Married To My Sister's Husband novel Chapter 34

Jeffery

"A...I made breakfast! Pancakes with berry syrup, your favorite!" I called out loud so she would hear me all the way from her room.

It's been 2weeks since the dinner brawl between she and Heather, but she's still mad at me.

I've done everything I could possibly think of, but nothing have worked to put an end to the cold treatment I've been getting from her.

I even tried doubling the profits of the company, making the inflation on the statistics skyrocket in just 11days- still I got nothing from her.

She simply gets dressed, grabs her key and leaves the house before 9am every morning- except on a weekends.

Soon, I heard her come down the stairs. I knew she would just ignore me and leave again, so I stopped her. This is going on too long and I had to put a stop to this qualm.

"Sooner or later A, you'll have to talk to me so we can settle these matter between us. Why don't we talk about these already and make peace, huh?" I asked in anticipation of a positive response, but nothing.

I can't handle another day of us living like ghosts in this big mansion. We've never had such a huge fight like this before and it's beginning to get to me.

It's annoying anytime I see her sad or angry, it disrupts my thinking and rationality.

"I'm going back to New York, Cal. I've already started my transfer application from my Fentrix Academy, and I've spoken to my boss about transferring me to TNet, New York branch." Ava replied sending me into shock.

No...no, she can't do this to me. No! I screamed inside as I vigorously shook my head and took a step backward.

I met with the dining chair behind me and rested on it for support.

"Wh...wh...why?...what do you mean by 'you're going back to New York'? You told me I never have to worry about you leaving, so what exactly are you saying now? You said you would stay by me always" I stammered disoriented.

Ava can't leave me, she is all I have.

"I mean I'm leaving you, Cal. Things are no longer how they used to be and it's not my doing. You've got this mapped out plan in your head and no matter how I look at it, I don't think I fit into that plan. So, I'm leaving- before someone accuses me of going too far again." She stated coldly.

Wow!

"I can't... no. You're joking right? Ava, you are all I've got. Why...why are you doing these? Is it because of the little fight we had? But I said I was sorry, so why are you doing these to me?" I ranted in pain.

"Little fight?! We never use to have any type of fights before- whether big or little, until she came into our lives. It might have been irrelevant to you, but to me, you showed just how important I was to you that night. I have to go to work now or I'll be late" she answered plainly before she left the house.

I was finding it hard to breathe- everything became too painful to do. I really didn't mean to hurt her so bad she wants to leave me, all I just wanted was for both Ava and Heather to get along and get to know each other.

I would do anything- anything at all to make things better, but what Ava is asking for is just incomprehensible. She wants me to choose between she and Heather, and that's asking a lot.

I became more disrupt for days and the silence between us grew even more. I used to be very eremitic- completely introverted, until she came into my life.

Taking Ava in as my ward changed my life, and my worse nightmare would be the day she finally decides that she doesn't need me anymore.

She was now treating me like a complete stranger and that stings on so many levels. I don't think I can ever choose between Ava and Heather- there's no choice in the first place.

On a date with Heather one evening after the news, I tried so hard to be cool and act normal, but she caught me. Few minutes into the date she knew something was up with me.

"Is something wrong at the company?... or is it still about Ava? To be honest, I've never been so nice to anyone as I was with her that evening. She hates my guts and thinks I'm some bimbo her brother picked up by mistake. I don't think she and I can ever find a mutual ground, and honestly she's a bit too much for me to handle" Heather stated discouragingly.

Both Ava and Heather are like two positives of two different magnet, and it's only natural that they would not get along.

What was I thinking? I've ruined everything.

"Ava decided to return to New York. She's moving everything down there with her- the academy, her work, everything except me." I lamented unintentionally.

Saying it out loud didn't help at all, in fact it made the pain in my chest hurt even more.

"Oh...oh Jeff, that's...that's just sad. I'm so sorry. What's it about? Certainly something else must have happened, right?" She questioned curiously, but I couldn't affirm her speculation.

One look at me and she went dead silent, baffled by the realization that she is actually the reason Ava wants to return to New York.

She dropped the cutlery she was holding and placed her hands on her laps under the table- something she was used to doing when she's uncertain of a situation.

