Reborn in Time: Reclaiming My Life

Chapter 7 Signing Paperwork

Mia's POV

I listened to Natalie Perkins chat with Ava. After five weeks of seeing her four days a week, I had built quite a friendship with Natalie. I appreciated her no-nonsense approach to life, as well as her compassionate care of her patients.

Hearing her tell Ava what she had seen and experienced with Rowan and Jane made my little heart glad. Not because of their treatment of Ava, but the fact someone else saw their behavior for exactly what it was — abuse. Mental and emotional abuse.

I was also contemplating the change in Ava's attitude. Before the accident, Ava had been gentle and submissive to Rowan's demands. In fact, the day she brought the signed divorce petition to me, asking me to file it on her behalf, I almost fell off my chair. I did not expect that at all.

I've known Ava since grade nine, when she was assigned the seat next to me in homeroom. She was shy, a bit nerdy. According to her age, she should have been in grade seven, but her superior intellect had her moved ahead two grades. In truth, she was at an educational level far more advanced than grade nine, but her parents didn't want her moved to a higher grade. Felt it would be detrimental to her emotionally.

She and I were much alike. Both studious, both shy, both a bit nerdy. We forged a bond of friendship that has carried us through the ups and downs of high school, university, to the present day. We tell each other everything. Or I thought we did.

Hearing only now that Rowan had slapped her was a shock to me. I knew he had been harsh and dismissive to her, but never did I think he would strike her. He was going to pay for that.

Yes, she had been decidedly unhappy since the day Jane Rhodes inserted herself between Ava and Rowan. But Rowan, a skilled manipulator, had Ava believing she was the problem. Him slapping her seems to have been the final straw. All I can say is, it's about damn time! Not the slap, but for her to finally have enough of his cruel, dismissive behavior.

Once Natalie left the hospital room, I knew it was time to delve deeper into Ava's change of heart and attitude.

"Ava, tell me more about what all happened during the week Rowan slapped you." I prodded. I needed the full picture in order to protect her legally.

"After I signed the divorce papers and took them to you, Rowan moved out of the condo. Two days later, while I was at my parents' house, the condo was burglarized. My jewellery, my laptop, a copy of my printed manuscript, as well as a couple of small paintings were taken. Thank goodness my file drawers were locked. The timing of the break-in was too coincidental. I suspected that Rowan or Jane was behind the missing items, so after the break-in, I decided to change the key code on my office door. There is no way he could figure out the new code even if he could get into the condo." She gave a wry grin as she said that.

"What did you do?" I questioned, suspecting I already knew the answer.

"After the break in, I changed the locks! I packed up his stuff, left it in the property manager's office, then changed the locks. I texted him as to where he could pick up his belongings. He was not happy! In fact, he tried to claim the condo was a marital asset and that I couldn't just change the locks willy-nilly. I knew that wasn't true, since the condo was only in my name. Dad made sure of that when we got married. It's even in the prenup. That's another reason I want proof of the affair. He cheats — he walks away with what he brought into the marriage."

“What are you planning, Ava? He assaulted you. All for that home wrecking harlot. Whatever you’re planning, I’ve got your back, girl. Please tell me you're going to roast your cheating husband and that hussy mistress of his!”

I smirked. “I’ll tell you after we get the POA documents signed and on file with the hospital. Rowan and Jane are going to wish they had never crossed me.”

“This afternoon, or this evening, I need you to go to my apartment, get the USB sticks, and all my notebooks in my desk file drawer. I’ll give you the security key codes for the apartment door as well as my office and desk drawers. You need to take them all to your place and lock them in your wall safe," Ava instructed. "Also, the investigative security firm you mentioned? Do they also install security cameras with audio?"

"They do. Why do you ask?" As Ava's lawyer, I need to advise her as to what is legal regarding video and audio recordings.

"I have a feeling that, at some point, Rowan and Jane are going to try to gain access to my condo unit. Whether that is by trying to break in, or if they just muscle their way in when I answer the door. I want to make sure I'm protected by having audio video proof of their actions."

Ava's explanation made perfect sense. Rowan, being the narcissist bully that he is, would no doubt try to muscle his way into her home. If Jane Rhodes was with him, he would bulldoze right over Ava. Both figuratively and now literally. Jane was an instigator that did everything she could to lord it over Ava.

"I can have them install them in accordance with the laws here in Nova Scotia. Would that be acceptable to you?" I responded to her request.

"That would be wonderful. Thank you! Can it be done before I'm discharged from the hospital? The sooner, the better, as far as I'm concerned. Just in case Rowan and Jane come back earlier than expected."

Again, her reasoning made perfect sense, so I assured her I would make the arrangements.

I had just finished speaking when my phone vibrated with a notification. Allison and Simon were in the main lobby of the hospital. I excused myself and left Ava to her own devices while I went to fetch my colleagues.

As Ava said, the sooner this was handled, the better.