3rd person POV

Julian's lawyer walked into the hospital ward looking like someone had stolen his wallet. He stood before Ava before pulling out a seat to sit on.

He opened his bag to bring out the divorce papers. “Ms Ava, please sign these papers and free my client”. The lawyer spat.

Ava did not know if crying was the best option or if she was to smile at this point. He did not even allow her to recover before bringing the papers to her. It had been said that humans were worse than animals, Julian proved that saying right.

“And if I refuse to sign?” She said, to what extent would they go to get rid of her. Oh she forgot, they had already proved it.

Her marriage stood as an obstacle to Julian being with Lina. He was in no position to force her, as he was the one who drugged her.

“ Then my client will have to take drastic actions. Your adultery will be made known to the public. I am sure you would not want that, considering the fact that you are an illegitimate child. Your mother will be questioned. The media will hound you”. The lawyer replied with a smug tone.

Ava felt her heart skip a beat. She had always lived her life differently from her mother's. Her mother gave birth to her out of wedlock. Her mother had died untimely, that was why she was illegitimate as her mother did not marry her father.

She was five when her father had remarried. Then Lina was born. She was kept in the care of her stepmother.

As every stepmother, Jennifer tolerated her. She had kept her hatred hidden. But she never bothered about Ava. They lived together in peace. The peace lasted till her father's death.

Her father had shared the property between his two daughters. When the will was read, Jennifer had been enraged. She wanted everything for her daughter. She had done everything to frustrate Ava.

“Ms Ava, sign the papers fast, I have limited time here.” He was putting pressure on her.

Ava moved carefully to sit upright without the infusion being affected. She collected the pen from the lawyer.

The papers stated that she was not to take anything away from the house. The shares her father had given to her were also not in her possession anymore.

Julian had stated that she engaged in adultery so her property was given to him as compensation. Ava's hand shook with anger and bitterness as she read the conditions.

She took in a breath, stilled herself and signed the papers.The papers that freed her from a loveless marriage, the papers that freed her from her hypocritical relationships. The papers that also thrust her into a life of poverty.

She handed the papers back to him. He collected it and placed it into his briefcase. He then looked at her and smiled. His client would pay him handsomely.

“ Have a good life Ms Ava and take care” the lawyer greeted. He stood up and left the room.

The moment the door closed, the dam burst. Hot tears streamed down her face. She was ruined, financially ruined, emotionally ruined. She was officially empty.

No husband, No parents. No sister. No one to stand beside her. The sister she thought was true was nothing but slow poison waiting to kill. She had no one. Who would she go to for help?

She cried until there were no more tears left. Her eyes stung. She had nothing else besides the clothes she wore last. It seemed the nurse had folded it and left it beside the bed.

*****

The lawyer stepped out of the hospital and into a car. Julian and Shameless Lina were in the car.

“How did it go, did she sign it?” Julian asked the lawyer.

The lawyer laughed”She had to. I threatened her with her scandal and her status as an illegitimate child.”

He boasted.

“She did not want her mother's name to be soiled”.

“I knew you were capable of making Ava dance to our tunes. I will increase your fees, don't worry”. Julian replied with glee. He was like a child who was given candy.

“Thank God, I am now free from that so-called bondage called marriage.”

He had been pretending for the last five months. Seriously, he hated that girl.

“Darling, you are simply the best. '' Lina placed her head on his shoulders, running her hands through his chest, purring like a cat.

They kissed hungrily and the lust blinded Julian was feeling elated. The chauffeur turned the car on and left.

****

No one even bothered about her well being as she remained in the hospital.

She ordered food as she was hungry. She had found her phone by the bedside. She was thankful for it.

Thankfully, she had little money saved in an account only she knew of. With this , she was able to pay the hospital bills. She got discharged. Now it was time to leave. She could not go back to that house, so she had to go to her stepmother's house for now.

The house had belonged to her father, so she still had some right to it. Or so she thought. She would stay there for a while and figure out the way forward for her life.

She hailed a cab and told him the address. She was of the opinion that Jennifer would support her. She would definitely not be in support of her daughter’s actions. Even though she did not care for her , she had been the one to get her marriage fixed with Julian. She was at fault for forcing her to be with that man whore.

If she got to know that her daughter had been part of breaking up the marriage that she worked hard to cause, Jennifer would be angry at her daughter.