"It because of me, right? She wants you to choose. (Sighs)...Surely you told her you chose her right?" She questioned incoherently.

I was silent, trying to understand what she meant by that.

"Ava is the best part of my life, but you are the woman I've given my very heart to. Why do I have to choose between the two most important people in my life?" I questioned back.

Why can't I have them both?- my sister and my lover.

"Give me your hand" Heather ordered calmly, and I obeyed.

"I'll find a way to stop this. Just you continue to about your day like nothing happened, and I promise your sister will remain in Minneapolis with you. Trust me, ok?" She assured with sudden confidence.

I want to believe her- I really do, but I fear my sister is very stubborn and it's almost impossible to change her mind once it's already made up.

"Ava can be very difficult, it's not easy to change her mind once it's been made up" I argued.

"Then it's a good I'm equally stubborn. Babe, I hate it when you're feeling down, so believe me when I tell you that I'll do everything in my power to see that you still have your sister by your side for as long as you both will." She proclaimed and I nodded with a faint smile.

I have no idea how she plans to make Ava stay, but I want to trust her- or anyone in that matter who can make Ava change her mind.

Later that evening when I went home, i sat by Ava's room door.

"A...can you hear me? I hope you are, because it's been pretty lonely without you these past days. I don't... even know if I should stop you or let you go. Honestly, it's been getting harder and harder letting you go. You must really hate me to want to leave me..." I confessed hurtfully as I brushed my hair with my fingers in frustration.

"...At the court room when the judge said I could take you home 8years ago, I was terrified- not knowing exactly what to do. But you walked up to me, held my hands and you said to me, 'just feed me, I'll handle the rest'. That's when I knew my life was going to be changed forever. I knew I had to do right by you- not just feed you, but also to protect you and make you happy. You brought light into my life A, and that light shined on Heather. Just because I fell in love doesn't mean there's no love left for you- I just thought we could grow our family..." I paused for a while, but not a sound from Ava.

"...A, are you listening to me? Please don't make me choose between you two, because I can't." I stated broken-heartedly.

That's when I heard her door open and she came out.

"You chose to see the good in people even when they don't have any, but I see what they really are capable of from their past actions. So, I won't stay here and encourage you to continue in your madness- that's why I'm leaving. Can we not talk about this any further? Because, I won't be changing my mind" she said with gritted teeth before she shut the door.

Heather

After Jeffery told me that Ava wanted to go back to New York, I could tell how heart broken he was.

I can be a b'tch, but that evening I had dinner with his sister, I really tried to be nice to her and wished things had gone differently.

I may have made a mistake I shouldn't have, but I understand that she might just be over protective of Jeffery and that's why she wants me gone from his life.

But she's breaking his heart by deciding to go back to New York for no apparent reason.

I made a promise to Jeffery that I would get his sister to stay, and that's exactly what I would do.

Heaven knows I want him to be happy. I want to be the one who gives him that happiness, because ever since he came into my life he has made it better.

So, I put a few calls to Fentrix Robotics Academy. The Director of the academy is a close acquaintance of mine who has benefited from my generosity in the past, so he invited me over.

Yes, it's the same Academy Ava was attending.

I arrived at the academy at around 1pm when I was certain Ava would be in the campus.

After a brief meeting with the Director, he agreed to hold off Ava's transfer for a little while longer. So, I left his office and heading for her department.

Not too long, I heard some people laughing and making jest of someone in a video they were watching.

I moved closer to see what they were watching, and unfortunately it was a video of Ava with the caption 'US Best Top hacker, sham or genuine?'.

I could see Ava in the video, disarrayed in an environment with high tech gadgets going haywire.

"I told you all that she only got that title because her brother paid off the judges. She is not as good as everybody thinks she is and here is prove." a brunette haired girl cited as everyone laughed.

"Well, sooner or later she had to come out of her brother's shadow and money, and look at the outcome of that" a second girl jarred as everyone laughed again.

Oh poor Ava, does she even know about these? Oh my, could this be the reason why she wants to leave Jeffery and go back to New York?

