Chapter 3

• Ava’s POV
• "Ava, what the hell are you talking about? Why can't you understand?" Caspian's voice was sharp, with a cruel edge, as he tried to block my path to the room.
• Erica stood just behind him, arms crossed, her face a mask of smug satisfaction, like she was enjoying my pain.
• "You expect me to understand?" I managed a small, brittle smile.
• Oh, damn. These people are truly ridiculous.They expect me to accept this, to understand their callous disregard.
• Caspian shoved the door open wider, his sigh laced with exasperation. "What do you think you're doing? You're leaving?"
• My hand trembled as I placed the suitcase back on the bed. Right. Not yet. I have to play their vile game, at least for now.
• Then he delivered the blow, "You know you have nowhere to go, Ava."
• Erica's smirk was like a physical slap. For a fleeting second, my mother-in-law, Felicity, appeared, her face written with a familiar disdain. "What's happening here?"
• Caspian's voice rose with accusation. "Ava is out of her mind. She went to Moretti's place, and God knows what she told him."
• Felicity's scoff was filled with nastiness. "Ava, what did you tell him? I hope you didn't put our family in disgrace… and the wedding of Erica and Caspian—do you dare to ask the Don to stop it?"
• A heavy sigh escaped me, the weight of their words pressing down. "He didn't agree." Then I turned my gaze to Caspian and said, "Your marriage will proceed as planned."
• Erica's sudden, relieved sigh was like a knife twisting in my gut.
• Then Caspian's voice dripped with triumph. "Of course he wouldn't agree with your nonsense request. If he revoked it, it would disappoint every member of the Ironclad Organization. The rule is, if every mission is successful, I have the right to ask anything I want. And I want to marry Erica."
• Felicity's voice was warm, trying to persuade me like a fool. "Forget your jealousy, Ava. Erica and Caspian will marry, and you can benefit from it. They will work together for our family while you… you can handle the household and take care of their child."
• A bitter laugh threatened to erupt, but I swallowed it down. They're talking about me like I'm nothing.
• I glanced at Erica, she's still clinging to Caspian's arm, her eyes gleaming with a cruel victory. “I hope you can behave yourself and stop causing trouble, Ava.” she said.
• My own gaze fell, the weight of their words crushing me. “Please leave…”
• Just then, Cecille entered with a tray of food. My voice was low, barely a whisper. "Cecille, please just close the door."
• Once Cecille closed the door, their footsteps descended the stairs. My heart hammered with anger and a burning wrath for them. Cecille's gaze met mine, her face a mask of sorrow. She, the daughter of the Romanov butler, had been my maid for seven years. Suddenly, she broke down, sobbing. "It's so unfair, Miss Ava. Don't you feel it too?"
• I smiled, though the effort felt like stretching a too-tight muscle. “Of course I do. But tears won’t change anything. It’s better to think about what comes next, how we can build a better life. There are no weaklings in the Romanov Family, right?”
• Cecile struggled to wipe her tears, her sobs still catching in her throat. “Why does everyone bully you, Miss Ava? You’ve been so kind to the people here at the Pavlov Estate.”
• I sank onto the chair, my hand trembling as I tried to scoop the soup. A small, sad smile touched my lips. “Because I’m nothing in their eyes now.”
• But the truth is, I’ve always been insignificant. What mattered was the wealth I brought. Cecile’s tears flowed even more freely.
• “Alright, stop crying.” I placed the spoon down, the clatter echoing in the tense silence, and stood up.
• “But what about the people who came with you when you got married? Will you take them all when you leave?”
• I sighed, the weight of their fate settling on my shoulders. I smiled at her, a genuine warmth breaking through the sadness. “Felicity and Erica won’t treat them well. Of course, they’re coming with me.”
• I took a deep breath, the financial state of the Pavlov Residence weighing heavily on my mind. They were standing now because of me, because of my resources and my people. The Pavlov family’s fortunes had been declining for the past year, ever since Felicity’s illness took a turn for the worse. I had done my best to help, contacting Dr. Charles to manage my mother-in-law’s condition day by day. Her medicine and treatment had been expensive, but I offered my help willingly, wanting to ease her suffering and improve her health.
• And this was how they repaid me? It felt so unfair, really.
• The next day,
• Felicity saw me and offered a fake smile. “Erica will be here soon. The two of you will be sister-wives, so you should make an effort to get along with her.”
• Damn it. She was really testing my limits. I ignored her and addressed Dr. Charles. “Dr. Charles, when you’re finished, I’ll see you out.”
• “Good,” the doctor replied, his tone carrying a hint of something more. “I have something to say to you.”
• After a few minutes, Dr. Charles followed me into the hallway, his brow furrowed. "I hate these people," he muttered, his voice low and filled with disgust.
• I sighed, offering him a look of understanding, a shared moment of silent agreement. "Really?"
• "Yeah," he said, his voice low and tight. "These people aren't worth your time or your money. Don't call me again. I won't come back."
• "I understand. And I won't call for you again, Dr. Charles. I've decided to get a divorce."
• His expression brightened, a spark of surprise and approval in his eyes. "Really?"
• Just then, we heard the gates open, the sound echoing through the courtyard, and as we walked outside, I saw Jonathan, my lawyer, approaching with a black briefcase, the leather gleaming in the sunlight.
• He waved, and Caspian greeted him, his voice laced with suspicion, a predatory edge. "What are you doing here, attorney?"
• The chief guard and the other guards outside watched with intrigue, their eyes fixed on Jonathan, their expressions a mixture of curiosity and apprehension, waiting for his reply.
• Jonathan said calmly and professionally, his voice measured and precise. "The divorce documents are ready for you to sign, sir."
• Caspian's hand clenched into a fist, his knuckles white, his gaze snapping to me, fury blazing in his eyes, a storm of rage. "Are you... are you out of your mind, Ava?!"