Betrayed By Love, Reborn By Fire

ivery room, a sound so pure it momentarily erased the exhaust

th four women in a hotel room had surfaced-a business dinner, he'd claimed, a setup, a corporate sabotage. He was th

ning force. My four personal assistants, loyal and trusted, stood there, their

urrogate mothers," she announced, beaming. "To ensure the Hayes family line co

em on the pristine white blanket of my hospital bed. He tore the

"Are you really going to depri

flat, "she will be deprived of a mothe

er "grandsons." My assistants, once my confidantes, turned on me, emboldened by h

my chest. I took Lily from Daniel and

ng suite, boasting about co-CEO positions and how they just needed to "manipulate Ava into accepting

then my new assistant burst in, face whit

rd, digging. My daughter' s bracelet glinted on the disturbed earth. F

pathy. My mother-in-law arrived, disgusted. "She was just a worthless girl any

children." He seemed to believe his own lies. "You' re hysterical, Ava. The gr

m my wedding dress. Daniel and Summer' s intim

where Autumn stood by aggressive hunting dogs, throwing Lily' s cashmere blanket

s so dramatic. Mrs. Hayes Senior just want

you killed her!" I screamed. "You murdered my baby and now you'

ead!" Daniel burst into my room, his face a mask of rage. He lunged,

ing warm bread and tears. "I' ll find evidence. I' ll clear your name." I gave her a silver lock

he smoke, I saw Summer, a crazed, triumphant smile on her face. "I set the fire, Ava. Daniel' s idea, of course.

r exploded inward. A familiar, deep voice cal

defended. He threw himself over me as a burning beam crashed down

My locket, returned to me, was the signal for help I' d sent h

r died. I was almost killed. I can' t leave withou

u once told me you hate cowards more than a

o do?" he asked, ad

n, you' re still unmarried

found disbelief. "You... ar

ion. A strategic alliance." I needed power.

marry you, Ava. If you

ad" wife, announced a new marriage a

"Autumn is dead," he said quietly. "An accident." And Summer? "She was fla

o announce our enga

d, my resolve har

f struck. "No! This is impossible. Ava is dead!" His shock curdled into alcohol-fu

. "Daniel Hayes, are you try

allroom. "Why should I just be a CEO? I want to be the most powerful man in this city!" He was bey

d, needing th

ormance. He had drugged himself, slept with my assistants, turned them against me, setting in motion the chaos that led to Lily' s death, ruining

vil. But your ti

over the city' s network, eve

control, Daniel?"

t, his confidence turning

mall, sleek device from my clu

ce. Alex' s security team moved, subduing h

to me," I said,

eved Lily was a boy, planning to use my "son" as leverage for my family' s European assets. He had b

nd his private army were arrest

ove me to the private airfield. He had been

, his voice soft. "

I replied, a genuine

wasn't leaving as a victim. I was leaving as a survivor. I was leaving as Ava Ree