COLLIDING HEARTS

33. HEARTBREAK

Peeking through the slight crack in the door, she saw them—Xavier and Victoria—entangled in a scene that shattered her world into a million pieces. Xavier had Victoria pinned against the wall, his lips trailing along the curve of her neck with an intimacy that was all too familiar. Victoria's shirt was half-open, exposing her bare skin, and her hands clung to Xavier's biceps, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she panted with anticipation.

Ava's heart broke, splintering into fragments so small she could scarcely believe it was still beating in her chest. The sight before her was a cruel and devastating betrayal, each second she witnessed felt like a fresh knife twisting deeper into her soul.

The pain was overwhelming, a visceral agony that left her paralyzed. She couldn't move, couldn't speak—she could barely breathe. Time seemed to slow, trapping her in this moment of sheer devastation, forcing her to watch the man she loved, the man she had built her life around, betray her in the most intimate way possible.

Her mind raced, a cacophony of thoughts and emotions colliding in a chaotic swirl. All the plans, all the dreams she had for their future, crumbled into dust. The man she had trusted, who had once made her feel cherished and adored, now stood before her as a stranger—a cruel stranger who had just ripped her heart from her chest.

For a brief, searing moment, she felt the urge to burst through the door, to confront them, to scream and demand an explanation. But before she could act, a numbing wave of disbelief washed over her, smothering the anger and leaving her hollow. She felt as if the very essence of who she was had been drained from her body, leaving behind only a fragile shell that could collapse at any moment.

Slowly, almost mechanically, Ava backed away from the door, her movements wooden, her mind in a haze of shock and grief. Turning away, she began to walk, each step feeling heavier than the last as if the weight of her sorrow was dragging her down. She didn't know where she was going; all she knew was that she needed to escape, to get as far away from Xavier, from the image of his betrayal, as she possibly could.

Reaching the personal elevator which had another power generator, she jabbed at the button repeatedly, her hands trembling uncontrollably. When the doors finally opened, she stepped inside and pressed the button for the ground floor, leaning against the wall as though it was the only thing holding her up. The tears she had fought so hard to hold back began to fall, cascading down her cheeks in a torrent of silent sobs. She slid down to the floor of the elevator, hugging her knees tightly to her chest as she wept, the pain of her broken heart pouring out in each ragged breath.

Everything she had believed in, everything she thought she knew, had been a lie. And now, she was left utterly alone, burdened not only with the weight of Xavier's betrayal but also with the secret growing inside her—a secret that would change her life forever.

*

As the elevator doors slid open, Ava stood tall, quickly wiping away the lingering tears from her cheeks. Composing herself, she walked towards the reception desk with a practiced smile.

"Hey, Clare, do you have a pen and some paper?" Ava asked, her voice light and casual.

Clare looked up, noticing the slight redness around Ava's eyes. "Of course. Is everything alright?" she asked, her concern evident.

Ava flashed her a reassuring smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Yes, just some bad cramps. You know how it is." She took the pen and paper that Clare handed her, sitting down to scribble a note. When she finished, she folded the paper neatly and placed it in an envelope.

"Could you please give this to Xavier tomorrow after lunch? It's important," Ava said, her tone steady.

Clare nodded, her concern not entirely eased. "Sure, I'll make sure he gets it."