Chapter 28
Ava’s POV
+B Pearls
My lips trembled as I broke the kiss, my eyes widening even further at the sudden intensity of his gaze. I was speechless. “Why do you look so surprised? You’re the one who kissed me,” he murmured, his thumb gently brushing the side of my face. My cheeks felt like they were on fire. “Well, I guess we’re even now, I chuckled nervously.
But the scene we just created… everyone must think the Don and I were together. 1 bit my lip. “Can you take me somewhere. away from here?” I whispered.
He sighed softly, casting a quick, discreet glance at Caspian and then at the onlookers. They all knew Fabio wasn’t like this. He never kissed women in public and never showed this kind of warmth. He supposedly hated commitment and had even tried to escape his own engagement party using me. And now, here I was, using him.
Then he said, his voice firm, “No, we’re not going anywhere. It’s time to face your fears, Ava,” A dangerous smirk played on his lips, and he even intertwined our hands as we approached Caspian, who looked utterly confused and intimidated at the same time.
I could see Caspian’s fists clenching as he glared at me, as if I were having some scandalous affair right in front of him.
“Don Mor…pian began, his voice ti
“Quit the formality, Caspian. Just call me Fabio, Fabio interrupted with a half–smile, glancing down at him.
“I didn’t realize my ex–wife was having an affair with Miss Hailey’s fiancé. Caspian said, the emphasis on “ex–wife” and “fiance” dripping with accusation.
I scoffed. Did he really have to spell it out like that, trying to make me feel small and terrible?
Fabio’s arm tightened slightly around my hand. “Oh, that?” he said, his tone dismissive. “We all know Hailey and I have no romantic connection.. and I was ending the engagement anyway.. soon. He smiled, then clicked his tongue, pointing a finger at Caspian. You shouldn’t have spoken to Ava like that. Pay some respect.”
Caspian raised an eyebrow, likely wondering how I’d persuaded Fabio to join my game. It was satisfying to see his confusion and simmering anger as if his ego had been bruised by my choice to replace him with someone better.
“She’s a divorced woman. You’d be better off with the Sullivan heiress than someone like her, Caspian stated
The nerve of this man!
Before I could speak, Fabio unexpectedly grabbed Caspian’s collar, a furious gleam in his eyes. I’d thought he was merely playing a part, pretending to help me, but the raw protectiveness in his gaze was unquestionable.
“But we both know exactly what happened in your marriage with her,” Fabio growled, his teeth gritted. “She’s not some woman you can just pluck off the street and marry.”
Caspian’s eyes narrowed, and his composure finally snapped. He shoved Fabio away. “Watch your words, Fabio! Just because you’re the Don, it doesn’t give you the right to treat me like this! We all know you inherited that title from your father! You didn’t even work for it!?
Fabio scoffed dangerously, a sound that immediately drew everyone’s attention. I couldn’t allow these men to fight in front of my store. No one would dare come here if they thought guns might be drawn at any moment.
And I stepped between them, and I raised my hands. “Stop… Stop fighting!”
Caspian offered a bitter smile. “You started this, Ava. You always court trouble. First, you upset my wife, and now this!” He then pointed a finger at Fabio.
The audacity of this man! Didn’t he realize Fabio could end him in an instant?
T
And then he said to Fabio, “Erica is a decent woman. I didn’t just pluck her off the street and marry her! But thanks to you,” he spat on the ground in front of me as if utterly disgusted, “I ended up marrying her instead of this weak and stupid woman!”
+8 Pearls
He had crossed the line!
My hand fired out, grabbing his hair with a grip tight enough to lift his scalp. I shoved him towards his car as he struggled to. break free. “Let go of me. Bitch!”
“Did you say… I’m weak and stupid?! Oh, say it again!” I seethed, then with all my force, I kicked him squarely in the groin. He instantly dropped to his knees, his face contorted in pain.
In the background, Fabio chuckled softly, simply watching me handle Caspian. Had he actually trained me for moments like this, so I could confidently beat anyone who dared to cross me? The thought was almost witty.
“Fuck!” Caspian finally choked out, raising his head to glare at me, and then he laughed mirthlessly. “You’re lucky I don’t hurt
women!”
“Oh, really? How about this!” I retorted, landing a solid punch to his face. My knuckles stung, and a smear of blood from his mouth stained my skin. My eyes widened momentarily, trying to remain calm; it was just a little blood, nothing serious Caspian lunged to his feet, clearly intending to hurt me, but Fabio moved swiftly, grabbing him and lifting him with surprising case. “Take him away…” Fabio commanded his men.
Turning to me, Fabio approached, pulling out a handkerchief embroidered with his initials. Gently, he dabbed at the blood on my knuckle, his gaze intense. “Do you want to go somewhere? Away from here?”
I looked up at him, biting my lower lip. Without him, I don’t know what I would have done. Then, I quickly brushed away the tears welling in my eyes. “O–Okay…
Inside, Cecille and everyone were very busy. They didn’t know what was happening outside. That was good for me. I took a deep breath and walked with Fabio to his car. We drove without knowing where we were going. We just drove by the sea where I could see the blue sky and the calm blue sea. Then he stopped the cr
I sighed and leaned my head against the window. “What just happened back there… it will hurt your reputation because of me
“Don’t say that,” he said firmly, stopping me. “What you did was smart. I’m sure everyone will be talking about the Sullivan family now. They will probably be the ones to end the engagement between you–know–who and their perfect daughter. He sounded a little annoyed. I already tried to end it, but they wouldn’t let me ruin Hailey’s image. It seems a woman has to be the one to end it, not me
But how about your grandfather?”
He took off his seatbelt and leaned closer to me. “Ava, you don’t know what I went through to get this position so I can keep
you safe..
I blinked, almost unable to breathe as I stared at him in shock. “W–What?”
What did he just say?
