Chapter 17 Aviana Scott #2
“I knew you weren’t a good man for her,” she growled. “You’re just a ghetto thug who was never good enough for my daughter.”
I didn’t flinch at her insults. I’d heard worse on the streets. Her anger only seemed to fuel my persistence. “You can think what you want, but it doesn’t change the truth. I might be a thug, but your daughter is a lying ass bitch who needs therapy.”
Rachel crossed her arms as her frustrations boiled over. “Can you at least have the movers put the boxes inside?”
I leaned back slightly, smirking. “Hell no. They’ll leave them right where they are.”
She turned to the movers, asking, “Can you please place the boxes in the house?”
I locked eyes with the guys. My gaze dared them to listen to her. They glanced at me, then back at Rachel.
“Sorry, ma’am,” one of them told her. “We have to listen to the man who’s paying us.”
“This is insane,” she quipped.
I chuckled tauntingly. “No. Your daughter is insane.”
Rachel’s mouth opened. She was probably about to unleash some long-winded speech defending Lelani, but I was already done listening.
I pushed off the truck and took a few slow steps toward her.
“She faked an illness to manipulate me. She played with emotions I don’t even let most people see.
And now?” I gestured to the boxes littering her lawn.
“She can sit in this mess and figure out how to rebuild her life without me in it.”
AVIANA SCOTT
As I stepped into Mythic’s condo, my breath caught in my throat. The moment the door swung open, I was met with overwhelming luxury. I had toured so many places since I’d shown him this one, so I showed myself around to refresh my memory.
The first thing that caught my eye was the open layout of the living space. The floor-to-ceiling windows flooded the room with natural light, offering a breathtaking view of the city skyline. I took a moment to just soak it all in, feeling a flutter of excitement in my chest.
I set my bags down at the front door and took off my shoes, respectful of the polished floors.
Then I wandered over to the kitchen. My fingers glided over the cool marble of the island.
It was polished to perfection, gleaming under the sunlight, and I couldn’t help but admire the high-end appliances that lined the countertops.
Everything was immaculate, like a scene straight out of a magazine.
The hardwood floors were smooth beneath my feet. The living room was cozy yet sophisticated with a plush sectional that looked perfect for lounging and a large flat-screen TV mounted on the wall. A few pieces of art hung around, each one telling a story of its own.
As I made my way to the two bedrooms, I was struck by how calm and inviting each space felt. The master bedroom was a sanctuary, complete with a king-sized bed dressed in soft, luxurious linens. The second bedroom was just as nice, perfect for guests or even a home office if Mythic ever needed one.
I stepped out onto the large balcony, taking in the fresh air and the view.
I could see the rooftop pool and terrace of the building.
It looked like a tempting oasis that made me wish I could dive in right then.
I leaned against the railing, feeling as if I was in a movie.
This place was a reflection of who he was—ambitious, stylish, and unapologetically bold.
I turned away from the balcony, basking in the sense of peace that washed over me as I walked back inside.
I headed toward the front door to grab the bags I had left behind.
As I approached the foyer, something on the table caught my eye.
A note lay there, neatly folded, and curiosity pulled me closer.
As I picked it up, I noticed a credit card sitting beside it. My heart skipped a beat as I read the note: Use the card to fill the fridge and get whatever else you need. Treat this like it’s your house.
My smile was so wide that my cheeks stung from the strain.
For Mythic, this was such a simple gesture, but it meant so much to me.
God was showing out for me, even amid all the hurt and disappointment I was carrying.
Mythic was so loving, so attentive, that I had to remind myself that I was living a nightmare.
I took a deep breath, clutching the note and card tightly, knowing that I needed to focus on the good as long as it lasted.
MYTHIC GREY
I could feel the tension of the day easing away as I got off the elevator at my condo on Indiana Avenue.
I had left my manager at Enchant to close up for me, and honestly, I didn’t even care about the club or the streets right now.
All I wanted was to be with Avi. Spending these last two days with her had shown me the difference in being with a woman you want to be around.
Nothing else really mattered, and it was hard to focus on anything or anyone else.
The moment I walked in, a savory, appetizing aroma invaded my nostrils, and I smiled.
I followed the scent into the kitchen, and there she was—Aviana, my beautiful distraction—standing at the stove.
