Billionaire Heiress is Divorcing Her Husband

A soft knock sounded at the door.

Ava McQueen froze mid-page turn, she blinked forcing her vision to clear as she glanced up from the report she was reading.

Her assistant Grace, stood in the doorway with a rectangular box balanced in her arms.

"You have a packaged delivered ma'am "

"Thank you Grace, you can leave the package on the table " Ava said as she slipped the document into the manila envelope and stood up to walk around the desk.

Smiling charmingly at the curious woman , she said "That'd be all for now"

The door clicked shut as Grace left, leaving Ava alone with the package.

"Phew, this finally arrived" Ava said, opening the box to reveal a blue silk dress with sequins she had ordered a week ago.

"I was really excited when I ordered this" she said smiling wryly, "Now it feels so irrelevant"

Her hand drifted to her abdomen. Flat. Unchanged. Six weeks didn't show.

"I can't believe I'm six weeks pregnant" The words echoed in her mind as she slumped back into her chair, her fingertips pressed against her pulsing temple trying to massage away the mounting pressure.

"What am I going to do?" she moaned.

She was shocked and trembling with joy but at the same time sad.

Shocked because she didn't believe that one drunken night with her husband could have resulted in a child.

Sad because she feared how he would react to the news...if at all he'd react because he hated her and wanted nothing to do with her.

She had met Ethan at the hospital her mom was hospitalised in for her cancer before she died, his grandfather had also been in the ward and grew fond of her, Ethan has married her under the insistence of his grandfather, she was elated at first because she fell in love with the dark hair gentle giant who took care of his grandfather.

Their marriage was riddled by challenges because of her low status compared to the Prestigious McQueen group and Ethan had treated her coldly, a stark difference from the man she'd fallen in love with

"I believed if I worked on myself and my skills, he could love me, what a fool I am" Ava said wearily her fingers digging into the arm of her chair.

Reality proved cruel as she was soon transferred to manage one of the units out of the capital.

And from then she began seeing less and less of him and his visits were spent hotel rooms, far away from her.

"I'm tired and prefer the quiet of the hotel, my meetings will be easier too, do not mind me and focus on your job" He had fired at her with his green eyes avoid of emotion and his voice cold the day she had asked why he wasn't coming to the villa.

He never touched her.

Never

Until that one night. One drunken night after five years of marriage, two spent walking on eggshells and three in separate bedrooms.

The memory of Ethan's weight pressed against her sent a shiver down her spine. His hands, urgent and demanding. His breath, hot against her neck, reeking of whiskey. His voice, husky in her ear.

"Victoria"

Not her name. Never her name.

Victoria Blackwood. The curator of the prestigious Metropolitan gallery, one of McQueen subsidiaries and daughter of a member of the board of the McQueen Conglomerate. Ethan's childhood friend and his first love.

Everything Ava wasn't.

"What a terrible aftertaste" Thinking about that woman, Ava gripped the chair more tightly, the invitation to the upcoming exhibition lay beside the dress box, the McQueen family crest embossed in gold leaf catching the light.

"This is definitely one of Victoria's arrangements, I wonder why I was invited" she thought curiously looking over the card.

Two days. Two days until she returns to the mansion to face Ethan...

***

"We're here, madam" The driver's voice interrupted alas thoughts and her eyes snapped open.

She was dozing again and didn't realise they were already at the estate.

"I'm so tired, I should get some proper rest soon" Ava said rubbing her eyes wearily and suppressing a yawn as the driver came around to open her car seat.

"Thank you Andrew" She gave him a wobbly smile which faded as she stared at the huge mansion which stood tall and wide in front of her.

"I'm back" Whispering softly, she gathered her handbag and gripped the handle of her suitcase. Gravel crunched under her feet as she made her way towards the entrance.

Maids in crisp uniforms lined the entryway, heads bowed un respect. Their whispers died as she approached replaced by a chorus of "Welcome home, Mrs. McQueen.

