Chapter 3: The Lie Hidden in the Papers
I knew the moment I saw Mark’s name that my past had finally followed me.
No matter how far I ran.
No matter how hard I worked.
People like Mark always found a way to reach back into your life and remind you that they once had the power to hurt you.
Victoria stood beside the dining table, watching my face carefully.
She wanted a reaction.
She wanted me to panic.
And for one terrifying second, I almost gave her exactly what she wanted.
“What does Mark have to do with me working here?”” I asked.
Victoria crossed her arms.
“Everything.””
Eleanor looked at the document again.
“Victoria, explain.””
The young woman smiled.
“According to this report, Ava Collins has a history of financial problems, legal disputes, and unstable living situations.””
My hands tightened.
“Those aren’t secrets.””
“No,” Victoria said.
“But the part you didn’t know is that her ex-husband claims she is manipulative.””
I stared at her.
“Mark said that?””
“He said you use people when you need help.””
The room became silent.
I felt heat rising in my face.
Not because I believed him.
Because Eleanor might.
Because after everything I had survived, this was the first place that had started to feel safe.
And now someone was trying to take it away.
Eleanor looked at me.
“Ava.””
I swallowed.
“Yes?””
“Is any of this true?””
I wanted to scream.
I wanted to tell her about the nights I stayed awake working extra hours.
About Mark leaving me alone with every responsibility.
About how he had smiled while I carried our daughter’s belongings outside.
But instead, I took a breath.
“Yes,” I said.
Victoria’s smile widened.
I continued.
“Yes, I struggled financially.””
The smile disappeared slightly.
“Yes, I had legal problems because I fought to keep my apartment after Mark secretly changed the lease.””
Eleanor’s expression shifted.
“And the unstable living situation?””
I looked at Lily.
“That happened because my daughter and I were thrown out of our home.””
Victoria opened her mouth.
I interrupted.
“But none of that means I’m dishonest.””
Eleanor stared at me.
Then she turned toward Victoria.
“Did you verify these claims?””
Victoria hesitated.
“Mark provided the information.””
“That wasn’t my question.””
The silence was immediate.
Victoria’s confidence faded.
“No.””
Eleanor looked back at the papers.
“Then you brought me an accusation, not proof.””
Victoria’s face hardened.
“You’re defending her?””
“I’m asking for facts.””
That seemed to anger Victoria more than anything.
She grabbed her purse.
“You’re letting emotions cloud your judgment.””
Eleanor’s voice became colder.
“No. I’m finally using my judgment.””
Victoria left without another word.
But the damage was done.
That evening, I found Eleanor alone in the library.
I stood at the door.
“Are you worried?””
She looked up.
“About you?””
I nodded.
She was quiet for a moment.
Then she shook her head.
“No.””
I stepped inside.
“Why?””
“Because people who are hiding something usually defend themselves differently.””
I sat across from her.
“And how did I defend myself?””
“You told the truth even when it made you look bad.””
I looked down.
“Sometimes the truth makes you look guilty.””
Eleanor watched me carefully.
“I know.””
That answer surprised me.
Then she opened a drawer and removed another photograph.
Her daughter.
The same young woman from before.
“My daughter hated when people judged others.””
I looked at the picture.
“What was her name?””
Eleanor’s eyes softened.
“Lily.””
I smiled sadly.
“She must have been special.””
“She was.””
A long silence followed.
Then Eleanor whispered:
“She was the only person who ever told me I was too afraid to love.””
Those words stayed with me.
Because I understood.
Eleanor had money.
Power.
Everything people dreamed of.
But she had built walls around herself so high that even happiness couldn’t get through.
Later that night, while I was helping Lily prepare for bed, my phone rang.
I froze when I saw the name.
Mark.
I almost ignored it.
Almost.
Then I answered.
“What do you want?””
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
“Ava, we need to talk.””
“We have nothing to talk about.””
“I think you’re forgetting something.””
My heart sank.
“What?””
A pause.
Then he said:
“Lily’s custody.””
I looked at my daughter sleeping peacefully.
My hand shook.
“You wouldn’t.””
“I already started the process.””
I closed my eyes.
“Why?””
His voice became colder.
“Because you keep proving you can’t provide the life she deserves.””
I wanted to respond.
But the words wouldn’t come.
Because the cruelest lies are the ones that touch your deepest fears.
After the call ended, I sat alone in the hallway.
I didn’t hear Eleanor approach.
“You look like someone just took something from you.””
I wiped my eyes quickly.
“I’m fine.””
She looked at me.
“Ava.””
I looked up.
And for the first time, I saw something different in her expression.
Not pity.
Understanding.
“Tell me what happened.””
Before I could answer, Eleanor’s phone rang.
She picked it up.
The color disappeared from her face.
“What do you mean the board is meeting tomorrow?””
I stood frozen.
She listened silently.
Then lowered the phone.
“Victoria wasn’t trying to expose you.””
“What?””
Eleanor looked toward the papers on the table.
“She was distracting me.””
A chill moved through the room.
“From what?””
Eleanor’s voice dropped.
“From a plan to take control of my company.””
May you like
And then she looked at me.
“Mark isn’t the only person who wants something from us.””
