Chapter 1

• Ava
• I am getting married to the love of my life, my university lover, Cornell Smith. I had actually dreamt of this day to come, picturing it in my mind thousands of times. It felt incredible to finally see it turning into reality. As I stood behind the curtains, waiting for my cue, my heart raced with excitement.
• Back then, during his final years at the university, I had supported him in every possible way I could. We were inseparable, two halves of a whole. I paid his school fees with my own and sacrificed a lot to ensure his dreams didn't shatter. It was the things I did for love, and I wouldn't change it for anything.
• Cornell is the prodigal son to Mr. Morocco Smith, one of the richest billionaire in town but Ava didn't know this.
• The sweet romantic song started playing, signalling my grand entrance. Closing my eyes for a brief moment, I took a deep breath to calm my jittery nerves. I had been waiting for this moment for so long that it almost felt surreal. Then, I stepped forward, my white ivory gown flowing gracefully behind me.
• Walking down the aisle, I glanced at my best friend, who was my chief bridesmaid. She walked behind me with a smile on her face and it was obvious she was genuinely happy for me. We had been together for years, and her support meant the world to me.
• As I walked down the aisle, rows of gilded chairs lined either side of the aisle, each decorated with delicate lace sashes tied in pristine bows. The guests, dressed in their finest attire, were seated. Their faces were showing their genuine smiles. The room was filled with families and friends.
• Soon, my gaze met the tender, loving eyes of my soon-to-be spouse. The aisle stretched before me and each step I took felt more confident than the last; guided by love.
• As I reached the end of the aisle, my gaze locked with his. He looked dashing in his suit, waiting for me at the altar.
• We stood there, ready to exchange our vows. The words we had carefully chosen to express our love and commitment spilled effortlessly from our lips. We sealed our love with a passionate kiss as the room erupted in applause and cheers There after the vow, we were invited to the dance floor.
• After the dance, he gave me a peck on my forehead and stepped out, saying he would be right back. I watched him walk away, proud to call him my husband. I am now Mrs Ava Smith, bearing his last name.
• A few minutes after he left, I received an envelope from my security who said a stranger had given it to him to deliver to me. Of course, it's my wedding day. It should be a gift. Curiosity got the better of me as I eagerly opened the envelope and brought out the gift. To my surprise, it was a naked picture of my husband and my best friend in a hotel room. My heart sank, and my mind couldn't process anything at the moment.
• The last time I remember, back then in university, my best friend would always tell me that my boyfriend was no match for me. She claimed he couldn't satisfy me emotionally or intellectually, and that I deserved better.
• Devastated and confused, I tried not to break down emotionally as I walked out, going to search for my best friend. I had to confront her, to understand what had driven her to betray me in such a way. As I made my way through the crowd, I forced myself to smile, smiling at those who approached me and saying congratulations.
• Finally, I reached the door leading to a corridor at a back coney as I pushed open the door, revealing a scene I never wanted to witness.
• There they were. My husband, kissing my best friend as they were already half-naked. He had told me he was going to greet his co-workers. What then is he doing in this lonely back coney with my best friend? Their actions depicted a betrayal that cut me to the core. My tears flowed uncontrollably as I struggled to comprehend how the two people I trusted the most could hurt me in this way.
• As I stood there, frozen in shock, unable to comprehend the betrayal before my eyes, I could feel hot tears streaming down my eyes as their gaze was on me without any remorse.
• “Isabella, Why? I thought you were my best friend? You broke my trust.” my words weary as I ran out.
• That evening, the pain consumed me as I made my way to a club. My heart was heavy with the weight of my troubled thoughts. In the place where I sat, my eyes shifted to a man seated in his own company as his gaze was fixed on me, giving me a seductive gaze.
• While I ordered for a drink at the bar, “hey beautiful?" A voice said as I turned and looked. The man was standing right behind me.
• “Hi.” I replied as I took the drinks I ordered for and was walking towards my sitting position and he followed me.
• “Mind I join you?" He asked.
• Of course, I needed someone's company. Especially this moment I'm trying to forget my pain.
