Chapter 6 Built from revenge

Ava stood in the tiny, dimly lit office, the stale scent of old coffee and dust hanging in the air. The walls were peeling, the carpet felt damp under her feet, and the flickering fluorescent lights overhead cast weird, shifting shadows.

She let out a slow breath, glancing around. This place had seen better days-hell, maybe it never had good days.

It was a far cry from the sleek, glass-walled office she used to command, where people hung onto her every word. Now? Now she was here, signing a lease for a cramped little space that smelled like disappointment.

She walked over to the window, pulling aside the tattered curtains. The view didn't help. Just a narrow alley, overflowing trash cans, and the occasional rat scurrying past like it had somewhere better to be.

Ava's chest tightened. How had it come to this? Not too long ago, she had everything-a thriving business, power, respect. Then came the whispers, the betrayals, the carefully planted lies that sent it all crashing down.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps in the hallway. A moment later, the landlord, Mr. Jenkins, stepped in, holding a stack of papers.

"Alright, Ms. Ava, here's the lease," Mr. Jenkins said, stepping into the room with a stack of papers in his hand.

His voice was rough, the kind that came from years of chain-smoking and maybe a little too much whiskey. He didn't bother with small talk-just got straight to business, like a man who'd seen too many tenants come and go to care much about another one.

He set the papers down on the rickety old desk in the corner, giving it a pat like it might fall apart if he wasn't careful. "Take your time, look it over, make sure everything's in order," he added, though his tone suggested he wasn't expecting any pushback.

Ava reached for the papers, her fingers brushing against the slightly yellowed edges.

The contract was thick, filled with the usual legal jargon that made her eyes glaze over, but she forced herself to focus.

She'd signed a lot of deals in her life-big, multimillion-dollar ones that had shaped her entire career. This? This was different. It was small. Insignificant in the grand scheme of things. And yet, somehow, it felt like the most important contract she'd ever signed.

She flipped through the pages, her mind half on the words, half on the gnawing uncertainty in her gut. Could she really start over in a place like this? Could she rebuild something from nothing?

She glanced up, meeting Mr. Jenkins' gaze. He was watching her with the patience of a man who had nothing better to do.

"It's fine," she said finally, pushing aside the doubt that threatened to creep in. She straightened her shoulders, injecting confidence into her voice. "I'll take it."

Mr. Jenkins nodded, a knowing glint in his tired eyes. "Good choice," he said, tucking his hands into his pockets. "You won't regret it."

Ava wished she could believe that. But regret was something she was all too familiar with.

Ava took the papers and skimmed through them, her mind half on the words, half on the risk she was about to take. Could she really start over here? Could she turn this rundown little office into something real?

She looked up, meeting Mr. Jenkins' gaze. "It's fine," she said, straightening her shoulders. "I'll take it."

His lips twitched into a small smile. "Good choice. You won't regret it."

Ava forced a smile back. She wished she had his confidence. Because right now, all she had was a lease, a mountain of regrets, and the burning need to prove everyone wrong.

It wasn't the glass-walled office she once had. It wasn't a luxury suite with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city skyline.

But it was hers.

And that was enough.

For now.

She set down her laptop, staring at the contract in front of her. The moment she signed, it became real.

This was the first step.

This was where her revenge began.

She picked up the pen and signed.

No One Would Save Her-So She'd Save Herself

Ava had spent weeks trying to break back into the industry.

Calls. Emails. Meetings that led nowhere.

Some people ignored her. Others laughed in her face.

She was Ava Sinclair, the woman who got played. The woman Lucas threw away.

No one wanted to do business with someone who had fallen so hard.

But then, one man gave her a chance.

James Carter.

A venture capitalist who had a reputation for spotting potential before the world did. He wasn't the biggest name in the industry, but he was respected. His connections ran deep.

"If you impress me, we'll talk," he had said over the phone.

And that was all she needed to hear.

Three weeks later, Ava sat across from James in an upscale restaurant, the kind she used to frequent with Lucas.

She refused to think about that.

James swirled his whiskey, watching her with sharp curiosity. He was testing her, waiting to see if she'd crack under pressure.

She didn't.

Ava laid out her vision with unshakable confidence. The research, the numbers, the strategy-she had it all.

By the time she finished, he was smirking.

"I have to admit," James said, setting his drink down. "I thought you'd be just another pretty face trying to play CEO."

Ava arched a brow. "And now?"

"You've got bite," he said, eyes glinting. "I like that." He leaned back. "We'll finalize the contract next week."

Ava gripped her glass, the weight of victory settling in.

Her first real win.

James Carter's name alone would get people talking.

Lucas would hear about it.

And he did.

Lucas Watches From Afar

Across town, Lucas sat in his penthouse office, scrolling through his phone.

Ms. Ava Sinclair Marketing-First Client Secured.

His jaw tightened.

She was doing it.

Rebuilding. Rising.

Part of him had expected her to fail. Not because she wasn't capable-she was brilliant-but because he had made sure every door was shut in her face.

Yet, here she was.

Still fighting.

He should feel indifferent. Maybe even relieved that she was proving she could stand on her own.

But instead, something ugly settled in his chest.

Was it pride? Regret? Something worse?

He wasn't sure.

But one thing was clear-he had bigger problems to deal with.

A storm was coming.

And he wasn't sure Ava could handle it.

Later at night,

Ava was locking up her office late that night when her phone vibrated.

Unknown Number: Stay away from Lucas Hayas.

Her stomach twisted.

She frowned, unlocking the message.

Unknown Number: You don't know the kind of deals he's in. If you ever cared about him, you'll walk away.

Ava's pulse kicked up.

She and Lucas were over.

And she now has better things to do.

She had buried her past with him.

Hadn't she?

Ava hesitated before replying.

Ava: Who is this?

The response came instantly.

Unknown Number: Someone who doesn't want to see you dragged down with him.

Her grip tightened on the phone.

Lucas had secrets. She knew that.

But this?

This felt bigger.

More dangerous.

She should ignore it. She should focus on her business.

But something nagged at her.

Was Lucas in trouble?

Did she even care?

She shoved the phone in her bag and walked away.

She had bigger things to worry about.

Or so she thought.

The next morning, Ava stepped out of her apartment, already scrolling through her emails.

Then she stopped.

A black car was parked across the street.

Not moving.

Just waiting.

Her pulse hammered.

The door opened.

And the man who stepped out?

An old face from Lucas's past.

One Ava never thought she'd see again.

Her stomach dropped.

Because if he was here...

It meant whatever Lucas was caught up in-was about to drag her down too.