The Alpha King's Reluctant Bride (Ava and Grayson) novel Chapter 192

-Ava’s POV-

That was two weeks ago.

In that time, I had tried countless times to tell Tessa and Mikayla that I didn’t want to impose, that I didn’t want to be a burden. But every time, they shut me down with quiet reassurance, insisting that I wasn’t one.

They never asked about what had happened, never pried. But something in Tessa’s eyes that first night-some understanding I couldn’t name-must have told her that I needed this. That I needed them.

So, I stayed.

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We quickly fell into a routine. Every morning, Tessa would struggle to drag Mikayla out of bed. Mikayla, of course, fought tooth and nail to stay wrapped up in her blanket, muttering complaints about how school was overrated or how she could become a millionaire without math. It was always a struggle but always funny-a small, warm distraction that became the highlight of my mornings.

As I watched them day after day, that warmth grew into something more. A thought began to take root in my mind, one that refused to be ignored: I wanted this someday. I wanted these small struggles, this love wrapped in bickering and laughter.

This was what I could look forward to, I realized. This was what I wanted for

my child.

The conviction settled deeper with each passing day. I wanted this baby growing inside me, and I would love them with everything I had. I would never become my parents. From the moment they took their first breath, my child would know they were wanted, enough, and deeply loved.

Each morning, Mikayla begrudgingly got ready for school after much prodding from Tessa. We’d all leave together because Tessa owned a food truck, and I’d started helping her with it. It wasn’t much, but it kept my mind busy.

I called Isabella only once during that time. I kept it brief, telling her I was fine but that I needed space for a while. I didn’t want to hear anything about Grayson or my life back home. I didn’t tell her about the baby-l wasn’t ready for that conversation.

For now, all I wanted was to live simply. To pretend, even just for a little while, that I was someone else entirely. If there was one thing I’d perfected over the years, it was pretending.

“Ava, can you help me with this?”

Tessa’s voice pulled me from my thoughts. I plastered on a smile and hurried over to help her with the heavy container she was struggling to carry.

“Thanks,” she said, glancing at me with a hint of concern. “You okay?”

I nodded quickly, brushing it off. “I’m fine, just lost in my head.”

She studied me for a moment longer but let it go.

The morning rush began soon after. The food truck, painted a cheerful yellow, was parked in its usual spot, and the familiar smell of bacon, eggs, and fresh coffee filled the air. I worked alongside Tessa, greeting customers with a smile, taking orders, and handing out food.

“Order up for Sam-egg and cheese on a croissant, side of hash browns!” I called out, sliding a paper bag across the counter.

12:37 Wed, 5 Feb MMO.

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A man stepped up next, glancing at the small chalkboard menu. “Can I get a turkey and avocado wrap and a black coffee?”

“Coming right up!” I replied, punching his order into the small tablet and handing the receipt to Tessa.

The flow of customers was steady but manageable. Some chatted while waiting for their orders, others hurriedly grabbed their food and rushed off.

I finished serving another group and turned to grab more napkins when I heard a voice behind me.

“Can I get a cappuccino and a blueberry muffin?”

I froze mid-step.

That voice.

I sucked in a shaky breath before slowly turning around. My eyes landed on Isabella, her face a mix of warmth and determination, and standing just behind her was Eliza, her expression unreadable.

Isabella smiled, her tone light but pointed. “Hi, Lilian.”

I forced a smile onto my face, even as my stomach twisted into a knot. “Sure,” I said, my voice carefully neutral. Without waiting for a reply, I turned to prepare Isabella’s order. My hands shook slightly as I poured the cappuccino, but I tried to steady myself by focusing on the mundane task. Blueberry muffin. Cappuccino.

I turned back and handed Isabella her order. She took it from me, her fingers brushing mine briefly. Her eyes never left my face, sharp and unrelenting.

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to hold her gaze for a moment before turning to Eliza, whose expression was somewhere between uneasy and apologetic. “Anything for you, Eliza?”

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