Is he saying the truth? What if this is another trap? Ava thought to herself. How can she believe him so easily when he hasn’t given her any reason to trust him?

“Well, I’m sorry if I jumped on your bones that night,” Ava muttered, her voice laced with embarrassment and a tinge of shame. “I think my drink was spiked. Someone wanted the scandal to happen by all means.”

Orion’s expression shifted instantly. He stepped closer, his eyes locking onto hers with a heat that made her breath hitch. Then he threw his head back, laughing, not out of humor but relief—a deep, raw sound that echoed between them.

“I was scared at first,” he said, his tone softening, the laughter fading as his voice dipped into something far more intimate. “Do you have any idea what went through my mind? What if I hadn’t been there? What could’ve happened to you?” His hand reached out, tracing her jaw with his thumb, tilting her face toward his.

“And yet…” His voice dropped lower, rough with unspoken emotions. “It happened. And God, Ava, we didn't just make love—it was everything. You don’t get to brush it off like it didn’t matter.” His gaze searched hers, his thumb brushing lightly over her lips. “Not when I’m standing here, and you still make me feel like my world starts and ends with you.”

Ava’s cheeks burned bright red, her heart thundering as she tore her gaze away, desperately searching for a distraction. Different thoughts came crashing through her mind; Is Orion being sincere? Should she forget everything and embrace what her heart wants?

Orion leaned in, his breath warm against her ear. “Don’t look away from me, Ava. I’ve never wanted anyone the way I want you. And I’ll fight the whole damn world if I have to, just to keep you safe.”

Her pulse stuttered, as an awkward silence fell on both of them. After a while, she looked up at him.

“Um, Orion, you mentioned a public announcement. What is that about?” She asked, trying to concentrate on the more pressing issue.

‘We could deal with matters of trust and my feelings later,’ Ava thought to herself.

“Yes. My assistant and yours are already working on it. Our company has released the announcement that we will both hold a press conference to address the scandal.”

“Oh. You think it’s a good idea?” Ava asked, looking up at Orion with an exhausted expression.

“Yes, I’m sure. I think there’s a mole in the company. The statement I drafted was leaked. I’m working on a trap to catch the asshole working against us.”

As Ava stood frozen, trying to process Orion’s revelation, his confident smile faded, replaced by a rare flicker of vulnerability.

“But now,” he said, his voice low, almost hesitant as he walked towards her and pulled her in, “I need you to decide, Ava. Do you want to stand by my side and fight this together? Or are you walking away from us for good?”

Before she could respond, the door burst open, one of Orion’s security guards rushing in with a grave expression.

“Sir,” he said urgently, “we have a problem. The team said to inform you that Chloe just went public with something bigger… and it’s not just about your wife anymore.”

Orion’s jaw tightened, his hand curling into a fist as Ava’s heart sank.

“What did that bitch do now?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

The guard hesitated, his gaze darting between them. “She’s claiming she has proof that you two aren’t legally married.”

The room fell into a suffocating silence, the weight of those words crashing down on them both like a tidal wave. Ava’s knees threatened to give out as she stared at Orion in shock.

“Not legally married?” she managed to choke out. “What does she mean by that, Orion?”

He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, his eyes darkened, his expression unreadable.

“I’ll handle it,” he said finally, but his voice lacked its usual confidence.

Ava’s heart clenched as a terrifying question formed in her mind.

Had her entire relationship with Orion been built on a lie? Was this their initial plan to get rid of her and take the entire company?

Ava’s chest tightened as she absorbed the guard’s chilling words. She turned to Orion, searching his face for answers, but he looked as stunned as she felt. His normally impenetrable composure cracked, his lips pressed into a grim line as he pulled out his phone.

“Was this your initial grand plan to get me out of the picture for good? Is she using the plan both of you cooked up against us now?” Ava asked, her tone cracking as she staggered.

“No, Ava. I would never stoop that low. I had no idea. But can’t you just trust me…for once?”

Before she could say anything, Orion’s screen lit up with Chloe’s name. He hesitated for a fraction of a second before answering and putting it on speaker.

“What the hell is this about, Chloe?” Orion growled, his voice sharp with fury. “Are you sick or dumb?”

Chloe’s silky, malicious laugh spilled through the phone, sending a chill down Ava’s spine. “Oh, darling Orion, she cooed. “You sound so upset. I thought you’d appreciate my little… revelation. After all, it’s not every day someone learns their precious marriage is a sham. I had arranged it as a gift for you when we get rid of your wife but I guess I changed my mind.”

Ava clenched her fists, her anger bubbling to the surface. “What are you talking about?” she demanded. “How could our marriage be a sham?”

“Oh, Ava,” Chloe sneered, her tone dripping with venom. “You really think you and Orion are legally married? That little ceremony was nothing more than an elaborate show. I planned every last detail—tampering with the documents, hiring an imposter to pose as a priest. It was all so… poetic.”

“Did you really do all that?” Ava’s voice shook with disbelief.

“Of course I did,” Chloe said with a triumphant laugh. “Did you really think I’d let Orion just slip away? I knew the moment he started pulling away from me that I needed a backup plan. Something that would ensure he never truly belonged to anyone else. And what better way than to sabotage his little make believe wedding?”

Orion’s jaw clenched, his hands trembling with barely contained rage. “You vindictive, delusional—”

Chloe cut him off with a delighted giggle. “Oh, don’t be so dramatic, Orion. I did you a favor. What’s a marriage worth when the documents were drafted by me—your one true love?” She threw back her head in laughter. “And the best part? You had no idea. You both looked so happy, so in love. It was almost… endearing.”

Ava’s stomach churned, but she refused to let Chloe see her crumble. “What makes you think this changes anything?” she shot back, her voice steadier than she felt. “What makes you think Orion and I didn’t get married again?”

Chloe’s laughter faltered for a moment, the briefest crack in her confidence. “Married again?” she repeated, her tone sharp and doubtful.

Orion seized the opportunity, his voice cold and cutting. “You’ve always underestimated me, Chloe. Did you really think I wouldn’t cover my bases? That I wouldn’t take precautions against someone as conniving as you?”

The silence on the other end of the line was deafening. For the first time, Chloe’s smug demeanor wavered.

“You’re bluffing,” she hissed, but there was an edge of uncertainty in her voice. “There is no way you would have known. And what proof do you have that you are legally married?”

Ava leaned closer to the phone, her eyes blazing with defiance. “Believe what you want, Chloe. But one thing’s for sure—you’ll never pull me down this way. I won’t go down without a fight. You’re nothing but a bitter loser and the faster you realize that, the better for your sorry ass.”

Before Chloe could respond, Orion ended the call with a sharp tap, his hands shaking with residual fury.

“She won’t stop,” Ava said softly, her voice breaking slightly.

Orion turned to her, his expression fierce. “Neither will I. She thinks she’s won, but she doesn’t know who she’s dealing with.”

Ava nodded, determination flickering in her eyes. “Then let’s show her.”