THE MAN WHO BOUGHT MY HATRED

CHAPTER 004: AVA’S POV

I clasped on the gadget, sitting up as the name glowed on the screen. Mara. The only one who understands. The only who looks past my flaws, she must have heard, my heart sank deep, I stood, fingers too heavy to pick the call, what if she shouts at me for the very first time? What if she's not proud of my decision this time?

I glided to my favorite spot, my favorite torture spot, the mirror. The woman that stared back looked different from the one I saw a few hours ago, dress in a mess, hair wild, mascara streaking down, I raised a shaky hand, reaching my chin. The phone again, vibrates insistently. I swallowed hard, sliding a finger over it.

I stood there, one white shaky hand to my chin, the other pressing the gadget to my ear.

“Mara,” I found my voice, low, almost unheard.

“Sweetheart...” Her voice crashed through the speaker, warm and loud enough to fill the entire penthouse bedroom.

“You okay… Ava? Tell me you didn’t get trampled by those vultures outside the courthouse. Did any of them touch you? I swear I’ll drive over and start swinging IV poles.” Always hopeful, her cheerful voice rang through my ears.

I pressed my forehead to the cool mirror. The glass fogged under my breath.

“I’m… alive.”

She laughed, short and sharp. “Alive is a start. Listen, I saw the clips. Every damn one. They’re calling you every name in the book, but you held your head up. I’m proud as hell, Ava. You did what you had to. Eli’s worth every ugly headline.”

“You think so, Mara?” My throat burned, my voice broke.

“I know so, baby… Lucien might not be an angel, but girl, you needed this arrangement… aren't you tired of rough hands, and having to see the ugly face of your boss's son everyday? What's his name again?”

I managed a laugh that sounded more like a choke.

She caught it instantly. “Kena…” I scoffed.

“That proud buffalo… I feel like punching him in his balls right now,” her voice dulled on the last part, I could tell she spoke under clenched teeth.

My laugh erupted, echoing even in my own ear.

“I'm just worried… about Eli, I don't know how easy it's going to be to go see him today? I miss him.” I threw my eyes to the floor.

“Hey. I went by his room this morning before shift ended. Kid’s color is better already. The trial meds are kicking in fast. He asked for you, but I told him his big sister was busy being a badass. Don’t come today. I’ve got him. I’m heading back in ten minutes. You rest. Or scream into a pillow. Whatever works.”

I closed my eyes, my heart heaved, like cold water had been poured all over me, my eyes still moistened but my heart felt better.

The room smelled everything like Lucien, drifting under the door—cedar, smoke, money.

It made my stomach flip in ways I hated.

Mara kept going, voice dropping at some point, I could tell she was really happy, for me.

“So… billionaire’s wife, huh?” She purred

“Mrs. Voss. Sounds really… expensive. Does the ring come with a yacht, or a choice house?” She cackled, wild and free.

“It’s fake, very fake” I snapped, louder than I meant. “One year. Paper only. Then I walk… Ugh! I can't wait.”

“Uh-huh.” She drew the sound out, teasing. “Keep telling yourself that, babe. I gotta run… time's flying fast. Love you. Call me later. And Ava? You’re still you. Don’t let the flashbulbs steal that. You gotta make use of now.” Her words rushed.

Click. And the call went dead.

Silence rushed back in. Whatever she meant by make use of now. I hated that I was here, dragged into his life, into his beautiful chaos, 364 days more, I counted.

My eyes fell on the mirror again, tired eyes stared back, always tired. I clasped both hands around my chin, my stomach rumbled, hunger and pain.

The door creaked. I jumped, heart slamming into my ribs. Nola, the quiet maid with the kind smile, peeked in. Silver hairs shone at the door, she could be my mother's age, if only my mom were still alive.

“Ma’am? Lunch is ready downstairs.” Lips parted beautifully.

I shook my head fast.

“I’ll eat here. Please.” A smile tugged at my lips, dry.

The life that had become my reality, but my old life wasn't bad, I tried to convince myself, if not that I needed to save Eli.

She nodded, no questions, and disappeared. Five minutes later the door opened again.

Nola carried a silver tray bigger than the ones I used to balance at the diner.

Soup, sandwich, fresh fruit, a glass of water with lemon slices floating like tiny suns. She set it gently on the dresser.

“Thank you,” I whispered, my lips parted as I faced her.

She smiled small, then left. I turned the lock behind her.

Click. Alone again.

Back to my favorite spot. The mirror.

The place that always reminded me how small I was, how I didn't fit into this present life, like I cared.

Swallowed by this glass palace. I could never measure up to Lucien, all sharp suits and colder stares. Wealth runs in his veins as blood.

I shoved the thought off like dirt. Didn’t need to measure up. Just needed to save Eli. That’s all this was.

My fingers gripped the dress neckline. One hard pull.

Fabric tore with a sharp rip. The white silk pooled at my feet like a curse finally broken.

Bra next. Hooks popped with a snap. Straps slid down my arms. It hit the floor at once.

Cool air rushed over bare skin. Freedom, at least from these clothes. The one thing I never really had, but I could steal it here, in this locked room.

The image stared back. Full breasts rising with each shallow breath. Sharp collarbones that popped under my chin. Pale ringed dark like bruises. Flushed skin, pink and hot from the chaos outside, they had wanted to chop me off.

I tilted my head to the side. A tear welled up, fat and unwanted. I blinked hard, fighting it off. The ones my new life had dragged in, uninvited.

Bang.

The door rattled in its frame. I shivered, skin prickling.

Bang again, louder, harder. My feet moved fast, yanked open the closet door.

I snatched a robe from the rows of clothes, yanked it over my head fast. It fell to mid-thigh, sleeves dangling past my fingertips, felt like water on my skin. I gasped.

Then the bang, jerking me back into reality. Whoever was out there wanted in bad. Bad enough to break the wood down, obviously.

“Who's there? Mr. Boss?” I screamed, voice shaking.

No answer came, my eyes darted around, I needed to protect myself, that's all I've ever done, fighting, providing and protecting myself.

Perfect, I saw it, a porcelain flower vase on the dresser, the banging continued, no word.

I grabbed the vase by the neck, my feet glided slowly towards the door, positioning myself behind the door, feet apart, enough to hit the suspect at once.

The loud bang came again, almost jolting me out of space, fastened my feet to the floor, my toes digging in enough, then my shaky hand reached for the lock.