Chapter 3

Liv, clearly annoyed by Ava' s composure, pouted.

"Well, since you're here, Ava, you must stay for dinner. Cook made your... well, she made my favorite, coq au vin. I' m sure you' ll love it."

Ava knew Cook hadn't made anything for her.

Her dietary restrictions, a result of her autoimmune condition, were an inconvenience her family usually ignored.

"I'm not staying," Ava said.

But Julian put a hand on her arm. "Nonsense, darling. Of course, you'll stay. We need to talk. And your parents are expecting it."

He was guiding her towards the dining room, a gentle pressure that felt like a vise.

At the table, it was as she expected.

A rich, wine-laden stew was served to everyone.

A small, plain salad was placed before Ava, an afterthought.

Julian didn' t notice, or pretended not to.

His attention was entirely on Liv.

He listened intently as Liv recounted her "ordeal" at the boutique, her voice animated.

He laughed at her jokes, refilled her wine glass, his eyes full of an admiration he never showed Ava.

Ava watched them, a dull ache in her chest.

She remembered countless dinners like this, Julian seemingly attentive to her, but always, always, his gaze would drift to Liv.

A shared glance, a private smile.

She' d dismissed it as him being polite to her sister, being part of the family.

How blind she had been.

The casual cruelty of his deception was, in some ways, worse than Ethan' s blatant rejection.

Ethan had been young, foolish. Julian was a master manipulator.

This dinner, this charade, only strengthened her resolve.

She had to get out.

Ava broke the silence, her voice clear and firm.

"I need to go to the city office tomorrow. There are some papers I need to sign."

It was a lie, but a necessary one. The real papers she needed to sign were for her annulment, her name change, her new life.

Julian looked up, surprised. "The city office? What for, darling?"

"Just some personal matters," Ava said, deliberately vague.

"Well, I'll go with you, of course," Julian said, his tone implying it was non-negotiable. "You shouldn't have to deal with bureaucracy alone."

He was trying to maintain control, to monitor her.

Ava almost smiled. "That would be helpful, Julian. Thank you."

She would let him accompany her.

She would let him drive her towards her old life one last time, while she was secretly steering towards her new one.

He would take her to the city hall, where she'd file the first set of documents.

The irony was almost delicious.

The next morning, Julian was all solicitous concern.

He insisted on driving.

As they neared the city center, his phone rang.

It was Eleanor, her voice frantic.

"Julian! Thank God! It's Liv! She... she slipped on the patio. Her ankle! It looks terrible! Your father is useless, and the doctor can' t come for an hour! You need to come, now!"

Julian' s face paled.

"I' m on my way, Eleanor!"

He glanced at Ava, his expression a mixture of apology and urgency.

"Ava, I am so sorry. Liv... you know how she is. I have to go."

He pulled the car over, miles from the city hall, in a nondescript suburban street.

"Can you get a cab from here? I really have to rush."

He was already turning the car around before she could answer.

Ava watched him speed away, back towards Liv, back towards the endless drama.

He hadn't even asked what papers she needed to sign, what "personal matters" were so important.

He hadn't cared enough to drive a few more miles to ensure she reached her destination.

He was so consumed by Liv, he didn't see Ava slipping away.

The city hall was just a short distance further.

He had abandoned her, yet again, just short of a place that symbolized her freedom.

The symbolism wasn't lost on her.

It was a final, bitter confirmation.

She was truly, utterly alone in his world.

And that, she realized, was the greatest gift he could have given her.