Chloe’s POV

“Secure the area! Now!” Orion’s voice thundered through the house as he pressed his phone to his ear. The guards scattered at his command, flooding the hallways and exits to ensure no one else was lurking.

He paced the room, trying to dial the police. My chest tightened—this wasn’t how it was supposed to go. I lunged forward, snatching the phone from his hands. “No, Orion, stop!”

His brows furrowed as he turned to me, a mixture of confusion and fury twisting his face. “What the hell are you doing, Chloe? I need to call the cops—Ava—”

I cut him off, gripping the phone tightly as I stepped closer. “Think, Orion,” I said, my voice calm but laced with urgency. “Isn’t this... perfect?”

“Perfect? What are you talking about?” he snapped, his frustration mounting.

I stared at him, forcing a steady breath as I leaned in. “You’ve been looking for a way to get rid of her. We both have. You can’t deny it.” My voice dropped lower, softer. “Isn’t it perfect that this just happened without us even lifting a finger? Think about it, Orion. Imagine how happy your mother will be when Ava’s body shows up.”

The words hung in the air like a bomb, and I saw the change in him instantly. Orion stiffened, his jaw clenching as he turned to glare at me. His hands shook visibly as his voice dropped to an icy growl. “What did you just say?”

I blinked, playing innocent, but before I could react, he grabbed me by the arms and shoved me back hard against the wall. My breath caught in my throat as the impact rattled through me.

“Did you have a hand in this?” he barked, his face just inches from mine. “Chloe—did you do this?”

The accusation lit something inside me—a mix of anger and fear—but I couldn’t let him see that. I stared at him, wide-eyed, before lifting my hand and slapping him sharply across the face. His head snapped to the side, and the room fell silent.

“How dare you,” I hissed, my voice shaking just enough to sell it. “Why would I have anything to do with this? Why would I ever contact the very man who broke me, who caused me so much pain?”

Tears welled up as I stared at him. “I’m only saying that this worked out. Is it so wrong to see the opportunity here?” My voice cracked, and I let a single tear roll down my cheek. “But if you don’t see it that way—if you don’t want to be with me anymore—I understand. I just... I would never go back to him. Never.”

I faked a sob, covering my face with my hands. The silence stretched between us, and for a moment, I wasn’t sure he believed me.

But then, I felt him stiffen. His hands dropped from my arms, and the tension in his shoulders slackened. “Chloe,” he whispered, his voice low and apologetic.

I let out a shuddering breath as he pulled me into his arms, holding me tightly. “I’m sorry,” he murmured against my hair. “I forgot... I forgot what he did to you.”

I buried my face in his chest, letting the tears come in soft, fake sobs. He held me closer, stroking my back, whispering promises to keep me safe.

But while I clung to him, my lips curled into a smirk he couldn’t see.

This was all me. The ex I spoke of? A lie. A story spun to keep Orion on edge, to remind him how fragile his position was. When Peter let slip Ava’s past, the pieces clicked into place, and I knew exactly how to handle her. Inserting quinine into Holly’s drink earlier had only been the start. Ava’s suffering was the goal. Her disappearance? The reward.

Since Venice, Orion had been avoiding me. I noticed the way he flinched when I touched him, the way he couldn’t stand to be near me for longer than twenty minutes. Something had happened there, and though I didn’t know what, I was certain Ava was at the center of it. Tonight was my reminder to everyone: I am Chloe Roland. And I will get what I want. I will have Orion. Ava won’t stand in my way.

I’ve come so far to lose him now. I’ll rather kill him than let anyone else have him.

“Let me call the police,” Orion said suddenly, pulling back. “If we don’t, it’ll look suspicious. I have to.”

Still pretending, I sniffed and nodded, giving him a weak smile. “Okay,” I whispered. “You’re right. I didn’t think it through earlier.”

He stepped away, picking up his phone again to make the call. I wiped my fake tears, steadying my breathing as I watched him. The sound of his low voice as he spoke to the authorities was a blur; my mind was already spinning with my next move.

When Orion returned, I ran back into his arms. He cradled me gently this time, his lips pressing against the top of my head. “It’s going to be okay,” he promised, his voice soothing. “I’m here. You’re safe. I won’t let him hurt you.”

I clung to him again, letting the moment stretch, savoring his guilt and affection. Ava was gone. My plan had worked.

But then the door creaked open, and one of the guards stepped in. His face was pale, his expression uneasy.

“Sir,” the guard said, his voice hesitant. “We found something outside... near the perimeter.”

Orion straightened, holding me tighter as he turned toward the guard. “What is it?” he asked sharply.

The guard hesitated before stepping forward, holding out a small evidence bag. My heart dropped as I caught sight of what was inside.

A piece of cloth. More specifically, a handkerchief—one I recognized immediately.

It was ivory silk, monogrammed with a delicate “C.R.” in the corner. My handkerchief.

Orion’s face turned slowly to me, his expression unreadable as his eyes narrowed. “Chloe,” he said, his voice dangerously calm, “what is this?”

My mouth went dry as the guard’s accusing gaze burned into me.

“It is mine. How…did it get there?” I stammered, but the words felt hollow even to me.

Orion’s stare darkened, his voice dropping to a low, lethal tone. “Don’t lie to me, Chloe.”

I froze. My mind raced for an explanation, but none came fast enough. Orion stepped closer, holding the handkerchief between us, the truth slowly dawning on him.

I had planned for everything. Everything except leaving evidence behind.