Chapter 3

Ava watched as the drama unfolded in her presence. She couldn't believe that Gale Edinburgh had a daughter the same age as her yet he chose to forcefully marry someone around her age.

"Why dad? Why?" Liz fell to the ground. All the excitement she had before coming has been replaced regrettably with sadness and betrayal. This was definitely not the idea of surprise she had in mind when she took the earliest flight back home.

"How could you do this to me? To mom?" She cried.

"I'm really sorry baby, I tried but it wasn't easy." Gale tried to touch his daughter but she snapped at him, pushing him away.

"Don't touch me! I hate you!"

Liz could feel the scars that she thought were healed reopen. The pain she was feeling now is no different from the one she felt nine years ago.

She raised her head and saw Ava still curled up on the bed and slowly walked up to her.

Pa!!

A slap landed on Ava's face leaving a handprint on it. She cried and winced in pain, holding her face with her palm. For the second time today, Ava experienced dizziness and counted stars.

"Is everyone in this family this ruthless?" She felt broken.

"I don't want to see you near my father, you pathetic, disgusting bitch!" Liz threatened.

"I never chose this marriage in the first place, why do I have to suffer for it?" Ava sobbed.

"I know bitches like you. All you care about is money! You think because you are beautiful, you can get in bed with any man you want." Liz pointed her fingers at her. "Well let me tell you. The next time I see you anywhere near my father, I'd shred you to pieces and feed you to the wolves."

In Ava's eyes, there is no difference between the father and daughter. They both think their wealth gave them the power to throw people around as they wish.

"You should also warn your so-called father not to forcefully marry his friend's daughter!" Ava retorted. She was going to leave anyways, she didn't want to leave as a coward. Revealing her father's shameful deed to her is the best move.

"What do you mean?" Liz moved closer than before to pay close attention. She thought she heard wrong.

"My father was a friend of your father's before he died!" Ava answered.

Liz's shoulders became liquid.

"Dad, please tell me she's lying!" Her eyes searched her father's dark eyeball and when he was unable to utter any words., she realized it was nothing but the truth.

"How low do you have to go, dad?" She felt disappointed and disgusted at his sight.

"You disgust me!"

"Don't say that, Liz." Gale's face looked apologetic.

"I will make you and your family pay for this shame you brought me." He turned his gaze to Ava's direction. His eyes blazing with anger.

Ava gritted her teeth and cursed inwardly.

"Don't bring me into this. I didn't ask for this, you brought it on yourself!"

"HOW DARE YOU!" Gale's bursted out in anger but Liz was quick to interfere.

"That's enough dad! I've had enough of this drama," she screamed at the top of her voice "What are you still doing here!"

Ava picked up the cue and ran out with her heels in her hands. She couldn't afford to piss them off more than they have. Any more than that, it would be her funeral.

"I'm leaving now, Dad! Don't look for me!" Liz motioned out leaving Gale alone in the room.

For the first time in a long time, Gale Edinburgh felt helpless and angry. The last time he felt like that was when his wife died and now he found himself in the same horrible state.

"Why didn't you inform me of my daughter's arrival!" He yelled at his lackeys who were standing guard at the door.

"We couldn't Master. She made sure of that," one of the lackeys replied.

It is true that his daughter always gets what she wants and would choose any method possible. Getting angry at his lackeys would be nothing but useless and futile.

"Get me on a call with Don! I will make Ava Faine feel the pain she's never felt and make her life more miserable than it already is!"

"Yes sir!" They bowed and left immediately.

---

Standing outside the mansion, Ava immersed herself in the beautiful landscape that spread hundreds of kilometers away from the city. Never in her wildest dreams did she think she would get married and be rejected the same day. But deep down she felt butterflies in her belly. It was better that way, she was never going to be happy in a marriage that she was forced into let alone with a scrawny old man.

She spat on the ground and walked out still dressed in her wedding dress.

"I need to find a new outfit." She whispered to herself.

After walking a few kilometers, she found a phone booth by the roadside with a young man inside it. She quickly ran over to ask for help.

"Hello mister, May I borrow a little change from you. I desperately need to make a call and I have no money with me. I will pay you back, I promise." She asked earnestly.

The young man was none other than Luther Herald, a successful CEO at a very young age, known for his ability to win over the heart of any one he meets whether male or female. He was recently awarded the youngest and influential CEO in the entire country.

Luther was on his way to meet some investors that were interested in funding the new project his company just launched and unfortunately he had a flat tire in the middle of nowhere. He tried to call for help on his phone but the signal was too low to send out a call so he came down and trekked until he saw the payphone.

Luther Herald sized her up, giving her a scrutiny check from head to toe. He wondered why a beautiful girl in a wedding dress could be walking alone in this remote area. After further inspection, he noticed that the hem of her gown had been shredded into pieces. He assumed that something terrible must have happened to her but it was none of his business. He had other important and pressing things to do.

"No problem. Here, have it." He handed her some coins to slot into the machine.

"Thank you sir. You are too kind."

She immediately snatched the phone from him in excitement, forgetting that he was still on a call.

"Hey…"

Before he could finish speaking, she had punched the red button, ending the call and slid in the coin in the small pocket on the machine.

She entered some digits from memory and the phone rang repeatedly the first time but there was no response and no voicemail prompt. She tried again the second time and that was the lucky charm.

"Hey Trent. It's me Ava." She said in an excited voice but was met with a raspy voice.

"Do I know you?" He replied bluntly.

"What do you mean? It's me, Ava Faine, your love!"

"I know who you are. How bold of you to utter that word." Trent said, a frown creeping onto his face.

"Everything has been settled. I'm no longer married to him. I need you to come pick me up," She explained.

"How does that concern me!"

Trent was upset. He loved Ava with everything he had, even if it is too little but at least he was faithful to her. Gale Edinburgh came and snatched what was once his and it seemed to him that Ava wanted it. To him, she didn't give it a fight but she chose to shamelessly marry a wealthy man.

"What are you saying, Trent? I'm scared. Please, come and pick me up from this place."

"Listen you cheater! Don't you ever call me again. You'll regret it if you do!" Trent threatened and the call ended abruptly.

Ava stared motionlessly at the phone in her hand. Everything came as a shock to her and she hoped she was dreaming. Her boyfriend who she was with a few days ago, encouraging her until her stepmother came to drag her was suddenly acting weird.

She dialed the number again to be sure she wasn't dreaming.

"Are you deaf! Don't ever call me again!"

The first time was doubtful but the second is unbelievable. She didn't know when the tears came rushing out and she collapsed.

Luther Herald who was watching the whole drama, rushed over to check if she was unconscious.

"Hey, are you okay!"

He tapped her face lightly repeatedly but there was no response. Quickly, he checked her pulse and noticed it was weak.

He carried her on his back and ran to his vehicle.