AVA'S POV

When I woke up, the house was silent. My vision was blurry, my head pounding. I tried to sit up, but I felt a sharp pain in my stomach, and I gasped, falling back onto the floor.

That’s when I noticed the blood.

It was running down my legs, and for a second, I thought I might pass out again. My hands trembled as I pressed them to my stomach, panic rising in my chest.

Something was wrong. Something was very wrong. I tried to sit up, but my body wouldn’t cooperate. My hands shook as I reached for my phone. My whole body hurts and it felt like I was going to pass out again.

I pressed 9-1-1, my voice weak as I spoke into the phone after it was answered. "I… I need help. Please…"

And then everything went dark.

***

When I woke up, I found myself at the hospital. I blinked slowly, trying to adjust to the bright light in the hospital room, my head pounding like I’d been hit by a truck. Everything around me felt cold. My body was worse. My limbs were heavy, and I could still feel pain in my stomach.

A doctor walked in, clipboard in hand, her face soft but serious. Her lips moved, but her words felt like distant echoes at first, but then my mind refocused on whatever she was saying.

“You lost the baby,” she said gently. “You were six weeks along. I’m so sorry.”

Six weeks. Six weeks of carrying a life I didn’t even know was there. Six weeks of something I could’ve loved, something that might have loved me back.

My hands instinctively moved to my stomach, but it was empty now.

Tears spilled down my cheeks before I could stop them. I didn’t even care about holding it together. I sobbed, the kind of crying that makes your chest hurt and your throat burn.

The doctor stood there for a moment, her expression unreadable, before quietly excusing herself, leaving me alone.

I cried until there was nothing left. My mind kept circling back to Canaan.

Would he have cared? Would he have even wanted the baby? Or would he have just rolled his eyes and told me it was inconvenient? Did he even know I had lost our child?

My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of someone clearing their throat. I looked up to see an officer standing in the doorway, a notepad in hand. He stepped inside cautiously, like he didn’t want to startle me.

“Mrs. Hayes,” he began. “We need to ask you some questions about what happened. Can you tell us who did this to you?”

I stared at him, my lips pressed into a tight line. The words were there, but they refused to come out. What was the point? What good would it do? He could just pay them and he would be free

“Mrs. Hayes,” he tried again, “We can help you, but we need you to tell us what happened.”

I turned my head to the side, my eyes locking on the blank hospital wall. I didn’t say a word.

The officer sighed, clearly frustrated but trying to be patient. He handed me my phone, his voice softer now. “We called your husband. He said he was too busy to come. We also mentioned…” The officer hesitated, like he wasn’t sure if he should continue. “We'd mentioned that you lost your baby but he said he didn't care….”

I let out a bitter laugh. He knew I'd lost our baby and he still didn't care.

What a piece of shit.

The officer stood there for a moment, unsure of what to do, before finally nodding. “We’ll check in with you later, Mrs. Hayes.”

And then he was gone.

I stared at the phone in my hand, the screen dark. I couldn’t stay here. Not anymore.

With shaky hands, I pulled the needle out of my arm, wincing as a small drop of blood came out. Luckily my dress was black so the blood wasn't a lot.

The hallway was crowded, with a lot of injured patients. I didn’t even know where I was going. I just needed to leave. But then I saw him.

Canaan.

He was standing by a door at the end of the hallway, holding a bouquet of flowers and a thermos flask.

I watched him push the door open and step inside. I crept closer, until I could see through the small glass window on the door.

Emma was sitting up in bed, her face pale, her eyes lighting up as Canaan handed her the flowers. He leaned in close, whispering something to her that made her laugh softly.

Tears stung my eyes, as I turned away. For a moment, I just stood there in the hallway, frozen. And then I walked away.

When I got home, the house was quiet. I couldn't believe I'd thought Canaan loved me. I was so stupid.

I didn’t bother crying. I was too empty for that now. Instead, I went straight to the closet, pulling out a suitcase and throwing in whatever I could grab. Clothes, shoes, a few essentials. It didn’t matter. I just needed to leave.

Before I walked out, I pulled the white envelope from the drawer in the desk. My divorce letter. I’d written it the day I decided to go back to my family, back to the life I’d left behind for him.

I left it on the kitchen counter, the same place I used to leave him little love notes.

I didn’t look back as I walked out the door.

****

The airport was busy, people moving around hurriedly to get their tickets or board the plane.

The flight to Los Angeles felt like a blur. My mind was too tired to process anything. But when the plane landed and I stepped into the terminal, I saw them.

My family.

My mother, father, and brother were standing by the gate, their faces tense with worry. The moment they saw me, my mom’s hands flew to her mouth, her eyes filling with tears.

I couldn’t hold it in anymore. I broke down, running to them. My mom wrapped me in her arms, holding me tight as I sobbed into her shoulder.

“Oh, Ava,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “What happened to you? Did someone hit you?!”