"Thank you everyone" Ava responded absently surrendering her luggage to waiting hands as she made her way up the grand staircase to her room.

Trailing her fingers along the polished banister, her thoughts drifted to the conversation she had with Ethan's assistant that morning.

"The headquarters will be holding an exhibition and a painting of yours caught the eye of a very important client..." The assistant had said stiffly.

"A painting of mine, I don't remember making one, the only painting in my possession is my mother's and it's not ethical to display it without my permission!" Ava said angrily

"Well the piece was presented by Ms. Victoria and Mr Ethan said he'd run it by you and to proceed" a dull reply came back

"I see..., I understand"

A painting her mother had made-A landscape painting of an ethereal creek and mountains-had somehow become her summons to a life she'd been quietly exiled from.

"How ironic is this, the same person drowning me is sending a raft" A laugh escaped her lips.

Halfway up the stairs she heard a noise coming from upstairs followed by muffled laughter, her heart quickened.

Turning to the maid following several steps behind her face bright" The master is home?" She asked as a wide smile spread across her face, "You should have told me!"

"-No madam, wait a second-" The head maid, Viola called out, but it was too late as Ava had picked up her skirt and ran up the stairs to Ethan's bedroom.

She knew he hated been disturbed by anyone especially in the mornings, but she felt the occasion called for it.

She hadn't seen him in a while and...her baby.

She was pregnant and it was only right that the father of her child knew about it.

Opening her handbag, she grabbed the pregnancy report, clutching it with nervous hands, she reached for the door handle and opened it in one swift motion.

"Ethan, I..." Ava's words did on her lips and her smile vanished as she took in the sight before her.

A trail of discarded clothes, shoes carelessly discarded and in the cool morning light coming from the window, she saw a woman sitting primly in her husband's bed in nothing but bright red lace underwear and an amused glint in her eyes.

Ava froze and felt her head ringing.

"Victoria"

Victoria?"

"Why...why are you...?" Her hands trembling with rage,she strode to the bed

"What's going on? What the hell are you doing in my husband's bed dresses like that?!"

Her fist clenched so tightly,bloody moons appeared in her palms,as she glared at the woman on the bed.

"What do you mean?" Victoria stared straight at Ava mischievously,her wide mouth lifting on a smirk "Could it be that this situation is confusing you? Ah ,I understand, it must be because you've never been in it, you know...as Ethan has never touched you?"

A playful smile on her face, Victoria replied,playing with the tassels on her lingerie.

Ava wished that she could backhand that smirk off her face,but she couldn't refute her.

Blinking back tears of anger,she forced her gaze around the room properly,scoffing in disbelief.

The room was dimly lit from the chandelier above,which cast a faint glow around the room,Victoria's dark tresses looked disheveled and telltale marks were on her exposed neck and shoulders.

Coupled with the strewn clothes across the floor of the room and the faint misty smell of sex that lingered.

"Seen enough?"

Victoria's mocking voice reached her ears and before she could respond, Ethan walked in from the shower,his chest bare and a towel wrapped low on his waist, rubbing his jet black hair dry with a small towel,some hair strands sticking to his forehead.

Stopping when he saw Ava and his face grew rigid with a frown.

"How the hell are you here?" Ethan growled and flung the towel in his hands at Ava's feet.

Victoria on hearing Ethan's voice,her eyes grew red and she had an expression of a bullied victim,she called out "Ethan,thank God you're here! She's scaring me".

Ethan rushed to her side and she immediately scurried into his arms trembling and hiding like a bullied rabbit.

'What the hell? why's she acting that way' Ava thought incredulously looking at the scene, watching as Ethan took a stance in front of Victoria,he held her face in his hands, kissed the top of her head and mumbled softly to her.

"It's okay, I'm here,you're safe,She can't hurt you" Ethan looked at Ava over the top of Victoria's head, the smile disappeared from his face as he glared icily at her.

He failed to see the triumphant smile on Victoria's lips as she rubbed her cheeks against his hard chest.

