Ava’s POV

The car ride back to the penthouse was quiet, but it wasn’t an uncomfortable silence.

Orion held my hand as if afraid I’d disappear, his thumb brushing softly against my knuckles. His strong presence calmed me, yet the events at his mother’s mansion lingered in my mind. The venom in her words, the threats, and that haunting smile—it was like a storm waiting to break.

We stepped into the elevator, and I finally broke the silence. “She’s unstable mentally. Do you think she’ll try something?”

“She will,” Orion admitted without hesitation. His jaw tightened as he stared at the elevator doors. “But it won’t matter. She’s contained now. She’ll have no one left to manipulate.”

His confidence should have been reassuring, but I couldn’t shake the unease coiling in my chest. Something about the way she looked at me from the window of her room—a mixture of hatred and certainty—made my skin crawl.

I leaned into Orion, pressing my forehead against his arm. “She hates me.”

He turned to face me, his fingers brushing my cheek. “Let her hate you. It doesn’t matter. She can’t touch you anymore, Ava. You’re mine, and I’ll protect you, no matter what.”

The elevator dinged, and we stepped into the penthouse. I slipped off my heels, grateful to be home.

I think it’s time I tell him about the long relationship his father had with my mother. “Orion,” I began, my voice trembling, “there’s something I need to tell you. About your father, Richard.”

His eyes darkened, and for the first time, I saw a flicker of guilt in them. “Go on.”

Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to meet his gaze. “Richard bringing me into this family wasn’t mere coincidence,” I whispered and his brow furrowed in confusion.

I went ahead and narrated everything to him. From his father’s relationship to my mother, to my father’s betrayal.

“Orion’s jaw tightened, and his shoulders went rigid as the weight of my confession settled over him. His usually composed demeanor cracked, revealing a storm of emotions—shock, confusion, and guilt, all battling for dominance.

For a long moment, he said nothing, his piercing eyes locked onto mine as though searching for any trace of deceit. “Are you saying…” His voice was low, raw. “That my father married you into this family out of guilt? Out of some twisted sense of obligation to your mother?”

I nodded slowly, my throat tightening with emotion. “At first, yes. But it wasn’t just that. He wanted to protect me and my sister. He knew what my father had done to my mother… and he wanted to make it right. He thought bringing me here, to your family, would shield us from the past.”

Orion let out a bitter laugh, running a hand through his hair as he turned away. “So, my father… the man I thought I hated for his indifference and manipulation… was actually some kind of savior in your story?”

“Yes,” I said quickly, stepping closer. “He wasn’t perfect, Orion. He made mistakes—terrible ones. But he truly cared about me and my sister. He wanted to give us a chance at a better life, even if it meant aligning himself with your mother’s cruelty.”

The mention of Mrs. Priscilla Miller caused his fists to clench at his sides. “And my mother? She knew, didn’t she? About your connection to my father?”

I hesitated, then nodded. “I guess she found out eventually. It’s part of why she hated me so much. To her, I was proof of his betrayal—proof that his loyalty wasn’t entirely hers. She wanted to destroy me, Orion. And she still does.”

He turned back to me, his eyes burning with unspoken questions. “Why didn’t you tell me this sooner, Ava?”

“Because I thought you were the enemy,” I admitted, my voice breaking. “I thought that hiding all these from you will give me leverage against you when the time comes.”

Orion took a step forward, his hands gripping my arms gently but firmly. “I’m sorry that I made you see me as the enemy, Ava. I didn’t know better,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Tears welled in my eyes, and I shook my head. Orion’s gaze softened, but the pain lingered. He pulled me into his arms, holding me tightly as though trying to shield us both from the ghosts of the past.

After a while, he let me go and headed to the kitchen, pouring two glasses of wine. I was just about to join him when my phone buzzed on the counter. I glanced at the screen, and my stomach twisted. Mason.

The tension in the room shifted instantly. Orion’s eyes narrowed, his expression darkening as he spotted the name on my screen.

“Why is he calling you?” he asked, his voice tight with barely contained jealousy.

“He’s just a friend,” I said quickly, picking up the phone. “Orion, it’s nothing.”

He didn’t reply, but his jaw was clenched, and the storm brewing in his eyes was unmistakable. I sighed and answered the call.

“Hi, Mason,” I said, walking a few steps away to give us some space.

“Ava, hey!” Mason’s cheerful voice came through the line. “How are you doing? I was at the press conference the other day. It must have been difficult for you.”

I glanced over my shoulder at Orion, who was leaning against the counter, arms crossed, watching me like a hawk. “I’m okay now,” I replied, keeping my tone light. “It’s been… a lot, but we’re managing.”

“Good to hear. I was worried about you,” Mason said, his concern evident. “If you ever need to talk or vent, you know I’m here, right?”

“I know. Thanks, Mason. I appreciate it,” I said, glancing again at Orion. His glare had only deepened, and I could practically see the smoke coming out of his ears.

When I finally hung up, I turned to Orion, who looked ready to explode.

“Before you say anything,” I started, walking up to him, “Mason is just a very good friend. You have nothing to worry about. Not anymore.”

“A friend who’s clearly too interested in you,” he muttered, his tone sharp.

I placed a hand on his chest, pushing him gently back against the counter. “Orion, stop.”

His eyes locked with mine, his jealousy simmering beneath the surface. But before he could argue, I leaned in and kissed him, my lips silencing his protests. He resisted for a moment, but then his hands slid to my waist, pulling me closer.

When I finally pulled away, I smiled. “See? No reason to be jealous. I’m yours, and only yours.”

He sighed, resting his forehead against mine. “I hate how Mason looks at you,” he admitted quietly. “There’s something about him that isn’t right.”

“Can we drop that? I’m not interested in how Mason looks at me,” I said, brushing my fingers through his hair. “Now, why don’t we do something to get your mind off this?”

He raised an eyebrow. “Like what?”

“Lunch,” I suggested. “Let’s go out, to a nice restaurant. Let’s show the world that no matter what they throw at us, we’re still standing. We’re a couple who trust and respect each other.”

A slow smile spread across his face. “You’re amazing, you know that?”

“Of course,” I teased, stepping away to grab my purse.

---

The restaurant was upscale, the kind of place where the elite dined and paparazzi lingered outside, waiting for a glimpse of someone important. Orion opened the car door for me, and I stepped out, feeling his hand settle on the small of my back as we walked inside.

Heads turned as we entered, whispers trailing behind us, but I ignored them. This was our moment, and I wouldn’t let anyone ruin it.

We were seated at a quiet table near the window, the sunlight streaming in and casting a warm glow over the room. Orion pulled out my chair for me before taking his seat across the table.

A waiter approached, handing us menus, and I glanced around, noting the curious stares from other diners. I met Orion’s gaze and smiled. “People are watching.”

“Let them. They can even take pictures for all I care,” he said, his tone dismissive. “I don’t care what they think.”

We browsed the menu, discussing what to order. Just as we were ready to give our choices to the waiter, I noticed someone approaching our table.

Orion’s entire demeanor changed in an instant. His relaxed posture stiffened, his jaw clenching as his eyes locked onto the figure coming toward us.

I turned to see who it was, but before I could get a good look, Orion’s hand covered mine on the table.

“Don’t,” he said quietly, his voice tense.

“Orion, who is—”

“Not here,” he interrupted, his gaze never leaving the person.

The tension in the air was palpable, and I could feel the heat of Orion’s anger simmering beneath the surface. Whoever this person was, they weren’t welcome, and their arrival was about to stir up a whole new storm.