nthouse. Ava hadn't slept. Her eyes were sore and her body still tense fr

how much more she could take. Every word Damien had said e

clear she was nothing but a tool. And today, she was expected

e, reading a newspaper and sipping black coffee like he hadn't threa

. Her dress from the night before still hung off her like

a charity gala tonight. You'll be wearing wha

ye contact and o

ay."That one word was all she allowed

ks with quiet precision. "Don't speak unless spoken to. Don't

"Again? Whe

and unforgiving. "Yesterday. Y

s," she muttered before

voice low and dangerous. "Exactly. Nothi

aid nothing. What could she

o loud, too flashy but she knew better than to argue. She wore it like armor, even though it felt like chains.When she walked down th

re - celebrities, CEOs, politicians. Paparazzi lights flashed like lightning as Damien stepped onto the re

ipped her waist with perfect control, as if

lause. Ava blinked at the sudden a

e screen behind the podiu

ien and his c

er.Their wedding photo flash

n came

is lovely wife, Ava, will take the stage to say a few words a

topped. Her h

e never said anyth

r eyes. He leaned down slowly and

Or I'll pull Levi's breat

.."But the smile on his face didn't reach h

ainst the floor like hammers. She walked up beside him,

anded to her. Dami

ent

ected. But sometimes, life surprises you. Ava is... a ligh

lau

is the same man who had told her to

gave her a gentle smi

urn, da

o scream, to cry, to run.But Levi's f

soft. "But I've learned that love comes in strange ways.

ain. Ava swallowed t

stage, Damien pulled her

her chin, hard

against her face. "But next time, say I'm

tears.But then he did so

e kiss was hard,

tuttered. Her body froze. Her mind screamed.

ne thinks y

her lips burning,

me just to p

act

ffection.It was po

walked back into the crowd, her legs barely holding her up,

ing her with strange curiosity.He

ng in her gut twisted.Something told he

phone vibrates. A message ap

our husband isn't w