The cab came to a halt at the address. He turned to inform her, but was surprised at the fact that she was crying. She was lost in thoughts that she did not hear the driver. She sat still like a lifeless corpse.

The cab driver shook his head sadly, Everyone was going through one thing or the other. He saw that she was sad and distraught but did not know what could be the problem.

He had his battles to fight and as much as he would have loved to help, he could not trespass. He sighed,looking around as he called out. “ Ma'am, we have arrived. ‘

But Ava, lost in thought, did not hear him speak. He called out again and tapped her. Ava was startled , looking around. She saw that they had arrived and the driver was looking at her. She felt embarrassed.

The man had been calling her for a while now and she did not hear him at all. He had to tap her to get her attention.

She wiped her tears, coming down from the cab hurriedly. She gave the man his money. As she moved to go inside , she heard the man's voice “ I do not know you ma'am but I know that you are facing troubles but don't give up. Everything will be alright”. Ava smiled for the first time in a while.

At least a stranger cared for her, even if her relationship had failed , there were still good people out there.

“Thank you” she shouted to the cab driver who was already driving away.

She then walked in the gate. The guard greeted her.

The moment she reached the doorstep, her mind went blank upon hearing the voices speaking.

Ava was shocked to the bone. She was rendered speechless. Even the song speechless was not enough to describe the way she felt.

“I finally got everything I wanted. That fool should have never been allowed to live in this house from the beginning. But now everything was in its rightful place. It all belonged to me” Jennifer said excitedly.

She appeared to be with some people. Ava never thought that she would be a victim of a plan so disgusting, so inhumane.

“I had told you to leave everything in my hands aunty. I stripped her off everything that she had. Ah I not only ruined her financially, I also gave her to a hooker. Now she is not innocent anymore”.

“Who is going to marry a poor and adulterous woman? Such women drive men far away from them.” Julian praised himself like he had done something worth remembering. After all ,Ava refused to sleep with him. It had hurt his ego very much.

“ Mom, hope you see now that Julian Is the best husband for me. I had told you that he would prove himself. He has proven that he is the most competent son in law” Lina announced.

“ absolutely my darling Lina, congratulations on your win” Jennifer said and Ava heard the sound of glasses clinking.

They were having a toast to her ruin?. She pulled the door knob and stepped on. The hypocrites were surprised when they saw her and none of them could say anything for a moment.

Ava's hand clenched into a fist. They plotted against her and she like a fool fell into their traps gullibly.

She looked around, at the people in the room. There were four in number, her dear ex husband,his malicious mother, her pretentious step sister and her wicked stepmother.

They ruined her.

But they would pay, she would make sure of that.

“Tsk tsk tsk, look who we have here, the unfaithful woman. You still have the audacity to return to this house. You seem to have sold your remaining shame, who knows perhaps you gave your body out in exchange as well for good.” Jennifer mocked her.

She scanned Ava from head to toe. She walked over and walked around her. Before she burst out laughing.

“ I believe you must have heard the conversation right?

Well let me tell you about how this whole thing started.

I had planned this a long time ago with my friend. Irene. “

We had his son help us execute the whole plan In exchange for his marriage with Lina. I forced you into this marriage so that we could get everything back”

That is why Julian never touched her and did not have sex with you. He was Lina's before and after. He would not waste his time and his manliness on you. We organized the party solely for this purpose and Julian was the one who drugged you. You were sent to an unknown man and you know the rest like.”

*This house is out of bounds for you. If you dare step here again,I will break your legs. I have taken care of you for all your life. So now you can live with those memories.” Jennifer includes without guilt.

Ava wanted to cry but held her tears. She will not appear weak before the people otherwise they will build on it and use it to taunt her.”

“What have I ever done to you to deserve this ?. Ava asked. She wanted to know what their reason was. Was it because her father had split the properties into two. She was her father's eldest daughter. Or was it because her parents could not get married before giving birth to her. ?

“It is because you are Bosco's illegitimate daughter .” Jennifer replied and eyed her before drinking from her wine glass.

“Julian and I are already married, Ava, look,” Lina interrupted, raising a finger and letting Ava see the diamond ring on her finger.

“Congratulations Lena I wish you both happiness and all that you truly deserve. Ava replied, while Julian was looking at her dumbfounded.