Oh yeah, I forgot I still had bruises.

My dad and brother came close, their faces filled with anger. My brother’s hands balled into fists as he looked me over. “Was it that bastard, Canaan? Tell me, Ava. I’ll kill him.”

My dad nodded, “He’ll never hurt you again. I’ll make sure of it.”

My mom’s voice was softer, “You’re safe now, Ava. We’ll take care of you.”

I laughed weakly, wiping at my tears. “I’ll explain everything when we get home,” I said, my voice hoarse.

They didn’t push me for answers. Instead, they guided me to the car. The drive home was a blur like the plane ride and before I knew it, I was asleep.

AVA'S POV

Mom woke me up once we got home, her voice soft. "Ava, we're here," she said, her hand on my shoulder as I blinked awake.

The car slowed to a stop in front of the house, and for a moment, I just stared at it. It looked the same but also… different.

I sighed, grabbing my bag and stepping out of the car. My mom gave me a worried look but didn’t say anything as I followed her inside. A maid appeared almost immediately, her hands clasped in front of her as she smiled politely.

“This way, Miss Ava. I’ll take you to your room,” she said.

I followed her up the stairs quietly to my room. The moment the maid left, I dropped my bag by the closet and started unpacking. I was halfway through hanging up a dress when my phone buzzed on the nightstand. Without thinking, I grabbed it and answered, “Hello?”

“Where the fuck are you?” The voice on the other end was loud, angry, and all too familiar. Canaan. My hand froze mid-air, the dress slipping from my fingers.

“I…”

He didn’t let me speak. “And what is this on our bed?” His voice was louder now, practically a shout.

I swallowed hard, my throat dry as I stared at the wall. “Divorce papers, Canaan,” I said flatly, my voice cold, well as cold as I could make it sound. It was obvious, wasn’t it? He couldn’t seriously be surprised. He didn't expect me to forgive him, right?

“What the hell is wrong with you? Do you even hear yourself right now?” he yelled. “I don’t know what’s going on in your fucked-up head, but you better come back home. Right. Now. Emma lost our child because of you, Ava. Do you hear me? Because of YOU. You better get your ass back here and apologize to her.”

Apologize? Apologize to her? My chest tightened, my own anger rising. I didn’t reply. I couldn’t. If I opened my mouth, I’d scream, and I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction.

Instead, I hung up. My hands shook as I blocked his number and then powered off my phone, tossing it onto the bed.

I stood there for a moment, staring out the window. The sun was setting, but I couldn't appreciate the beauty of it. All I could hear was his voice.

They took everything from me. My child. My baby. A sob escaped before I could stop it, and I covered my mouth with trembling fingers.

They were going to pay. Both of them. For what they did. For all of it.

A knock at the door pulled me out of my thoughts. “Miss Ava?” a maid called softly. “Dinner is ready.”

“Be right there,” I said, my voice hoarse. I quickly put the rest of my things away, before going downstairs.

My parents were already seated once I got downstairs, my father at the head of the table and my mother beside him. They both looked up when I entered, their eyes scanning me like they were trying to figure out if I was okay.

I slid into my seat, and the moment I did, the questions started.

“What happened, Ava?” my mom asked gently.

I hesitated, my fingers curling around the edge of my napkin. This was the part I’d been avoiding but it was time they knew. “Canaan was cheating on me,” I said, my voice flat. “With my…well, my ex-best friend. Emma.”

My mom gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. My dad’s face darkened, his grip on his fork tightening. But I wasn’t done. “She was pregnant with his child,” I continued, staring down at the table. “And he… he killed our baby. After he beat me up because he believes I hurt her, making her lose their baby.”

My father shot to his feet, his face red with rage. “I’ll kill him,” he growled. “I’ll kill that son of a bitch. Where’s my gun? Liam, get my gun!” He yelled, his voice loud.

“Wait!” I shouted. This wasn’t what I wanted. I didn’t want my dad or my brother involved. They would kill him if they got their hands on him. This was my fight. “This isn’t how we’re doing this.”

My dad paused, his eyes narrowing as he looked at me. “What do you mean?”

I took a deep breath, meeting his gaze. “I’m going to destroy him,” I said, my voice calmer than I'd expected. “On my own.”

My mom gasped again. “Ava, sweetheart, you don’t have to…”

“Yes, I do,” I cut her off. “He took everything from me. Everything. And I want him to feel what that’s like. I want him to suffer.”

My dad slowly sat back down, his eyes studying me carefully. “Do you have a plan?” he asked, his voice calmer now.

I nodded. “I’ve been thinking about it all day. On the plane, in the car… I know what I have to do.”

“And what’s that?” my mom asked.

I looked at each one of them, “I’m getting married. Again.”

AVA'S POV

“I’m going to get married to Isaiah,” I said firmly. My family froze. My mom’s eyebrows shot up, and my dad leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. It was my brother Liam who spoke first.

