sat stiffly, her hands clasped on her lap, the diamond ring glinting under the ambient lights. Jul

eeling from wha

an V

her-something she wasn't even sure she believed herself. And Julian's reac

ed at her back, the way his voice lowe

ing Julian's reflection in

replied without

ight a s

head, his gaze pierc

estioned the ring or the story

led yours

nt caught he

n Ev

rked. "Especi

ief. "So... that's it then? I pass the te

e been Mrs. Blac

now it f

, out of nowhere, he said, "

that your way of

ghtly. "That's my way of s

ow how to res

th a flourish. The elevator ride was fast and smooth, but the silence between

ateful to be free of them. Julian had already poured h

t one?"

omething non

is

d leaned against the counter. "Damia

rdened. "He's al

he hate yo

e before he answered.

wh

unreadable. "Everyt

"That sounds.

t

ore, but he offe

uins everythin

do

hould st

sho

er head. "An

at her. "Then you're no

ge. And a

, a loud buzz echoed from the

wned. "Tha

ed a button, and a vo

terruption. There's a woman here ask

stiffened. "Did

hesitated.

ead sna

a

Damian

ression went

d he

h tightened.

ed to the window, back straig

inute later. Ava turned toward it

oors

ong dark hair, striking blue eyes, and a worn designer coat. Her fa

voice cracking. "I didn'

rward, his face u

herself in

n, her heart th

y, then gently pulled

ound out. About the money. The comp

clenched. "

e would. Please, I ne

ep closer. "I'm so

turned. "You mu

nod. "And you're..

He raised me. But I'm not his blood

ammed into

breath

ward her, but it was Le

't mean to make things complicated. I just-Julian was t

s quiet. "You

," Julian said f

He blackmailed me. He manipulated me. He twisted

stone. Ava had neve

Ava said slowly. "Beca

otected me. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to int

ed. She didn't

turned to her

llowed.

is study. The door

oke?" Ava as

N

your business rival-who just so happens to be your forme

I ended a long time ago. Whatever t

sharp. "Because I'm your wife now

u said it yourself-th

hesi

But it's not just about ap

didn't

ard. "Why didn't you

didn't matte

tell me the truth. Do

g in the air, fr

did. And I would've married he

e shelves lined with leather-b

he said. "Because I can't keep playi

just part of the script, Ava. You

ed at him

ecause I needed someone I could trust.

pered, "

... he's playing a deeper game. And now, he's usin

pounded. "Ti

k drawer, pulled out a file

ian. Of Lena. Of transacti

said. "He's laundering money through her startup. U

stunned. "And you th

's caught in

breath. "What do

ur part. But this time, don't

with his. "What

'll need to be close to Damian.

"You want me

lso need your help. You're the

ring on her finger, the

inside h

m going to be your wife... I

a single n

alized just how danger

t