Replacing Mr Ashford

I was in the bathroom of the bar when I heard my boyfriend Liams voice from the next stall over.

Through a mix of panting and breathless little gasps, a flirtatious female voice purred, Liam, how much longer are you going to play this broke boy-toy for that old woman?

Liam chuckled, his tone slick with arrogance. A little longer. Its not every day you find a mark this easy.

She pays my bills, shes great in bed honestly, its a steal.

I leaned against the cool tile, nodding to myself in silent agreement.

He wasnt wrong. A guy like Liam, who handled the chores and was always available for sex, was exactly my kind of bargain. A perfect house husband for a career-driven woman like me.

But my promotion and transfer to the new branch were just around the corner. It was about time to trade him in for a younger, more obedient model anyway.

1

I was only here because Liam had called, his voice a practiced whine, begging me to come pick him up. I figured Id use the restroom before wading into his drunken friend group, and instead, I stumbled into this little drama.

To be honest, when I heard the girl call him a boy-toy, I almost laughed out loud.

He wasnt some pampered plaything. He was just convenient. He kept my apartment clean and warmed my bed. I paid for his time. It was a simple transaction. Did he really think I was hopelessly in love with him?

Before I left, I heard the girl giggle again.

Oops. Liam, honey, I think I left a mark on your neck. Her voice was sickly sweet. What do you think that bargain-bin girlfriend of yours will do when she sees it? You think shell get jealous?

The sound of a kiss, wet and obnoxious. Liams voice was a low, smug murmur. Dont worry about her. Shes so obsessed with me, she wouldnt dare say a word.

I knew the girl. Chloe Pierce. Liams childhood friend, the one hed always treated like a precious little doll.

Their kissing grew louder, more frantic, impossible to ignore.

I made a soft tsk sound with my tongue, stepped out of the restroom, and pulled out my phone. I sent Liam a quick voice note.

Im here. Where are you?

Less than a minute later, I saw the two of them emerge from the bathroom, clothes disheveled, and slide back into their booth. Liam sent me the table number.

When I arrived, they were in the middle of one of those stupid bar gamespassing a tiny slip of napkin back and forth, mouth-to-mouth. The paper was so small their lips were practically touching.

Liam.

My voice was swallowed by the bass-heavy music.

He saw me in his peripheral vision. A smirk played on his lips. Then, he deliberately cupped the back of Chloes head and pressed his mouth to hers.

Whoa! Get it, Liam!

Alright, man, break it up! Youre gonna make Chloe pass out!

His friends roared with laughter. A few of them who recognized me shot me gleeful looks, waiting for the explosion.

I just watched them, and when he finally pulled away, I stepped forward. I hooked a finger under the silver chain around his neck and raised an eyebrow.

You done? I asked. Lets go home.

Liam stared at me, momentarily stunned by my lack of reaction. Then, a lazy smile spread across his face as he wrapped an arm around my waist, melting into me.

Yeah, baby. Lets go home.

As we left, I could feel their shocked stares burning into my back. I caught snippets of their whispers.

Jesus, does his girlfriend have a thing for being cheated on? Shes not even mad.

Dude, you dont get it. A guy like Liam? Shes probably so crazy about him shes terrified to get angry.

Still, to be that okay with it she must be seriously whipped.

Liam must have heard them too, because he pulled me even closer, his arm tightening around me possessively. He dipped his head to kiss my forehead, a placating gesture as if he were soothing a child.

I just smiled and quickened my pace.

He was just a placeholder, a warm body. A few more nights, and then Id be gone. As long as he could still perform, I didnt really care what else he did.

2

I knew what Liam was from the day he approached me. I knew he was rich, and I knew he was playing poor.

His reasons for choosing me were pathetically simple. I was an orphan with no family and few friends, which made for a clean break. I was attractive enough, but my demeanor was cool, almost distanta combination that must have appealed to his desire for a challenge.

So, Liam Ashford, trust-fund prince, had entered my life pretending to be a hopeless romantic, a warrior for love.

Ill give him this: he was beautiful. And to sell the act, this spoiled heir had reined in his temper and become impeccably attentive. A gorgeous, obedient man, delivered right to my doorstep. It would have been a waste not to sleep with him.

But lately, hed been getting sloppy, pushing my boundaries, testing my limits. That, combined with my impending move to a new city, meant his expiration date was rapidly approaching.

The plan was simple: three more nights. Then I was out.

The world is full of pretty boys.

The moment we walked through the door of my apartment, his arms were around me from behind, his body pressing into mine. He smelled of cold night air, expensive whiskey, and that unique scent that was just him.

He buried his face in the crook of my neck. Ava, he murmured. Youre not mad?

I shook my head. Why would I be mad?

He pulled a small velvet box from his pocket and dangled a pair of sapphire earrings in front of my face. He laughed softly. Youre just saying that. I know you. You always say the opposite of what you mean.

