Chapter 1 Regrets of the soul

"You're going to make me do it again, aren't you?" Ava's voice shook with a mix of outrage and desperation. "You're going to make me get rid of this one too." Logan's expression turned cold, his eyes narrowing. "I'm not making you do anything, Ava. I'm just suggesting what's best for both of us""Best for both of us? You mean best for you, Logan. Best for your reputation, your business, your perfect little world" Logan took a step closer, his voice low and even. "Ava, we've been over this. You know why we can't have a child right now, right? My mother.." "Yes, I know.

Because I'm just your chef, your employee. Not your partner, not your equal," her voice was shaky. "Just a convenience for you to use and discard. Don't try to use your mother as an excuse again. You tricked me the first time, but not again." The tension between Logan and Ava was intense, but she wasn't ready to back down. Ava was done with Logan always trying to play her. "That's not fair, Ava," Logan said, his voice rising. "I've given you a great opportunity here, and this is how you repay me? Even when I had several other options, I picked you to be my chef. You are not being fair." Ava's eyes blazed with anger. "Opportunity? You call this an opportunity? You used me, Logan. You used my talent, my body... Am I being unfair? I went against my parents and aborted the first child all because of you." How did I fall in love with such a wicked man? I only came here to work as a chef but ended up falling for my boss, and now I am pregnant with him for the second time! Ah, my parents warned me countless times to resign, but I refused. My mother warned me against going through with the first abortion, and I turned deaf ears, to the extent that they disowned me! And is that what I got from this man?! Ava thought to herself quietly. Logan's face reddened, his jaw clenched. "How dare you," he hissed. "I've done nothing but help you." Ava's legs were beginning to go weak. "Help me? You've manipulated me, controlled me. Suddenly, the kitchen door swung open, and one of the senior chefs, Susan, stood in the doorway, her eyes wide with concern. "Excuse me, Chef? Ava? Is everything okay?" Ava's gaze locked onto Logan, her eyes gleaming with defiance. "Everything's fine, Susan. Just a little... creative conversation" Susan hesitated, then nodded and backed out of the kitchen, leaving Ava in a confused state. Just as it seemed like the argument was going to escalate further, the kitchen door swung open again and Logan's mother, Ryder, walked in. Her presence commanded attention, and both Ava and Logan turned to face her. "Ah, perfect timing," Ryder said, her voice dripping with sweetness. "I see you're discussing the... situation" No way did he tell his mother about the pregnancy. He said his mother would never let him get married to a pregnant woman! He lied?! I have been a big fool! Ava thought quietly in pain. Logan has always been a liar. Ava bowed her head and stared at me angrily. She narrowed her eyes around the room, sensing something was off. "Mrs Ryder, what are you doing here? In the kitchen" Ava asked her while trying to act normal. Ryder smiled, her eyes gleaming with a sinister light. "I'm here to take care of things, dear. Things like you" Ryder never really liked Ava from the start. Before Ava could react or understand the situation, Ryder nodded to Logan, who grabbed Ava's arms from behind. Ryder pulled out a syringe from her pocket and injected Ava with a clear liquid. "What is that...?" Ava felt her voice slurred, her vision blurring. "Just a little something to help you... relax," Ryder cooed. "You won't be needing that pregnancy anymore." Ava listened to Ryder's sinister laugh as she fell to her knees. Ava's world went dark as she felt herself being dragged away, but her vision was blurred, and she was unable to see a thing. Logan and his mother dragged Ava's unconscious body to his mother's room upstairs without anyone seeing either of them. "See what you almost brought upon yourself, right? Logan, I warned you countless times to get rid of this girl, but, no," Ryder's heart pounding, she took water, and sat on the bed. "You have a beautiful girlfriend and wife-to-be, Harper. The only child of a billionaire. With her by your side. Your lineage will be rich forever! Don't you understand, Logan?" He nodded and hugged his mother. "Mum, what are we going to do? She has refused to abort the child" "By the time she wakes up, that pregnancy will be gone. I just need to think about how to get rid of her". Ryder said slowly, and then buried her face in her hands and inhaled deeply. Logan's girlfriend, Harper, walked into the room, her eyes fixed on Ava's unconscious form. "What's going on here?" she asked, her voice laced with disgust. Ryder smiled sweetly. "Just taking care of a little problem, dear. Ava here was going to be a problem for you and your future husband" Harper's eyes burned with rage just after looking at Ava. Her eyes lit up with excitement. "Ooh, I have a great idea! Let's get rid of her for good. We can take her out to the old cliff on the outskirts of town and...accidentally" push her off.' Logan's eyes widened in horror. "Harper, what?" Harper pouted. "Come on, Logan. It's the perfect solution. No more Ava, no more problem, and just so you know, I haven't forgiven you yet for getting this maid of yours pregnant twice," Harper whimpered and removed her engagement ring from her finger "If you don't agree to throw this woman out of this house this minute, then our wedding is canceled!" Ryder stared at Logan angrily. He can't refuse, Harper is his door to many more riches! She thought. "Harper might be onto something. But instead of a cliff, let's just...misplace her. Take her out to the outskirts and leave her there. She'll never find her way back", Ryder hurriedly said to ease the tension in the room, and Ryder gave Logan a sign to hug Harper. He did and put the ring back on her finger. Logan hesitated, clearly torn. Ava's fate hung in the balance. "Fine, I will go with whatever you want, Harper." He said and kissed Harper on the lips. "So what is the next step?"