Her hair was pulled back into a lazy, messy bun, and she was wearing one of my shirts, which barely covered her.
The sight of her was everything.
I leaned against the doorframe, allowing the moment to sink in.
She turned around, surprise flashing across her face. “What are you doing here?”
“This is my crib,” I jokingly reminded her. “I can’t come to my own crib?”
Aviana glanced at the clock above the refrigerator, then she looked at me, tilting her head dramatically. “It’s late. Don’t you need to be at home?”
I shrugged a shoulder. “I am home.”
Her brows creased as she stirred whatever was cooking. It smelled like pasta.
“How have you been able to spend so much time with me?” I knew that question had been on the tip of her tongue for the last two days, but she didn’t want to burst our bubble by bringing up Lelani.
I hesitated for a second, then decided to finally tell her. “Lelani faked having cancer,” I said, watching her reaction. Her face dropped. “What? Why would she do something like that?”
“Because I love you, and she knew it.”
Aviana stopped stirring and then slowly faced me. Her expression was a blur of admiration and surprise.
“She didn’t want me to leave her. She felt like it was going to happen at any moment, so she lied to keep me.
Guess she figured I would never leave her at a time like that, and she was right.
I was about to leave her. You hadn’t even mentioned leaving Damar, and I knew you probably wouldn’t have, but I knew that I wasn’t giving her my all because I was in love with you. ”
Aviana’s shoulders sank as a pout of admiration formed on her lips.
“She must have felt that shit,” I went on, “so she made up having cancer.”
“But her head was always hurting. You said that she was sick and throwing up and shit.”
I chuckled wryly. “I guess she was just pretending. She must have taken something to make her throw up.”
“That’s crazy. How did you find out?”
“She got in an accident the other night.”
Aviana’s eyes bulged.
“I was in the hospital with her all night. That’s why I hadn’t gotten any sleep. When her surgeon came in explaining that she would be in there for a while, I asked if she could still get her biopsy. That’s how it all came out. They had no record of her having cancer.”
“Oh my God. That’s insane.”
“I got her stuff moved out of my crib today and took it to her mother’s house.”
I stepped away from the doorway and made my way into the kitchen. As I approached Aviana at the stove, she held me in a tight embrace.
“I’m sorry,” she murmured.
I chuckled, pulling back slightly to look down in her eyes. “For what?”
“I feel responsible for what Lelani did to you,” she said as her gaze dropped to the floor.
I shook my head as I smiled. “Nah. Don’t do that. I’m actually happy it happened. It feels like God made a way for us to be together. We both loved each other but respected our significant others. Now we can be together without feeling guilty.”
She hesitated, biting her lip with her brows furrowed in thought. “I don’t know if I’m in the right headspace to be in another relationship. Damar and Mia have left some scars, and I’m scared that I will bleed on you.”
“I know,” I gently told her.
“But I need you,” she admitted, her eyes searching mine for understanding.
Relieved, I told her, “I know that too. That’s why I’m going to take it slow with you.”
Her expression softened, and I could see the glimmer of hope, longing, and love in her eyes. I reached out, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, causing my thumb to graze her cheek.
As I pulled Aviana closer, the moment was suddenly interrupted by the shrill ring of her phone. She glanced at the island where it sat, and I caught a glimpse of Carol’s name flashing on the screen.
“Answer it,” I told her, but I felt a spasm of disappointment as she stepped away from me. The warmth of her body was gone, and I couldn’t help but laugh at myself for feeling so possessive.
As she lifted the phone to her ear, I turned my attention to the stove. I grabbed the stirring spoon and dipped it into the bubbling pot of alfredo sauce. The spicy kick hit me, and I realized she was making rasta pasta.
Suddenly, I heard Aviana inhaling sharply, and my heart dropped. I turned just in time to see her collapse onto a stool with her hands gripping her head.
I rushed over, asking, “Avi, what’s wrong?”
She held the phone to her ear as her expression shifted from surprise to devastation. “They found Mia.” Her voice trembled as she struggled to process the news.
My pulse quickened. “Where is she?”
Her gaze lowered when she saw the hope in my eyes. Her eyes were wide with shock as she covered the speaker of her phone. “She’s dead. She was found stuffed in a suitcase in the lake.”