, and I feared I wouldn’t survive if Zareon was ever taken away from me.
I would lose my sanity if that ever happened. Although I know Kyle would never do that but, we can never be sure. I don’t really know the man anymore.
Before I could say anything, a knock came at the door, breaking the heavy silence. I took a breath, already knowing who it was.
Elson.
I had sent him a message about the business meeting we had to attend together.
“I should get that,” I murmured, standing up.
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Phoenix didn’t stop me, but I could feel her watching as I crossed the room and opened the door.
Elson stood there, dressed neatly, with a warm smile on his lips. His eyes scanned my face as if searching for whatever it was he was looking for. He did that often, and any woman would feel flattered and blush under his attention because he definitely is a gorgeous man, but I wasn’t just any woman. “Hey,” he greeted. “Are you ready?”
I nodded, reciprocating his smile and stepping aside to let him in. “Almost. All I need to do is repack my hair,” thanks to Zareon, who had pulled out a few knots from the pony earlier, “and get my bag.”
His gaze shifted behind me, landing on Phoenix, who gave him a small nod in greeting. Then, as always, his
attention went straight to Zareon.
“Little man!” He grinned, bending down to ruffle Zareon’s hair as my son let out a giggle.
Zareon reached a hand up in an attempt to show Elson his toy, his mouth parted as he sputtered out gibberish words only he understood. Watching them, I felt an odd sensation in my chest. Zareon had always loved Elson, maybe not as his father, but what did he know? And Elson… he loved Zareon like his own.
I should love him back.
I should let myself try.
But that seemed hard to pursue.
As I turned away, I felt Phoenix’s gaze on me, as if she could read my thoughts. As if she knew exactly what I was thinking.
However, I ignored it. Instead, I focused on the task, which was to grab my bag and repack my hair. Glancing at the time, I dashed to my room. We needed to leave soon for the meeting.
By the time I was done and back into the living room, Elson had lifted Zareon into his arms, playfully bouncing him as Zareon let out another happy giggle. I allowed myself to smile, just a little, because, well, Phoenix was watching the interaction like a hawk.
Without wasting more time, I pressed a gentle kiss to my son’s cheek and whispered, “I’ll be back soon, okay,
baby?”
Zareon made a cute sound, his attention on Elson’s shirt.
Elson gave Zareon and me a smile before setting him back down, and Zareon immediately made a dash for his toys, not even bothered by the presence of the adults.
With one last glance at my son and a goodbye to Phoenix, without meeting her gaze, I turned toward the door, walking beside Elson as we headed out to the meeting.
But deep down, I knew Phoenix’s words and Kyle’s would stick with me throughout the meeting.
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