Ava Sterling

Chapter 17: I Hate Him. I Hate Him So Much.

(Ava's POV)

Damien Sterling was an insufferable bastard.

A cold, arrogant, heartless jerk who thought he could say whatever he wanted—

Who thought he could humiliate me and get away with it.

Well, not this time.

Because I was done.

---

I stormed into his office, slamming the door behind me.

Damien barely looked up from his desk, completely unfazed.

"Something wrong, sweetheart?" he asked smoothly.

Sweetheart.

Like he hadn't just trashed me in front of some random guy.

I clenched my fists. "What the hell is your problem?"

He leaned back in his chair, pretending to think. "You'll have to be more specific."

I took a step forward, furious. "You insulted me. In front of him. In front of everyone."

Damien sighed, rubbing his temple. "Oh, Sinclair. Are we really doing this?"

"Yes, we are!" I snapped. "You had no right to say those things!"

He finally met my gaze, his smirk sharp. "I was just being honest."

I let out a sharp, bitter laugh. "Honest? You called me useless. A pretty face with nothing to offer."

He tilted his head. "Did I lie?"

My chest tightened.

I hated him.

I hated him so much.

I took a slow, shaky breath. "You know what? Screw this. I quit."

I turned toward the door, but Damien moved fast.

Faster than I expected.

His hand wrapped around my wrist, stopping me in my tracks.

"Let go," I gritted out.

He exhaled, his grip tightening just slightly. "No."

I whipped my head toward him. "You don't control me, Damien."

His jaw ticked. "You really think you can just walk out of this deal?"

I yanked at my arm. "Watch me."

But before I could move—

Damien dragged me out of the office.

---

The second we stepped outside, I started thrashing.

"Let me go, you psycho!" I yelled.

Damien didn't stop.

Didn't hesitate.

Didn't even flinch.

He shoved open the car door, pushed me inside, and slid in next to me.

The doors locked.

My breathing was sharp, ragged.

He turned to me, his expression unreadable. "You're not leaving, Sinclair."

I scoffed. "Watch me."

He leaned in slightly, voice low. "You're mine for the next year."

My stomach flipped.

Not because I liked hearing that. (I didn't.)

But because he sounded serious.

Like this wasn't just a contract to him anymore.

Like this was personal.

I swallowed hard, forcing my voice to stay steady. "I don't belong to you."

Damien's eyes darkened.

"You do," he murmured. "And that's exactly why you're coming home."

I hated that he called it that.

The estate wasn't my home.

I wanted out.

I wanted away from him.

But I didn't get a choice.

Because the car was already moving.

The moment we arrived at the estate, I stormed inside, shaking with rage.

Damien was right behind me, too calm, too unaffected.

Like this was just another fight.

Like he hadn't just dragged me back here against my will.

I spun around, my voice sharp. "I want to go home."

His jaw clenched. "You are home."

"No, Damien," I whispered, voice wavering. "Home is where my mom is. My brother. My life."

Something flickered in his expression.

Something I didn't understand.

But it was gone too fast for me to question it.

He stepped closer. "You knew what you signed up for."

I let out a sharp, bitter laugh. "And you knew what you were doing when you humiliated me in front of that guy."

His gaze didn't waver. "He had no business talking to you."

I stared at him. Stunned.

He actually believed that.

"You're unbelievable," I whispered.

He exhaled, clearly frustrated. "Sinclair, you're—"

"I'm what, Damien?" I snapped. "A possession? A contract? Something to control?"

His lips parted slightly, but he didn't answer.

And that silence?

That broke me.

I inhaled sharply, blinking back the sting in my eyes.

Because no.

I wouldn't cry.

I wouldn't give him that.

I turned on my heel, my heart hammering.

And then his father's voice cut through the room.

---

"Ava," Richard Sterling's voice was sharp, cold, disapproving.

I froze.

Damien stiffened slightly beside me.

Richard stepped forward, his eyes dark with irritation. "Throwing tantrums now, are we?"

I swallowed hard, my fingers curling into fists. "I just—"

"You just what?" he cut me off, his voice low and condescending. "Thought you could break a deal? Thought you could run back to your pathetic little life and pretend this didn't happen?"

My chest tightened.

He stepped closer, his presence suffocating. "Let me remind you, Ava—you signed a contract. Your mother and brother depend on this. There is no escape for you. You belong to this family now."

My breath hitched.

Belong.

That word made me sick.

I looked at Damien, desperate for something—anything.

But he just stood there.

Watching.

Silent.

Like he agreed.

Like this was just another business deal to him.

I let out a shaky breath, my hands trembling. "I just… I just wanted to go home."

Richard scoffed. "You don't have a home anymore."

And that?

That was the moment I finally broke.

---

I covered my mouth, my shoulders shaking as I turned away.

I couldn't stop it this time.

The tears spilled over, hot and angry, humiliating me in front of them.

Eleanor Sterling suddenly stood, her expression softening. "Richard, that's enough."

But Richard ignored her.

"You better get used to this, Ava," he said smoothly. "Because this is your life now. And the sooner you stop acting like a pathetic little girl, the easier it will be for you."

I squeezed my eyes shut, my body trembling.

Damien finally spoke, his voice low. "Enough."

Richard turned toward him. "If she wants to act like a child, I'll treat her like one."

I exhaled sharply, my entire body shaking.

This was it.

This was my life now.

And there was nothing I could do to change it.

I forced myself to straighten, wiping my face quickly, even though the damage was already done.

I looked at Richard, my voice hoarse but firm.

"I hate this family," I whispered. "And I hate you."

Then, I turned to Damien, my voice breaking.

"And I hate you the most."

And this time?

I walked away.

And no one stopped me.

---