CHAPTER 107

Avaline King

I wanted to make my last day in the United Kingdom a memorable one, so all night while everyone slept, I stayed up and browsed various places I could visit, but one place caught my interest. It was a book club that was holding a fashion-themed session. I used to be a lover of books years ago before I focused my creativity on getting fashion gigs for the family and myself.

However, my love for books didn’t die. No. I kept them close to my heart, and upon entering the King's family, I knew I had made the right decision because I discovered Kyle was a lover of books too. Although I never revived my interest, some days when I was bored, I strolled into his library and picked up captivating titles and scanned through them. 

I registered for the book club and read through their events. They had a lot of activities, and everything was packed with glamour, spiciness, and uniqueness. I couldn’t help but wonder if they would be open to new members. Okay, visiting members. 

An hour later, I received a letter from Attorney Smith. I read through the content and threw it in the trash bin. It’s been three months since the divorce saga started, and Attorney Smith has tried everything from scheduled meetings to written emails to convince me to stay, but I wasn’t ready to let Kyle go.

No one really understood how much I loved Kyle, not even my parents. They believe I was pulling an act by staying in a marriage that provided enough financial and social security.

They were wrong, though. I had loved Kyle right from college, and even after I declined his marriage offer,. I still loved him, and I couldn’t watch Tessa take him away from me just like that. Not after the perfect picture I had built for us. I wished I had done enough drama to infuse my message into her stubborn head, but it was too late. Probably, once I returned to Nashville, I could think of something else—mind-blowing to deal with her finally.

I strolled into the kitchen and prepared spaghetti, rice, and chicken sauce. It was a special treat for myself, but I changed my mind and it remained a good portion for Xavier, who was still recovering from a little accident that happened on his way. Only heaven knew where he went.

By noon, I had ordered a taxi since Kyle had taken his car from me. I arrived at the book club's location and stood outside, watching people go in and out of the city library. Why didn’t I suspect that book clubs like this ended in places where no one really visited? My opinion changed immediately when I stepped in. The library wasn't a library per se, but one of those internet spaces or hubs where you pay to use their WiFi and charge your phone while you work. It was epic. I paid the compulsory one-hundred dollar membership card when a voice stopped me. Tessa.

‘You should stop following me around, Ava. The cops here aren’t afraid of King's family like in Nashville, and once I tell them there’s a stalker who’s following my children, they won’t hesitate to arrest you.‘ Tessa said, smiling.

I glared at her and said, ‘I didn’t follow you here but came for the book club event. You do know that I don’t wake up all day thinking about you, right? You're still nothing to me, piece of crap!’

She smiled, clearly not affected by her response. ‘Right. I heard you will be leaving the United Kingdom in the evening. Did you get tired of monitoring Kyle’s every move, or did you finally realise he doesn’t want you anymore?’

‘That’s none of your business, Tessa! I would advise you to stay away from me throughout this book session.’

She nodded but said nothing. I smiled. I still knew how to keep Tessain in her rightful place. I had a  feeling that she might try to make trouble during the session, so I sat far away from her and paid little attention to the discussion section.

We were divided into groups to play the roles in the drama book they had read. It was at this point that I found out the reason for the fashion-themed book session. 

Anyway, I focused on getting my role prepared by rehearsing the lines. Luckily, the play was something I had read in high school. I noticed Tessa’s group seemed to be the best, as everyone watched them rehearse and review their roles. I felt a ping of jealousy, and by the time we resumed the play, I was angry and pissed.

Tessa acted perfectly, but I noticed everything she said almost described me and my fallen marriage to Kyle. She confirmed it when she acted on my pathetic transparent gown incident and the pathetic way I pleaded for forgiveness from Kyle, which was acted on by one of the church guys.

I stood up, drawing attention, and said, ‘That’s enough, Tessa! I thought you would have the sense to keep my marriage to Kyle as a private business, but clearly, you are a jealous fling who’s still hoping Kyle will take her back. Anyway, flash news: Kyle would never leave me for you and those things you call children. Grow up!’

I noticed everywhere was silent as I took my seat. I had started a drama, and I wasn’t sure I would like the end.

She smiled, looking dignified. ‘You’re unhinged, Ava. I thought after our little encounter and Kyle’s advice you would change, but I was wrong. You are clearly disturbed anyhow, so I won’t trade words with you, dear. But know this: I don’t need Kyle in my life, unlike you, whose only source of income is nude modelling. Once you get to Nashville, put your life together and stop acting like the world revolves around you.’

I shook my head, hating the murmurs from everyone: ‘I will show how unhinged I can, Tessa. I'm going to show you.’