"Ethan,can you tell me what's going on here?" Ava closed her eyes and controlled her breathing to calm down,but her voice still shook when she spoke.

"Why's Miss Victoria here?" 'And why does she act so scared of me' Ava thought puzzles by Victoria's act, 'What was the snake up to this time?'

"That shouldn't concern you woman,Why are you in the capital? No, don't answer that,get out of my room this instant!"

Ethan still stood protectively in front of Victoria as though protecting her from a rabid beast.

Puzzled by his question Ava shot back "It's my business,I'm your wife and I want her out of my house now!" Her voice shaken with emotion,she took a decisive step forward "I will not be disrespected like this under my own roof"

The words had barely left her lips as she reached out to grab Victoria from behind Ethan when she felt something hard hit her across the face.

"Thwack"

"Ah!" Ava stumbled back from the force of the slap, landing on the floor stunned she stared in shock at Ethan,who looked equally shocked, holding her swelling cheeks with trembling hands,her eyes stinging with unshed tears as she looked up at the man she loved

"Huhuuuu" A sobbing sound was heard in the brief silence and Ava looked up shocked, Victoria was crying...

She was the one slapped,why was this woman crying?!

Ethan was glaring at her,while comforting Victoria, his chest heaving as he tried to calm down.

He squatted down to face her and poked at her forehead with one finger.

"Disrespect? Your own roof? In what way are you deserving of that respect? You're just a conniving little bitch who I took pity on and married" his eyes reddened in rage as he pointed a finger at her.

"I've had enough of you,you think because everyone calls you Madam and Mrs. McQueen you can do whatever you want? You're nothing without me and the faster you realize that the better"

"Don't you dare put on airs with me!" Ethan said through gritted teeth, running his hands roughly through his hair.

"Scheming bitch,you disgust me Ava,just go to hell"

Reeling in shock from the slap and the stabbing words,Ava could see Victoria standing behind him,her hands over her mouth,she was sobbing but her eyes were dancing with glee.

Her expression was definitely one of enjoying the show,that look angered Ava so much that she stood up shaking in anger, determined never to back down in front of them.

"Go to hell?,the only one going to hell is you and your shameless mistress, get that bitch out of my house" she fired back,firm although her body shock with suppressed rage.

Ethan smirked and his beautiful green eyes flickered in disdain.

"Or else? What are you going to do?" He walked back to Victoria and gently led her back to the bed,she continued hugging him, even though they were sitting.

"Run to my grandfather and feed him more lies? Too bad he's out of the country, at least he won't see your conniving and hateful face"

"What have you even been going on about?" Ava asked her voice shaking in anger and puzzlement.

Kenneth McQueen, the patriarch of the McQueen Empire,and the only one who treated her like a human in this family.

She glared at the two in front of her,with Victoria snuggled in Ethan's arms caressing her husband's chest.

Her eyes saw red "I said, get out of my house immediately!"

At this,Ethan stood up,walked to the desk in the room,pressed a button,in seconds, a uniformed guard appeared.

"Escort the madam out" Ethan said coldly staring at Ava.

"Madam please,come with me" The guard started and with reluctance held Ava's arm trying to steer her out of the room,but she struggled out of his grip.

"Don't touch me and drag that woman out instead!" She rushed madly to the bed,attempting to pull out Victoria.

Victoria gave a short scream of terror and grabbed onto Ethan,who immediately pushed Ava to the floor off the high bed,cradling Victoria protectively in his arms.

Ava fell to the floor,on her back,her waist hit the side table and a sharp pain shot up her abdomen.

'Shit my baby!' Ava clutched her stomach and gasped loudly as pain racked through her.

"Get her out of my house now!,I do not want to see her face" Ethan yelled at the reluctant guard who immediately sprang into action and roughly dragged Ava outside.

Ava was panting with the pain and when the guard unceremoniously dropped her in front of the house,she called for her driver immediately.

