The next day began with a strange stillness.
Rain clouds still hung low outside, and the mansion smelled faintly of wet earth and syrup.
Ava was in the kitchen making pancakes when she realized the floor felt slippery. She frowned, glancing down. A faint slick of water glistened near the counter — almost like someone had spilled something on purpose.
Before she could clean it, Leo came running in, his socks sliding on the marble. "Mommy Ava! Look, I drew you!"
"Careful, sunshine!" she cried, just in time to catch him before he slipped. Her heart pounded as she held him close.
"Are you okay?" she asked, scanning him.
He giggled. "I'm okay! You caught me!"
Ava smiled faintly, but her eyes flicked toward the puddle again. Something about it didn't feel right.
And when she looked toward the doorway — Yvonne was there, watching.
Her red lips curved slightly. "You should be more careful, Ava. The floors get so slippery in this weather."
Her tone was calm, but the glint in her eyes wasn't.
Later, as Ava folded laundry upstairs, she heard Leo's laughter from the garden. She smiled until she realized Yvonne was with him.
Ava peeked out through the balcony. Leo was playing by the garden steps, chasing bubbles. Yvonne stood nearby, leaning casually against the railing too close to the edge of the small pond.
"Be careful near the pond, sunshine!" Ava called out.
Leo waved, still laughing. "Okay, Mommy Ava!"
Yvonne turned her head slowly. "Oh, don't worry. I'm watching him."
Her tone was honey-sweet, but her eyes lingered too long on Ava like she wanted her to see something.
Moments later, Yvonne bent down, her hand brushing against Leo's arm. "You know," she said softly, "Mommy Ava gets tired because of the baby. If you make her rest more, she'll be happy."
Leo blinked up at her. "Rest? Like nap time?"
"Exactly," Yvonne said, smiling. "So when she's walking, don't run to her too fast. She might fall."
Leo frowned, confused. "But I don't want her to fall."
Yvonne's smile froze for a moment, then softened again. "Of course you don't, sweetheart. I was just saying."
Ava, still watching from above, couldn't hear their words but the way Yvonne leaned close to Leo made her chest tighten with unease.
That evening, Liam returned home, exhausted. He loosened his tie and glanced around the living room. "Why is it so quiet?"
Ava stepped out of the kitchen, looking pale. "Leo's napping early. He got scared earlier — he almost slipped in the kitchen this morning."
Liam frowned. "How?"
"I don't know. The floor was wet. Maybe from the rain," she said quietly.
From the couch, Yvonne's voice floated out smoothly. "Accidents happen, Liam. You can't blame the weather for everything."
Liam shot her a sharp look. "You mean I can't blame you for everything."
Yvonne just smiled, twirling the stem of her wine glass. "Touché."
Ava crossed her arms, her voice barely steady. "It didn't feel like an accident."
Yvonne's smile widened. "Are you accusing me of… what, trying to hurt your little family?"
"I didn't say that."
"But you thought it."
The room went cold. Leo's small voice broke the tension from the stairs. "Daddy?"
Liam turned immediately. "Hey, buddy, what are you doing up?"
Leo rubbed his eyes. "Had a bad dream."
Ava bent to pick him up, but before she could, he whispered, "Mommy Ava…you should nap more often."
Ava froze. "Why, sunshine?"
Leo looked between her and Yvonne.then he shrugged.
Yvonne's smile didn't move but her hand tightened around the glass until a faint crack appeared.
Night had fallen over the Ford mansion, silent except for the faint ticking of the grandfather clock in the hallway.
Liam was in his office, the golden lamplight spilling across piles of documents and open folders. He was exhausted — body and mind. But the soft knock at the door pulled him out of his thoughts.
"Come in," he said tiredly.
The door creaked open. Yvonne stepped inside, dressed in a silk robe that glimmered under the light. Her perfume — that same intoxicating scent from years ago — filled the room instantly.
"Liam," she began, her tone soft, almost pleading. "We need to talk."
He leaned back in his chair. "If this is about money again—"
"It's not just money," she interrupted, stepping closer. "You think I came back for that alone?"
Her voice wavered — part sadness, part performance. "I came back because I never stopped loving you."
Liam sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Yvonne, please—"
But she didn't let him finish. She reached out, touching his hand — and before he could pull away, her lips were on his.
The kiss was soft at first… then desperate. Familiar. Dangerous.
He froze. For a moment, all the years of anger and pain blurred into memory — the way she used to smile, the way she used to make him feel alive.
"Yvonne—" he started, but she pressed harder. Papers scattered across the desk as he stumbled back against it. Her hands moved up to his collar, pulling him closer.
Books fell to the floor. A pen rolled off the table.
And in that reckless, confusing second, Liam gave in.
For the first time in years, the fire between them reignited — burning too fast, too bright. He lifted her onto the edge of the table, their lips locked, the room spinning with emotion, anger, and regret.
The door creaked open.
A soft gasp.
Both of them froze.
Standing at the doorway was Ava.
Her eyes widened in disbelief, her lips trembling.
"Oh…" she whispered. "I'm sorry… I should have knocked."
Her hand instinctively moved to her belly, trembling.
Her chest rose and fell quickly — as though she couldn't breathe.
"Ava—" Liam started, his voice low, guilty.
But she took a step back. "No, it's fine. I… I get it."
Her voice cracked, and before he could move, she turned and rushed out, her slippers slipping slightly against the floor.
"Ava, wait!" Liam tried to go after her, but Yvonne's hand gripped his arm tightly.
"Let her go," Yvonne whispered, her smile faint but victorious. "You don't owe her an explanation."
He pulled his arm away. "You don't understand—"
But she stepped in front of him, blocking his path. "You need to calm down, Liam. She's emotional. Pregnant women always overreact."
That was enough to make him hesitate — just long enough.
Meanwhile, Ava stumbled down the hall, her vision blurring with tears. Her chest ached; her heart felt as though it had cracked open.
She had only just begun to realize her feelings for Liam — the quiet warmth when he smiled, the safety she felt around him, the small moments that made her hope. And now…
It was all shattered.
She tried to hold herself together, breathing shakily as she reached the staircase. "You're okay, Ava," she whispered to herself. "Just breathe. Don't cry here."
But as she wiped her tears, her foot missed a step.
Her body lurched forward — and before she could catch the railing, she fell.
The thundering sound of her body hitting the ground echoed through the mansion.
"AVA!"
The first to arrive was Nanny Bella. Her face went pale at the sight — Ava sprawled on the marble floor, blood pooling beneath her, her hand pressed desperately against her stomach.
"Oh dear Lord!" Nanny Bella cried, dropping to her knees. "Someone call Mr. Liam! Hurry!"
Ava's face twisted in pain, sweat beading on her forehead. Her lips trembled as she whispered, "The baby… please, not the baby…"
Her voice faded into a faint sob as her eyes fluttered closed.
And upstairs behind the closed office door Yvonne smiled faintly, brushing invisible dust from her robe.
_______
NB. Yvonne didn't plan the accident buh it was to her advantage.
Guys I hope I'm not going off point now, the next two chapters will be hot, after that...shhh I'm not going to give you any spoilers so keep supporting and reading.
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