Orion

I glanced at the door again before walking towards it. My heart was pounding in my chest.

I could feel it in my bones—something big was about to unfold, and I wasn’t ready for it. But I couldn’t back away now. I had to face whatever was waiting on the other side.

When I opened it, I wasn’t prepared for the sight. Peter, my assistant, stood there, looking more nervous than usual. He held a stack of documents in his hand, eyes darting around like he expected something to explode at any moment.

I exhaled a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. “What is it?"

“I brought the documents you asked for, sir,” Peter said, his voice soft, as if he were unsure whether to continue speaking.

I nodded, trying to push aside the tension that had been building inside me. “Come in.”

He stepped inside hesitantly, looking at me as if he were waiting for permission to do more than just hand over the papers.

I tried to shake off the gnawing sense of unease, but it wasn’t easy. Something felt off today, like everything was about to come crashing down. Maybe it was the look I had seen in Ava’s eyes last night, maybe it was the weight of everything I had yet to deal with. I didn’t know. I just knew that nothing felt right.

Peter handed me the documents, and I tried to focus on them, flipping through the pages. It was business as usual. But my mind kept wandering back to Ava, to what had happened between us in Venice. To how she was acting—cold, detached. I couldn’t stop thinking about her.

Peter seemed oblivious to the storm that was taking place within me. He went on, discussing the upcoming changes, mentioning a few properties that could turn a solid profit if we played our cards right.

But all I could do was nod and pretend to listen, my mind occupied with the far more pressing matter of Ava.

I rubbed my face, feeling the weight of everything pressing down on me. "This acquisition is big," I continued, trying to distract myself. "It’s a chance to get ahead of our competitors. But we’ll need to negotiate hard. I want this deal sealed before the year is out."

Peter didn’t speak. He simply nodded, flipping through the pages, seemingly focused on the details.

Suddenly, my phone buzzed on the counter, cutting through the silence. I looked at the screen, feeling a jolt in my chest. A message from one of the senior executives at the Miller’s Empire, alerting me to an important meeting at the office.

I cursed under my breath. This wasn’t just any meeting. It was the kind of meeting I couldn’t afford to miss, especially now. I stood up, pushing the documents aside. With Ava still in the hospital, I need to handle this.

I walked back into the living room, my mind racing. Chloe was standing near the kitchen, watching me carefully. “Orion?” she asked softly, a note of concern in her voice. “What’s going on?”

I ran a hand through my hair, trying to compose myself. “Someone just informed me there’s a meeting at the company. I have to go. Something big’s happening. I don’t know why Ava didn’t let me handle it. She’s still in the hospital. I should be the one to oversee this.”

Chloe’s brow furrowed. “That little bitch,” she swore under her breath. “You’re leaving now?”

“Yes,” I said, my voice more distant than I intended. “I don’t have a choice. Peter—” I turned to him, “Keep Chloe safe while I’m gone.”

Chloe stepped forward, her expression turning softer, almost pleading. “Orion... Wait. You’re going without me?”

“I have to do this,” I said. “Stay here. Let Peter look after you.”

A silence settled between us, tension thick in the air. And then, Chloe moved forward quickly, closing the distance between us. Without saying another word, she wrapped her arms around me, pulling me into a kiss. It was brief, but intense, and I could feel every ounce of emotion she was holding back. The kiss felt like she was trying to remind me of her place.

When she pulled away, her eyes were filled with unspoken words, but she didn’t say them. She just nodded, accepting my decision.

I exhaled deeply and turned towards the stairs. I needed to get dressed.

A few minutes later, I emerged from the room I shared with Ava, my heart still in turmoil. I bid Chloe and Peter goodbye, and without another word, I headed to the car waiting outside.

*** When we arrived, I was greeted by a sight I never expected. There she was. Ava.

Sitting at the head of the table, impeccably dressed, her head held high, her gaze steady and focused. She didn’t look like the woman who had just rushed out of the house in her nightgown hours before.

No, she looked like the queen she claims to be—commanding, powerful, in control.

I stood frozen in the doorway, my mind racing. How could she be here? Why was she here?

I strode forward, anger and confusion boiling beneath the surface. “Ava,” I said, my voice casual but heavy with confusion, “what the hell is going on? Why wasn’t I informed about this?”

The room went deathly quiet. Everyone turned to look at me, but Ava didn’t acknowledge me right away. She simply raised her hand, signaling for the meeting to continue.

That simple action made my blood boil. I couldn’t hold back. I moved quickly, pulling her seat away from the table, positioning her right next to mine.

Her eyes locked onto mine, cold and empty. No warmth, no compassion. Just the indifference that I had expected.

I could feel my composure slipping as I confronted her. “Why are you ignoring me? Why am I not involved in this deal? We’re now partners, for Christ’s sake! I have a right to be here, we own this company together.”

Ava’s expression didn’t change. She stared at me like a stranger. “This doesn’t have anything to do with you, Orion,” she said, her voice calm, almost too calm. “But for now, I need you to know something.”

I felt my chest tighten, a wave of dread settling over me.

She turned to the room, her voice suddenly loud and clear. “I’m moving to have Mr Orion Miller removed from this board.”

Still the same gold digger I’ve known her to be. What was I thinking?

The words hit me like a slap across the face. The shock was immediate. The room’s air thickened with tension.

The room fell silent. The words hung in the air like a punch to the gut. I could feel every pair of eyes on us, watching the two of us in this battle of wills.

Her next words hit me harder than I could have ever anticipated. “Richard left everything to me. You were just a key to access them. I don’t need you here anymore,” she whispered calmly.

I couldn’t move. Couldn’t breathe.

“If you’re confused,” she added coldly, “refer to the will.”

Everything inside me snapped.