Falling For My Accidental CEO Husband
Chapter 168: Sidney’s Downfall

Chapter 168: Sidney’s Downfall

Ava kept her eyes glued to the door, waiting impatiently for her fiancé, even though she was still mad at him. She’d convinced herself that this was all Serena’s fault. That woman! Serena must have known they’d be together yesteday, she had spies everywhere, and she had called him on purpose, just to show off her influence. It felt like Serena was rubbing it in, as if she had control over Ava’s own fiancé. And the fact that it was true, simply helped her hold all the more anger in her direction.

She couldn’t understand why Sidney wouldn’t just leave Serena alone. What did he even see in her? Tonight, Ava would make sure he knew he was hers—and only hers. He needed to understand that Serena had no place in their lives. And she’d already made preparations. Tonight, they were not just getting engaged but also consummating their relationship.

"You might as well peel your eyes off and leave them at the door with the way you’re staring, Ava," came a smug voice from behind.

Ava froze, her heart sinking as she turned to see the very woman she’d been fuming about. Serena stood there, eyebrow raised, a mocking smile on her lips.

"What are you doing here?" Ava demanded, her irritation clear.

Serena gave her a smirk and replied, "This is my house... Have you already forgotten our last conversation? Really, Ava, you have the memory of a goldfish."

Ava narrowed her eyes, her voice laced with frustration. "Can you really not stay away? Are you so desperate for attention that you’d stoop to gatecrashing someone’s party, fully knowing you’re not welcome here?"

Serena only shrugged, unbothered by Ava’s irritation. "Tsk tsk, Ava. Are you really so insecure that you can’t handle your fiancé’s ex showing up at your engagement?" She leaned in, her voice lowering to a taunting whisper. "Or maybe... it’s because deep down, you know he’s still not over me?"

Ava clenched her fists, the words cutting deeper than she’d like to admit. She took a steadying breath, attempting to keep her tone calm but failing to hide her frustration. "If you’re so interested in Sidney, why didn’t you marry him? Why come after him now?"

Serena laughed softly, her expression a mix of amusement and scorn. "Oh, Ava, you’ve got it all wrong. I don’t want him. At all. But it’s fun to play with something you know someone else desires." Her eyes sparkled with a dangerous gleam as she added, "Especially when it is you and I know how much it bothers you."

Ava’s stomach twisted, and she stared at Serena in disbelief, horror spreading across her face. "Why... why are you doing this? Why can’t you leave me in peace? Even if we have problems in business, that is just business," she managed, voice barely more than a whisper.

Serena’s expression grew cold, her gaze sharp and unyielding. "Oh, Ava, don’t pretend you don’t understand. Think back to high school," she said, "Remember the little game you played with me? Dangling the bait, making me feel like I had a chance— and then those friends that you invited for me? You almost cost me everything."

Ava’s breath hitched as Serena’s words hit home. Memories she had tried to forget rushed back, a flood of old guilt and shame twisting in her chest. She knew that night that she’d crossed the line and done something unforgivable. But she had not known what those boys had in mind for her when they’d approached her to handle Serena. She’d just thought theywould haze her a little...

When Serena had first returned that night, a servant had assured Ava that she seemed perfectly fine, though she did have a few bruises on her hands. Ava had barely felt a moment’s relief when, without warning, Serena stormed into her room, her eyes blazing, hurling threats that she would get back at her for what happened. The confidence Serena carried had unsettled Ava deeply, making her scared for the first time in her life. Even at that moment, she’d tried to apologize, explain that she had not known, but the words had remained stuck in her throat.

For the next few weeks, Ava had been on edge, constantly fearing that Serena might go to the old woman and expose everything. She’d even rehearsed a defense in her mind—weak as it was—claiming that Serena hadn’t been a victim, that somehow, she’d actually harmed those boys herself. But strangely, Serena never mentioned the incident. Days turned into weeks, and slowly, Ava had allowed herself to forget, burying it along with the mistakes of her past.

But now, here Serena stood, her voice dripping with malice as she whispered, "Psst! Your fiancé is here. And Ava... let me tell you something interesting... That night, Sidney came for me. He’s the one who brought me home. And he knows exactly who was behind that attack..."

Ava felt her stomach drop as her face paled. It couldn’t be true. She’d been so certain no one knew what had happened that night. But... could it be that Sidney had known all along? Was that why he sometimes looked at her with a hidden disdain that she could never quite understand? No. That had to be a lie. Serena was just messing with her, trying to twist her mind so that she would confess everything.

But as Sidney walked closer, Ava felt a chill seep through her bones. She realized with a pang of dread that she’d never once considered how Serena had managed to get home that night. Their high school wasn’t within walking distance, so if Sidney had brought her home, it meant Serena wasn’t bluffing.

Sidney’s hand touched her elbow, and she jolted, pulling away from him as if his touch had burned her. He looked at her, frowning in confusion. "What’s wrong with you, Ava?" he asked, his voice laced with irritation.

She swallowed hard, forcing herself to look at him, but her mind was spinning, and words failed her. Everything Serena had said lingered in her head, haunting her every thought.