AVA'S POV
"I'm ready to be your heir." I said into the phone.
My mother always said I’d come crawling back eventually, and I hated to prove her right.
Last night was like a memory that stuck in my head. I had spent hours in the kitchen, pouring myself into making dinner for Canaan after yet another one of his late nights.
I didn’t even care that my hands were sore from chopping vegetables or that I was tired. I just wanted him to feel cared for, to feel loved. That was all I’d ever wanted.
When I heard the front door click open, I hurried out of the kitchen, wiping my hands on a towel and smiling happily. “Hey, you’re home! Dinner’s ready. I made your favorite ....”
“I’m tired,” he cut me off as he walked past me without even a glance.
The smile froze on my face. “Canaan, wait…”
But he was already halfway to the bedroom.
I followed after him, hoping he'd at least look at me. Immediately I got close to him, the smell hit me first. A girl's perfume and oh so familiar. It wasn’t mine. It wasn’t his either. My stomach twisted, but I didn’t say anything.
Instead, I busied myself, grabbing his shirt from where he’d tossed it onto the bed. That’s when I saw it, the stain. Bright red, smeared on the collar of his white button-down shirt. Lipstick.
My hands trembled as I held the shirt, my chest tightened. I couldn’t breathe.
I’d been suspicious, sure. The late-night calls, the “meetings” that always held until morning, the sudden disinterest in our dates. But to see it, to hold the evidence in my hands, hurt.
I looked up at him. He was already lying on the bed, scrolling through his phone like nothing had happened. Like he wasn't a cheating scumbag.
I forced a smile. “I’ll… I’ll put this in the laundry,” I muttered, my voice barely audible.
He didn’t even respond.
I spent the rest of the night in the kitchen, staring at the cold dinner I’d made, the one he didn’t even touch.
Tears fell down my face as I thought about everything I’d sacrificed for him. I’d walked away from wealth, from privilege, from my family, because I believed in us. I believed in him.
And now? Now I was the fool.
The perfume. That damn perfume. It took hours for me to place it, but when I finally did, I felt even more stupid. Emma. My best friend.
I thought back to the way she’d always lit up around Canaan, the way she always touched him when she thought I wasn't watching, the way she laughed at his stupid jokes like they were the funniest thing she’d ever heard.
The way they always hung out together, always siding with each other, or the way he always hurried to help her, leaving me behind.
I’d brushed it off because I trusted her. Because I trusted him.
I was so stupid.
When I woke up the next morning, the bed was empty. Canaan was gone. Of course, he’d left early. He always did.
I had planned to confront him, to ask him questions. But now, I didn’t care. I wasn’t going to beg for answers or fight for his attention.
I was done.
I pulled out the black dress my mom had sent me for my birthday last year. It still had the tags on it.
I slipped it on, smoothed it down, and stared at myself in the mirror.
“You’re stronger than this,” I whispered to myself.
By the time I arrived at his office, my heart was pounding, but I didn’t let it show.
I walked in like I owned the place, which, technically, I’d helped build. My connections had landed him his biggest contracts. My sacrifices had made him this successful.
And now? Now I was taking it all back.
“Mrs. Hayes!” the receptionist chirped, clearly surprised to see me. “Mr. Hayes isn’t in yet…”
“That’s fine,” I said. “I’m here to see Emma.”
Emma. The woman I once called my sister. The woman I’d trusted with my secrets, my husband.
She was standing by the coffee machine when I found her, her back to me.
She turned at the sound of my heels, her face lighting up with that fake, sugary smile.
“Ava! What a surprise!” she said happily. Too happy.
I didn’t waste time. “Where’s Canaan?”
Her smile faltered for half a second. “Oh, he’s… he’s out on a meeting. Something last minute.”
“Right,” I said, crossing my arms. “Funny how all his ‘last minute meetings’ started around the same time you got promoted to secretary.”
Her eyes widened, and for a moment, I saw panic flash across her face. But then she laughed, shaking her head. “Ava, what are you talking about? You’re being ridiculous.”
“Am I?” I stepped closer. “Because I know, Emma. I know about you and Canaan.”
Silence.
She looked around, as if checking to see if anyone could hear us. Then she sighed, her shoulders slumping. “Fine,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “Yes, okay? We’re together. We’re in love. I'm sorry, Emma.”
I already knew they were together but it still hurt and I could see she was anything but sorry. The smile on her face said otherwise.
“Oh please. Drop the act, Emma. I don't need your bullshit apology.” I said angrily.
Emma looked surprised at my tone, her smile dropping.
“Well, if you are here to tell me to leave him, I have news for you,” she added, her tone sharper now, “I’m pregnant.”
