Chapter Forty–Seven
Ava’s POV
I knew I looked good. No, that was degrading it. Flock stonning The tear satin floor length go
SITATE in teal sequins, perfectly clung to my figure. The asymmetrical neckline of the dress draw attention to my beaded necklace, while the curls I had worked into my hair cascaded down my shoulders like mos shy makeup was elegant, and though my new pointy heels were painful, they completed the look o practicing my smile in the mirror, I couldn’t shake the storm Brewing inside me
I didn’t want to be there.
The gala was the long–awaited product launch for Kyle’s anonymous company, hosted at one of the most upscale halls in the city. Being part of the backbone team for this launch meant I had to attend, but the thought of stepping into a room where Kyle and Lillian would be made me nauseous with anxiety and unresolved anger.
Every time I thought about what had happened to Zareon, his cry, the tiny cut at the back of his head and Lillian’s uncaring words, my chest burned with rage. Even now, as I combed through the soft cars of my baby’s hair, a fresh wave of rage surged through me. Lillian’s actions were unforgivable, and the thought of being in the same room as her was almost unbearable. Still, I had to enter their territory again, hoping with a small prayer that she wouldn’t show up. But who was I kidding? Someone like her would never leave Kyle’s side due to their own insecurities.
Phoenix would’ve stood by me like she always did, her sharp tongue and fire presence would have been my armour, but today she was absent. She had left the house before sunrise, just as she had been doing lately. She was on edge as she was unable to access her daughter, whom she had an initial restriction on visitation. But now, she couldn’t reach her at all, and I could see the toll it was taking on her, even though she laughed it off. She had been my strength for so long, and I wished I could be hers now. I wish I could be there for her to offer the same support she had given me countless times. But Phoenix, ever the strong one, insisted it was nothing serious and that she would handle it.
“You better go,” she had said as she tied her hair back in a bun, eyes darkened with an exhaustion that broke my heart. “Don’t you dare use me as an excuse to bail.”
She wasn’t entirely wrong. The thought of seeing Kyle again, especially after everything that had happened from Zareon’s accident to Elson, filled me with anxiety that I had considered skipping out. But it was too late to back out. I had to attend, and with Phoenix and Elson unavailable, and my other workers probably exhausted from work, I had no choice but to bring Zareon along.
“Mama,” Zareon said, softly tapping his teddy bear on the bed before bringing it to his mouth. Gently, I tugged it away from his lips and brought his fingers to my lips for a kiss.
“You look handsome, baby.” His large hazel–blue eyes danced around my face for a moment before he gave me a huge smile that melted away all my thoughts.
The venue was bustling with people and flashing cameras. My heart did a flip as I let my eyes wander around the entrance, watching reporters snap photos of elegantly dressed guests. I had become so distracted that I momentarily forgot about the reporters. However, I quickly steadied myself, holding Zareon tightly to my body and bringing his face to the crook of my neck to shield him from the relentless camera flashes.
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Chapter Folly Seven)
Smoothly and discreetly, I bowed my head and hurried through the crowd, though I found it challenging due to the flashy dress that Phoenix had specifically chosen for me. Nevertheless, I managed to evade the reporters, ensuring they didn’t capture a clear shot of me or Zamoris face
Inside, the hall sparkled with extravagance and richness. I had to admit, the execution was stunning, and everything our team had worked so hard to deliver came out so well. Still, my pains were damp as I walked in with Zareon’s in arms, while his eyes took in his environment.
I spotted familiar faces, coworkers, and influencers posing beside tatt banners as I handed my deep blue kimono to the valet, revealing my sparkling, stunning dress underneath. The whispering began almost instantly, It wasn’t loud, but I knew how these situations worked. When you walk in with a child, while most people prefer to leave their child at home with a nanny, gossip inevitably starts.
I held Zareon close, ignoring the eyes on me while I looked for a secluded space to sit for the main time.
“Look who finally showed up to steal the spotlight”
I turned around to see Autumn, looking stunning in a cream–colored silk dress. A smile curled on my lips as she pulled me into a quick hug, then leaned down to pinch Zareon’s chubby cheeks,
“It’s not my fault I’m charming,” I teased, and she laughed.
“You never run out of comebacks. For a second, I thought you’d skip the grand opening.”
My brows furrowed, “Did I give that impression?”
She gave me an are–you–for–real look, and I glanced away, my eyes landing on a beautiful girl who was staring
at me.
“Is that…?”
Autumn grinned and stepped forward, gently pulling the girl toward me. “Yes, this is Spring. Spring, say hi to
Ava.”
Spring was Autumn’s last daughter out of four. She was the youngest and the only one currently living with her, as Autumn had once explained. Just like her name, Spring was beautiful and a mirror image of her mother, like Autumn had cloned a younger version of herself.
