Chapter Four
1364 Words
Ava's POV
I straightened my blazer, inhaling deeply as I stood in front of the office building.
It had been a month since I started living with Lauren, and while I appreciated her kindness, I was weary of feeling like I was imposing on her. It was time for me to regain my independence.
As I walked through the doors, the refreshing air enveloped me, sharply contrasting with the turmoil in my head. I was here for a job interview, eager to restore a sense of normalcy to my life.
“Ms. Morales?” a voice interrupted my thoughts.
I looked over to see a man in a suit, probably in his fifties, waiting by the reception desk. “I’m Mr. Thompson, the hiring manager. Please, follow me.”
I nodded, forcing a smile as I followed him into the conference room. The walls were adorned with motivational posters, yet all I could concentrate on was the tightening knot in my stomach.
“Please, take a seat,” he gestured toward the chair opposite him.
“Thank you,” I said, smoothing my skirt as I settled down.
“Let’s dive in. Your resume shows you have quite an impressive background,” he remarked, glancing over the documents in front of him. “But I need to ask—how are you feeling?”
I paused, sensing the direction this conversation was heading. “I’m managing well. You don't have to worry about my medical reports sir, I’m ready to put in the effort, trust me, you wouldn't even know I'm sick”
Mr. Thompson leaned back, his expression skeptical. “I admire your determination, but given your current health issues, I can’t hire someone who’s nearly incapacitated.”
My heart sank. “I assure you, I can manage the job’s demands. I’ve been navigating my treatment, and I’m dedicated to making this work, please sir you've to help me, I'm overly qualified for this role”
He shook his head, his tone dismissive. “I’m sorry, but I can’t take that chance. Thank you for coming in. I think it’s best if you leave now.”
I blinked back tears, my hopes crumbling around me. “Thank you for your time,” I murmured, my voice barely audible.
As I exited the building, I battled the overwhelming wave of despair. I felt like I was losing control. Back at Lauren’s house, I inhaled deeply and pushed the door open, fatigue pressing down on me.
“Lauren?” I called out, but the house was silent. I made my way to the living room, hoping to find her there.
What I encountered made my heart stop.
Julian and Lauren were locked in a passionate kiss on the couch, completely unaware of my presence. The sight felt like a knife twisting in my gut.
“What the hell!” I shouted, my voice cracking. They broke apart, shock evident on their faces.
“Ava!” Lauren gasped, her eyes wide with shock.
It was clear she hadn’t anticipated my arrival, especially since she had just called a few minutes and I told her I might be late due to a potential interview.
But the manager hadn’t let me explain; he had ordered security to throw me out, claiming I was trying to cause trouble.
“Tell me what’s happening!” I yelled, tears streaming down my face. “What is going on?”
Lauren’s face turned serious. “Ava, it’s not what you think”
“Then what is it?” I pressed, my heart pounding. “I thought you were my friend, Lauren!”
“We didn’t want you to find out like this,” she admitted, guilt evident in her tone. “But I guess now is the time. We’ve been together since before you even met Julian.”
I immediately burst into laughter trying to fight my tears. “What do you mean you both have been together before I met Julian? So you set me up with your boyfriend? So, meeting…Julian at that spot that night was not a coincidence?”
Julian moved closer, his voice barely above a whisper. “Ava, you were in a vulnerable place. I needed to be the one to rescue you, to make you fall for me.”
“Why?” I managed to ask, my heart breaking. “Why would you do this?”
Lauren’s expression twisted with bitterness. “Because I’ve always envied you! Your life seems perfect! Everything has always been handed to you, and I wanted that for myself!”
I felt as if the ground had vanished beneath me. “I supported you through school! I convinced my parents to give you a scholarship because your family was struggling!”
“That was your decision!” she shot back, her voice escalating. “You were the golden girl and I was just the overlooked friend, always struggling to keep up.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “And this is how you choose to repay me? By cheating with my husband?”
Julian stood there, arms crossed, a smug look on his face. “Oh, and just so you know, we’re tying the knot in a few weeks. Lauren’s pregnant. Something you couldn't do in two years. You're just good for nothing”
The impact of his words struck me like a ton of bricks. My vision blurred as I tried to grasp the enormity of the betrayal. “I can’t believe this,” I murmured. “I can’t believe either of you.”
In a moment of fury, I turned to Lauren. “How could you do this to me?”
Before she could answer, I raised my hand and slapped her across the face. The sound echoed in the room, sharp and final.
“What the hell, Ava?” Lauren exclaimed, her hand flying to her cheek.
Julian stepped between us, his expression furious. “You have no right to hit my fiancée!” He raised his hand and slapped me back, the sting igniting a fire within me.
“Don’t you dare touch her!” he shouted, his voice thunderous.
I staggered back, disbelief flooding my senses. “You think you can defend her after what you both did?”
“Ava, just stop!” Lauren cried, her voice shaky. “This isn’t how it should be!”
“Then how should it be, Lauren?” I shouted, my voice cracking under the weight of my emotions. “Explain it to me!”
“I didn’t want you to find out like this!” she pleaded, desperation in her eyes. “I thought it would be easier!”
“Easier for whom?” I spat, my heart racing. “This is a betrayal, Lauren! You could have told me!”
Julian crossed his arms, a smug smile returning to his face. “You were too busy wallowing in self-pity to notice. You were never meant for him, Ava.”
I shook my head, the tears streaming down my face. “You’re both monsters. You’ve taken everything from me.”
“We were just trying to protect you from the truth,” Lauren said, her voice softening.
“Protect me?” I echoed, incredulous. “This is how you protect me?”
The tension in the room was palpable, the air thick with unspoken words. I could feel my heart racing, the betrayal cutting deeper than I ever thought possible.
“Just leave, Ava,” Julian sneered. “You’ve overstayed your welcome.”
I looked at them both, my heart shattered into a million pieces. “You’ll regret this,” I whispered, turning to leave.
Without waiting for a response, I bolted from the house, my heart racing. I stumbled into the rain-drenched street, the world around me spinning out of control.
I had no idea where I was headed, only that I needed to get away.
As I stepped off the curb, my mind swirling with the weight of their betrayal, a car came barreling around the corner, its headlights piercing the darkness.
I barely heard the screech of tires before everything faded to black.
- Writer
