Married To My Boyfriend Dad

Chapter 9: What’s Right

Ava, if you wanted to know the truth, you would have come to me directly, instead of listening to Tyler's lies," I said, trying to keep my anger and hurt in check. "You would have asked me about it in the company, instead of avoiding me like a plague. Ever since that event, I haven't seen you once. Weren't you happy to see me succeed? Didn't you care about my well-being at all?"

My words came out laced with sadness and frustration. I couldn't help but feel betrayed that Ava would so easily believe the worst about me, without even giving me a chance to explain. And to make matters worse, she seemed to have grown closer to Tyler, of all people. The thought sent a pang of jealousy through me.

"Ava, I know I'm not the man you want to be with, but I thought we had a connection. I thought we understood each other. But now, it seems like you're just like everyone else, ready to believe the worst about me without even giving me a chance to defend myself," I said, my voice cracking with emotion.

I took a deep breath, trying to compose myself. I didn't want to alienate Ava further, but I couldn't help but feel hurt and angry at the same time. I looked at her, hoping to see some glimmer of understanding, but her expression remained uncertain, her eyes searching for the truth.

I turned and walked away, feeling a lump form in my throat. I couldn't bear to look at Ava's uncertain face anymore. I had been so excited to see her, to hold her and catch up on lost time. But now, all I wanted to do was escape the pain and disappointment that threatened to consume me.

I headed to the bathroom, the sound of the shower drowning out my sorrow. I let the warm water wash over me, but it couldn't wash away the ache in my heart. I had been so sure that Ava and I had something special, something that would withstand any obstacle. But now, I wondered if I had been fooling myself all along.

As I stood under the showerhead, I couldn't help but think about the way I had envisioned our reunion. I had imagined us embracing, laughing, and talking for hours. I had dreamed of holding her close and feeling her warmth. But instead, our meeting had been tense and strained, with Tyler's poisonous words hanging in the air like a dark cloud.

I sighed heavily, feeling the weight of my mistakes bearing down on me. I had let my ambition blind me, and now I was paying the price. I wasn't sure if I could ever make things right with Ava, but I knew I had to try. For my own sake, and for the sake of our relationship, I had to find a way to regain her trust and respect. But for now, all I could do was stand under the shower and let my tears mix with the water.

Ava sat on the couch, her mind racing with thoughts and emotions. She had been waiting for what felt like an eternity for Richard to come out of the bathroom, but the door remained closed. She began to feel a twinge of worry, wondering if he was okay.

Just as she was about to get up and check on him, the front door opened and Tyler walked in. He looked at her with a concerned expression, "Hey, Ava, what's going on? I could feel the tension from outside."

Ava sighed, "Richard and I had a fight. He's been in the bathroom for a while and I'm getting worried."

Tyler's expression turned grave, "I told you, Ava, Richard is not what he seems. He's been hiding things from you, manipulating you. You deserve better than someone like him."

Ava's eyes narrowed, "Tyler, I appreciate your concern, but I need to talk to Richard myself. I need to hear his side of the story."

Tyler raised his hands, "Fine, but be careful, Ava. Richard is not the man you think he is."

Ava's eyes never left Tyler's face, "I can handle myself, Tyler. But thank you for your concern."

The two of them sat in silence for a moment, the only sound being the running water from the bathroom. Ava's mind was racing with thoughts, wondering what was going on with Richard, and what Tyler was trying to hide.

Ava*******

I sat on the couch, my mind reeling with emotions. I couldn't believe what was happening. Richard, the man I thought I knew, was hiding secrets from me. Tyler's words kept echoing in my mind, making me doubt everything.

I thought back to the day I met Richard, how he had taken me under his wing, mentored me, and made me feel seen and heard. But now, it all seemed like a facade. I felt like I was living in a dream, and suddenly, someone had pulled the rug from under my feet.

I remembered the way Richard had looked at me, the way he had smiled, the way he had made me feel like I was the only person in the world. But now, all of that seemed like a lie. I felt betrayed, hurt, and confused.

I didn't know what to believe anymore. Tyler's words had planted a seed of doubt in my mind, and I couldn't shake it off. I needed answers, and I needed them now.

I stood up, determined to confront Richard once and for all. I walked to the bathroom door, took a deep breath, and knocked. "Richard, we need to talk." My voice was firm, but my heart was racing with anxiety.

The water shut off, and I could hear Richard's footsteps approaching the door. He opened it, his eyes red and puffy, his face pale. He looked like he had been crying.

"Ava, I..." he started, but I cut him off.

"Don't, Richard. Just don't. I need the truth. What's going on? What did you do?" I demanded, my voice shaking with emotion.

Richard sighed and rubbed his face. "Ava, I made mistakes. I let my ambition get the better of me. I did things I'm not proud of, but I never meant to hurt you or anyone else."

I crossed my arms, my heart heavy with disappointment. "What things, Richard? What did you do?"

He hesitated, then took a deep breath. "I manipulated some numbers, hid some losses. I was trying to save the company, but I went about it the wrong way."

I felt like I had been punched in the gut. "You lied to me, Richard. You lied to everyone."

He nodded, his eyes filled with tears. "I know, Ava. I'm so sorry. I don't expect you to forgive me, but I hope you can find it in your heart to understand."

I shook my head, feeling a mix of anger and sadness. "I don't know, Richard. I need time to think."

He nodded, his face etched with sorrow. "I understand."

I was lost in thought, trying to make sense of everything, when I heard the door creak open. I looked up to see Tyler walking in, wearing a short sleeve shirt and singlet, his muscles flexing as he moved. He looked confident, determined, and strong.

"Tyler, what are you doing?" I asked, surprised by his sudden entrance.

He walked over to my bed and sat down beside me, his eyes locked on mine. "I knew you'd be upset, Ava. I knew you'd need someone to talk to."

I shook my head, feeling a mix of emotions. "Tyler, I don't know what's going on. I don't know what's happening between you and your father."

Tyler's expression turned serious. "Ava, my father and I have been at odds for a long time. He's been trying to control me, manipulate me, but I won't let him. I have someone behind me, someone who believes in me."

I raised an eyebrow, curious. "Who is it?"

Tyler smiled, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "That's for me to know, and you to find out. But trust me, Ava, I'm not alone in this fight."

I looked at him, searching for answers. "Tyler, what do you want from me?"

He leaned in close, his voice low and husky. "I want you to know the truth, Ava. I want you to see my father for who he really is. And I want you to be with me, to support me, to fight with me."

My heart raced as I looked at him, feeling a spark of attraction, of excitement. I didn't know what the future held, but I knew one thing - I couldn't ignore Tyler's pull any longer.