Rivals Heart

The Plot

It was pitch black night, and Liam and Ava moved furtively; the Sinclair place was just behind them. Ava’s mind flew to a thousand questions, though she realized it wasn’t the best time for her to raise any of them. They needed to feel practically at arm’s length from her father and his men.

Lastly, they arrived at the last point of the property; this was a narrow road that bordered the estate on a periphery. Liam’s car was parked a little distance and as she reached his car, he signaled for her to get into the car.

“We need to talk,” Ava said placing her hands on her chest and crossing them.

She didn’t want to get into that car without answers.

He opened the passenger door, his gaze dark and unreadable. “Get in. I’ll explain on the way.”

Initially, she did not want to step into the car but she did, they drove off, the sound of the engine drowned up the silence. She looked at him and then glared at him and would not let him get the better of her.

He at last exhaled heavily and gripped the wheel hard.

He sighed, gripping the steering wheel. "Ava, your mother was the only person who ever challenged my father. They had a secret alliance, sharing information to strengthen both families. But she found out something she shouldn't have."

"What did she find out?" Ava's voice was sharp.

"She discovered my father’s plans to take over everything, including your family’s assets. She threatened to go public, and he couldn't allow that."

Ava shivered; fists clenched. "So, he killed her?"

Liam shook his head. "It wasn’t that simple. He didn’t murder her, but he ensured she couldn't stop him. Your father knows this well; he was there that night."

Ava’s heart raced. “My father was… what? Helping him?”

Liam nodded, his expression hard. “He chose survival over loyalty. He made a deal with my father, betraying your mother to protect his interests. He hated that your mom was growing in power, so they both saw her as threat, by the time she found out, it was too late.”

Ava’s mind raced. Her father had preached loyalty and family honor, yet he had sacrificed her mother for his empire, leaving her torn between anger and sadness.

“Why now?” she demanded. “If you’re so loyal to your father, why tell me this?”

“That’s because you need to know who you’re dealing with,” said Liam.

“I might be the enemy, but am no hypocrite”. Now you pose a threat to my father’s plans, making us temporary allies.”

Ava could hardly believe it. Temporary allies? It felt like one of his ridiculous games, yet something in his voice made her pause. Despite his viciousness, he was being honest for once.

“So, what happens now?” she said a bit hesitantly.

He smirked. “Simple. We expose both fathers but yours first, publicly. Using the leverage of some dark deals documents I'll show you, we could shake the entire Sinclair empire from the ground up.”

The idea of taking down her father made Ava’s stomach twist. He’d lied to her, yes. Manipulated her, certainly. But tearing her family apart? She could not be certain how she could manage it even if it meant avenging her mother.

“Imagine that,” Liam continued speaking softly. “You’ll always remain his prisoner or you can free yourself from him right now.”

She gazed out the window as sweat slowly streamed down her forehead, city lights flashing by. Was she really willing to give up everything to pursue revenge for her mom? But then again, if she let her father get away with everything, there would be no getting away from him.

As a few minutes passed by in silence, she exhaled a lot of air. “Fine. But if we are doing this against my father, I decide how far we go.”

Liam chuckled, a dark glint in his eyes. “Deal. But you’d better be ready, Ava.

Once we start this, there’s no going back.”

That night, Ava and Liam sat in her penthouse, surrounded by stacks of documents he had brought. He had organized records from several years, coded paperwork, and partnerships that painted a negative image of her father’s business.

As Ava read through them, she uncovered a conspiracy dating back to the 80’s, revealing corrupt dealings and secret accounts that showcased her father’s ruthless mentality. Her mother had been one of his victims.

“What is this?” she inquired, spreading the plain-bare letters where her father was communicating with Liam’s. “This looks like… a contract?”

Liam looked over, surprise in his eyes. “My father must have kept this quiet for years. These are the original merger agreements between our families. But look at the date.”

Ava’s heart sank as she saw the agreements were signed just days before her mother’s death. Her father went into agreement to remain in somewhat control which her mother thought it was Liam’s father idea, she tried to stop Liam father.

“This is why she confronted your father,” Liam said, watching her reaction. “She believed a merger would destroy your family’s legacy and she came with a threat.”

Ava’s anger flared again. Her father had always portrayed himself as a victim defending their honor, yet sacrifice her mom when she was about finding out the secret.

She looked into Liam's eyes, searching for clarity. “So, what now? Do we just… release this?”

“Not yet,” he said calmly. “Timing is everything, Ava. We need to make sure your father has no escape route. Once we’re ready, he’ll be finished, but not until then, we need some allies as well”

He was right, but the waiting gnawed at her. She wanted her father to pay, but a part of her was afraid of what she’d lose in the process.

“So, I wait and play the obedient daughter?” she asked bitterly.

Liam’s mouth twitched, almost in a smile. “Well, imagine the last bout of payback. You’ll drag him down with you from the inside when the deed is done.

The idea seemed almost too satisfying, but she knew it wouldn’t be that simple. She and Liam might be allies for now, but he was still her enemy.

As he gathered his things, he said, “I’ll handle the timing. Keep this to yourself. We only get one chance.”

She nodded, watching him at the door. He turned back, his expression unreadable.

“Ava,” he whispered, “remember, I’m doing this for the contract we’ve signed, as soon as this is over you’ll denounce the marriage contract and don’t catch some feelings along.”

She met his gaze. “Deal. I won’t.”

With that, he left her alone in the dim light of her penthouse, surrounded by her ancestral mysteries.

Looking anxiously at piles of papers Ava suddenly understood, that all her decisions led her here.

Now she was standing on the brink of a darkness one from which there would be no going back.