I walked away from the group and entered a corridor. I took the stairs that led me to a broad hallway. There were students clustered everywhere, making my search for Ava quite harder.

I went back down the way I came from and I was back at the corridor, when I heard female voices coming towards me.

It was those girls from before- the ones with the video and the impolite comments, so I hid behind a pillar.

They were talking about the video and I needed to know more about what was going on, so I listened in on their conversation.

"She's on the roof top, I hope she tries to hurt herself" the first girl cooed unfeelingly.

That girl deserves a slap from an elder, how dare she say that about someone else.

"C'mon Freya, that's too much. Maybe we should stop circulating the video already, it's gone on for far too long. If the Director finds out about this, he won't take it lightly" the seconds girl stated.

So, they've been the ones circulating the embarrassing video of Ava?

"Oh, grow a spine Julie. The Director would never find out, no one ever will. Only the both of us know what really happened that day of the presentation, so if you don't tell, no one will ever find out what happened. And in just few more days, that Ava girl will finally leave Fen-Robo, which means everyone's attention would then be on just us. It's a perfect plan" Freya replied adamantly.

Freya, so it's you all along? You sabotaged Ava's project and made a video of her epic fail that somehow you're circulating around the campus, just because you're jealous of her?

It really was the perfect plan, if I hadn't just found out about it.

"C'mon, lets go. Mr Trey's class will be starting in 15mins." Julie replied hastily and they ran along.

Ava is a genius. She doesn't make mistakes when it comes to what she is passionate about- coding and programming. Those girls envy and jealousy was about to taint her reputation, but I won't let that happen.

I walked back up the staircase and arrived at the hallway again. I began to ask if anyone had seen Ava, but no one knew where she was.

"Hey, excuse me. I'm looking for Ava Jeffery. Have you seen her?" I asked one handsome young guy who appeared cool but in a geeky way.

"Yes...yes I have. Why are you looking for her?" He asked sternly.

What are you, her bodyguard?

"Oh...my name is Heather Winfrey and I'm a friend of her brother. I just need to speak to her briefly, that's all." I replied honestly.

His attitude suddenly changed as he heard my name, and suddenly he became formal with me.

"Wow, do forgive me Ms. Winfrey. My name is Austin McGrath, I've heard so much about you...You're actually the main reason I'm here at Fen-Robo, and I would just like to say thank you very much for your generosity." He stated politely and courteously.

I smiled at his sudden change of attitude and nodded in acceptance. I did say I'm a close acquaintance of the Director here, and Fentrix Academy have benefitted quite a lot from my generosity a few times in the past- but that aside.

"You're welcome. I still need to see Ava though, it's quite urgent." I pressed.

"Of course. I can take you to her, but I doubt she would want to speak to you." he stated and I understood what he meant.

He led me all the way to the roof top and on our way, I suspected maybe he and Ava might both be good friends.

"Austin? Forgive my intrusion, but are you good friends with Ava?" I asked curiously.

He gave me a weak smile before he replied, "I wish. Ava doesn't have friends, she prefers being alone. I've tried to be friends with her, but she completely shuts me and everyone out. Then came the tragedy that happened last week at the Presentation, it's all over the school. If only there was a way for me to get my hands on her robotic gadget, I can uncouple its threads and know what really happened for it to go ballistic at the last moment."

He seems to care a lot about Ava and also wants to help find out what happened that day with her gadget.

"It seems you like Ava, she's quite lucky" I commented gently.

"It's me who's lucky, she's a brilliant tech genius and I could never catch up to her" he confessed shamelessly.

I like Austin, he reminds me so much of Jeffery with his candidness.

We finally got to the roof top and he led me through the door before he went back down. I scanned the area for Ava and finally got sight of her.

She was relaxed on the rail, looking at the outlines of the campus which was a beautiful site.

"What are you doing here?" She rudely asked without even letting me get close to her.

"I had a meeting with the Director. You on the other hand are quite popular around here." I said sarcastically.

I know she's mad at me already so what's the point in acting nice?

"I don't feel like speaking to anyone, so please leave."

"That's ok. It's better you don't talk, but I have a lot to say to you that I didn't say the last time we met." I declared plainly.