He moved to fasten one to my earlobe. Dont be mad, Ava. Let me make it up to you, okay? Do you like them? I picked them out just for you. Cost me months of my salary.

If I hadnt seen the sapphire necklace around Chloes neck earlier that nightthe centerpiece of the collection this set belonged toI might have actually believed his pathetic little lie. Id seen the set on the jewelers website. The earrings were a complimentary gift with the purchase of the necklace, crafted from the leftover stones.

I took the earrings from him, my smile a thin, sharp line. I love them. Thank you.

Then I walked into the other room and immediately listed them on Poshmark. They wouldn't fetch much, but keeping them around after he was gone would just be bad energy. Better to get a few bucks for them now.

We spent the better part of the night in bed, a tangled, frantic mess, until he was the one begging for mercy, kissing me breathless.

Long after hed fallen into a deep sleep, I remembered an excel sheet I needed to finish for a meeting tomorrow. I quietly slipped out of bed, fired up my laptop, and got to work.

Suddenly, a notification pinged. A new email.

It was a selfie from Chloe. The sapphire necklace was prominent against her skin, sparkling under a bathroom light. Below the photo, a few lines of text dripped with venom.

Trashy little earrings for a trashy little woman. A perfect match, dont you think? ;)

Did you really think hed buy you a gift if it wasnt to get me my necklace?

Do you know what we call you behind your back? Everyone laughs at how desperate you are.

God, youre just so pathetic. Paying for a man. How cheap can you get?

I read the message, my expression unchanged, and clicked delete. Honestly, I thought, kids these days. Their insults are so weak. My last boss had said far worse to me before I got him fired.

When I slid back into bed, Liam stirred, pulling me into his arms in his sleep. He mumbled my name, his voice thick with dreams.

Ava dont go

Dont be so cold to me, okay Ava

I patted his head, a soothing gesture one might give a dog, and whispered back into the darkness.

Dont worry. Ill be gone soon.

And Ill always remember you for your technique and your excellent customer service.

3

The next day after work, Liam called again, asking me to pick him up. This time, the location was a private-room karaoke bar.

I was about to refuse, but he laid it on thick, whining that if I didnt come, it meant I didnt care about him, and hed have to break up with me.

Well, there was still one day left. One more night. I couldn't deny it; I was in the mood. And when a woman gets a craving, her judgment tends to get a little cloudy.

With a sigh, I got in my car and drove to the address hed sent.

I pushed open the door to the private room and the scene hit me like a physical blow. Liam was lounging in the center of the plush sofa, with Chloe draped across his lap. She grinned and waved at me, a queen on her throne.

Ava! Thanks for coming. Her voice was bright and cruel. Liams just getting a little tired of this whole playing-in-love game with you. And since everyones here tonight, we figured it was the perfect time to just be honest with you.

Liam tilted his head back, looking at me down his nose, a triumphant smirk on his face. Shes right, Ava. This has been fun, but Im getting bored.

You know a guy with my background could never actually marry someone like you. Besides, youre getting older. My family would never approve of me bringing home an old woman.

He gestured around the room. So lets just end this now, keep things civil. Its better for everyone.

I processed his words like I would an email from HR, nodding slightly. Okay. I get it. Are you coming back to my place tonight?

If he was, I could still get one last time in.

The room seemed to misinterpret my question, erupting in a wave of derisive laughter. They thought I was begging.

I told you she wouldnt care! Shes pathetic!

Now that she knows hes rich, theres no way shes letting go.

Exactly. And at her age, wheres she gonna find another guy with his kind of money?

Tears of mirth streamed down Liams face. He gestured dismissively at the collection of expensive liquor bottles on the table in front of him.

Tell you what, he said, his voice dripping with condescension. You finish all of this for Chloe, and Ill think about it.

My eyes scanned the bottles. Not bad. High-end stuff. I remembered buying a client a bottle of that same whiskey once; it was a few thousand dollars.

Liam must have mistaken my assessment for hesitation, because he decided to up the ante. He pulled out a thick stack of cash and started slapping hundred-dollar bills onto the table.

One drink, one thousand dollars, he announced to the room. Finish it all, and Ill come home with you.

4

The atmosphere froze for a second, then the other rich kids, smelling blood in the water, eagerly joined in, pulling out their own wallets.

Ill add five hundred to that!

Me too! Heres another four hundred!

They loved nothing more than spending a little pocket change to watch someone humiliate themselves. The pile of cash grew and grew, nearly equaling what I made in a month of working myself to the bone.

That settled it. I had to drink.

I picked up a half-empty bottle of tequila, tilted my head back, and poured the contents down my throat. The alcohol burned, a searing pain that made my eyes water.

The room fell silent, stunned.

This woman is drinking like she has a death wish.

Even Liams expression soured. He frowned, suddenly reaching out and snatching the bottle from my hand. Ava! What the hell are you doing?!

