The fall of the Clark family didn't happen overnight.
But the aftershocks?
Those hit instantly.
One moment, they were a billion-dollar empire.The next, they were a headline.
CLARK GROUP UNDER INVESTIGATIONADOPTED HEIR ARRESTED FOR EMBEZZLEMENTFRAUD ALLEGATIONS SURFACEMANAGER ACCUSED OF FORGERY — CLAIMS SETUP
It was everywhere.
The news.Social media.Whispers on the street.Even gossip accounts started dissecting the Clark family drama like vultures.
And Ava…
Ava Summers became collateral damage.
The woman who once smiled like she belonged in upper society—
Now had her name dragged through the mud.
And the worst part?
No one defended her.
No one stood up for her.
No one said,"This is a misunderstanding."
Not even the Clarks she ruined her marriage to protect.
Especially not them.
Ava tried to explain herself to the Clarks.
She begged for a meeting.
She pleaded for a chance to clear her name.
But Robert Clark refused to see her.Lillian Clark screamed at her.Security escorted her out.
"GET OUT! THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!"Lillian's shrill voice echoed through the lobby."YOU BROUGHT BAD LUCK TO THIS FAMILY!"
Ava trembled.
"I didn't— I swear, I didn't do anything—"
"YOU HELPED HIM!" Lillian shrieked."You and that bastard! You ruined our son!"
Security pushed Ava out of the revolving doors like she was trash.
Just days ago, this same woman poured tea for her and called her "dear."
Now she was an enemy.
Exiled.
Erased.
Her hands shook violently.Her breathing hitched.
And for the first time in her life—
she understood what abandonment truly felt like.
Humiliation
She tried to go back to her job.
HR stopped her at the entrance.
"We're reviewing your position."
"Reviewing?" she repeated, voice trembling."W–why? I've been with the company for years—"
"We cannot employ someone under investigation."
"I'm NOT under investigation!" she cried."It was Leo! He forged my—"
The door clicked shut in her face.
People whispered behind her.
"That's her.""The woman who helped Leo.""Imagine being married to the real son and tagging along with the fake one.""She deserves it."
Her breath hitched.
Her hands shook.
Her world spun.
And for the thousandth time in that week, the truth struck her again—
She had no one left.
She returned to the apartment she once shared with me.
Where memories hung in every corner.
Where laughter used to fill the rooms.
Where she stood beside me as my wife.
But now…
Now it was empty.
Cold.Dark.Silent.
Like she had stepped into a tomb.
Her footsteps echoed.
She ran her fingers across the table where we used to eat.Where we used to kiss.Where we used to dream.
She choked.
Her tears dripped onto the hardwood floor.
"I broke it," she whispered to no one."I broke everything."
She sank onto the couch — the same couch where she once leaned on me, smiling at her phone as she texted Leo.
Now she curled into a tiny ball, hugging her knees.
Her phone buzzed.
She grabbed it —
Only for her heart to shatter all over again.
Number Suspended— Clark Group HR
Family Group Chat
— You're no longer welcome. Do not contact us again.
Unknown Number
— Stay away from me. Leo.
Even Leo abandoned her.The man she defended.Protected.Supported.
He didn't even offer her a shred of sympathy.
All he did was make sure she'd be the first one thrown to the wolves.
Days blurred together.
She barely ate.Barely slept.Barely breathed.
She wandered through the apartment like a ghost, clutching our wedding photo.
Tracing my face with her thumb.
"I'm sorry," she whispered into the empty room."I'm so sorry. I should've stood by you. I should've believed you. I should've chosen you."
No answer.
Only silence.
She cried until her voice gave out.Cried until her eyes burned.Cried until tears turned to sobsand sobs turned to gaspsand gasps turned to nothing.
Nothing.
Just like her future.
Just like the hope she once held.
Just like the marriage she destroyed with her own hands.
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On the fourth night, a knock sounded at the door.
Ava jolted awake on the couch.
Her heart raced.
"Ethan?" she whispered, hope flooding her face.
Maybe he came back.Maybe he forgave her.Maybe…
But when she opened the door—
Her knees nearly gave out.
It wasn't me.
It was the owner of the building.
"Miss Summers," he said stiffly,"your rent is overdue."
Her body went cold.
"I—I'll pay—"
"You have three days."
The door shut.
Ava's face crumpled.
She didn't even have a job.
She didn't have savings — she'd spent everything helping the Clarks, trying to impress them.
She was alone.Penniless.Unwanted.
And then—
She finally understood something she should've realised long ago:
When she chose the Clarks over me,she gambled everything she had…and lost everything she was.
She picked up her phone with shaking fingers.
Wiped her tears.Tried to steady her breath.
And dialed.
My number.
Her last hope.
Her final thread.
Her trembling voice whispered into the receiver:
"Ethan… please answer…"
But the line didn't ring.
It went straight to:
Disconnected.
Ava broke.
She dropped the phone.
Fell to the floor.
And sobbed like the world had ended.
Because for her…
It had.