Chapter 3

Whenever I felt down, I always craved sweets, as if stuffing myself could push away the troubles. Griffin, oblivious, saw me nod and immediately had his assistant book a table. Arriving at the familiar dessert shop, a wave of nostalgia washed over me. In my past life, during my pregnancy, Michael's words, "Eating too much sugar will harm the baby's development," had become a shackle. I hadn't touched a single sweet for nine whole months. Screw you, Michael! As soon as we sat down, I told the shop owner, "Bring me one of everything on the menu! The sweetest ones!" My voice held an unfamiliar urgency. The shop owner visibly froze for a moment. Then I remembered Griffin mentioning Charles didn't like sweets and quickly added, "Um... and a few of the less sweet ones too." The private room was quiet. I abandoned all ladylike pretenses and dug in. Griffin shot me a questioning look, silently asking Charles what was going on. Charles just shrugged, leisurely eating the only unsweetened salad on the table. Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside, shattering the room's peace. I always hated noise and frowned in displeasure. Seeing this, Charles raised his hand directly to summon the shop owner. "We're taking over the place today. Guests already eating can finish, but no new customers. It's too noisy." The shop owner looked troubled. "Beta, but... it's young master from the Davis family. He brought people." My hand, holding the dessert spoon, froze. Before we could respond, a familiar, grating voice, thick with unwelcome intimacy, pierced through the door: Michael didn't wait for permission. He pushed the door open and beckoned behind him. Abbie, dressed in an elegant gown, followed him in with a tinkling laugh. "Sorry to disturb!" Michael pulled out a chair and sat down, facing Charles and my brother's icy stares. He smiled as he explained, "Suddenly craved something sweet. This is Abbie, my new assistant. We're old friends, actually. Thought we could all chat." They settled in as if they belonged. Michael quickly got to the point: "Abbie is exceptionally talented, with great management skills. She just lacks opportunities." "Oh, Ava, I heard the Alpha put you in charge of the First Unit. With your abilities, you won't manage it well." "Hand the unit over to Abbie and me. We'll take care of it for you..." "I refuse." My voice was like ice. Hearing my rejection, Abbie immediately stiffened, her eyes welling up as she looked pleadingly at Michael. Michael's smile vanished instantly. As if Griffin wasn't even there, he issued me a warning: "Ava, if you keep throwing tantrums like this, don't expect me to ever speak to you again!" The entire room plunged into dead silence. Even the shop owner nervously wiping sweat held his breath. Griffin's face darkened. He was about to speak when I grabbed his wrist. I looked straight at Michael, my voice clear and freezing cold. "That suits me perfectly. Michael, from yesterday—no, from this very moment—we go our separate ways. Whether you live or die has nothing to do with me anymore." Michael froze completely, seemingly utterly unprepared for my words. His gaze swept over Charles, lounging casually beside me. There had always been rumors that Griffin wanted me to marry his Beta. To avoid Michael misunderstanding, I had never appeared in public with Charles before. Now, seeing me sitting with Charles, he seemed to instantly 'understand,' a look of vicious sarcasm spreading across his face: "Hah! So that's why the sudden cold shoulder? Already found your replacement?" He raked his eyes over me and Charles with open malice. "Ava, you're truly cheap. Yesterday you were still professing your love for me, and today you can't wait to hook up with someone else?"