"I don't want to listen to anyone either, so get lost." She countered.

"Does it look like I care about what you want to do or don't want to do? I came here to say my piece and I'll say it before I leave." I stated.

Ava truly is a very stubborn young lady and only an equally stubborn person might be able to get through to her.

She turned to me and then was about to walk away, before I stopped her.

"Are you also going to run away from a simple conversation with me? Do I threaten you that much? It's amazing how one can be very wrong about another person, you know? Before I met you, I heard stories of you from Jeffery. I used to think to myself like, 'wow, she must be incredibly smart, brave and strong'. But meeting you, I must say I'm highly disappointed." I added coldly.

That stopped her in her track, and she turned back to look at me.

"I know what you're trying to do but it won't work. I'm by far smarter than you'll ever be." She replied.

"Oh yeah? Then proof it. To be smart is to quick, calculative and resourceful. But you? You just run away when things get tough like a spineless chicken." I insulted.

That last bit got on her nerve as she walked towards me in anger.

"You're getting what you want, isn't that enough? You're so slick it's too obvious, so stop trying too hard to be the hero who tries to keep my family together. I won't fall for it."

"Keep your family together? I had no intention of doing that, in fact I'm happy you've finally decided to leave Jeffery alone. What did you think? That by giving your brother an ultimatum he'll leave me? Sweetie, I'm not going anywhere, and since you're such a chicken who runs away from every fight, even you can't stop me now from loving your brother" I said scornfully.

She was boiling with anger and I could tell. It's not my intention to hurt her pride, but someone has to deflate it in other for her to get back to reality.

"I'll stop you! My brother doesn't have to choose anything, we'll both settle this between ourselves. I'll make sure I send you off in the most unpleasant way possible."

"(Scoffs)...I'll like to see you try. I mean you can't even handle the task of protecting you reputation and finding out what exactly happened to your project, and now the whole school thinks you're just a fake. How can you possibly send me off?" I asked slyly.

"48hrs. I'll provide evidence that would prove my gadget was functional until the time of my presentation in 48hrs. And I f I succeed, you'll accept that you're not good for Callum and you'll leave our lives for good. But if I don't, I'll accept the fact that you and my brother are truly dating." She suggested.

Locked and loaded.

I can be very manipulative when I want to be, and it's good to know I've still go that attribute in me. Though her suggestion is brilliant, I've got something else in mind.

"I have a better idea. How about we both look for proof separately to find out what really happened that day. The first to gather enough evidence in the next 24hrs is the winner. But you'll have to make your gadget available for access, how about that? Do you think you're up for it?" I asked confidently.

Whatever happens, I still want Ava's name cleared and those girl- Freya and Julie, get the punishment they deserve. I hate it when bullies get away with sick pranks like that.

I want Ava to be able to go to these academy with her head held up high, and for every one to know just how much of a smart ass she really was.

"Fine. You have yourself a deal. There'll be no going back of your word after this is over, so anyone who wins, the other has to stick to the agreement no matter what." she added.

She truly underestimates me incredibly, but I'm not offended about that.

"Fine by me." I replied as I walked past her.

I was about to leave, but I stopped halfway and said, "I'm in love with Jeffery. I'm greedy and selfish about him, and that's the kind of woman he needs. So, trust me when I say I don't intend to lose... I think our time starts now" I concluded before walking through the door.

First thing first, I looked for Austin and when I found him, we quickly went to the lab to inspect Ava's gadget.

I then informed the Director about the whole issue and he promised to do some investigations of his own, also giving us passage access to some unaccessible areas in the school.

Since Austin was a tech guru- knowing algorithm and sh't, he was able to locate the source of malfunction of the gadget.

Turns out, it was a piece of reprogrammed codes that was tapped into the main program. And since it was very tiny, Ava didn't notice it on time.

Freya and co must have done it, because Austin recognized the signature code as one belonging to a guy called Leo, who is in the same major as Austin. But unfortunately, Leo isn't in town and wasn't going to return until the next day.

It got quite late in the evening, so I had to leave. But I promised Austin that I'd be back the next day too, so he and I would go to confront Leo together, and ask him why he sabotaged Ava's project?

