Ava’s POV

Orion hesitated, his tall frame silhouetted by the harsh hospital light. His usual confidence seemed frayed at the edges, his shoulders tense as though he were bracing for impact. And then, she followed.

Chloe.

Clinging to his arm like a snake curling around its prey, her perfectly manicured nails dug into his sleeve. She wore that smug smile—the kind that promised she already thought she'd won. Her eyes flitted to me, fake concern dripping from her voice.

Seeing them made me realize the extent of human emotions. I loathed them both with an intensity that coursed through my entire body.

“Oh, Ava, sweetheart,” Chloe cooed, her words dripping with venomous pity. “You look so fragile. Orion insisted on bringing me along, of course. He was worried and I was too.”

I gripped the hospital sheets tightly, my knuckles turning white. How I wish there was a way to translate my anger and fury into actual words so they could feel it. “Get out,” I rasped.

“Oh, we just want to see how you’re doing. Especially after I learnt that it was my ex—”

Rose’s voice cut through Chloe’s act like a blade. “You heard her. Get out.”

Ex? Is that the best they could come up with? Is that what they told the police to cover their tracks?

Chloe’s smile didn’t falter. She shifted closer to Orion, her arm curling more possessively around his. “Orion and I wanted to be here for her. Isn’t that sweet?”

I looked at him then, and the sight nearly broke me. He wasn’t shrugging her off, wasn’t defending himself. He just stood there, silent, his jaw clenched tight. A million unspoken words hung between us.

“Chloe,” he muttered finally, stepping out of her grasp and away from her clingy hold. “That’s enough. I didn’t ask you to be here.”

Her expression faltered, but she quickly recovered, flipping her hair back with practiced ease. “Fine. Say whatever you want. I’m only trying to be supportive.”

“Supportive?” Rose barked, practically shaking with rage. “Ava doesn’t need your support, she has people who would support her. You have no business being here.”

Tension hung thick in the air as Chloe shot Rose a glare, and I felt my stomach churn. This was too much—too soon. I was done with this circus.

My body ached, my mind frayed at the seams, and they were standing here pretending like this was normal. Like I wouldn’t rip this entire room apart with my fury if I had the strength.

Before I could snap, the door opened again, and Mason strode in like a storm brewing on the horizon. His sharp, gray eyes narrowed immediately on Orion and Chloe, his voice low but thunderous.

“What the hell is going on here?”

“Mason—” I started, but the words caught in my throat. Seeing him all protective made me want to bawl my eyes out. For once, I felt like there’s someone who would fight for me. By my side.

He ignored me, advancing on Orion and Chloe with the full force of his rage. “You two need to leave. Now.”

Chloe rolled her eyes, feigning boredom. “And who do you think you are? Her husband? The hospital security?”

Mason didn’t flinch. “If you’re not out of here in ten seconds, I’ll become security and drag you out myself.”

“It’s you again.” Orion’s voice was calm, but there was something unsteady in his tone, something almost pleading. “I have a right to be here. Ava’s my wife.”

“Not anymore,” I whispered. The room went silent.

I forced myself to sit up, my hands trembling as I gathered the strength to speak louder. “Not anymore, Orion. You don’t have any right.” My voice cracked, but I didn’t care. I met his stunned gaze head-on, letting him see the fire smoldering beneath my exhaustion. “You can leave. Take your mistress with you.”

Chloe smirked, smug as ever, but Orion froze.

“Ava…” he began, stepping closer, but I shook my head, my tears blurring my vision for no reason. Why am I tearing up?!

“No. Don’t you dare say my name like you are innocent.” The words were sharp, cutting through the room like glass. “You lost every right the moment you saw me as an object that needed to be removed. When you—” My voice broke as I choked on the rest, my shoulders trembling.

I wanted to say when he chose Chloe over me but that would make me sound more pathetic than I already am.

Rose stepped forward, placing a protective hand on my arm. “You heard her, Mr Miller. Leave.”

The tension was suffocating. Orion turned to me one last time, his expression raw, his fists clenching and unclenching at his sides. For a brief moment, I stupidly thought he might fight it—might stay.

But then Mason stepped closer, his presence looming behind him. “She doesn’t want you here,” Mason said coldly. “You need to respect that. Or I will make you leave.”

Chloe huffed, tugging at Orion’s sleeve. “Come on, let’s go. You’ve embarrassed yourself enough.”

He didn’t move. Not at first. His gaze stayed locked on mine, the unspoken words between us growing louder in the silence. Finally, he turned, his shoulders slumping as he followed Chloe out of the room. The door clicked shut behind them, leaving the room feeling emptier.

I collapsed back against the pillows, every ounce of energy drained from me. My chest rose and fell rapidly as I tried to catch my breath.

Mason sat at the edge of my bed, his voice gentle. “You okay?”

I didn’t answer. I couldn’t. I just nodded.

Because despite the storm that had just raged through my hospital room, it wasn’t over. Not yet. They will find a way to do worse.

I could feel it in my bones—that this was only the beginning. They were more than ready to get me out of their lives. Dead or dead.

I can’t give them another chance to break me. Never.

---

That night, as I drifted in and out of a restless sleep, a soft rustling woke me. I cracked my eyes open, my heart pounding as I saw a shadowy figure standing at the foot of my bed.

It wasn’t Rose.

It wasn’t a nurse.

Is this another plan of theirs? Have they come to finish what they started? I was still lost, trying to make out the figure hidden in the shadow. Suddenly, a hand clamped down on my mouth roughly. Someone’s face leaned closer to my ears. The voice was a whisper, chilling and low.

“I told you, Ava… this isn’t over.”

And I screamed.