Ava

The drive to the mansion had been quiet. Too quiet. I watched the trees blur past, their bare branches reaching out like skeletal fingers, and I couldn’t help but smile.

Orion sat beside me, his hands clenched, knuckles white with suppressed anger. Chloe sat stiffly in the front seat, eyes darting between us from time to time, as if expecting another battle to break out at any moment.

She had insisted on riding with us and just as I expected, Orion couldn’t decline. Who on earth let’s their mistress ride with him on his fucking wedding night? Not like I was angry, it’s just hilarious!

We finally arrived. The grand, cold mansion loomed ahead, its stone walls almost as frigid as the air between Orion and me. I stepped out of the car, my heels clicking against the cobblestone path. Inside, the maids scurried about, finishing the arrangements I had instructed them to make. Everything was set.

I retreated to my room, the master bedroom—our bedroom now. The wind from the open window brushed against my face, icy and refreshing. I leaned out, closing my eyes, letting the cold seep in. It felt... liberating. My smile widened as I thought of Chloe’s expression when she found her things.

“One, two, three,” I whispered, eyes still closed. “Here we go.”

A scream pierced the air, echoing through the halls. I burst into laughter, the sound ringing out like a melody of triumph.

Not long after, the door to my room was thrown open with a force that rattled the hinges. Orion stormed in, his eyes blazing with fury, Chloe trailing behind him, tear-streaked and furious.

“What the hell have you done?” Orion’s voice was like a whip, sharp and cutting.

Chloe sniffled dramatically. “She had the guts to move my things to the servant’s quarters! How could you let her do that to me, Orion?”

I tilted my head, feigning innocence. “I just put you where you belong, Chloe.”

Orion’s fists clenched. “And where are my things, Ava?”

I crossed the room slowly, each step deliberate, until I stood directly in front of him. “Your things are exactly where they should be,” I purred. “Here. In the master bedroom. With me.” I traced a finger along his chest, my voice soft but pointed. “After all, we are married now. What did you think would happen when you proposed to me?”

Chloe’s eyes flashed with venom. “This was your plan all along, wasn’t it?” she spat. “Pretending you didn’t want to marry him, acting like you were above it all. But the second the wedding was over, you latched onto him like some virgin ghost!”

I raised an eyebrow, unbothered. “I can do whatever I want with my husband. Can you stay out of this please?” I emphasized the word husband, watching her flinch. “Besides, wasn’t he the one who begged me to marry him? Twice? Am I wrong darling?”

Orion’s jaw tightened. “Call the maids. Move everything back to how it was.”

I shook my head, my smile sweet and infuriating. “No.”

He took a step closer, towering over me. “Ava—”

I cut him off. “Holly will be here tomorrow for Thanksgiving. She’s staying in the room you and Chloe were in. How do you plan to explain to my sister that you’re sharing a room with your assistant? What kind of... work would that involve?”

Orion’s eyes narrowed, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. He knew I was right. The expression on his face almost had me choking with laughter.

“You think because you’re now his legal wife that you get to act like a peacock?” Chloe sneered angrily. She looked at him, desperate. “I am the one he loves!”

She turned to Orion, a crazy desperation in her eyes. “Let’s get out of here, darling,” she pleaded. “Let’s go to a hotel or something. She’s nuts!”

They turned to leave, but I spoke again, my voice low and dangerous. “Orion.”

He paused, turning slowly to face me.

“If you step one foot outside this room,” I said, my tone dripping with warning, “I’ll do something you’ll have no choice but to live with, for the rest of your life. Behave like a good husband and... unzip my dress.”

Chloe’s eyes widened. “Have you lost your fucking mind?” She spat angrily. “What can you do? What card do you possibly have against us, huh? She’s bluffing, Orion, let’s get out of here.”

I met Orion’s gaze, unflinching. “There’s only one way to find out. Go ahead. Take a step,” I taunted him while retreating towards the window.

For a moment, the room was silent. Then, reluctantly, Orion spoke. “Chloe, go downstairs. I’ll join you shortly.”

“Shortly…well if that’s how you want to describe forever, then go ahead,” I mocked and shook my head.

Her face crumpled in disbelief. “Orion—”

“Go,” he repeated, his voice firm.

She stormed out, slamming the door behind her, shouting something about killing me. I couldn’t help but laugh.

Who’s the caged one now?

The door clicked shut, and we were alone. Silence stretched between us, charged and dangerous. I could see the fury simmering beneath Orion’s composed facade, his eyes dark with unspoken threats.

“Gotcha,” I whispered amidst soft chuckles.

“Enjoying yourself?” he asked, his voice low.

I smirked. “Immensely.”

He crossed the room in two strides, closing the distance between us. “You’re playing a dangerous game, Ava.”

I tilted my head, looking up at him. “So are you.”

He reached out, his hand cupping my chin, tilting my face up to his. His grip was firm, almost bruising. “What do you really want?” he demanded.

I held his gaze, unflinching. “I want what’s mine.”

“And what’s that?” His voice was a mix of frustration and something else—something darker.

“You,” I whispered sweetly, leaning in closer. “All of you.”

He pulled back slightly, eyes searching mine. “This isn’t over, Ava. You think you’ve won, but this is just the beginning.”

I smiled, slow and wicked. “I’m counting on it.”

His eyes flashed with something I couldn’t quite place, and then, without warning, he closed the distance between us, his lips crashing onto mine. The kiss was fierce, almost punishing, a battle of wills.

I pulled back, breathless, my heart pounding. That wasn’t part of the plan.

“Careful, Orion. You might just fall for me,” I said, trying to hide the unease and effect of the kiss.

His eyes locked onto mine, dark and dangerous. “That would be the biggest mistake of my life.”

“Then why are you still here?” I whispered, daring him to walk away.

He didn’t answer, just stared at me, the tension between us crackling like a live wire. “Oh, and can you help me unzip my dress?” I asked with a practiced smile. He looked exhausted, like he would give anything to avoid being in the same space with me.

Orion stepped closer and pulled the zip down with a force that had me giggling. This is so fun!

And then, with a smirk, I stepped back, leaving him standing there, furious and conflicted.

“I need to go and wash out all…these,” I purred, turning away, leaving him to simmer in his own storm.