She was not wishing them happiness at all , what she meant by all that they truly deserve was that karma would come to bite them in the ass. It seemed that Julian knew what she was talking about.

He was not in any position to speak about it but he knew that she was bitter and vengeful.

He felt nervous with the way Jennifer treated Ava but what difference was there between them. He was now at a point of no return. He couldn't change his mistakes even if he tried to. It did all this because he was promised the entire Brown empire if he married the legitimate daughter.

What else was Ava waiting for ? there was nothing left for her in that house. She turned around and left. When she reached the gates, she stopped and looked back at the house where all her childhood.

This was the house where her father had played with her where all the fun memories were created. Now she was nothing but a stranger to that place.

She left the mansion, the guard greeting her again. She walked like a lifeless corpse. The tears she had been holding back were now running free. The tears were hot against her cheeks.

She strolled down the street, wandering like a lost soul. She was moving on the road when her friend from her childhood saw her.

“Ava, ava” she called out and ran to her. Ava suddenly turned and saw that a car was coming at high speed towards her.

Clara rushed and pulled Ava away from the road. The car zoomed off, the owner shouting at Ava for standing on the road.

“Do you have a death wish? Ava, what is wrong with you? Clara scolded her angrily. Ava's face was pale, her eyes red and full of tears.

“Thank you Clara, I am just tired” Ava said, she would have been dead by now if Clara had not come there on time.

Maybe dieing was the better option , after all she had nothing left. Her miserable life would be over and she would finally be free of this cruel world. She preferred to die at this point.

Murmurs were heard from the sidewalk,as some people were asking if she was alright while some were asking if she was blind.

The others simply pitied her shaking their head and left.

Clara took her by her hand, mohing away from there.

“where were you going Ava? Clara inquired. Last time she had heard about Ava was that she had gotten married a few months back. It was a quiet wedding as not many knew about it.

“I don't know,” Ava answered truthfully. She did not have a home, niehter did she have anywhere to stay. Maybe of she was lucky , she would find a bench at a corner to sleep on.

Why was she looking so miserable? Where were her family members? Her husband, sister? Clara wondered.

“ How can you say that you do not know? Where do you live? Clara curiously asked. She was married so she definitely would have a house. And her father's mansion as well.

“I have no home anymore, Clara. Perhaps death would be a better option for me”. Ava replied with sobs.

Clara immediately understood the issue. Ava was definitely going through a tough time. It seemed that it was related to her marriage. She wanted to ask more questions but felt it would be inconsiderate of her to do that at this point.

She called a cab and took Ava home with her.

Clara lived with a modest house with her brother and mother. It was little compared to what Ava was used to so she only hoped that Ava would feel comfortable there.

Clara's mother saw that Clara had returned home with someone. She recognized her, it was her child's old friend. She welcomed Ava. She was about to inquire about Ava’s wellbeing. But when she saw her sorrowful look, she did not ask.

“ My dear, you are welcome to stay her as long as you want” Clara's mother said. Clara had told her that she had nowhere to stay for now.

“Clara , show her the guest room. Dear freshen up and come back to eat alright. I have prepared Clara's favorite food today. I hope you will like it”.

She took her bath and ate. Luckily, Clara gave her some clothes to wear as that were almost the same figure.

Ava could not believe that she would be treated so well by someone who was not family. She had received great hospitality from them. Life. An old friend who had become family.

Three days had passed since she started living there. They had spared no effort to make her smile. And it had finally paid off. She smiled to a joke Clara's little brother had cracked.

No one asked her anything for the mean time. Until she became free with them. She was still a bit reserved but nothing like before.

Clara's mother had called both Clara and Ava that evening after a fun time.

“What happened to you, Ava” Mrs Castello asked.

Ava was scared to speak. What would happen to her if Mrs Castello decides that she was an immoral woman and decided to kick her out of the house. It would not really matter if she was at fault or not. Where would she go?

Rosa did not speak a word. She was in no position to speak, for two reasons. One, she did not know her story. Two, and even if she did know ,she would not do it, it was not her story to tell.

She did not know what had happened to Ava for her to be in this state and for her to ask for death like it was a joke.

She looked at Ava and both of them kicked eyes with each other. Ava's head bowed as fresh tears streamed out like a river.