The event started lightly. I joked with Autumn and a few company staff who had stopped by to say hi to
Zareon.
Even as I pretended to enjoy the conversation, I couldn’t shake the feeling of eyes on me. I didn’t need to look to know it was Kyle. My chest tightened again and again, but I forced myself to sit tall and composed. Still, my resolve, broke somewhere along the way, and I slowly turned.
He stood a few feet away, surrounded by suited men. He looked tired, yet stunning.
Our eyes met and held. With no smiles, no words shared. Just stillness. Eventually, he nodded, breaking the moment, and I did the same before quickly turning away, my face hot and throat dry.
Only then did I see Zareon, looking disastrously adorable, with his cheeks puffed with cake and crumbles falling onto his black suit as he munched on with no care in the world. I didn’t know my mouth had dropped open until Autumn and Spring chuckled beside me.
“The young man is clearly enjoying himself.”
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Chalter Forty- Serum
I couldn’t dispute that. He was clearly enjoying himself, ruining his outfit just a few moments after I turned away. As if that wasn’t enough, Zareon brought his hand down and wiped it on his suit
“Za…I almost yelled.
He looked up at my eyes, and this little boy grinned, unaware of the disaster he had just caused. People who saw the scene unfold laughed and joked, while Zareon laughed, still not knowing anything.
One thing I learnt as a mother of a toddler is to always bring a spare of everything along with you. With a sigh, I pulled Zareon’s cake–smeared suit off his body, lifted him into my arms, and then we made our way to
the restroom.
We did our business, with Zareon entertaining me with gibberish ranting while I cleaned him up and switched
his clothes.
We were just rounding the corner, singing along to Zareon’s favourite song, more like, I was singing and he was making gibberish sounds to it with his tiny hand flaying up and down in excitement as I sang quietly, when I crashed into someone.
A sharp gasp escaped my lips, and I instinctively wrapped my arm protectively around Zareon’s head.
“Watch it,” a cranky voice snapped.
My body went still. That voice.
Slowly, I lifted my head, and there she was.
Lillian Banks.
She feigned a gasp, her perfectly manicured hand flying to her mouth like she wasn’t expecting to see me. Ava? Oh my… I’m so sorry. I didn’t recognize you without the tears.”
1 blinked, shocked. I hadn’t expected her to go full–blown with bitterness. My pulse quickens, not in fear but from the anger rising in my chest. However, I said nothing, just stared at her.
I had read books, seen enough shows to recognize this type of energy, where bitter mistresses who became wives mock the ex. Why? Because they were scared. And scared women lash out when their foundation starts to c****.
Her gaze dropped to Zareon, and my arms instinctively tightened around him.
“Funny you brought that child to such a crowded event,” she drawled, folding her arms, looking impressed. Trying to stage another dramatic scene? Is that it? Need attention again?” She tilted her head. “I mean, it worked before, didn’t it?”
Still, I didn’t say a word. But inside me, I was boiling with rage while Zareon was too busy poking on the sequins on my dress, making some cute noise like he was having a conversation with himself.
”
Lillian’s eyes fell back to him, her eyes scrutinising every detail of Zareon as if conducting a DNA test with her eyes. “But then….I must say,” She muttered. “I don’t see the resemblance. Not even a little. But I guess if you repeat a lie long enough, it starts to sound like the truth.”
That was it.
I didn’t raise my voice. I didn’t curse her out or act bitterly. Instead, I leaned in slightly, my voice loud enough for her to hear me.
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Forty–Seven
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“You sure you want to keep talking like this?” I said softly, tilting my head. “Because Kyle’s just a few steps behind you. Want him to hear everything you’ve been saying?”
Her shoulder snapped straight. Her fake smile faltered as she flicked a glance over her shoulder.
There it was, fear. It was brief, but deliciously satisfying.
“And, Oh,” I added, stepping closer with a sweet smile while her eyes narrowed. “Since we are sharing words. Let me give you a tip…” I leaned in. “Concealer doesn’t cover insecurity, sweetheart. Note that.”
I smiled sweetly as her face flushed red with either anger or embarrassment, I didn’t care. I brushed past her, cradling Zareon’s head against my neck as Kyle approached. I didn’t look at him or offer a greeting.
I didn’t stop either. I just brushed past him as well.
Let the b*tch stew in that.
The speeches had begun when I finally joined the table, and they were in the middle of recognising all the staff. I handed Zareon over to Spring, instructing her to keep a close eye on him while I stepped up onto the stage to receive the award for my team. After receiving it, I descended the stage, but when my eyes landed on where I had left Zareon, my heart dropped.
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