Chapter 4

• Adrian's house stood tall and proud, a silent sentinel to the tumultuous emotions that swirled within its walls. Ava's hand hovered over the doorbell, her heart racing as she gathered the courage to confront Adrian. She had made the decision to file an assault case against Luke, her sister's attacker, and she knew the repercussions would be dire. But she had to stand up for what was right, even if it meant tearing apart the life she had so carefully built with Adrian.
• The door swung open, revealing the familiar living room with its plush couches and gleaming hardwood floors. But what she saw next was anything but familiar. A pair of unidentifiable sandals sat by the door, the sight of which sent a shiver down her spine. Before she could process what it meant, she heard a muffled sound—a girl's moan—coming from upstairs. Her gut twisted, and she knew she had to find out what was happening.
• Her steps were heavy as she climbed the stairs, each one feeling like a betrayal. When she reached the top, she followed the sound to Adrian's bedroom. The door was slightly ajar, and she pushed it open to reveal a scene that made her stomach churn. Adrian was on the bed with a young woman, their limbs entangled. The girl saw her first, her eyes going wide with fear. Ava felt like she was watching a tragic play unfold before her eyes, unable to believe the sight.
• Adrian to face the wrath of his wife. The girl who had been on the bed with him looked at Ava with a mix of shock and embarrassment, pulling the blanket tightly around her naked body. Adrian was speechless, his expression a blend of guilt and anger. Ava's voice was cold and hard as she spoke, "I've come to sign the papers."
• Her words hung in the air like a sword, cutting through the silence. Adrian finally found his voice: "Ava, wait—"
• But she was already walking away, her eyes on the floor where she had seen the sandals. Lucas Ford, Adrian's lawyer, arrived just in time to witness the chaos. He looked from Ava to Adrian, his expression unreadable.
• "Where do I sign?" she spat out, her voice thick with disgust.
• Lucas stepped aside, allowing Ava to enter the study. She signed the divorce papers with a shaking hand, not bothering to read the fine print.
• Ava's hand trembled as she held the pen over the divorce papers. Her heart was racing, a maelstrom of anger and betrayal swirling within her. The sound of Adrian's moan echoed in her mind, the sight of his bare chest, the unmistakable scent of another woman's perfume in their shared bedroom. It was a scene she had never imagined, a knife in the back of her heart.
• Her eyes narrowed as she signed her name with a flourish, each stroke a declaration of her newfound freedom. She had stood by Adrian through thick and thin, but this was the ultimate betrayal.
• "It's done," she said coldly, her voice barely above a whisper.
• Adrian's expression was a mix of relief and sadness. "Ava," he began, but she cut him off.
• "Don't," she said, her voice icy. "Don't you dare say a single word."
• The girl sauntered into the room, her gaze locked onto Adrian. "Baby, who is this girl?" she asked, her voice dripping with possessiveness.
• Ava's eyes blazed with fury as she turned to face the girl. Lucas Ford stepped forward, his voice laced with disgust. "What kind of man are you? You're not even divorced yet, and you're already with another girl."
• Adrian's expression remained cold and detached. "Do the work for which you've come," he said, his voice devoid of emotion.
• Adrian signed the papers, the sound of the pen scratching against the paper echoing through the room. Ava's voice was laced with venom. "It's good that you've decided to divorce. Otherwise, I wouldn't have seen your true colors. I hate you, Adrian Wilson."
• Adrian's silence was palpable, his face a mask of indifference. Ava turned and walked away, leaving the room, the building, and the memories behind.
• ****
• Outside, Ava's eyes blurred with tears as she walked down the street. The pain was overwhelming, like a weight crushing her chest. The man she loved had cheated on her, throwing away their 10-year-old relationship in a matter of minutes.
• The world around her began to spin, and Ava's vision darkened. She stumbled, her legs giving way beneath her. Everything went black, and she collapsed onto the pavement.
• A man's voice echoed through her consciousness. "Are you okay?" he asked, his words fuzzy and distant.
• Before Ava's eyes closed completely, she saw the man's hazy face. She felt herself being lifted into the air, placed gently into a car. The last thing she remembered was the feeling of weightlessness, the sound of the man's voice, and the sensation of darkness closing in around her.
• ****
• Adrian's jaw clenched as he stared at the cold steel bars of the cell that held his brother. Luke's face was a mask of fear and desperation, his eyes darting around the room as if searching for an escape. The stench of fear and regret was palpable.
• "Ava had you arrested," Adrian spat, his voice filled with disgust.
• Luke's eyes met Adrian's, a flicker of hope. "It wasn't what it looked like," he pleaded.
• The anger inside Adrian was like a wildfire, threatening to consume him. He had always been the one to clean up Luke's messes, but this was different. This time, the stakes were too high, the betrayal too deep.
• As Adrian stormed out of the station, the weight of his brother's actions settled heavily on his shoulders. The thought of Ava, the woman he had once loved with all his heart, now turning against him was unbearable.
• With a sense of dread, he approached Ava's apartment.
• His guards flanked him, their faces a mirror of the anger that seethed within him. The knock on the door was loud and demanding.
• Ava's voice, trembling with anger, called out from the other side. "Who is it?"
• "It's me, Adrian," he replied, trying to keep his fury in check.
• The locks clicked open, and the door swung wide. Ava's guards stepped aside, allowing him to enter. The living room was a mess, a stark contrast to the pristine environment he had always known. The air was thick with tension, the silence deafening.
• Her eyes, once filled with love and warmth, now bore into him like icy shards. "What do you want?" she snarled.
• Adrian's anger bubbled to the surface. "You've ruined everything," he accused, his voice low and dangerous.
• ****