The next day I went back to the campus, and as I suspected, Leo said he had sold the code to Freya the night before the presentation day.

So, it was time for the Director to step in and make Freya and her accomplice tell the truth and clear Ava's name.

Even though Ava later found the code, she couldn't track who it belonged to on time, so I won.

Freya and her friend confessed to their crime, apologized to Ava and were suspended for a month. They also made a viral video, stating that they were responsible for the malfunction of Ava's project and that Ava remains the best.

3days later, Jeffery invited me to his father's death anniversary and I accepted.

I was so excited that Ava finally decided to remain in Minnesota with her brother, and she would no longer be on my neck.

But the moment I arrived- even before Jeff could welcome me in, Ava stormed out of the house angrily, and I realized that I was still not welcomed.

I rushed out after her and lucky I caught up with her.

"Let me go!" She screamed as she shrugged my hands off her shoulder.

"What is your problem? I thought we had a deal?" I asked breathlessly from the running.

"What do you know? You only care about yourself you don't care about anyone else!" She yelled in annoyance.

"Is that what you think?" I asked in shock.

"Yes!... it's very obvious"

"Have you thought maybe it's so obvious because I'm pretending to be?! Yes...I agree I don't know anything, I'm dumb. But I know 2 things for sure, that I love your brother so automatically I love you too, and there's nothing I wouldn't do to see him happy. I tried so much to like you but you're not making it easy for me to. I'll leave- I'll leave your brother's life, but before I do that I have something to say to you Ava. Asking your brother to choose between us was a very foolish move. Putting him in that position meant you don't love him as much as you say you do. You maybe intelligent but when it comes to your emotions, you are dumb fu'k. So, when that intelligent and smart lady comes- who fits your description of the ideal partner for Jeffery, just make sure she loves him, not from her head or just words but from her heart." I said before I turned to leave.

"I don't want to share him! He loves you so much, I don't want him to love me less. But at the same time I can't picture him with anyone else who can make him as happy as you do." She confessed sadly.

"I don't want to share him either. But Jeffery has a big heart and that's the best part of it. He'll never let either one of us fall short of his love, I know it." I encouraged softly.

"Then I want you to stay. You are the dumbest, selfish and the most stubborn person I've ever met, but you love my brother so much you were even willing to deal with me. So, please stay." She requested.

Oh... wow, is this a dream?

"Really"

"Yes! I can't promise to always be nice to you, but I'll give it my best." She added cheerfully.

"I'm counting on that" i replied as I went in to give her a hug.

"If it's not too late, may I invite you to stay for dinner tonight?" She made a polite request and I nodded behind her shoulder.

I can't believe it, I finally got through to her. I'm finally on good terms with Ava Jeffery.

Finally, I'll get to see those heartwarming smiles from Jeffery again, and that made me even happier.

This might just be one of the best days of my life.

Markian

Olivia Markian Winfrey is a contradiction.

My wife is both fragile and strong. She cries so she could laugh and she breaks down but is a pillar of strength. And for such a woman to love me so dearly is almost unbelievable.

Knowing her have been a continuous cycle of happiness and sadness, it's almost overwhelming. So, I can stand and say that I didn't know what I was getting into when I decided to fall in love with the sister of my late wife.

10days ago

"You may go in now, Mr. Winfrey" the warden commented and I answered with a nod.

I had cut my trip to New York short after the email I got from Heather. The disturbing truth of all that Livy have been through in such a short time while in front of me was incomprehensible.

How far was she willing to go? What was she planning to do?

The woman is carrying my child but, never once did she mentioned it to me.

Why do I always have to be the only one kept in the dark, totally oblivious to everything that's going on around me?

I stepped inside the cell and immediately the unpleasant stench of sweat bore through my nostrils.

There was a clean empty chair placed in front of a table and a raggedy exhausted and half conscious inmate, sitting at the other end side of the table and cuffed to it.

He was breathing heavily as he slowly raised his head up to look right at me.

"I knew you'd come. You wouldn't want to miss these for the world, would you?" He questioned tiredly.

I took my seat on the empty chair and crossed my legs.

