Orion

Ethan's words lingered like poison, spreading through my veins and reminding me that there were more eyes on my every move than I could afford to ignore.

Who could have thought I’ll be right back to the same position I tried fleeing from years back? I should have stayed back and fought. I should have made sure this matter was closed entirely, but I didn’t and now, we’re back to the topic.

A wedding. The idea was laughable, a desperate show meant to silence the board’s whispers and quell their meddling. But if this was the price of keeping them in line, I’d do it—at least on the surface.

I think it's time to honor my father's dying wish. Getting to my ex-fiancée. Or rather, getting married to his widow.

I glanced at Chloe, who had retreated to her own corner of the room as the meeting emptied out. Her eyes, cold and calculating, followed me. She wouldn’t like this. Not even one bit but it has to be done. Just for the sake of these people.

I took a slow breath and walked over, lowering my voice as I said, "We’re announcing a wedding. Just enough to shut them up."

Her reaction was instant—a flash of fury that darkened her features. "You can’t be serious, Orion. A wedding? With her? That’s exactly what Ava wants." She spat the words, each syllable dripping with disdain.

"Don’t be paranoid," I replied, my patience fraying. "Ethan’s baiting me. It’s just a cover, Chloe. Nothing more."

"Maybe Ethan is baiting you. Or maybe he’s working for Ava. Did you consider that?" She leaned in, her eyes blazing. "You walk right into this, and she’ll bury you alive."

I stepped back, the weight of her words pressing down on me. "You think everything’s a trap."

"Because it is," she snapped. "She’ll use this to destroy you, to control everything. I can feel it, Orion."

Her paranoia grated on me as she could be right, but I didn’t have the energy to argue. "Enough, Chloe. It’s decided."

“But what if you fall in love with her!” she sneered. I could see the fury, pain and disgust in her eyes. I can't blame her.

“How dare you?” I growled.

I turned on my heel, heading toward the elevator. She followed, her heels clicking sharply on the marble floor. Inside the elevator, tension crackled like a live wire between us. I pressed the button for the top floor, exhaling slowly. The doors slid shut, sealing us inside.

"You’re making a mistake," Chloe muttered, her breath warm against my neck as she leaned in. "You think you can control her, but she’ll break you."

I ignored her, staring straight ahead. "Not everything is about Ava."

"Really?" She let out a laugh, low and bitter. "So what is this about, then? Proving yourself? Playing the hero? Being the perfect son?"

Her words twisted in my chest, stirred up something dark and unsettling within me. But before I could respond, her fingers grazed my jaw, turning my face toward her. "You know you can’t win this game without me," she whispered, her lips just a breath away. "You need me."

The air grew heavy, charged with something I couldn’t deny. I didn’t want to admit she was right. I didn’t want to need her all the time. But as her lips claimed mine, logic and restraint crumbled.

I pulled her closer, my hands tangling in her hair as the kiss deepened, all the frustration, desperation, and fury igniting between us vanished. For a moment, there was nothing but heat and the feel of her body pressed against mine.

The elevator jolted to a stop, and the doors slid open. Voices spilled in, followed by gasps. We broke apart, breathing hard.

A handful of employees stood in the hallway, their eyes wide with shock. Heat rose to my neck, but I forced myself to meet their stares with icy indifference.

"Back to work," I snapped, my voice cold and commanding.

The group scattered, and I stepped out of the elevator with Chloe at my side, her lips curving into a triumphant smile. "You always did know how to make an impression."

I shot her a warning glance but said nothing. We had bigger problems to deal with.

---

The drive to The Miller's Empire felt longer than it was, tension building with every mile. The towering building loomed over the city, a reminder of everything Ava had claimed.

I strode inside, past the reception desk, ignoring the curious glances and hushed murmurs. No one dared stop me.

I found her in a conference room, surrounded by advisors, analysts, and Connor. The sight of him beside her was like a knife to the gut, but I pushed the rage aside.

Every eye in the room turned as I entered, but I only had eyes for Ava. She looked up slowly, a picture of composure and strength, the very image of the woman I’d once tried to break.

"Orion," she said, her voice calm and mocking. "To what do we owe this displeasure?"

Ignoring the tension, I walked forward, every step deliberate. When I reached her, I dropped to one knee, pulling a ring from my pocket. Gasps echoed around us, eyes widened in disbelief.

Ava’s expression didn’t falter—if anything, a dark smirk played at her lips. She shifted on her seat, crossing her legs as though I was offering her some sort of offering.

She seemed in control with a mischievous smile dancing in her eyes as though she knew what I was going to say. Was Chloe right? Was this her plan all along to tie me down?

"Let’s end this," I said, my voice steady and bold. "Marry me."

The room held its breath, all eyes on Ava and I. I didn’t miss way Connor’s face hardened as I said those words.

Ava tilted her head, considering me with cold and pitiful amusement. "No," she said, her words cutting like a blade.

Silence fell, suffocating and absolute. Ava’s smile widened, triumphant and cruel. My brows furrowed in confusion, the weight of her rejection settling over me.

She dared to say no?