The Heiress Who Refused to Be a Pawn

The Heiress Who Refused to Be a Pawn

Gavin

5.0
Comment(s)
144
View
14
Chapters

As Ava Vanderbilt, an heiress with everything, my biggest obsession was Ethan Blackwood. He was my father's most brilliant protégé, incredibly cold and distant. I saw his indifference not as dislike, but as a mysterious depth, a challenge only I could conquer. I convinced myself his passion was reserved, waiting for me alone. Then came the night I peered into the conservatory. Ethan wasn't just talking to Lily, his "innocent younger sister." He was kissing her, devouring her with a raw, possessive hunger I'd only dreamed of receiving. This wasn't brotherly love; it was undeniable passion. The truth hit like a physical blow: his coldness to me wasn't a facade, it was pure disinterest. But it got worse. I overheard the unthinkable: all my father's proteges, including Ethan, despised me. Every compliment was a lie, every gesture a calculated act to use my marriage to fund Lily's exorbitant dreams. The final sting came when Ethan, to "teach me a lesson," deliberately tampered with my horse's saddle, breaking my leg. Then he publicly sabotaged my credit cards at an auction, humiliating me before New York society to buy Lily a dazzling necklace. My heart, once foolishly infatuated, now felt nothing but ice. How could these men, given everything by my benevolent father, conspire to so cruelly orchestrate my downfall? The betrayal was absolute, the humiliation soul-crushing. Was I truly so pathetic, so blind, that I was just a pawn in their twisted game for Lily? The naive Ava Vanderbilt died that day. In her place, a woman forged in fire and betrayal emerged. My upcoming engagement party, meant to announce my future with honest Carter Sterling, would now be their public reckoning. I would not be a victim. I would reclaim my destiny, and they would all pay.

Introduction

As Ava Vanderbilt, an heiress with everything, my biggest obsession was Ethan Blackwood.

He was my father's most brilliant protégé, incredibly cold and distant.

I saw his indifference not as dislike, but as a mysterious depth, a challenge only I could conquer.

I convinced myself his passion was reserved, waiting for me alone.

Then came the night I peered into the conservatory.

Ethan wasn't just talking to Lily, his "innocent younger sister."

He was kissing her, devouring her with a raw, possessive hunger I'd only dreamed of receiving.

This wasn't brotherly love; it was undeniable passion.

The truth hit like a physical blow: his coldness to me wasn't a facade, it was pure disinterest.

But it got worse.

I overheard the unthinkable: all my father's proteges, including Ethan, despised me.

Every compliment was a lie, every gesture a calculated act to use my marriage to fund Lily's exorbitant dreams.

The final sting came when Ethan, to "teach me a lesson," deliberately tampered with my horse's saddle, breaking my leg.

Then he publicly sabotaged my credit cards at an auction, humiliating me before New York society to buy Lily a dazzling necklace.

My heart, once foolishly infatuated, now felt nothing but ice.

How could these men, given everything by my benevolent father, conspire to so cruelly orchestrate my downfall?

The betrayal was absolute, the humiliation soul-crushing.

Was I truly so pathetic, so blind, that I was just a pawn in their twisted game for Lily?

The naive Ava Vanderbilt died that day.

In her place, a woman forged in fire and betrayal emerged.

My upcoming engagement party, meant to announce my future with honest Carter Sterling, would now be their public reckoning.

I would not be a victim.

I would reclaim my destiny, and they would all pay.

Continue Reading

Other books by Gavin

More
When Love Turns to Ash

When Love Turns to Ash

Short stories

4.8

My world revolved around Jax Harding, my older brother's captivating rockstar friend. From sixteen, I adored him; at eighteen, I clung to his casual promise: "When you're 22, maybe I'll settle down." That offhand comment became my life's beacon, guiding every choice, meticulously planning my twenty-second birthday as our destiny. But on that pivotal day in a Lower East Side bar, clutching my gift, my dream exploded. I overheard Jax' s cold voice: "Can't believe Savvy's showing up. She' s still hung up on that stupid thing I said." Then the crushing plot: "We' re gonna tell Savvy I' m engaged to Chloe, maybe even hint she' s pregnant. That should scare her off." My gift, my future, slipped from my numb fingers. I fled into the cold New York rain, devastated by betrayal. Later, Jax introduced Chloe as his "fiancée" while his bandmates mocked my "adorable crush"-he did nothing. As an art installation fell, he saved Chloe, abandoning me to severe injury. In the hospital, he came for "damage control," then shockingly shoved me into a fountain, leaving me to bleed, calling me a "jealous psycho." How could the man I loved, who once saved me, become this cruel and publicly humiliate me? Why was my devotion seen as an annoyance to be brutally extinguished with lies and assault? Was I just a problem, my loyalty met with hatred? I would not be his victim. Injured and betrayed, I made an unshakeable vow: I was done. I blocked his number and everyone connected to him, severing ties. This was not an escape; this was my rebirth. Florence awaited, a new life on my terms, unburdened by broken promises.

You'll also like

Chapters
Read Now
Download Book