"You're damn right about that, Carlos. I wouldn't have missed this for the world." I replied with so much indignation.

"It's been a while, Mr Winfrey" He said with a smirk.

"Yes it has. And I recall the last time we spoke, I warned you never to show your face to me or Sophia ever again. That if you so much as come even 20meters close or even try to breathe the same air as she did, I'll make your last days on earth a pure undiluted painful experience. But somehow, you still managed to let me see you again, why's that?" I asked back.

Just looking at these fool's face I wish I could curve out that stupid smirk on it and feed it to him.

I was boiling with anger, but I didn't let it show. I refuse to give him the satisfaction of the mere thought that he affects me in any way.

"I tried to, but Soph and I have an unbreakable bond that strengthens with distance. (Laughs)... what did you think? That I was going to give up that easily? Ahhh...You stole my one reason to live, and you expect me to be ok with that?! You have no idea what's coming next." He replied insanely, but I didn't flinch.

"I don't. Which is why I've come to you so I'll learn of this dire plan of yours. What in hell convinced you to return to my life, and to even make the mistake of wanting me as an enemy?" I asked plainly.

"Isn't it clear by now that we are both destined to be foes for life?" He asked sarcastically with a smile.

Does this idiot think I'm here to play a game of Q&Q? Does he have any idea that I could rip his motherfu'king head off, stitch it back and rip it off again?

"You're going to keep acting like a psychopath, causing self-harm to yourself until your court hearing. The state after seeing that would decide to send you to a mental asylum instead, because your well paid lawyer would present evidence to the court of your mental instability. On the day of your transfer, there will be an ambush of which you'll escape. With the sum of $900 million you've stashed away- $400 million Sophia stole from the company before her demise, and $500 million you stole by hacking banks and other Big companies- you'll leave the country." I revealed as I watched that stupid smile slowly disappear from his face.

Foes for Life, right? He has no idea how much I've looked forward to this day, but I'm sure he'll know soon enough.

"what do you want?" he asked sternly and worried, but I ignored him.

"Your lawyer works for me- I pay his dues, I know the rendezvous point, and i even know all the Swiss accounts were your $900 million is stashed- so much for untraceable, right? I know everything. I can make damn sure to frail your plans and make you end up in the worst hands possible..."

"I said, what the hell do you want?!" He yelled in frustration interrupting me.

I smiled when I noticed I've got him right were I wanted him- he's now my prey.

"I...don't want anything. You are here and I've got the power to easily make all your plans, worthless. If you're convicted for all the charges against you, you'll be sent to Balivard Penitentiary where everyday for you will be worse than the last. But if eventually you're not and you're sent to Avent Asylum, I'll make sure I help you meet your worst nightmare at your very own rendezvous point. So, you see Carlos? I don't want anything from you. I've got you exactly where I want you, and there's absolutely no escape for you now." I stated with a grin.

He looked away for a moment but later brought his eyes back to mine.

"You need information from me- I'm sure you do, and I can give it all to you. But you must promise not to stop whatever course of action I take. I swear on my life that I'll leave Minnesota for good and never return." He replied in a haste with a hint of fear.

Bingo.

For a rat like Carlos Guillian, it's hopeless trying to negotiate with. So, you simply set a trap and wait for him to fall into it then block all his exits. The fu'ker would be willing to trade even an eyeball for a chance to escape then.

"No information you give me now would be credible, remember you're a nutcase? This way I get my sweet overdue revenge on you for stealing from Markian Winfrey and making an accomplice off his wife. So, do forgive me, but we don't have a deal." I said coldly before I stood up from my chair in an attempt to leave.

"Sophia is alive!" He yelled, trying to stop me and he succeeded.

All strength left my body, as I slowly turned around to face him.

What did he just say? Sophia is alive? But that's not possible.

Does this mean that I wasn't just paranoid when I thought the body we found after the fire didn't fit her description?

But the autopsy stated that the fingerprints matched that of Sophia's, and since they couldn't run a hair, fingernail or toe nail analysis, it was just concluded that it must be her.

But, Sophia is alive? I kept questioning in my head trying to believe the unbelievable, but failing.