• “Sure." I replied with a smile as we sat opposite each other.
• Before I knew it, the drinks flowed freely as we conversed. Despite being old, he was fun to be with.
• As the night progressed, the alcohol was already taking control of us as I found myself giving him a lap dance while his hands moved carelessly around my body. Touching every part of my body. This was the last scene I can clearly remember.
• Awakening the next morning, my body ached from the exertion of the previous night as I realised I was on a bed in a room, not just a room but a hotel room and I was fully naked, covered with the duvet. My gaze quickly shifted to the other side of the bed as I saw a man sleeping beside me. The man I met at the club…
• Soon, I heard him speak.
• “You are so sweet. You gave me different styles and I loved them. How much is your money?”
• Money? I guess he assumes and see me as a whore. I wouldn't blame him.
• As I got home, I got into my room as I sank on my bed, tears streaming down my eyes. What have I done?
• Shortly, my room door was pushed open, it was my husband who had walked in. With his cold expression, he spoke. Didn't bother to ask me where I had been.
• “My father will be arriving soon. Don't let your crocodile tears ruin things for me."
• His words struck me like a cold shower. I sat up on the bed, wiping away my tears, trying to regain control of my emotions.
• "Of course, I won't," I replied, forcing a calmness into my voice that I didn't feel."
• His expression softened slightly before he averted his gaze.
• “Don't give him any reason to suspect what ever had happened between your best friend and I. If not, you will bear the consequences of your action," he warned. And with that, he left the room.
• After the shower, I picked out an outfit. A simple dress that clung to my curves in all the right places. I applied minimal makeup and combed through my hair as it poured down my back.
• As I admired myself in the mirror, I would not allow my tears to betray my strength.
• Once I was done dressing, I left my room and made my way to the sitting room. As I entered the sitting room, my eyes wandered to the sight of my maids carrying some luggages inside the house.
• One of the maids turned towards me, her face filled with excitement. She announced to me that my father in law was already here, her words sending a delightful shiver down my spine.
• Without wasting another second, I hurriedly made my way outside to greet him. As I stepped onto the porch, my eyes sought out his arrival. The driver opened the car door as my father-in-law emerged.
• As my eyes met his figure, an inexplicable shock coursed through my veins, and my smile instantly faded. There he was. He was that stranger, the one I had a one-night stand with last night.
• I swiftly turned on my heels and walked back into the building. I was so fast that he didn't see me as I made my way to my room.
• The thought of how my husband would react once he finds out the truth shattered me.
• My mind exhausted, I collapsed onto my bed, tears pouring down my face. I cradled my head in my hands, lost in a storm of regrets and fears.
• A few minutes later, I heard a knock on my door, sending fear down my spine.
• "Ava!" My husband, Cornell voice called out. I quickly wiped away any traces of tears on my cheeks. I couldn't afford to let him see me like this. I took a deep breath, steadying my voice as I replied, "I'll be out soon."
• I could now hear his footsteps retreating backwards. I needed a few more moments alone, to gather myself before facing anyone. As I looked at my reflection in the mirror, I made sure my tear-stained face was not obvious in the eyes as I made my way to the sitting room.
• There he was, sitting in the armchair, his eyes were fixated on the television screen, seemingly unaware of my presence. As I approached, my husband's voice broke through the silence, introducing me. "Meet my wife, father,"
• My father-in-law lifted his face to look at me, his eyes meeting mine. For a brief moment, time seemed to stand still as he recognized who I was. He knew what had happened, shock obvious in his eyes. But then, he saw the fear in my eyes.
• “My son has told me so much about you." He replied with a smile and then I smiled back at him.
• Deep down, I could sense the turmoil in his eyes but he chose to bury it.
• I took my place beside my husband, his hand instinctively reaching for mine as he smiled at me.
• Ever since that day, having my father in law around me made me feel uneasy. I feel threatened by his presence, scared that he would want to expose me to his son someday. On several occasions, he would approach me and began to stay about our last encounter, claiming he enjoyed it.