Chapter 16
Brad’s eyes were ice–cold. If he’d ever felt the slightest bit of sympathy for Ava, it was long gone now–not even a flicker of hesitation left in him.”
All that remained was disgust. Disgust at her, at himself, at everything he’d done for her–how he’d hurt Christine over and over again because of it.
His hand clenched tight, jaw set so hard Ava actually shrank back. She’d never seen Brad like this before. He’d always been so good to her, giving her whatever she wanted, never saying no. But now, it was all because of Christine. It had to be her fault–Ava could feel nothing but hatred for that woman, wishing she could tear Christine apart with her bare hands. Brad saw that look in Ava’s eyes, that poisonous jealousy, and felt sick to his stomach.N
He hated himself for not realizing the truth sooner, for letting Christine take the fall for things she never deserved. He forced out a cold, humorless laugh, sending chills through everyone in the room.
“It’s time I give Christine back everything she deserves.“N
He grabbed Ava’s arm and dragged her toward the door. She started to panic, clawing at his hand, but he didn’t even flinch. He pulled her out into the hall, where a couple of security guards were already waiting.
“You like making people kneel, don’t you? Then you can kneel here until morning.”
He told the guards to keep an eye on her and didn’t bother looking back, even as her sobs echoed down the hallway. He just walked away.!!
Christine was all he could think about now. The moment he admitted he loved her, it hit him how completely wrong he’d been this whole time. Four years together, and he hadn’t even realized he couldn’t live without her–he’d only let himself see it after she was gone, when regret was eating him alive.
Back in his car, Brad slammed his fist against the steering wheel, then lost it–tossing out every last trace of Ava. The stuffed animals, the pink seat covers, the snacks she’d stashed everywhere–gone. Christine had never liked any of this junk, and now he just wanted it all out of his life.
But even after he’d cleared it all away, it didn’t feel like Christine was any closer. The car, where they’d shared so many crazy, passionate nights, was empty–like she’d never been there at all.N
That was when Brad finally understood what heartbreak really meant. He couldn’t take it. He smashed up the car until it looked nothing like it used to, lashing out until there was nothing left to break. Then he took another car and drove home.
But the house was even worse–everywhere he looked was Ava’s style: pinks, golds, everything sweet and girly. She’d only been back for a month, but it was like she’d swept away all four years of Christine’s life with him.
Brad’s eyes burned. He stood in the living room, barely able to breathe, as those bright colors seemed to stab right into his chest.
He tore through the house, desperate to find anything Christine had left a hair tie, a book, a shirt, anything–but it was all gone.
Completely helpless, he started smashing things, letting the pain spill out. He threw vases, broke picture frames, tried to erase every bit of Ava and bring back even a scrap of Christine’s warmth.
He didn’t dare sleep. Every time he closed his eyes, Christine’s face was there, just out of reach.
He remembered the last time he saw her–how she’d quietly packed her things, and he hadn’t lifted a finger to stop her. He just watched her leave, taking everything with her, leaving nothing behind.
“Why?!” he yelled, voice cracking with pain. If he cared so much, why hadn’t he done anything?”
He sat in the empty house all night, clinging to the faintest memories of Christine. When morning came, his assistant showed up.
“Mr. Tate, it’s time for the office. Ms. Smith is waiting.”
Brad barely heard him. He looked up, eyes bloodshot, his heart full of nothing but hate and regret.
If it wasn’t for Ava, Christine never would’ve left.
It was all Ava’s fault.
“Drive. To the office,” Brad rasped, his voice barely more than a whisper.
Chapter 17
