CHAPTER 278: CHAPTER 278 LET HIM SUFFER

Ava’s POV

"You did not just seriously do that," I hissed as I slammed Eleanor’s car door shut.

I definitely didn’t see that coming! Joseph had just sworn up and down that he was mine, and then this woman showed up and threw herself at him. I recognized her from the social club where she’d been all over him before, but right then I wanted to claw his eyes out and rip her chest apart!

My hands were shaking with rage as I buckled my seatbelt. "Those women literally threw themselves at them, and they just sat there!"

Eleanor gripped the steering wheel so tightly her knuckles turned white. "I warned you about Joseph. Men like him don’t change overnight."

"I can’t believe I was stupid enough to think he was different," I muttered, the betrayal cutting deeper than I wanted to admit.

My phone vibrated for the tenth time. Joseph again.

"Are you going to answer that?" Eleanor asked as she pulled out of the mall parking lot.

"Not a chance in hell." I silenced my phone completely and tossed it into my purse. "Where are we going?"

"Caroline’s place. The girls are meeting us there."

When we arrived at Caroline’s apartment, her babysitter greeted us.

Kyle arrived with three bottles of wine and a sympathetic expression. "Let me guess—the guys screwed up?"

"Totally," Caroline confirmed.

Ruby and Nina were already there, sprawled across couch with glasses of wine in hand.

Caroline went to the kitchen, aggressively chopping vegetables like they had personally offended her.

"So those three hussies just walked up and kissed them?" Ruby asked after we’d explained everything.

"And Ella had the nerve to brag about some night she spent with Draven," I added, accepting the overfilled glass Nina handed me. "The worst part is Joseph just sat there like a deer caught in headlights."

"Men," Caroline scoffed. "They’re all the same."

My phone lit up again from my purse. I pulled it out and saw seven missed calls from Joseph and a string of texts.

"Ava, please let me explain."

"It wasn’t what it looked like."

"Those women mean nothing."

"Please talk to me."

"Delete them all," Nina advised, peering over my shoulder. "You deserve better."

I tossed my phone aside again. "The thing is, I thought he was better. He made me feel..." I trailed off, not wanting to admit how deeply Joseph had affected me.

"Special?" Caroline supplied gently. "They all do at first."

I nodded, taking a long sip of wine. "I’m just glad I found out now before I got in too deep."

"You know what you need?" Nina sat up straighter. "A job where you don’t have to worry about running into that ex of yours or dealing with those backstabbing coworkers."

"Speaking of jobs," I sighed, "Alpha Draven offered me a position as his executive assistant."

"Are you going to take it?" Eleanor asked.

"I don’t know. I was excited about it, but now..."

Caroline sat beside me. "Don’t let the things about Draven and me affect your career opportunities. If it’s a good job, take it."

"Caroline’s right," Kyle said. "Plus, you’d be working for Draven, not Joseph."

I spent the night at Nina’s, tossing and turning on her pull-out couch. By morning, I’d made my decision. I called Draven and accepted the job offer, making it clear my professional life would remain separate from any personal issues.

The next day, I headed to the mall to quit my retail job. As I pushed through the store’s doors, Cybele immediately spotted me and her face twisted into a sneer.

"What are you doing here, miss perfect? It’s your day off," she spat.

I squared my shoulders. "I’m here to speak with Esther."

"Did your rich boyfriend dump you already?" Cybele taunted. "I always knew you weren’t enough for him."

Something in me snapped. "At least I didn’t have to throw myself at someone else’s man to get attention. How desperate do you have to be to chase after every guy who walks in here?"

"You little bi—"

"Ladies!" Esther’s sharp voice cut through our argument. "Ava, my office. Now."

Inside her office, Esther sat behind her desk. "What’s going on, Ava? This isn’t like you."

I took a deep breath. "I’m sorry about that, Esther. I’ve come to give my two weeks’ notice."

Esther’s eyebrows shot up. "May I ask why?"

"I’ve been offered a position at Thorne Enterprises that aligns with my business degree," I explained. "And after everything that happened with Isaac..." I didn’t need to finish the sentence.

She nodded slowly. "I understand. You’re one of my best employees, Ava, but I won’t stand in the way of your career advancement." She smiled sadly. "Though I have to ask—would you consider leaving immediately? The tension between you and certain staff members seems... problematic."

Relief washed over me. "I’d prefer that, actually."

After finalizing the details, I headed for the exit. Cybele, Cynthia, and Laura were huddled near the register, whispering.

"I hope she fired you," Cybele hissed as I passed.

I stopped and turned. "Actually, I quit. I found a job that actually requires a brain to perform." I smiled sweetly. "Oh, and just so you know, Esther heard about your little stockroom activities. I’d update your resume if I were you."

The satisfaction of leaving them speechless carried me through the mall. I decided to grab lunch at the food court before heading home. I’d just settled with my burger when a familiar voice called out.

"Aunt Ava! Is that really you?"

I turned to see Antonio, approaching with three other teenage boys.

"Antonio!" Despite my anger at Joseph, I couldn’t help smiling at the sweet kid. "How are you?"

"I’m great! Can we join you? Or are you waiting for Uncle Joseph?" His eyes scanned the area hopefully.

My smile faltered. "I’m not waiting for anyone. Please, join me."

Antonio and his friends got their food and returned to my table, filling me in on school drama and their latest video game conquests.

"My grandma wants to see you," Antonio mentioned casually, stealing one of my fries.

My heart clenched. "That’s very sweet, but I don’t think I’ll be able to make it."

Antonio’s eyes widened. "Why not? Did Uncle Joseph mess up?" He leaned forward conspiratorially. "He’s been moping around the house looking like someone stole his favorite wolf toy."

I couldn’t help but laugh at the image. "Your uncle and I... we’re taking a break."

"He’s totally crazy about you," Antonio insisted. "Whatever he did, he’s really sorry. He keeps staring at his phone like it might explode."

"Sometimes sorry isn’t enough, Antonio." I gathered my trash onto my tray. "But don’t worry about me. I’ll still help you with your math homework if you need it."

"Promise?" His hopeful expression reminded me so much of Joseph that it hurt.

"Promise."

After saying goodbye to Antonio and his friends, I headed to Nina’s place. For the rest of the week, I ignored Joseph’s increasingly desperate messages. Let him suffer a little, because I certainly was.