CONTRACT OF HEARTS

Ava's POV "My lord," I began, standing tall and confident despite the pressure of the moment. My client, Mr Dickson, would never stoop to stealing from his workplace. The evidence and witnesses had proven his integrity beyond doubt. This is clearly a case of someone trying to frame him." The court was silent for a while as the judge flipped through the pages of his note, before nodding and raising his gaze. "Mr Dickson is innocent of the crime, and thereby free to go." A wave of relief surged through me as I balled my fists in triumph. Mr Dickson face lit up with gratitude. As I approached, he wrapped me in an unexpected hug. "Thank you so much, Miss knight," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "You're heaven sent." I hesitated for a moment, before patting his back. "You're welcome Mr Dickson. Justice was on your side. "Court, arise," the steward said calling for order, his hammer striking the desk and the courtroom began to disperse. With a briefcase in my hand, I adjusted my coat as I stepped out of the courthouse, the bitter wind cutting through the late afternoon. Another small victory for someone who couldn’t afford my services but desperately needed them. Mr. Dickson’s gratitude still echoed in my mind, but the triumph of the moment quickly gave way to the familiar weight of reality. Cases like his always struck a nerve. I could still see my father’s weary face as he was led away, convicted of a crime he didn’t commit because he couldn’t afford a lawyer. He died in prison, and my mother followed shortly after, her heart giving out under the strain. Their loss had forged my purpose—to fight for the voiceless until they were heard. But purpose didn’t pay the bills. Rent was due, bills were pilling up, the board members are already doubting my capability, my firm was barely staying afloat and my dream of making real difference in the legal world seemed more distant than ever. My phone buzzed in my pocket, pulling me back to the present. It was Vanessa, my partner, best friend and constant cheerleader way back since law school and I had always trusted her implicitly. "Ava, you've been working too hard. Come out with me tonight," Vanessa voice chirped through the receiver. "I've just got the place-some fancy gala downtown. Free drinks and maybe you could come with Andrew." I sighed, my exhaustion evident. "Vanessa, I really don't think -" "No excuses. You never know the clients that will bring our struggling firm closer to breakthrough. Life's too short to spend it buried in legal cases. 7pm tonight. I'll send the address." Before I could protest further, Vanessa had already hung up. Hours later, I adjusted the emerald dress for the hundredth time, my nerves getting the better of me. The gala was a glittering display of affluence and power, a world far removed from my daily life. I glanced at Andrew my boyfriend of two years who looked perfectly at ease in his well tailored tuxedo. He gave me a reassuring smile as he adjusted his cufflinks. "You look beautiful, Ava," he said, leaning down to kiss my lips. "It's just one night." I nodded, forcing a smile. Andrew was my rock. This night, I'm determined to use the opportunity to save the struggling firm, a chance to rub shoulders with potential clients that could change my fortune. We stepped into the grand ball room, where chandeliers bathed the room in a golden glow. "Hey Ava," Vanessa's cheerful voice rang as she approached us. "I'm glad you could make it," she said, side brushing us in a hug. Andrew excused himself immediately, claiming he needs to see a business partner. “See? Isn’t this fun?” Vanessa teased, handing me a glass of champagne. “Now, mingle. I’ll be back.” She also disappeared into the crowd, leaving me all alone. Half an hour passed, I had managed to exchange pleasantries with a few guests, but my unease grew with each passing moment. Where is Andrew? Where is Vanessa? I decided to look for them, weaving through the elegantly dressed attendees until I was able to find myself at a quieter terrace. I froze. Turning a corner, the sight before me ripped the air off my lungs. There under the dim light was Andrew and Vanessa. Both were naked, their clothes scattered on the floor. Andrew was thrusting into Vanessa from behind, one hand on her breast and the other hand grabbing her waist, her moans echoing in the quiet night. "Andrew," I choked out, my voice trembling with fury and heartbreak as tears slide down my cheeks. For a fleeting seconds, Andrew turned to me, his eyes glassy with pleasure but he didn't stop as he kept thrusting deeper into her, Vanessa smirked, a cruel, mocking curl of her lips. The audacity of it, hit me like a blow. No guilt. No remorse The world around me seems to blur out. Without another word, i spun on my heels and stormed back to the gala. Tears blurring my vision, and the scene replaying in my mind over and over again. I needed a drink—or ten. Anything to drown the fury and betrayal clawing at my insides. I found the bar and ordered a glass of champagne, my hands trembling as I gripped the flute. I downed it in one gulp and ordered another. The room blurred around me but one thing stood out—a man at the other end of the bar. He was watching me with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. Xander Blackthorn. I recognized him immediately. His name was synonymous with wealth, power, and scandal. Women swooned over him, men envied him, and the media couldn’t get enough of him. But tonight, his piercing gaze was fixed on me. “Rough night?” he asked as he approached, his voice smooth as silk. I scoffed, swirling the champagne in my glass. “You could say that.” “Care to talk about it?” he offered, his lips curving into a smirk that could disarm anyone. “Not particularly.” I shot him a look, daring him to pry further. But Xander didn’t back down. Instead, he ordered a drink and sat beside me, his presence magnetic. One drink turned into two, then three, and before I knew it, I was spilling my heart to this enigmatic stranger. The night spiraled into something I couldn’t quite control. Laughter, heated stares, and fleeting touches led us out of the gala and into his sleek car. We stumbled into his luxurious apartment, our lips crashing together in a desperate, fiery kiss. He broke the kiss, his deep blue eyes piercing into mine with an intensity that sent cold shivers down my spine. "Are you sure about this?" He asked, his voice a low, husky whisper that seems to resonate through my entire being. I answered without hesitation, the words spilling from my mouth in a desperate plea. "Yes, please. Make me forget..... make me forget my pain," I said, my voice soft and trembling. His lips curling into a sinful smile. "My pleasure," he murmured, his hands sliding down to grab my ass. I let out a moan.