Ava’s POV

The hum of my office felt suffocating. Papers were scattered across my desk, files stacked high with reports I could barely focus on. The mess didn’t bother me, not when my mind was consumed by everything that had happened. It had been two weeks since Holly’s abduction and a week since the last time Orion barged into my suite.

And all these weeks, Mason has been my rock as he said he would. He’d worked tirelessly to protect what was left of my sanity and my company, going above and beyond while I struggled to keep it together.

Today was no different. Someone had breached our security systems, logging in to access sensitive information. Mason was already handling it, rallying our team to track the hacker down, but the damage had been done. My employees were on edge, the entire company in chaos.

I leaned back in my chair, rubbing my temples as my phone buzzed. Another message from Mason.

Mason: Got some leads on the breach. I’ll update you soon.

I exhaled, my chest tightening with gratitude and guilt. Mason had no reason to help me this much, yet he had stepped up time and time again.

Maybe it's time to take what we have a step further.

And Orion? My stomach twisted at the thought of him. The man who once vowed to protect me, to stand by my side, had disappeared when I needed him most. Well that's on me. I told him to disappear right? But he didn't even attempt at calling since that day—nothing but silence. I should be happy. It was what I wanted. Right?

I gripped the edge of my desk, anger and frustration simmering beneath the surface. I’d spent years protecting this company and making sure everything was in order, and now I was left to wonder if any of it had ever mattered.

In a matter of a day, the entire company was breached. How did this happen? This is definitely the work of an insider. But who? And how do I figure out who the traitor is?

A knock at the door jolted me from my thoughts.

“Come in,” I called, straightening in my chair. Rose entered, gripping her tablet so tightly that it could snap, her face grim.

“Good news?” I dared to ask, although her face already gave it away.

Rose shook her head, sighing deeply as she placed the tablet on my desk. “Not exactly. The breaches are worse than we thought. We’re talking multiple points of entry—whoever did this knew what they were doing. And... we’ve lost some critical data. It’s not just a security problem anymore; it’s a full-scale disaster!”

I felt a sharp pang of frustration shoot through me. “How much data are we talking about? What have we lost already?” I asked, my voice trembling with controlled fury. “And what’s the estimate to even begin fixing this?”

Rose hesitated for a moment, as though weighing how to deliver the blow. “We’re estimating close to half a million to hire a team capable of neutralizing the virus and retrieving the data. But even with that, there’s no guarantee we’ll recover everything.”

Half a million. Gone. Just like that.

With a groan of anger, I grabbed the nearest stack of reports and flung it across the room, papers scattering everywhere. I wanted to scream, cry, or maybe do both. How did things spiral so out of control?

“I can’t believe this. How did we not see this coming?” I muttered, clenching my fists on the desk. “We’ve done everything by the book—how the hell did they get in?”

Before Rose could respond, the door swung open, and the air seemed to grow colder. I didn’t have to look up to know who it was.

Orion.

The moment his familiar presence filled the room, tension thickened. He strode in confidently, his eyes locking onto mine with a blend of intensity and calm that only he could pull off.

“I’m sorry I have to ignore your request not to come near the company, Ava, but it’s our company,” he said, his voice smooth yet firm. “Don’t you think I should be involved when something this huge is happening? Don’t you think my help might prove… relevant?”

I scoffed bitterly, crossing my arms over my chest. “You? Help?” I laughed, though there was no humor in it. “Please, go back to your mistress. Mason is already on it.”

Orion’s jaw tightened at my words, but he didn’t back down. Instead, he closed the distance between us in two strides, standing mere inches away. “Rose, leave,” he commanded without even glancing her way.

Rose hesitated, glancing between me. I gave her a nod, and she reluctantly left, closing the door behind her.

As soon as we were alone, Orion’s hand shot out, wrapping around my waist in one swift, possessive move. I gasped, my body betraying me as it instinctively responded to his touch—familiar, electric, maddening.

“Enough of this cat-and-mouse game, Ava,” he murmured, his voice low, dangerous, and intimate. “You’re coming back to me. I’m your husband. I belong to you, and I’ll be by your side, whether you like it or not. You don’t have a choice. You just have to accept it.”

His words sent a shiver down my spine, equal parts anger and something else I didn’t want to admit. I struggled under his hold, trying to wiggle free, but he only tightened his grip, his other hand tracing along my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze.

“God, I’ve missed you, Ava,” he whispered, his eyes darkening with an intensity that made my heart race. “You have no idea how much.”

He leaned in, his lips mere inches from mine, and for a second, I froze. My body was betraying me again, my knees weakening, my breath catching. I hated that he could still affect me like this. I hated that part of me wanted to give in.

But just before his lips could touch mine, a sharp knock at the door broke the tension.

Rose entered without waiting for permission, her face beaming with relief. “It’s being resolved. Everything. Mr. Miller brought in a special tech team—they’ve neutralized the virus, recovered most of the data, and are tracing the source as we speak! It’s a miracle!” she exclaimed, practically bouncing on her feet before dashing out again.

I turned back to Orion, whose expression was smug, too smug. He looked entirely too satisfied with himself, and I couldn’t help but narrow my eyes at him. He had something to do with this—I was sure of it.

“Why?” I demanded, my voice sharp and accusing. “Why did you do this? Why are you helping? What’s your plan? What’s the catch?”

Orion raised an eyebrow, pretending to be offended. “Woah, woah. Hold on, Ava. I’m helping because you’re my wife, and this is our company. That’s it. No hidden motives.”

“There is a catch, isn’t there?” I pressed, taking a step back, trying to create some distance, but he closed it effortlessly, his arm snaking around my waist again like it was second nature.

“You’re the catch, Ava,” he said softly, his voice almost pleading now. “I'm sorry for everything. So please, come back home. Come back to me. Please.”

My breath hitched, confusion swirling inside me. This wasn’t supposed to happen. He wasn’t supposed to break through the walls I’d built. I wasn’t supposed to feel anything but anger toward him.

Before I could respond, the door opened again.

Mason.

He stepped in, his eyes immediately taking in the scene—Orion’s hand on my waist, the closeness between us, the tension crackling in the air. His jaw tightened, and the protective edge returned to his posture.

“Ava,” Mason said, his voice steady but laced with concern. “Is everything okay?”

Orion didn’t move. He didn’t release me, didn’t back away. Instead, he met Mason’s gaze head-on, a silent challenge in his eyes.

This was about to get messy.