Ava Carlisle POV:
I watched as Julian pulled a jewelry box from a designer shopping bag. His smile was the one he always used, the one he thought was deeply romantic. "To celebrate seven years together. A little something for you."
He opened the box. A diamond necklace lay inside, its sparkle feeling cheap and insulting compared to the millions he had just wired to another woman.
I didn't reach for it. I just lifted my chin, my eyes flicking toward the open laptop on the coffee table.
Julian's smile froze. He followed my gaze, and the color drained from his face. He saw Scarlett's chat window.
He lunged for the laptop, fumbling to close it, but it was too late. "Ava, listen to me, it's not what you think!" he stammered, his words a jumbled mess.
"What do I think?" My voice was dead calm, a frozen lake. "Do I think you transferred our entire joint account to your mistress, or do I think you have a three-year-old son with her?"
Julian's body jerked as if I'd struck him. He knew. He knew I'd seen everything. The panic on his face dissolved, replaced by the ugly irritation of being caught.
"Since you saw it all, I won't hide it," he said, his tone shifting to defiance. "Scarlett and I are in love. When I was injured and nearly lost my career, she was the one who stayed by my side, who encouraged me. She's my savior!"
The words "my savior" almost made me laugh out loud. I was the one who had anonymously funded his recovery, who had pulled strings to get him the best doctors in the country. He had given that credit to another woman.
"So?" I stared at him, my face a mask. "So you feel justified spending my money to support your mistress and your illegitimate child?"
"I can pay you back for the money!" Julian waved his hand dismissively. "Ava, let's just part on good terms. Name your price. How much do you want?"
I looked at his face, at the condescending expression of a man trying to pay off an inconvenience. Seven years of my life, and to him, it was just a transaction. My heart, which had been cracking all evening, finally turned to dust.
"I don't want a single cent from you," I said, turning and walking toward the bedroom. "Now take your things and get out of my house."
"Your house?" Julian laughed, a harsh, ugly sound. "Ava, don't forget, this penthouse is in my name! Who are you to tell me to get out? A broke baker?"
The contempt in his eyes was so familiar. For seven years, he had seen me as this dependent, background-less girl.
I didn't argue. I walked into the closet and pulled out a suitcase I'd kept in storage. It was small. I only packed a few of my own clothes and personal items.
When I dragged the suitcase out, Julian stared, stunned. He must have expected tears, screaming, begging. He never expected me to just leave.
"Ava, where are you going? Stop this nonsense!" He reached for my arm, but I stepped aside, his hand grabbing at empty air.
"To a place without you." I pulled the suitcase behind me, walking toward the door without a backward glance.
The cold night air hit my face as I stepped out of the building. I realized I was shaking. I found a quiet corner away from the entrance and dialed a number I knew by heart.
The call was answered almost immediately. A calm, authoritative female voice came through the line. "Ava, my daughter. Have you finally come to your senses?"
"Mom," my voice trembled, but it was laced with a new, steely resolve. "I agree. I'll agree to the marriage with the Montgomery family."
My mother was silent for a few seconds. Then, her voice was all business. "Good. Beckett Montgomery, captain of the Boston Blades, the sole heir to the Montgomery family. He will be your most powerful ally. I've already made the arrangements. You'll meet him tomorrow."
"I understand." I hung up the phone and took a deep, cold breath.
I thought of the past seven years. Dropping out of an Ivy League school, giving up my entire world, just to be with him. I thought it was love. Now I saw it was just a one-woman show.
Tears blurred my vision again, but I forced them back.
From this day forward, Ava Carlisle was no longer a fool who humbled herself for love.
I would take back everything that was mine. I would make the people who hurt and belittled me pay a thousand times over.
A black Rolls-Royce glided silently to the curb in front of me. The driver got out and respectfully opened the rear door. "Miss Carlisle. Your mother sent me to pick you up."
I slid into the car, the soft leather seat enveloping me. Through the window, the apartment building where I had spent seven years of my life grew smaller and smaller, until it disappeared completely.
I leaned my head back and closed my eyes.
I took out my phone and sent a message to my mother. "Mom, the 'Starlight' project at Sterling Group. I want it stopped. Immediately."
Her reply was swift. "Consider it done. Enjoy the show, my daughter."
Julian, you thought I was just a weak little baker? You're about to find out exactly who you've crossed.
The car moved smoothly into the darkness.