Clara's mother saw this and she was troubled . The girl seemed to have gone through challenges that had broken her.

She should have asked, she blamed herself. Now she had reopened the girl's old wounds. Nobody would like that.

She did not want her to feel hurt anymore.

"You don't have to say anything Ava if you don't want to. I'm sorry to have asked you in the first place," Clara’s mother coaxed and had given up on hearing Ava's story when the latter sniffled and smiled faintly.

She told them all that befell her and how she ended up in the hospital. How that heartless bastard had sent his lawyer to get her to sign the divorce papers.

Clara shed a few tears for her friend's story. How can someone be so cruel to another person's daughter simply because she was her husband's daughter and not hers?

"How was it my fault that my parents had me out of wedlock? Or how am I to be blamed for my parents' inability to suppress their sexual desires for each other? I am bearing the brunt of her affairs,"

Such a malicious conspiracy to throw me out shamefully. If this had happened when my dad was alive, I would have been able to find my feet and not have allowed myself to be ridden by a strange man,"

Ava explained. Rosa and her mother were quiet to all she had said. She had definitely suffered and had been abused. Her arranged marriage ended so shamefully to pave the way to her stepsister. It’s a cruel world.

Where would she have gone if she hadn’t bumped into her that day? No wonder she said she had no home. She was actually right.

"We are not that rich like where you are coming from, but be rest assured that you will find a family with us. Stay here as much as you want and find your feet again. You have to be strong and live your life not for anyone now but yourself. The best is yet to come, my dear. Please don't put their evilness to heart,"

Clara’s mother coaxed. Ava lived with Clara and her family for a month and a half.

***

Julian sent his men everywhere to search for Ava. He did not hate her or anything, he only wanted the Brown empire to be his. He was looking for her to compensate her.

He wanted to give her something you could use to start afresh. To offer her a source of livelihood.

But he searched in vain. His men searched and searched but could not find her. There was no trace of her. He had begun to get worried.

He hoped she had not done anything foolish. He could not rest. Or maybe she left the city. He thought.

Lina had seen that Julian had become more moody for days now. She had been observing him for a long time. Why was he this worried?

What was going on with him? . Was he starting to miss Ava? . That was impossible. For someone who did not touch Ava for five months, it could be said he did not like her at all. ..

Even when he and Ava were married he and her were already screwing with each other. They were like dogs in heat. Anywhere, anytime they would do it. The only time they stopped was if they had both been tired.

During all of those, Lina felt that she was his wife legally but he was her heart and soul.

She had grown tired of thinking ,so she decided to ask him what was happening to him. Julian lord that he was only worried that the company had sent such proposals to clients and he had not heard any feedback from any of the clients.

Lina sighed tired. This must be it . She knew it was definitely not connected to Ava. She simply consoled him .

She suggested sending those clients reminders and see what their response was going to be. Julian praised Lina. Telling her that she was intelligent.

Clara had managed to get Ava a job at the company where she worked. She was to resume on Monday of the coming week.

Everything was going well until Ava realized that her aunty flow was supposed to be here already. It had been two weeks. She was supposed to see her aunty flow and there seemed to be a delay.

She lost sleep countless time thinking about it. She was afraid that what she was thinking might be true.. After the incident had happened she had completely forgotten to use the pills.

When Irene and Julian were planning the act, they should have at least asked him to use protection. Were they not scared for her safety. What was she even expecting,that they would care for her?.

When Ava left work, she sneaked out. She was on her way to the nearby hospital. She wanted to do a pregnancy test.

Time felt as if it stood still as she waited for the results. It was said that time always stood still when someone was anticipating something. She felt the minutes turn into hours and hours into years as she sat there.

Why was it taking them so long? She began to question if the hospital was registered or if they were professional. They were taking too long.

When the doctor finally invited her to his office for the report. He handed her the report. Ava's hands were shaking.

.

She was the one complaining moments ago about the lateness of the report. Now that it was time to take the report ,Ava could not even talk. Her hands and body were shaking.

The doctor glanced at her. Women who behaved like this were the ones who got pregnant without any support. It seemed that this lady also had problems with him earlier. Now she was unstable. Her Face was pale and body tremors were getting more severe.

“ What is written inside Doctor? Tell me ? .