Chapter 19
1026 Words
CHAPTER 19
The Perfect Woman
The next morning...
Ava was halfway through repainting a large canvas when her phone buzzed.
She ignored it.
A minute later, it buzzed again.
Then again.
Chloe looked up from across the studio.
"If that's Nathan, answer him before the poor man starts thinking you've been kidnapped."
Ava rolled her eyes.
"I was painting."
"You've been staring at your phone more than the canvas."
"I have not."
"You literally smiled at the vibration."
Ava gave in and unlocked her phone.
Three messages.
Nathan: Good morning.
Did you remember your sketchbook today?
Or should I keep carrying it for you?
Ava laughed before she could stop herself.
Ava: Very funny.
Almost immediately,
Nathan: I thought so.
Ava: I'm working.
Nathan: Have lunch.
She looked at the untouched sandwich beside her easel.
How did he always know?
Chloe peeked over her shoulder.
"He told you to eat, didn't he?"
Ava quickly locked her phone.
"...Maybe."
"Oh, he's definitely in love."
---
Meanwhile...
The Walker estate was unusually lively.
Luxury cars lined the driveway.
Servants hurried through the halls.
Nathan frowned the moment he walked inside.
"What's going on?"
Victoria smiled awkwardly.
"I was hoping you'd get here before she did."
"Before who did?"
Before she could answer, the front door opened.
Every servant straightened.
A graceful woman stepped inside wearing an elegant cream-colored dress and carrying herself with effortless confidence.
"Good morning."
Her voice was calm.
Warm.
Sophisticated.
Richard immediately walked toward her with a smile Nathan hadn't seen in years.
"Welcome home, Isabella."
She embraced him politely before turning.
Her eyes landed on Nathan.
For a brief second...
Neither of them spoke.
Then she smiled.
"It's been a long time."
Nathan gave a small nod.
"Isabella."
Victoria watched the exchange carefully.
"It has been almost four years."
"Three years and eleven months," Isabella corrected with a small smile.
Nathan noticed.
She still remembered dates.
"I hope I didn't interrupt anything."
Richard answered before Nathan could.
"Not at all."
"We were just about to have breakfast."
Nathan knew exactly what his father was doing.
And he wasn't interested.
"I have work."
Richard frowned.
"You just arrived."
"I know."
"You can spare twenty minutes."
Nathan looked at Isabella.
"I'm glad you're doing well."
She smiled.
"You too."
Then he turned and walked toward the front door.
Richard's voice echoed behind him.
"Running away already?"
Nathan stopped.
Without turning around, he answered,
"I don't run."
"I simply don't stay where I'm being manipulated."
The door closed behind him.
Silence filled the house.
Isabella watched it for a long moment before looking at Richard.
"So..."
She smiled politely.
"Tell me about Ava."
---
By lunchtime...
Ava's phone buzzed again.
This time, it wasn't Nathan.
It was Ethan.
Can we talk? Please.
She sighed.
Another message followed.
Just five minutes.
Then another.
I won't bother you again if you say no.
Chloe noticed her expression immediately.
"Ethan?"
Ava nodded.
"What are you going to do?"
She stared at the screen for a moment before typing.
Five minutes. Public place.
---
They met in a small park a few blocks from the studio.
Ethan was already waiting.
He looked nervous.
"I wasn't sure you'd come."
"I said five minutes."
He nodded quickly.
"I know."
For a few moments, neither of them spoke.
Finally...
"I'm trying," Ethan said quietly.
"I know."
"I stopped seeing Erica."
Ava's expression didn't change.
"I know."
"I've been seeing a therapist."
That surprised her.
"I..."
He rubbed the back of his neck.
"I realized I kept blaming everyone except myself."
Ava remained silent.
"I don't expect forgiveness."
"Good."
His shoulders fell.
"I just wanted you to know..."
His voice cracked.
"...I'm sorry."
This time...
She believed him.
Not because his words were different.
Because he finally looked like a man carrying the weight of what he'd done.
"I hope you become a better person, Ethan."
His eyes lifted.
"But..."
She shook her head gently.
"It won't be with me."
He smiled sadly.
"I figured."
For the first time since the breakup...
Neither of them argued.
They simply accepted the truth.
When Ava walked away...
Ethan didn't stop her.
He watched her disappear into the crowd before whispering,
"I really did lose the best thing that ever happened to me."
---
Across town...
Richard and Isabella sat inside his study.
He poured her a cup of tea.
"I've already arranged invitations."
"For what?"
"The Walker Foundation Gala."
She accepted the cup.
"You want me to attend with Nathan."
"I want people reminded of where you belong."
She smiled into her tea.
"And if Nathan refuses?"
Richard sighed.
"He won't refuse forever."
She looked toward the window.
"And Ava?"
Richard's expression hardened.
"She's temporary."
Isabella remained quiet.
She had built billion-dollar companies.
She had negotiated with ruthless investors.
She knew people.
And one thing had caught her attention.
Nathan Walker had never once refused to see her.
Until now.
Which meant...
The rumors were true.
He had changed.
She smiled faintly.
"Interesting."
---
That evening...
Nathan pulled up outside Ava's apartment.
She climbed into the passenger seat.
"You look tired."
"I painted all day."
He handed her a small paper bag.
She looked inside.
Her favorite chocolate croissants.
She blinked.
"How did you know these were my favorite?"
"You mentioned it once."
"I did?"
"The second time we met."
She stared at him.
"You remembered that?"
Nathan looked genuinely confused.
"You expected me not to?"
Her heart did that annoying little flip again.
She looked out the window to hide her smile.
Nathan noticed anyway.
He smiled to himself as he started the car.
Neither of them noticed...
A sleek black sedan parked across the street.
Inside...
Isabella Sinclair watched the SUV pull away.
Her assistant lowered the photographs.
"So..."
"That's Ava."
Isabella studied the smiling woman through the tinted window.
She wasn't glamorous.
She wasn't dressed in designer labels.
She looked... ordinary.
Yet Nathan had smiled at her.
A smile Isabella hadn't seen in years.
She leaned back in her seat.
"Follow them."
The driver started the engine.
"No."
She stopped him.
"Not yet."
A slow smile crossed her lips.
"I'd rather introduce myself properly."
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