LOGINSold off into marriage to save her mother, Liora thought life would eventually be kind to her, but life threw a dagger at her in the hands of the man she had grown to love. Five years later, Liora Adams returns to New York, no longer the broken girl she once was but a famous doctor, determined to make everyone pay. Nothing prepared her when Travis Ashford looked her in the eyes and said, ‘I need a fix, doctor.’ ‘Mr. Ashford, you’ve got the money; why not get one? ” Liora asked. ‘Only you can fix me, Liora," Travis answered. Liora’s lip curved in amusement as she answered, ‘Oh, Mr. Ashford, fixing exes is not a part of my specialty.’
View MoreLiora held the pregnancy strip, her hands shaking as she looked at the two lines staring back at her.
“Oh my god,” Liora exclaimed, her left hand covering her lips.
She had gone to see the family doctor for a test earlier in the day, but she had left before she could get the result.
Travis is going to be so happy. Liora thought as her lips curled into a satisfied smile.
Living with Travis for the past two years has been nothing but the best part of life for her. She had grown to love the man. Despite being sold off by her father to him, she had grown to love him.
Liora walked into their bedroom, hopping on her toes in joy and placing a hand on her stomach, excited about the life growing inside of her. For a moment, every other trouble faded away.
A gentle knock sounded on her door, and Liora called out, “Yes, come in."
The door opened, and one of the housekeepers walked into the room.
“Mrs. Ashford, lunch is served,” the housekeeper said.
“Oh, thank you, I’ll be downstairs,” Liora beamed, adding, “Are the flowers set on the table?”
"Yes, Mrs. Ashford,” the housekeeper responded.
“Thank you. Now ensure there is no one else in the house. I want everyone in the staff quarters; no one is to come in except if I call for you,” Liora instructed.
"Alright, Mrs. Ashford," the housekeeper nodded before leaving.
As the housekeeper left, Liora wondered, "What should I wear?” as she walked over to her closet.
After selecting a flowered gown that flowed from her hip downward, Liora packed her long brown hair in a ponytail, showing off her neck.
“He should be back by now,” Liora muttered in excitement as she checked the time.
Travis had been on a business trip for the past two weeks, and he was returning today. What a perfect way to welcome him back, Liora thought as she headed out of their room.
As soon as Liora walked into the living room, she put on the TV, and the first thing she saw was her husband's face. The Ashford Group was popular in the state, so they were often on the news.
Liora’s face lighted up at the sight of him, her heart skipping a beat at the thought of seeing his handsome face soon.
Before she could turn from the screen, another person was displayed. Liora froze, her heart skipping not in passion anymore but fear. It was her; she knew that face all too well.
“She is back?” Liora asked herself.
On the screen, Travis was standing too close to her for comfort. All the words of the news anchor were drowned out as Liora kept staring at the screen in shock.
Liora knew that face all too well. Travis had echoed it in his sleep a countless time. Liora had hoped that one day he would see her and he would call out her name, and now she was back!
Before she could process everything, she heard the front door squeak before opening to reveal Travis Ashford walking into the house.
“You’re back. How was your trip?” Liora asked as she quickly switched off the TV.
All I have to do is pretend not to know, Liora thought as she forced a smile at him.
“We need to talk," Travis said.
"Umm, yes, I already have lunch served. I’m sure you must be famished. Why don’t…” Liora started.
“I’ve got no time for your pretense, Liora.” Travis said firmly as he walked over to sit on the couch.
Something is wrong, Liora thought as her heart picked up pace like a drum.
"Travis, are you alright?” Liora asked.
“I want a divorce," Travis stated.
The words fell out of his mouth like a bomb, shattering Liora’s heart.
Liora sat there stunned into silence as she stared at him in shock.
“For Christ's sake, do you have to look so dumb? You knew this was a contract marriage; it was bound to end.” Travis said, shooting out of his seat like a coiled spring as he started to pace.
“I…I…the contract, but we’ve been together for two years,” Liora stuttered.
“And that was because I needed it.” Travis shouted.
“But you…you touched…” Liora could not bring herself to say the words.
Travis looked at her in contempt as he responded, “Oh please, I’m sure you know you were the most convenient option at that time. Don’t attach so much meaning to it.”
Liora felt like the ground had vanished beneath her as she looked at him in shock.
“Here, sign the papers. I have kept my end of the contract; I no longer need you. Once you’re done, pick up your things and leave.” Travis instructed firmly.
A tear trickled down Liora’s face as she looked at the man she had given her heart to. Just when she thought life was beginning to be kind, it was all going away like every other aspect of her life.
“Travis, please, I can't…please…" Liora stuttered, rising to her feet and taking a step towards him.
“Oh please, we both know if I had not needed a wife, I would not even as much as glance at you twice.” Travis stated in contempt.
“Your father…” Liora started.
