The Ultimatum

Ava's eyes widen in shock, she knew Oliver was capable of doing that if he only wanted but his words made her even angrier, "Oliver, are you out of your mind? You are a father yourself how can you threaten me with my daughter."

"I will do whatever it takes to get you by my side. Mark my word Ava, you will come back to me even if I have to turn the world upside down. I will go into a war and destroy everything including your little family if you don't come back to me. I have given you enough time and space, you said one week and came back after three years. You are naïve if you think I will let you go again. You belong to me, do you understand?" Oliver's face was sinister and full of hostility, his words were full of authority and power. It was not a threat but a promise.

Ava was so scared looking at the man in front of her, she lost her words and swallowed hard. She hasn't seen him like this in a long time. She was very scared of this side of Oliver and suddenly had the feeling that she was doomed. She shouldn't have come back, she was no match for Oliver, what made her think she could compete against a devil like him? Who was she relying on? Daniel? Suddenly Ava was even more scared because Oliver could destroy everything including Daniel. No! And what about Nina? Oliver may not hurt her but he could certainly make her disappear. Fear was crawling through Ava's heart and she started to feel numb, but she decided to give it another try. She could play the Qi card, she was sure Oliver will soften his heart and compromise if she mentioned their daughter, he wouldn't deny her, he couldn't be that heartless, could he?

Ava lowered her eyes and said in a pitiful tone, "Oliver, can you please not harm my family, Nina is just a child. Her life is already pitiful, she has lost both of her parents. She doesn't even know I am not her real mother. Her father trusted her with me and after losing Qi, she helped me with the void, she has become Qi for me. Can you please not take her away from me?" Ava knew there was no point fighting Oliver she will never win. He was a devil, he won't hesitate to use any mean method to get what he wanted, but she hoped she would be able to make him feel remorseful if she mentioned QI. Ava didn't feel good about using her daughter but at this point, she didn't see any other choice.

However, who was Oliver Knight, he instantly saw through her act and thought, the woman has become good at acting, after all these years she has learned to play the pity card. Indeed she has changed a lot. Oliver let out a cold laugh and said, indifferently, "You are good, Ava. Trying to use our daughter? Aren't you ashamed of yourself at all?"

His cold words were like a heavy slap on Ava's face. Her eyes sank, he has seen through her. Ava stared at the man who had a proud smile on his cold face now.

"Oliver you can't change the past, I won't come back. It's impossible to make up for the lost time" Ava said looking at Oliver with complicated eyes.

"Nothing is impossible in this world." Oliver took a step closer to Ava, they were so close that they could feel each other's breaths. He doesn't believe Ava doesn't love him anymore and as long as there was a chance, he will keep trying to win her.

"So you are just going to force me? What's the point Oliver, you will never be happy even if I come back."

"It doesn't matter. I just want you by my side, always and forever." Oliver said coldly, but in his heart, he thought, 'as long as you are by my side I know I will be happy and I will make you the happiest woman alive. I promise!' When she left three years ago, she took away all his happiness with her so nothing was important to him but her.

However, Oliver knew Ava won't believe it even if he said those words now, she was too consumed by the hatred. He will never be able to win her with his love, because she didn't want to give him a chance, so he will just do the opposite and bring her back using hatred.

Ava stared at him in shock. How could he be so ruthless? He didn't even care about his own happiness all he wanted was to win. Ava's inside was boiling with rage she said gnashing through her teeth, "I will rather die than come back."

"Even if you die, you will have to do it by my side and I will follow you. Didn't I make a vow that even death can't make us apart?" Oliver said with a smile as his eyes softened a little.

Ava suddenly recalled his vow at the wedding and her heart softened for a second but she quickly composed herself and let out a cold laugh then said, "In your dreams Oliver Knight. I don't love you anymore, I love Daniel now. So stop all this nonsense."

Oliver's jaw ticked and the little gentleness he had a second ago was long gone. He said in an icy cold voice, "Sweetheart, you know my character well, don't you? If you think you can hide behind Daniel then you are really naïve. My love, if you don't want Daniel to have a terrible death I suggest you leave him and come back to me. I will give you a month and if you don't come back to me by the end of this month, Daniel will suffer because of you, I will make sure he is left with nothing."

Oliver moved past Ava and opened the bedroom door but before he leave, he said coldly, "I hope you will be on time every Wednesday. Orion doesn't like to wait."

Ava stared at his back leaving back as the blood drained from her face making it white as a sheet. One month! He gave her one month to come back to him, if she didn't he will destroy Daniel, he might not harm Nina but he already hated Daniel, he won't even think twice before destroying Daniel's business. He just gained a stable footing on the business world, Oliver can completely destroy him leaving with nothing. Could she take the responsibility for ruining Daniel's life? He has done so much for her, how will she see him completely ruined because of her? Ava was completely drained from energy thinking all that. She managed to walk down the stairs with a heavy heart. She will have to think of a way to get away from Oliver completely.

Ava wanted to laugh at her situation, Daniel wanted her to give this marriage a chance and she asked for a month's time from him and here Oliver was giving her a month to leave Daniel and come back to him, what irony!

Orion and Nina were sitting on the couch and having chicken chops. Mrs. Lee stood there at the side with a smile. Ava didn't see her until now. Mrs. Lee looked completely different. Her eyes were very tired and her black hair has now turned a mixture of grey and black but she still had the same kind smile on her face. Ava observed the way she was looking at Orion and assumed she has been the one who looks after Orion. Since Oliver wants her to come back Ava wondered if Orion's mother was even around.

Mrs. Lee heard footsteps she looked toward the stairs and froze seeing Ava behind Oliver. She trembled and tears filled her eyes, she said in a cracked voice, "Madam, you are back."

Ava wanted to explain but she didn't want to say anything inappropriate in front of the children so she just smiled awkwardly and asked in a gentle voice, "How are you, Mrs. Lee?"

"I am good, madam. How have you been?"

"Good, Thank you." Ava was feeling very awkward, she just wanted to get out of here, so she came to Nina to pick her up in her arm.

However, Oliver stopped her and said, "It's already dinner time, let's have dinner together."

"Thank you Mr. Knight but it's already very late. I would like to go home. Nina, sweetie let's go." Ava said calmly forcing a smile.

Nina quickly stood up and said goodbye to Orion.

Oliver wanted to argue but decided against it and said instead, "You don't have your car, I'll send you back home,"

Ava also didn't want to argue more so she picked up Nina and quietly followed Oliver to his car.