"Andrew...to the hospital,quick" groaning from the pain,she laid limply against the car as the driver immediately helped her into the car and hurrying to start the engine.

'God please,I hope my baby is okay' Ava prayed silently as sweat rolled down her temples and pain surges through her, but it was not like the burning ache in her heart.

Her eyes stung as tears spilled over and rolled down her cheeks.

She sobbed loudly ,not caring about her image,Andrew was distressed and worried.

"Ma'am, please don't cry everything will be ok..oh my God!!" Andrew yelled suddenly as a car suddenly crossed out in front of theirs from a side road.

He swerved sharply to avoid colliding with the car and after screeching and spinning dangerously, it veered into a tree at the side of the road.

A deafening silence ensued.

In the car ,Ava lay unconscious,her head on the headrest in front of her.

A patch of bright red slowly spread on her white dress,a trickle ran down her legs, staining the seat she sat on.

"Argh that hurts"

The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, a constant companion to the rhythmic beeping of machines. Ava's eyelids fluttered against the harsh brightness.

Her throat felt like sandpaper, each swallow a painful reminder that something was wrong. She tried to move her right arm, but a sharp pain shot through her shoulder.

An IV needle tugged at the back of her left hand when she lifted it to touch her throbbing temple.

White sheets. Sterile smell. Hospital gown scratching against her skin.

Fragments of memory flickered through her mind...screeching tires, shattering glass, the metallic taste of blood. Then darkness.

"You're awake," a familiar voice said from somewhere to her left.

Ava turned her head slowly, wincing at the protest from her neck muscles. Andrew sat in a plastic chair, his uniform wrinkled, dark circles beneath his eyes. His driver's cap was clutched between his fingers, twisting nervously.

"Water," she managed to croak.

Andrew jumped up, pouring from a plastic pitcher on the bedside table. He held the cup to her lips, supporting her head with his other hand.

"Please drink slowly," he said as she gulped greedily. "Doctor said small sips."

The cool liquid soothed her parched throat. She sank back against the pillows, cataloging her injuries. Bandages wrapped her right wrist. Her ribs ached with each breath. A dull throb pulsed behind her eyes.

"How long have I been out for?" she asked.

"A day," Andrew answered, setting the cup down. His hands shook slightly. "They kept you sedated because of the concussion. The other driver ran a red light. I tried to swerve but..." His voice cracked. "I'm so sorry, Mrs. McQueen."

"Not your fault," Ava whispered, reaching for his hand. His fingers were cold against hers. "You're hurt too." She nodded toward the butterfly bandages closing a gash on his forehead.

Andrew touched the wound absently. "Just a scratch. You took the brunt of it." He stared at his shoes, shoulders hunched.

"My baby... where's the doctor? How's my baby?" She asked quietly.

The doctor walked into the room "You're awake,ma'am" he said smiling as he checked her vitals "Everything is looking good"

"Really? Then my baby...?" Ava whispered softly afraid of the answer "is my baby fine?"

The smile on the doctor's face stiffened, he looked at Ava,closed his eyes, slowly shaking his head.

"We couldn't save the baby,Mrs McQueen" He bowed in apology "I'm sorry for your loss".

Ava's throat burned with unshed tears,she struggled to speak but her voice came out surprisingly clear

"It's dead?"

Taken aback by her voice which was void of emotion,the doctor looked at her wondering if the loss had somehow triggered a mental issue.

"It's important you stay calm ma'am" he said "Although you suffered significant shock from the crash,the sustained injuries are not fatal and you can still conceive in the future with proper care and rest".

"My injuries were not that severe?" She asked quietly.

Then, had she lost her baby even before the crash?

'Ah...it must have happened then' she thought bitterly.

When Victoria had pushed her off the bed and she fell on her back, that stabbing pain...

Ava looked around the ward and noted his absence "My husband?"

"I have informed the boss, he told me he'd be here soon and for you to rest" Andrew said softly avoiding Ava's eyes.

