Orion’s POV

The next morning came too soon, with the sun spilling light into the dining room, yet I felt a heaviness settle in my chest as I sat across from Chloe. We were eating lunch—if you could call it that—past noon, and there was still no sign of Ava. The air was thick with unspoken tension, the remnants of our dark plans lingering like a bad aftertaste.

“Can you believe her?” Chloe scoffed, taking a sip of her drink. “That hypocrite. She’s probably busy keeping her bed warm with whatever man she dragged in last night. The audacity of that woman to act like she’s above us.”

My mind drifted back to the muffled sounds I had heard the previous night, an unsettling reminder of Ava’s secrets. I pushed my food around my plate, trying to focus on Chloe, who was clearly reveling in her disdain for Ava.

“She looks so innocent though,” I muttered absentmindedly, the image of Ava’s silhouette flashing in my mind.

Chloe rolled her eyes. “Innocent? More like a cheap imitation of purity. I mean, look at her—coming down dressed to the nines like she’s some kind of queen. She wears that tight, red dress that hugs her curves in all the right places, showing off her legs and the gentle slope of her neck. And those sunglasses? Please, as if hiding behind them will shield her from the truth.”

It was true. Ava entered the room a moment later, her presence dominating the space. The dress she wore clung to her like a second skin, a deep crimson that highlighted her figure and radiated an undeniable allure.

The way the fabric caught the light made her look like she had just stepped out of a high-fashion magazine. But it wasn’t just the dress; it was the confidence she exuded, even with those oversized sunglasses hiding her eyes.

Chloe’s voice rose with venomous glee as she fixed her gaze on Ava. “Nice of you to join us, Ava. Or should I say, nice of you to finally come down from your high horse? I guess the party last night was more important than facing your truths.”

Ava’s head turned slightly in Chloe’s direction, but she didn’t respond. Instead, she moved gracefully to the table, her silence heavy in the air as she settled into a chair.

Chloe didn’t let up. “You know, it’s funny how you berate me for being Orion’s mistress, while you’re out there bringing men to your bed like it’s a revolving door. What kind of twisted logic is that? You think you’re better than us because you wear designer clothes?”

“Are you really this pathetic?” she continued, her voice dripping with scorn. “You called me a liar when you’re the one lying in the bed you made with your filthy secrets. I mean, let’s not pretend you haven’t turned your life into a joke.”

I sat back, watching Ava’s face carefully. She hadn’t uttered a word since she entered, her posture poised yet guarded, as if she were bracing herself against the onslaught of Chloe’s insults. There was a flicker of something in her expression, but I couldn’t quite place it.

Just then, one of the maids rushed in, a lunch bag in hand. “Ms. Ava! I made your favorite—” she began, her eyes brightening at the sight of Ava.

Ava’s expression remained composed as she turned to the maid. “Thank you Irene, but I’ll be having a business lunch later today,” she replied coolly, dismissing the offering without a second glance.

Chloe scoffed again. “Business lunch? What a convenient excuse to avoid facing the consequences of your actions.”

With that, Ava stood after taking a last sip from her cup, smoothing down her dress as she prepared to walk away. But in a swift motion, Chloe reached out and pushed her back, causing Ava to stumble slightly.

The sunglasses slipped from her face, revealing eyes that were puffy and red-rimmed. For a fleeting moment, I caught a glimpse of the vulnerability that lay behind her usually fierce demeanor, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared.

Ava quickly slipped the sunglasses back on, masking her emotions as she turned to Chloe, her voice cutting through the tension like a blade.

“You have no idea what it means to be strong, Chloe. All your petty attacks are just reflections of your own insecurities. I’m not the one hiding behind a facade, pretending to be something I’m not. But go ahead, keep throwing insults; it won’t change the fact that I stand tall while you remain lost in your delusions.” “Just watch where you’re going next time!” Chloe taunted, a triumphant smile dancing on her lips.

Ava turned, her expression unreadable, a storm brewing behind her calm facade. “You should learn to keep your hands to yourself, Chloe. You have no idea who you’re messing with.” The words dripped with an icy confidence, and as she brushed past us, I felt a pulse of tension in the air. Something foreign ignited within me, and I found myself captivated by her strength, her pain, and the undeniable allure that surrounded her. But just as she reached the door, my heart sank as I heard a whisper—barely audible, but clear enough to slice through the tension. “Why does it hurt so much?” she muttered, her voice cracking. With that, she turned and strode out of the house, her heels clicking sharply against the floor, leaving behind a stunned silence.

I watched her go, my mind racing. Had she really been crying? The image of her swollen eyes replayed in my mind, igniting a flicker of concern within me. Ava—the almighty Ava—was crying at night? What could possibly bring her to that point? My heart twisted at the thought, the rage I had felt from her betrayal now replaced with a confusing mixture of empathy and curiosity.

Chloe’s laughter broke through my thoughts. “Did you see that? She’s breaking down, Orion. And we’re just getting started.”

‘What’s this feeling?’ I thought to myself. She’s still my enemy right? Why am I suddenly so concerned that she had been crying?