Reborn in Time: Reclaiming My Life

Chapter 11 Continuing On

Mia's POV

Did I just hear what I thought I heard? I didn't respond immediately, needing a few moments to process Ava's words.

This Ava, the one sitting here in her condo after being released from the hospital, is not the Ava that I've come to know since she met Rowan Andrews. That Ava had shrunk herself to fit the little cage that Rowan built for her. I had watched the strong, confident Ava shrink herself bit by bit, until she was no longer the girl I knew.

The shy, nerdy, extremely intelligent twelve-year-old sitting beside me in a grade nine class, matured into a strong, confident, force of nature. She had a naturally witty, dark sense of humor, which often got the two of us into trouble with our teachers. I can't count the number of times we were called to the principal's office to be told to 'tone down' our antics. I'm certain if we hadn't been so gifted academically, we would have received more than a scolding.

In truth, we never harmed anyone with our pranks. They were all in good fun, just designed to brighten everyone's day. Ava's parents, who were often called to the school to discuss her 'disruptive' behavior, never once got mad at her about it. They were of the opinion that a little humor and laughter was good for whatever ailed a person. Even went so far as to suggest to the principal that laughing more would help remove the stick that appeared to be firmly lodged in several teacher's asses.

That was the Ava who graduated from high school at age fifteen. The young woman who graduated from university with a Commerce degree at age eighteen. The young adult who worked full-time in the marketing department at her father's company, earning the respect of colleagues through hard work.

That Ava, the one whose parents supported her and encouraged her, was the Ava that was sitting before me now. This was no longer the Ava that had diminished herself to keep Rowan Andrews happy.

That was why I despised Rowan Andrews. He manipulated, gaslit, and controlled Ava, forcing her into the mold he wanted her to fit in. Changing her into the 'gentle, obedient, wife' who catered to his every whim. He used her innocence and inexperience against her. I'm sure that wouldn't have happened if Ava's parents had been in the city at the time she met him. But they were in Europe, her mom teaching, and her dad developing business deals, during the initial six months of Ava and Rowan's relationship.

By the time they were back home, Ava had fallen in love with Rowan, and would hear nothing negative about him. I swear to God, he had her under a spell. Once they were married, Rowan insisted she stop working and become a homemaker. That was the one time Ava refused to bow to Rowan's demands. Rather, she compromised. She kept her job, but went part-time, working remotely from home.

I'm convinced Rowan wanted to isolate her, so she wouldn't realize his demands were not the norm. He didn't want her to compare notes with her co-workers, learn that his control and manipulation was coercive control, and considered spousal abuse.

The Ava sitting before me now has taken back her power. I could see and hear the difference the moment she woke up from her coma. It's like the accident and coma burned the diminished Ava, and this Ava, sitting before me, is a phoenix risen from the ashes. It's like Rowan's version of Ava died, and this Ava is a reborn version of who she used to be.

I have to say, I much prefer this Ava.

"So what do you think, Mia?" Ava asked once more. "Do you think Graystone International will reopen the buyout negotiations?"

"Ava, I thought you were against your father selling the company. What made you change your mind?" I asked, surprised by her sudden about face.

"The truth? Before we separated, Rowan had constantly been in my ear, suggesting a merger with his company, rather than selling out to a huge conglomerate. Kept telling me it would be a legacy to our children, yada, yada, yada. That's part of what our fight was about. The one where he hit me. It wasn't just about him demanding I let Jane read my book. He had suggested using some of the cash reserves to assist Jane Rhodes while she got established as an author. I shut that down firmly. Told him I wasn't going to support some 'pick me' girl who clung to a married man and disrespected that man's wife."

"He wanted you to do what?" The words burst from my mouth.

"He wanted me to hand over five hundred thousand dollars from the cash reserves of my father's company. Wanted me to support his mistress, so she didn't have to actually work. When I said a definite no, and called her a 'pick me' girl, he open-handed slapped me so hard it knocked me down. I had to use a ton of makeup to hide the bruising," Ava revealed, anger clouding her voice.

"So you want to sell because...?" I asked again.

"I don't want him to try to gain access to Sinclair Industries, its resources, its reputation, or its financial stability. I know he has acquired bridge loans for his company solely based on the fact I am the heiress of Sinclair Industries. That stops now. I want to take away his safety nets. Let's see him scramble to save the company once the security the Sinclair name provides is gone." Her tone didn't leave any room for argument.

I admit, knowing the reasoning behind the request, I agree with her.

"Just to be clear: you are asking me to restart the negotiations with Graystone International? Do you understand that your father was ready to sign the sales contract just before the accident? His death is the only thing that stopped the sale," I advised her, not wanting her to have any doubts.

"That is exactly what I am asking you to do. Dad had already informed me of the details of the deal. We talked about it in the days following me filing for divorce. I had finally come to my senses, and agreed with him about the sale."

She sighed, then added, "If Graystone still wants to proceed with the buyout, I could sign the contract this week while we are in Toronto. The sooner this is done, the better I will feel."