“Waita minute. Isaiah Crowe? That Isaiah?” he asked.

I nodded, keeping my face calm even though my heart was pounding. “Yeah. Isaiah Crowe.”

Mom’s lips parted in surprise before a slow smile started to form. “Isaiah Crowe? Canaan’s nemesis?” she asked, her tone laced with amusement.

She was already connecting the dots, and I could tell from the glint in her eyes that she liked where this was going.

Isaiah Crowe. The man Canaan hated with a passion. It wasn’t just petty jealousy, it was full-on rivalry. Canaan had despised Isaiah ever since he’d won the “Most Handsome Man in the Country” award years ago.

Then Isaiah won “Best CEO of the Year” three times in a row. He was everything Canaan wanted to be, successful, admired, and powerful, but no matter what Canaan did, he always fell short.

I used to reassure him, telling him he was enough, but now I could see how foolish I’d been. He wasn't even capable of cleaning Isaiah's shoes.

Mom’s smile widened, and she nodded approvingly. “I think this could work. I mean I like Isaiah.”

“Hold up.” Dad’s deep voice cut through. He placed his fork down, his eyes narrowing slightly as he looked at me. “Honey, are you seriously thinking about marrying Isaiah just to get back at Canaan? Marriage isn’t a game, Ava. You just got out of one, and it nearly destroyed you. I’m not going to sit here and let you walk into another mess.”

Liam nodded in agreement, crossing his arms as he leaned back in his chair. “Yeah, I’m with Dad on this one. This sounds… I don’t know, risky. Are you sure about this?”

I glanced around the table at each one of them. I took a deep breath before speaking. “I want to do this,” I said firmly. “And it’s my decision. I mean you've always wanted me to get married to him, to form an alliance between our companies. This is a good idea. it benefits all of us.”

Dad opened his mouth to argue, but I continued speaking. “I have something he wants.”

“The Oak Villa,” my mom said suddenly, realization dawning on her face.

I nodded. “Exactly. We’ll be married for a while, and in exchange, I’ll give him the villa.”

Dad frowned, his brows furrowing deeply. “Ava, this is serious. Are you absolutely sure about this? You’re talking about getting married again.”

“I’m sure,” I said, meeting his gaze. “This is the best way to destroy Canaan. Isaiah is everything Canaan wishes he could be. This will hit him where it hurts the most. And it’s not just about revenge, it’ll benefit us too. Isaiah’s influence and resources could help our company. It’ll add more value to us, we need it.”

Dad let out a heavy sigh, rubbing a hand over his face. “Alright. If this is what you want, we’ll support you. We do need Isaiah, we've been trying to get a contract with him so it wouldn't be bad.”

“I know that. Thank you all so much.” My parents smiled at me.

We finished dinner with lighter conversation. Afterward, I went up to my room, my heart pounding with anticipation. Sitting on my bed, I pulled out my phone and dialed the number for Isaiah’s office, scheduling a meeting for tomorrow.

The next day came faster than I expected. I woke up early, my nerves buzzing. I carefully chose an outfit, a fitted black dress that hugged my figure perfectly. It was elegant but also hot with a slit up the side and an open back.

When I arrived at Isaiah’s office, my heels clicked against the floor, catching the attention of many. The receptionist gave me a polite smile and directed me to his office. My heart was pounding, but I kept my head high as I walked in.

And then I saw him.

Isaiah Crowe was even more handsome in person than in the photos. Tall, broad-shouldered, with sharp features and piercing green eyes that seemed to see right through me.

His dark hair was perfectly styled, and his tailored suit fit him perfectly. He was the kind of man who could command a room without saying a word.

“Ms. Callahan,” he said smoothly, standing as I entered. His voice was deep and calm, with just a hint of curiosity. “Please, have a seat.”

I sat down across from him, trying to ignore the way his eyes seemed to study me. “Thank you for meeting with me,” I said.

He tilted his head slightly, a small smirk playing on his lips. “You’re welcome. Though I’ll admit, I’m curious. What business does the ex-wife of Canaan Blackwell have with me?”

I tensed slightly at the mention of Canaan, but I forced myself to stay calm. “I have a proposal for you,” I said, pulling out the contract I’d prepared last night.

His smirk faded as he picked up the document, his eyes scanning the pages. Then I said it, the words that would change everything.

“I want us to get married.”

Isaiah’s head snapped up, his green eyes locking onto mine. For a moment, he didn’t say anything, just stared at me like he was trying to figure out if I was serious.

“Excuse me?” he said finally with disbelief.

“You heard me,” I said, my voice firm. “I want us to get married. It’ll be a contract marriage. Temporary. You’ll get what you want, the Oak Villa. And I’ll get what I want.”

He leaned back in his chair, a slow smile spreading across his face. “And what exactly do you want, Ms. Callahan?”

I met his gaze, my heart pounding. “I want to destroy Canaan.”