Travis's brows slammed together, his lips pressed into a hard line as his jaw tightened. Mentioning his father was a wrong idea.
“Be grateful that you got to enjoy this life. I paid a huge amount to get you, Liora; that should be enough for you and your father. Now leave. The next time I come back to my house, you should be gone. Don’t make this harder than it is supposed to be.” Travis stated, his eyes bloodshot, before walking towards the door.
“Is it because she has returned?" Liora shouted, her chest heaving in anger.
Travis froze, his shoulders going rigid with his hands on the doorknob. For a moment, Liora thought she heard him take in a deep breath. She thought she saw his shoulder shiver, but it must have been her imagination.
Without as much as a glance or even a response, Travis opened the door and walked out of her life.
Liora stood there staring at the door for ten minutes, tears streaming down her eyes. Her life had always been filled with difficulty.
After years of staring at the divorce paper, Liora picked it up, walked over to the study at the end of the hall, picked a pen, and signed it.
That was where she was when the housekeeper found her hours later.
“Mrs. Ashford! Mrs. Ashford!” a housekeeper called, rushing into the living room.
At the sound of her name, or the name that was no longer hers, even though she was only called that as long as she was in the four walls of the house. Liora jolted out of her trance as she turned her tear-stricken face to the lady.
“What is it?” Liora asked in irritation.
“We got a call from the hospital; they have been trying to reach you, but they couldn't, so a call was placed to the staff quarters.” the lady replied.
Color drained from Liora’s face as she stared at the lady in shock. There was only one reason the hospital would call the staff quarters.
“What do you mean by that?” Luke has, his voice devoid of the anger with which he spoke only moments ago.“So, for your information, Ellen, we have been testing some new technology in that wing of the hospital, which is why there are no visible cameras for you to see," Fiona started.“What do you mean by that? This is all a conspiracy! I was never at the ICU today; I did not even go towards that part of the hospital!” Ellen shouted, now getting restless.“Oh, stay calm, my dear; you don’t need to get worked up. I mean, you already said you were not in the ICU," Fiona stated.“Tell us, are there cameras in the ICU?” one of the panel members asked.“Yes, there are, and very tiny ones at that.” Fiona responded.Ellen’s shoulders suddenly slumped, and her hands began to tremble on her lap as her eyes darted from wall to wall.“Do you have any evidence for this, Fiona? she is still a member of my team!” Luke stated, his voice trying to stay positive, but the look on his face didn’t.“Of co
Back at the Ashford group, Travis walked through the door into the lobby. His face was blank and unreadable, like he could explode at any given time.“I need every resource we can find on Doctor Athena on my table immediately!” He snapped at Alex as he approached the elevator.Alex, who hurried to catch up with him, quickly responded, “Alright.”Travis was furious, more so because he didn’t have a way to let out his anger at Scott. The last thing he needed on his plate right now was a drama with Cavanade, he thought.“Hmm, Travis, the team working on the government project sent mail. The first product is confirmed for a test trial.” Scott said as they stepped into the elevator.“Okay,” Travis grunted, then added, “Tell them to go ahead and I’ll check on progress in a few days.”“Okay, I’ll do that, and also, there was an emergency meeting with some members of the board this morning," Alex stated.Travis's already stone-cold face contorted with anger as he slowly turned to look at Alex
The room was deathly quiet, almost to the point of hearing the breathing pattern of the next person beside them.“Who accessed that room after our last round?” Liora asked.That seemed to break the spell on the room as everyone started looking around the room to see whose hands were up.“I did.” Nurse Sarah said, raising her hand before adding, “But I only administered what was on the signed-off prescription from you.”“Did you sign the prescription off?” Fiona asked again.“Yes, I did," Liora nodded, her face blank and unreadable.“Hmm, but I am sure that was not the content that she approved.” Lily quickly chipped in."Well, it looks like we have an investigation on our hands," Liora mumbled.While she spoke, Luke White walked into the room with a big frown on his face.“What is it that I am hearing?” He asked, looking around the group.“We are launching an investigation. Convey the committee in the next two hours.” Fiona instructed.Fiona’s words seem to infuriate him more as he sn
Over at the Ashford Group head office, Michael walked into the boardroom, his eyes scanning the table as he took his seat at the edge of it."It's good that you all found the time to attend," Michael said with a satisfied smile.The board members shifted uncomfortably in their seats, each trying to avoid Michael's gaze."Now, I would not beat around the bush; we all know why we are here today," Michael stated."Your father would be appalled to know you called us with threats." One of them said it from behind."Well, I am also sure my father does not have the leverage I have on you." Michael responded with a shrug.There were seven of them in total, but Michael knew if he got their vote, then Travis was as good as gone."Now, here is my proposal: vote me in to become the next CEO, and I will destroy the file I have on all of you." Michale said, looking at them one after the other."How are we sure that you will?" someone countered."You just have to trust me. I am sure if this were to
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