Ava

I was right! Orion did bring Peter into my life to taunt me. The sick bastard.

Chloe’s eyes glittered with malice. “Oh, you haven’t figured that out yet? How does it feel, Ava?” she taunted, leaning closer. “Seeing the same person who haunted you as a little girl standing right in your living room? Maybe Orion’s finally found the perfect way to remind you where you belong: under his thumb, right next to your nightmares.”

The words hit like a strike to my chest, but I didn’t let her see it. My nails bit into my palms as I forced my face into an impassive mask. “Peter doesn’t scare me anymore,” I said coldly. “And neither do you.”

“Keep telling yourself that,” she sneered. “But you’re on borrowed time. Orion’s patience with you has already run out.”

I took a step closer, forcing her to meet my gaze. “And yet, it’s you who came crawling into my room. You, who’s been scrambling for his attention like a desperate pet.” I smiled faintly. “You’ll never be more than his shadow, Chloe. And soon enough, you’ll find out just how little you mean to him.”

Her expression flickered—anger, insecurity—but she masked it quickly. “Enjoy your fantasy while it lasts,” she hissed. “Because when this is over, I’ll be the one standing at Orion’s side. And you’ll be nothing.”

Before I could respond, the door slammed open with a force that startled us both. Orion stepped into the room, his presence filling it like a storm cloud. His gaze swept over the scene— the tension crackling between Chloe and me—and his eyes narrowed dangerously.

“What’s going on here?” he growled.

Chloe turned instantly, her voice soft and syrupy. “Oh, Orion,” she said, playing the victim flawlessly. “I just came to see how our demented ice queen was doing and help you pack your things.”

I let out a bitter laugh, drawing his attention. “Funny,” I said, my voice calm but pointed. “I could say the same about you and your lover.”

Orion’s eyes darkened, locking onto mine. “Watch your mouth, Ava.”

Chloe took a step closer to him, placing a hand on his arm, her eyes glinting with triumph. “See what I mean?” she cooed. “She’s spiraling.”

For a second, his gaze flickered between us, anger and impatience brewing behind his cold exterior.

Orion moved forward to my direction and came face to face with me. His eyes were distant, dark and cold, just as I wanted them to be.

His gaze flickered on my throat and a flash of guilt crossed his features. That is pointless. He doesn’t have the right to feel any guilt. Not yet.

“Do I look like a fool to you, Ava?” he asked, crossing his arms.

“Should I answer honestly?” I replied, a hint of sarcasm in my voice. He didn’t give me another chance to respond as he stepped closer. Our faces were now inches away from each other. I could feel every vibration of his voice as he spoke.

“You think I’m a joke? You get to move me around as you please? What if I say no to leaving this room? After all, you said it’s ‘our’ bedroom,” he whispered down my ears.

Hearing that, Chloe stepped closer, eager to insert herself into the moment and play her cards. “Orion,” she purred, her voice dripping with false sweetness, “you don’t have to entertain this. Let her tantrum play out. She’s just trying to get under your skin.”

I tilted my head, my lips curling into a small, mocking smile as I looked past Orion and met Chloe’s gaze. “Careful, Chloe,” I said, my voice smooth and low. “Your desperation is showing. You sound more like a stray begging for scraps than someone who belongs at his side.”

Chloe’s face contorted with rage, but Orion’s sharp voice cut her off before she could retort. “Enough,” he barked, though the edge in his tone didn’t shake me. His attention swung back to me, and though his eyes were cold, there was something else there.

“You think this is a game, Ava?” he said, his voice dangerously quiet now. “You don’t get to order me out of this room. You don’t get to decide what happens under this roof.”

“Then stop pretending you’re in control,” I shot back. “It’s pathetic. And besides, this is ‘my’ roof.”

For a brief second, silence filled the space like a vacuum. Orion’s jaw tensed, and Chloe inhaled sharply behind him.

“You have no idea what you’re doing,” he said finally, his voice trembling with restrained anger. “No idea who you’re dealing with.”

I met his gaze evenly, refusing to back down. “Oh please! I’ve heard that so many times. Maybe you should really stop underestimating me.”

Chloe laughed, a brittle sound that made my skin crawl. “You’re so bold now, Ava. It’s almost cute.” She took a step forward, standing beside Orion, as if to underscore her presence. “But tell me, how will that confidence hold up when Peter announces to the whole world, what a whore you are?”

The mention of Peter sent ice through my veins, though I refused to let it show. I squared my shoulders. “Is that supposed to scare me, Chloe?” I moved past Orion and stepped closer to her, my voice sharp enough to cut glass. “If you both think Peter can break me, you’re delusional.”

Chloe’s smug expression faltered just slightly, but she recovered quickly. “You talk a big game,” she sneered. “But this is only the beginning, Ava. That was just the tip of the iceberg. I’m only sharpening my claws.” Her smile turned wicked. “You better brace yourself for the main event.”

Orion’s head whipped toward Chloe, his brows furrowing slightly. “What are you talking about?” he demanded.

Chloe blinked innocently, though her satisfaction couldn’t be masked. “Nothing you need to worry about. Just giving her a taste of what’s to come.”

“Let me get this straight,” I said with a dry laugh. “You think I’ll have anything else to fear when you both have tried harming my sister, and bringing Peter back into my life?”

“What are you talking about?” Orion asked, a flicker of guilt and confusion crossing his face again, but Chloe was quick to fill the silence.

“She’s just trying to manipulate you, Orion,” she said, stepping closer to him, practically pressing herself against his side. “She knows you’ll always come back to me.”

I stared at them—Chloe smirking triumphantly at my perceived defeat, Orion’s face unreadable—and something inside me snapped.

“I’m done with this circus,” I said icily. “You can have each other if that’s what you want. But don’t think for a second I won’t burn this entire house down if you push me any further.”

“You’re bluffing,” Chloe scoffed.

I turned my gaze directly to her, my voice dropping to a deadly calm. “Try me.”

Before Chloe could respond, Orion’s voice cut through the room like a blade. “Enough!” His tone left no room for argument, but just as he spoke, a sharp crash echoed from downstairs.

All three of us froze.