anneling the frustration into her work. She would not let him or his perfect Chloe distract her. Her focu

ding the opening night gala with her, playing the role of the supportive husband. He held her hand, his touch feeling possessive rather than affe

et hers, a flicker of triumph in them. When Liam saw her, he tensed, his grip on Ava' s hand tightening. He was using Ava, she realized

and knowledgeable, charming the audience with anecdotes about her culinary travels. Liam watched her, his expression rapt, completely forgetting the wife standing beside him. He wa

en a box of identical, secret ingredients and tasked with creating a stunning dish in

savory, and acidic. Her hands moved with a confidence she hadn' t felt in years. She seared the scallops, created a fennel purée, a blood orange reduction, and toast

to her station, Chloe picked up her fork, her expression unreadable. She took a bite. For a fraction of a second,

hen they announced the wi

ar' s mystery box chall

he crowd applauded. Chef Dubois gave her a rare, proud

the tent. And she saw Liam, his face a storm of conflicting emotions, immediately pushing through the crowd to follow Chlo

. But all she could feel was the cold, hard truth of his choice. Later, seeking a quiet

After all this time... it feels

est, spoke the words that would burn

nds me a little of yours. That' s why I married her, you know. You were gone, and