Falling for My Contractual Wife

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"Think Brian's gonna still love you if he finds out? Plus, we both know he's still hung up on Grace," Ava remarked, eyes narrowed.

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Louise smirked. "Well, well, Ava. You've grown some spine. If you want me to keep my word, then give me a satisfactory reason."

Ava no longer wanted any part in Louise's schemes. This time, Aya had been scared out of her wits. Ava knew if she pulled another stunt like that, she'd be toast.

Fuming over being used by Louise without gaining anything, Ava seethed. "You think I'm just a pawn for you to play with? Dream on!"

With a sharp move, she splashed the coffee from her cup at Louise.

The cups were tiny, barely holding any coffee. They'd been sitting out, cooling off for ages, so they posed as no danger. That's why Ava used them. But Louise jumped up like she'd been scalded. "Ow!"

Ava frowned, ready to call out Louise's fake act when a familiar voice cut in.

"What are you doing?"

Brian had just returned and caught Ava red-handed, dousing Louise with coffee. Hurrying over, he asked, "Louise, are you okay? Is it hot?"

Ava paled. She could practically see the smugness on Louise's face.

Brian dabbed Louise's face with a tissue and blew on it gently.

Watching, Ava's eyes burned. 'Brian is clueless! He treats this snake like a saint!' Ava thought.

"Brian, listen! I never meant to hurt her. She provoked me, and I lost my cool. Plus, the coffee's cold. It won't hurt."

Brian turned to Ava, his expression icy. Any goodwill he had for her evaporated. He wasn't buying any of it.

""Get out!"

Ava bit her lip, seething. She knew there was no point arguing. Brian's opinion of her had hit rock bottom. Glaring at Louise, Ava bolted. Shannon saw her daughter storming in, upset, and demanded an explanation.

Feeling cornered, Ava spilled everything.

Shannon's shock was palpable.

She pinched Ava's temple hard. "Are you out of your mind? Why mess with Louise? Why help her?"

"Mom, she threatened me! She found out I drugged Brian and that I hired people to harm Grace's baby while she was on the run. If I don't help her, she'll spill everything to Brian!" "Even if Brian finds out, it's better than what you did after. What are you? Stupid? What if you end up in jail?"

Ava bit her lip. "Mom, I regret it so much now. I'd rather Brian be with Grace than let Louise walk all over me! She's evil! Once she's Mrs. Francis, who knows what she'll do to me!"

Shannon shook her head: "That won't happen, but you need to learn to protect yourself! Look at Louise. She's a smooth operator, buttering up your dad and Jasmine Francis. Once she's married to Brian, she's untouchable!"