Ava’s POV

Here I am again, standing on the altar for the third time. Seriously, how ridiculous can my life get?

The weight of the situation felt like an iron chain wrapped around my chest, and yet, there was a numbness to it all. My eyes trailed down to the ring on my finger, the symbol of yet another strategic arrangement, not love.

I should have been paying attention to the ceremony, to the priest, to the audience watching me like hawks. Instead, I was lost in thought, my lips curling into a sly smirk as I considered the plans I had put in place. If everything went as I imagined, Orion wouldn’t know what hit him.

Holly’s radiant smile flickered in my memory. She had been overjoyed when I told her about the wedding date, almost annoyingly so.

“Finally!” she’d exclaimed. “And I get to walk you down the aisle! It’s going to be magical, Ava!”

Magical wasn’t the word I’d use, but her excitement was contagious.

Seeing her beam with pride as she walked beside me earlier had been one of the few genuine moments of the day.

The rest of the ceremony passed in a haze. Orion and I stood side by side, receiving guests, exchanging pleasantries, and plastering on fake smiles.

My eyes kept darting through the crowd, half expecting Chloe to appear, flinging insults or causing a scene. But she was calm—too calm. What had Orion promised her to keep her so docile? Heaven and earth, no doubt.

It was during the reception that I made an interesting discovery. One of the guests casually mentioned Orion’s company. I blinked in surprise, pretending to listen as they droned on about his business achievements.

So, my dear husband is a real estate god? Interesting.

How had I not known about this? Before I could stop myself, I discreetly typed a message to Rose: ‘Look into Orion’s company. Let’s buy some shares—for fun.’

“Ava!” Holly’s voice snapped me out of my scheming as she snatched the phone from my hand. “It’s your wedding day! Can’t you leave work alone for just one day? At least until after the honeymoon?”

I rolled my eyes but let her have the phone. Holly’s sense of propriety was endearing, even if it was misplaced.

Later, as I made my rounds, someone unexpected approached me.

“Ava. Or should I call you Mrs. Miller,” Mr. Connor said, his tone clipped but polite. His gaze, however, betrayed his surprise. “I didn’t see this coming.”

I opened my mouth to explain, to offer some vague justification for the absurdity of my new situation, but before I could say a word, Orion appeared at my side. His arm snaked around my waist with practiced ease, his grip possessive.

“Connor,” Orion said smoothly, his voice laced with a dangerous edge. “What gift did you bring for the bride and groom?”

Connor’s jaw tightened as he ignored Orion entirely, his eyes fixed on me. “Ava, meet me at our usual place whenever you’re ready,” he said sharply before storming off.

Orion chuckled, low and mocking, as Connor disappeared into the crowd. “Your business partner, huh?” he drawled, his eyes dark with amusement.

I turned to him, anger simmering beneath my calm exterior. “What was that?”

“Shouldn’t you have introduced him that day as your ‘lover’ instead of ‘business partner’?” he shot back, his smirk infuriating.

My breath hitched, and I narrowed my eyes. “Are you serious right now?”

He leaned closer, his tone dropping to a dangerous whisper. “Have you been sleeping at Connor’s place all those nights you weren’t home?”

I couldn’t take it anymore. My heels clicked sharply against the marble floor as I stormed outside, desperate for air. But Orion was faster. He caught up with me in seconds, his hand gripping my wrist and spinning me around.

“Let me go!” I hissed, trying to pull free, but his strength overpowered me.

He shoved me gently yet firmly against the wall outside, pinning my hands above my head. The cold surface pressed against my back as he stepped closer, his body looming over mine.

“Don’t disrespect me,” he growled, his voice low and dangerous. His hand grabbed my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. “Not on our wedding day. And not by defending another man.”

My blood boiled. “Says the man who brought his mistress to his wedding,” I shot back, my voice dripping with venom.

His eyes flicked to my lips, and I drew a sharp breath, my body betraying me. He leaned in, his lips inches from mine, and for a moment, I felt myself faltering. But just as his lips were about to brush against mine, I turned my face away.

“No,” I said firmly, though my voice wavered.

He growled, a low, guttural sound that sent shivers down my spine. “Look at me,” he demanded.

I kept my head turned, refusing to give in, until his grip on my chin tightened, forcing my face back to his.

“Ava,” he began, but before he could say another word, a sharp gasp echoed from behind us.

We both turned to see Chloe standing there, her expression a mixture of shock and outrage.

“Orion,” she stammered, her voice trembling. “What is going on here?”

Orion released me instantly, as if I had burned him. “Chloe, it’s not what it looks like,” he said, striding toward her with urgency. “I was just… putting Ava in her place.”

Before Chloe could respond, Holly appeared, her face a mask of confusion and anger. Her eyes darted between Orion, Chloe, and me, her expression darkening.

“What is this?” Holly demanded, her voice sharp. “Why is your assistant pestering you with work, Orion? And on your wedding day, no less?”

Orion dropped Chloe’s hand like it was on fire. “She needed something urgent,” he explained hastily. “It couldn’t wait any longer.”

Holly’s frown deepened. “Work? Today? This is supposed to be a happy, fun day. Not work, work, work. Chloe, I think it’s best if you leave so Ava and Orion can have some privacy.”

I was having so much fun watching Chloe’s helpless and furious expression. Orion had introduced her as his assistant to Holly when she caught them together.

Chloe hesitated, her eyes flitting to Orion for reassurance, but Holly’s firm tone left no room for argument.

As Chloe walked away, I couldn’t help but laugh—loud, hysterical, unhinged.

“Speak about living a double life!” I exclaimed, my laughter echoing in the quiet hallway.

Orion’s jaw clenched, and in one swift motion, he twisted toward me and pulled me in by the waist. “Enough,” he growled, his voice dangerously low.

Holly, clearly uncomfortable, mumbled something about checking on the guests and quickly left.

As the door closed behind her, I felt Orion’s grip tighten. His eyes bored into mine, and I could see the storm brewing within him.

“You’re going to regret this,” he said, his tone a chilling promise.

And for the first time that night, a flicker of excitement sparked within me.