Ex-Wife To The Billionaire, Mother To His Twins Heir

AVA POV

The wine glass shook in my hand as I hid behind the wooden drink cart. My fancy shoes pressed into the soft rug. The pregnancy test felt hot against my palm, its plastic edges sharp on my skin. Three years. Three years of believing in fairy tales while living in hell.

"Marcus Moretti, seriously-when are you finally getting rid of Ava?" The voice cut through the soft jazz music coming from the other room. It was Derek, Marcus's friend from college. His voice was thick with whiskey and meanness.

"Did she really think someone like you would want someone like her?" This voice belonged to Jake, Marcus's best friend since they were kids. The same Jake who had tripped me in the hallway last week while Marcus just watched.

My throat felt tight. The night air suddenly felt too thin, too sharp in my chest. Marcus opened his mouth, and for one crazy moment, I thought he might stand up for me. Might tell them to stop.

My breath stopped. The Richard Mille watch I'd bought him for our anniversary suddenly felt worthless in my other hand.

"She'd probably pass out if she knew what we're really celebrating tonight," someone else laughed. "Poor thing thinks you're just having drinks with the boys."

"Sophia's plane gets in tomorrow." Marcus's voice sounded different now-lighter, almost excited. "One year in Milan was good for her. She's ready to start up where we left off."

Sophia. My sister. The perfect child who i had walked into their mixed family when I was five. She took everything I'd ever wanted without even trying-including, it seemed, my husband.

"But what about your little wife?" Derek asked with fake worry that made my stomach turn.

Marcus's laugh was sharp like broken glass. "Ava's useful. She handles the charity work, keeps me looking good to the public, and never asks hard questions. She's like having a perfectly trained helper who happens to sleep in my bed."

"She actually believes I love her," he laughed. "It's almost sweet how innocent she is. Like training a dog-a few nice words, some flowers, and she'll do anything I ask."

The words hit me like punches. My free hand pressed against my still-flat belly, protecting the life growing there from the ugly words spilling from the man I'd loved.

"She actually thinks you love her," another voice added. "It's almost sad."

"Desperate people believe what they need to survive," Marcus said, ice clinking in his glass. "Ava's been starving for love since her parents left her. I just... gave her enough to keep her hungry."

A sob escaped before I could stop it, echoing in the sudden quiet.

"What was that?"

Footsteps came closer. I pressed deeper into the shadows, my heart pounding against my ribs as expensive shoes clicked across the hard floor. When the sounds moved toward the balcony, I forced myself to move.

Standing up took everything I had. My legs felt like they weren't connected to