Back To The Past, Setting Him Free

The next day, my father summoned me to his study to finalize the engagement details. The first words out of my mouth were, "Dad, I'm calling it off. I don't want to marry Martin. I want to go to Seattle and take over the new project."

"You've wanted to marry him since you were a little girl," he said, clearly shocked. "Why the sudden change of heart?"

"I don't love him anymore," I said simply. "I just want to focus on my career. Dad, please, I need you to support me in this."

My father studied me, his perpetually pampered daughter, and let out a long sigh. "Are you absolutely sure? If you back out now, you know your cousin Lacey will be the one to marry him."

I nodded firmly. "Then let them. I wish them a lifetime of happiness."

A thought struck me. "And Dad," I added, "please don't tell Martin I was the one who called it off. I don't want him thinking this is some kind of game. I just want to walk away with a little dignity and wish him well."

My father looked puzzled by my earnestness, but he agreed nonetheless and booked my flight to Seattle.

My new life would begin in one week.

As it happened, our Seattle branch was in desperate need of a chief designer for a new landmark project.

I was the perfect candidate.

After leaving my father's study, I was heading for the garden when Lacey intercepted me in the hallway.

"Ava, why can't you just let Martin and me be happy?" she demanded, her eyes already brimming with tears.

I opened my mouth to argue but then closed it. I had already decided to cut them out of my life; there was no point in fighting. The truth would come out soon enough.

Shaking my head to clear it, I tried to step around her.

She grabbed my arm, shoving her phone in my face. The screen showed a gossip column accusing me of leaking Lacey's private information to the press out of jealousy. Before I could process it, she dropped to her knees, her voice rising in a dramatic cry. "Ava, even if you ruin my reputation, I'll still love Martin!"

Before I could even react, Martin was there, rushing over and shoving me hard.

"Ava Monroe!" he roared. "What the hell did you do to her?"