"Haha,Did he now?" Ava said, her voice dripping with coldness.

Andrew did not want to tell her the truth ,that Ethan had dismissed him harshly when he had called.

"Take her to the hospital,the doctors will do their job,call my assistant about stuff like this next time" Ethan had hung up before Andrew could get a word out,but he couldn't possibly tell her that.

Ava stared at him,her face unreadable.

She knew he was lying but at this point she was past caring.

"Start the discharge process" She said her tone weak but firm "Now".

Her head was throbbing with pain and each breath she took hurt.

"No, you cannot" The doctor flinched when Ava glared at him for his rebuttal, but he maintained a professional stance.

"We need you to remain here so we can run some tests and be sure you're ready to leave, please be patient and let us help you".

Saying this he walked out to make preparations,however as soon as the door shut behind him.

Ava sat up and slid out of the bed with difficulty

"Get me my clothes Andrew" Yanking loose the IV line in her wrist,her eyes unflinching from the pain.

Andrew winced and looked at her,wondering if she lost her ability to feel with her child.

"Ma'am, please you heard the doctor..."

"If you aren't coming, that's okay, I'd find my way out without you" Ava finished dressing up and started walking out,ignoring the pain in her head.

"Ma'am please hold on" Andrew tried to hold on to her, but she didn't stop.

"Please you're not well enough to be discharged,just two days, if you go out now, the boss will be sad if anything happened to you" Andrew begged as he walked quickly behind Ava.

Ava stopped mid-stride and Andrew almost collided with her.

"He'd be sad? Haha, Ethan will? I don't think so,he'd probably prefer if I never recovered!" She shot back, her eyes murderous.

Andrew shrank back in terror 'Merde, what has happened to the madam?' he wondered in fear.

"Quit spouting nonsense and get a cab here this instant!"

"That...Mrs McQueen?" A tentative voice faltered behind her.

"What?!" She spun around to see a young nurse,holding a tab and staring nervously at them.

"Someone's here to see you"

***

Ava slid into the back of the hailed cab, lost in thought again, with Andrew in front.

"Take me to crest's avenue" She ordered and looked out the window ignoring Andrew's shocked and worried look.

Yes, she was still going back to the mansion.

Andrew fidgeted in his seat worried.

He did not want her to return there, he had an inkling of what was going on back at the estate and feared she'd get hurt again.

"Ma'am, can you rethink this? I really think you should stay back at the hospital for one more day..."

Ava glanced at him from the side of her eyes, Andrew grew silent for a while before he spoke again.

"That person..."

"Come to think of it, today is the day of the exhibition hosted by that woman, so Ethan will be at the event Styx garden" Ava said, interrupting Andrew's words.

"Take me to Styx garden"

Andrew whipped his head back to look at her in shock,.

'Was she going to the exhibition in this state?!'

With her battered dress and bandages wrapped around her head?

He stared at her silently as she sat still lost in thought, a small smile playing on her lips and a cold glint in her eyes, scared, he closed his eyes and wished nothing bad will happen.

The taxi soon arrived at Styx gardens, Ava could hear the soft music coming from the band in the garden, the chattering of people dressed elegantly, standing in front of displayed artworks holding the flute of their champagne glasses, they faces registering puzzlement when the saw her.

Ava ignored them, trudging through the mill of people and whispers looking for Ethan.

She caught sight of him, in a cheery discussion with some business associate at the side of the pool, talking animatedly, his face flush with joy and that smile, the one she'd loved so much but now it made her sick.

Ava's hands clenched by her side as she steadied her breath, he hurt her and her child, she'd never forgive him, 'Who gave him permission to smile like that?'

Their gaze met and his smile disappeared as he watched her approach him , he excused himself and started to move towards her with a dark look on his face.

Ava's face was equally dark with a smile which puzzled him into stopping a few feet from her.

His shock was intensified when he heard her say cheerily "Hello, Ethan you motherf*cker, I am divorcing you!"