48
Andrew sat across from Ava, his face tight with anger and suspicion. “I want to know what’s going on between you and Bruce,” he demanded, his voice cold and formal.
Ava tried to remain calm, but she could feel her own anger and frustration rising. “There’s nothing going on between us,” she replied, her voice steady but firm. “We have a child together and we need to co-parent, that’s all.”
Andrew’s eyes narrowed. “I find it hard to believe that’s all there is to it,” he said, his tone accusatory. “I had you followed and I know he’s been coming to see you almost every day.”
Ava felt her blood boil at the revelation that he had been spying on her. “That’s none of your business,” she snapped, her own voice now cold and formal. “I have a right to spend time with my child without having to explain myself to you.”
Andrew leaned forward, his eyes boring into hers. “I’m not just talking about your child,” he said, his voice low and menacing. “I’m talking about the way you look at him, the way he looks at you. I know there’s something going on between you two and I won’t tolerate it.”
Ava couldn’t believe the audacity of this man, accusing her of something that wasn’t true. But despite the anger welling up inside her, she knew she had to be calm, else it would cost her dearly.
Ava tried to brush off Andrew’s comment about Bruce, but he continued to bring it up during their conversation. He revealed that he had her followed and it was reported to him that Bruce was coming to see her every day. Ava felt her stomach drop, she knew that this was not going to end well.
“Why does he keep coming around? Is there something going on between you two?” Andrew’s voice was cold and accusatory.
“No, there’s nothing going on. He’s just a friend,” Ava tried to explain, but Andrew wasn’t having it.
“A friend? It doesn’t seem like it to me. He’s always around, always trying to get your attention. I don’t like it.” Andrew’s voice was filled with jealousy and anger.
Ava felt a knot form in her stomach, she knew that this was not the Andrew she fell in love with. She had seen glimpses of this side of him before, but she had always brushed it off as him being possessive. Now she knew the truth. Andrew was a manipulative person who wanted to control her every move.
“I don’t know what to say. He’s just a friend, I swear. I don’t have feelings for him anymore,” Ava tried to explain, but Andrew wouldn’t listen.
“I don’t believe you. I think there’s something going on and I won’t stand for it,” Andrew’s voice was filled with anger and it made Ava feel scared.
Ava knew that she had to end things with Andrew, she couldn’t be in a relationship with someone who didn’t trust her and threatened her company. But she also knew that it wouldn’t be easy. Andrew was a powerful man and she didn’t know how he would react when she told him it was over.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.
As she tried to gather the courage to end things, Andrew’s phone rang. He answered it and as he listened to the caller, Ava saw his expression change. He became pale and Ava knew something was wrong.
“What is it? What’s wrong?” Ava asked, her heart racing with fear.
Andrew hung up the phone and turned to her, his eyes filled with anger and betrayal. “It’s over,” he said, his voice cold and distant. ”
Ava’s heart was pounding in her chest as Andrew’s words hung in the air. Marry him? She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. This was not what she wanted, not at all.
“Andrew, I can’t just marry you. We’ve only been dating for a few months,” Ava tried to reason with him, but he was having none of it.
“If you truly love me and want to be with me, you’ll prove it by agreeing to marry me,” Andrew’s voice was cold and emotionless, it sent shivers down Ava’s spine.
“I can’t just marry you because you’re asking me to. I need time to think about it,” Ava’s voice trembled with fear and uncertainty.
“You don’t have time. If you truly want to be with me and keep my investment in your company, you’ll say yes. Otherwise, I’ll be walking out of your life and taking my investment with me,” Andrew’s ultimatum hit Ava like a ton of bricks.
She couldn’t lose his investment, not now, not when she was finally getting the company back on track. But she also couldn’t marry him, not when she didn’t love him.
“Please, Andrew, give me some time to think about it,” Ava pleaded, her voice barely above a whisper.
This time around, he didn’t say any word. He only stood up and turned back on his heels towards the entrance.
Ava sat there, staring at the door as it closed behind Andrew. She couldn’t believe what had just happened. He had just proposed to her, and it was not out of love, but out of manipulation and control. The scowl on his face as he left her sitting there alone was etched in her mind.
She felt a knot form in her stomach as she thought about the ultimatum he had given her. Marry him or lose his investment in the company. She couldn’t believe the pressure he was putting on her.
She tried to wrap her head around the situation, but all she could think about was the look of anger on Andrew’s face as he left. It was as if he was furious with her for not immediately saying yes to his proposal.
She felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes as she thought about the weight of the decision that was now on her shoulders. She couldn’t lose the investment, not now when the company was finally starting to recover from the mess Mason had left it in. But she also couldn’t marry Andrew, not when she didn’t love him.
She sat there for what felt like hours, lost in her thoughts and her fears. She couldn’t shake the feeling of dread that was now creeping in. She knew that whatever decision she made, it would have consequences. And she didn’t know if she was ready to face them.
As she sat there, lost in her thoughts, a knock on the door jolted her out of her reverie. She quickly wiped away her tears and tried to compose herself before answering it.