I said nothing, simply grabbed another bottle and kept going.

They really underestimated me. To get to my position, you dont just have to be smart; you have to hold your liquor.

When the last bottle was empty, I swayed on my feet, but my mind was still clear enough. I calmly scooped the cash off the table, stuffed it into my purse, and stumbled out of the room.

The world was tilting. I felt a wave of dizziness, a sense of falling.

The next thing I knew, I was being lifted into a familiar pair of arms. Liams face was a dark storm cloud above me, his jaw clenched.

Are you trying to kill yourself?! he bit out, his voice a furious whisper. You could have just asked me! You could have just admitted you were wrong! Why do you always have to be like this?!

I was drunk, but his words were so absurd I couldnt help but laugh. Thats rich. The great Liam Ashford, tricking me and breaking my heart, all so he could hear me beg for forgiveness?

His face flushed, a mixture of anger and shame. Youre impossible, he grumbled. No wonder no one wants you at your age.

He carried me out and settled me into his car. I rested my head on his lap and drifted off. When I woke up, I was in my own bed, and he was gently pulling the covers over me.

My eyes fluttered open and met his. He was just watching me.

He looked away instantly, the tips of his ears turning a tell-tale red. I thought you were dead, he said, his tone unnecessarily harsh. Too bad you survived. Im leaving. You can die alone here for all I care.

He turned to go, but he felt a tug on the hem of his shirt.

A flicker of somethingrelief? hope?crossed his face. He turned back, ready to hear me apologize, but instead, I just asked a single question.

You wanna?

I admit, I was probably still drunk.

Liams face went crimson, whether from anger or embarrassment, I couldnt tell. He lunged forward, grabbing the back of my head and crashing his lips against mine. It was a punishing, furious kiss, so rough he split my lip.

He pulled back, looking utterly wounded, and hissed, Ava, what do you think I am? Some kind of gigolo?!

5

My head was already pounding from the alcohol, and his shouting just made it worse. I winced, pressing a hand to my temple and sinking back against the pillows.

Whatever you want, I mumbled.

Liams anger seemed to falter. He had felt the heat radiating from my skin when he touched me. He pressed the back of his hand to my forehead. It was burning up.

You you have a fever?

He was about to get up to find some medicine when his phone rang. It was Chloe. Her tearful, whining voice was perfectly audible through the speaker.

Liam, honey, why arent you back yet? Are you still with that old hag? Come back to me!

A flicker of his old arrogance returned to Liams face. He leaned over me, holding the phone so I could hear. See? I told you. Im never short on options.

He looked down at me, a smug glint in his eyes. Tell you what. Apologize to me, a real apology, and Ill stay and take care of you.

My head was spinning. I was in no condition to sleep with him tonight, and I was leaving tomorrow anyway. It wasnt worth the effort. I simply rolled over, turning my back to him.

Aside from his face and his body, he had nothing left that I wanted.

Being so blatantly dismissed was a new experience for Liam. His face darkened. Without another word, he stood up and stormed towards the door.

He paused with his hand on the knob, firing one last shot over his shoulder.

Ava Harrison, were done! Were broken up! And dont you dare come crawling back to me, begging me to take you back!

The door slammed shut, rattling the frame. My head felt heavier and heavier. I drifted into a feverish, disorienting sleep. When I finally woke up, it was nearly three in the morning.

I knew, with a chilling certainty, that if I didnt get some medicine, the fever would get dangerously high. But my body was limp, my limbs heavy as lead. I didnt have the strength to get out of bed, let alone find a pharmacy. And I didn't have any medicine in the apartment.

After a moment of deliberation, I made a choice. I called Liam.

I knew how it would look. Pathetic. Weak.

But what was pride worth? Was it more important than my life?

The call connected, and Liams voice, dripping with sarcasm, came through the line. What, calling to say your last goodbyes? A little dramatic, dont you think? We already broke up.

Chloes shrill voice chirped in the background. Liam! You promised you wouldnt talk to that bitch anymore! If shes dying, let her die! She deserves it for how she treated you!

Her words were meant for me to hear.

I ignored her and spoke to Liam, my voice raspy and weak. Liam, I need you to bring me some medicine. I think I think Im really sick.

The delivery apps arent taking orders this late. I wouldnt be calling you if I had any other choice. My breath hitched. Please. Im asking you. Just this once.

It took a surprising amount of effort just to get the words out. I was sweating, exhausted from the strain.

There was a pause on his end. He was surprised to hear me say please. Then, he laughed, a cold, careless sound.

Ava, seriously? Is this your pathetic excuse to get me to come back? You could have just asked.

Its just a fever. How bad can it be?

But fine. You want me to come back? Im still pretty pissed off. So heres the deal. You record a video of yourself, on your knees, begging me to take you back. Send it to me. Then Ill come over.

First, search for and download the MotoNovel app from Google. Then, open the app and use the code "284716" to read the entire book.