CHAPTER 4

Ava's POV

“I think you should start from today,” Clara said softly, leaning closer across the table, her fingers wrapped loosely around her glass, “start from what happened… today.”

I hesitated for a second, playing with my glass of wine as I summoned the courage to let it out.

She waited, giving me an encouraging smile from across the table, I guess this is what I need, closure.

“From the office,” I said quietly, “I was just... so happy, I knew he would be so happy.”

Clara nodded, sipping from her cup slowly, “we were surprised when you left so quickly, I mean, you didn’t even wait for a toast—nothing, you just grabbed the file and bolted.”

“I was excited, I thought... if I could show him what I had accomplished for us, for the company, he’d... he’d see me again.”

Clara’s brow creased, “you mean Liam?”

I nodded once, the name made my heart skip a beat.

Clara tilted her head to the side, “I don’t get it, you left that office so excited, then you are suddenly gloomy now? What really happened in there?” she asked, scooting closer to me.

I parted my lips to speak, but couldn't push out the words, instead, I rested my head on my palms before finally letting it out, “Vivienne, he was with her, in our bed—laughing, romancing, kissing—whispering sweet things in her ear like... like I was invisible.”

Clara’s eyes widened, her voice dropped to a whisper, “Vivienne Monroe? The manager’s daughter?!”

I closed my eyes, trying hard to keep the memory out but it all came flooding back, the images of them together, her laughter—her perfume.

A small sound escaped my lips with the bitter taste that I've gotten used to tonight, leaning over the table and as quietly as I could, I let out a weak sob.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, gripping the edges of the table as I tried to sit up.

“No,” Clara said firmly, shaking her head, “no, don’t apologize, that man doesn’t deserve you, not your love and he most certainly doesn't deserve your tears.”

I blinked back tears which fought hard to flow, but swallowing hard, I was able to hold myself—at least for now.

“After that,” I said after regaining myself, “he said things… awful things, insulting me in front of her—he told me I was just convenient, that he never loved me.”

Clara looked like she’d been slapped, her jaws clenched.

“He gave me divorce papers,” I added, “right there, right after I handed him the contract.”

“You must be kidding me?” Clara’s voice jumped, loud enough to draw a few glance, she clenched her jaw tighter as she looked to be holding back, “who does that?” she whispered.

“I couldn't sign at first,” I continued, feeling it was best to just let it all out, my voice barely above a whisper now, “but then... he slapped me.”

Clara’s eyes darkened, “you mean Liam actually hit you?”

I nodded once.

Clara held onto the sides of the table tightly, "that sorry, miserable excuse for a man, I swear, Ava, I swear to whatever is above, I'm going to pluck every single hair from his cold shitty head.”

“Clara—”

“No, I mean it, I knew he was arrogant, but I never thought he’d be dangerous—that manipulative jerk and Vivienne? She’s always been a slut, just can’t believe she could pull this off.”

“She laughed,” I whispered.

“She what?”

“She mocked me, poured wine over me,” I said, my voice cracking, “like I was garbage.”

Clara exhaled sharply, sitting back in her seat, “ that's it, I’m quitting, first thing tomorrow morning, I’m leaving that damn company.”

“Clara, you don’t have to do that—”

“My mind’s made up,” she said, cutting me off, “I’m not staying in a toxic place, you worked your ass off Ava, you built that company with your blood and sweat, you don't deserve this.”

I stared at her, touched by the compassion in her voice, even at my lowest, someone can still stand for me.

“You’re stronger than you think, Ava,” she added, gently, “he and Vivienne never deserved you,” her hand had found it's way to my thighs, I looked over at her, now sitted just beside me.

I tried to speak, but I couldn't only able to give a weak nod.

Turning away as quickly as I could, trying to hide the sob that broke out.

My hand flew to my mouth, and I leaned forward, sobbing all over again.

“I gave him everything, Clara,” I wept, “my energy, my intelligence, my assets—me, I sacrificed my business to build his, putting everything I had into his, and he took it—he took everything.”

Clara’s hand reached out, warm and encouraging, “he took, it that’s all he knows how to do, take and destroy... he can’t create, but you can.”

“I have nothing left,” I said.

“That’s not true, you have me and besides, you’re the real brain behind Li Technologies, everyone knows that, we see it everyday.”

I tried so hard to relax my breathing.

Clara’s eyes narrowed again, “how the hell did you meet a guy like that anyway?”

A laugh slipped out, a bitter, tired one.

“Eight years ago,” I murmured, “I was a keynote speaker at a tech conference, I’d just launched a startup and was invited to speak about strategic growth models.”

She raised a brow, “that sounds a lot like you.”

“Liam was in the audience,” I said, “after the conference, he reached out asking for advice—said he admired my work and asked for my help on his business plan.”

“Classic move,” Clara muttered.

“We started talking, emailing, meeting up to work on projects and ideas, before I knew it, we started going on dates, then it just went from there.”

“Let me guess, he was charming?”

“At first? He was perfect, everything you could imagine, supportive, gentle—never raised his voice at me, never rushed me.”

“He didn't show any sign at all?”

“We got married three years later, that’s when it started,” I said, “it was little at first, small thing, ‘let me handle that,' he’d say, ‘you don’t need to take that call,’ ‘cancel that trip, stay here, help me with this proposal,’ and before I knew it... he was taking over my accounts, my meetings, he said it was for our future.”

“Why didn't you see what he was doing?” Clara whispered.

“I loved him so much, so I did it, I gave it all up for us, but really, I gave it up for him—I worked behind the scenes while he stood in front of cameras.”

Clara blinked at me, then leaned forward and grabbing my hand between hers.

“You built an empire once, Ava, you can do it again, but this time, you’re not doing it for anyone, you’re doing it for yourself.”

I looked down, uncertain, turning to face her completely.

She smiled and added, “and you won’t do it alone, I’ll be right beside you.”

Then she glanced over my shoulder and stood up abruptly, “Ava, give me a minute, let me get us another round, something stronger.”

I smiled faintly as she turned and walked toward the bar, watching her till she went out of sight.

I let my gaze drift across the rooftop, looking at the various kinds of people there, elegant and classy.

Then I leaned back, releasing a slow breath as I stared down at my phone, taking casual sips of what was left of the wine in hand.

I lifted my glass to my lips again, the wine strangely tasted better this time—less bitter.

After a few minutes, a strong masculine scent invaded my space, a powerful expensive cologne coming from right behind me.

I didn’t bother turning around, I guess even at the rooftop, guys still try to hit on the lady sitting alone.

“Sorry,” I said still staring at my phone, “this table is taken and we’re not looking to add anyone else.”

He didn't respond, instead, he just took a sit beside me.

After a few more seconds, he remained sitted annoyed, I leaned my head back, still not facing his direction, "I said—"

“Ava,” a voice I know all too well called from behind me.

I turned quickly, not noticing when my phone left my hand.

Of all the people I could've have run into tonight—in this entire city—it had to be him.