The mansion's walls seemed to hum with secrets.
Ava lay in one of the sprawling guest rooms, staring at the ceiling. The linen sheets were softer than anything she'd ever touched, and yet sleep refused to come. Her body ached from exhaustion, but her mind spun relentlessly.
It felt too unreal.
Just days ago, she was enduring Bryan's disdain, dodging Mia's smug glances, and existing in a home where love was currency she could never afford. Now… she was here. In Damian's fortress.
Safe.
But safety had a strange taste. It was thick with the fear of what came next.
A soft knock at the door snapped her from her thoughts.
She hesitated, then called out, "Come in."
"I've ordered for dinner, you didn't touch your lunch"
"I wasn't really hungry though"
"I came looking for you because there's something important we need to discuss," Damian finally said, his voice deep and commanding.
Ava straightened, bracing herself. "Is it about the job?"
Damian gave a soft, humorless laugh. "Ava, forget the job. This is about you. About your future."
She frowned. "I don't understand…"
He leaned forward, elbows on the table. "You can't keep living like this. With him. I know what Mario has done to you, and I won't stand by and watch it continue."
Ava swallowed hard. Just hearing Mario's name brought a sick feeling to her stomach. "It's… not that easy, Damian. He won't let me go. And I—" her voice cracked, "—I don't have anywhere else to go."
"You have me," he said without hesitation.
Those three words struck her like a thunderclap. She stared at him, uncertain whether she'd heard correctly.
"I've already instructed my lawyer to draft the divorce papers," Damian continued. "He'll be served soon. You'll never have to see him again."
Ava's lips trembled. This was too fast, too surreal. A part of her wanted to grab the offer like a lifeline. Another part feared what Mario might do. She'd lived under his control for so long, the thought of standing against him sent chills down her spine.
"I… I need time," she whispered.
"You'll have it," Damian assured her, reaching across the table to gently take her hand. The touch was warm, protective — a foreign kind of tenderness she hadn't felt in years.
Meanwhile, back at the mansion, Mia twirled in front of the mirror, a tight designer dress hugging her curves. The invitation to meet Damian Lancaster had felt like a golden ticket, and she wasn't about to waste it. In her mind, this was her chance to elevate herself beyond being just a pretty face on social media. If she could impress him, maybe even secure a sponsorship or an exclusive endorsement deal, she'd finally break into the upper echelons of the elite.
But as fate would have it, Mario stormed into the room before she could step out.
"Where do you think you're going dressed like that?" His voice was like a slap, making her flinch.
Mia clutched the hem of her dress. "I… I got an invitation to meet Mr. Lancaster. It's a huge opportunity, Mario."
Mario's eyes darkened dangerously. He grabbed his phone and dialed one of Damian's men. "Tell your boss I'm coming with Mia for that meeting," he said.
The man's response on the other end made Mario's jaw tick. "What do you mean I'm not needed? He sent the invitation, didn't he?"
A pause. Then Mario's face twisted with fury. Before he could say any other word, the call was ended on the other end.
"If you step one foot outside this house, I swear you'll regret it."
Mia's bravado crumbled. Tears gathered in her eyes. "But—"
"I mean it!" Mario thundered, making even their mother in the next room go silent.
As soon as Mario stormed off, Mia collapsed onto the bed, sobbing. Their mother hurried in, shutting the door behind her.
"You have to go," she whispered urgently. "This is a big chance. If you miss it, you'll regret it."
"But Mario—"
"Your dad and I will handle him. We will cover for you. Just be back before he realizes you're gone."
Mia wiped her tears. "You really think I should?"
Her mother cupped her face. "Sweetheart, sometimes in this world, you have to grab what you want."
Emboldened, Mia changed into a less flashy outfit and slipped out through the back entrance.
Unbeknownst to her, the meeting she was so eager for had already been canceled by Damian. But his man was waiting, holding a small velvet box containing a one-of-a-kind necklace, the most sought-after piece of the year.
"This is from Mr. Lancaster," the man said, handing it over.
Naomi's eyes sparkled as she opened the box. The necklace was breathtaking — intricate diamonds with a center sapphire the size of a quail's egg.
"It's beautiful," she breathed.
She wasted no time taking photos, posting them to her social media with captions hinting at a secret relationship with a mysterious billionaire.
Within minutes, the post went viral.
And it didn't take long for Mario to see it.
His phone nearly cracked in his grip as he screamed Mia's name, already reaching for his car keys.
Back in Damian's suite, the billionaire's phone buzzed. A satisfied smile curved his lips as he glanced at the photo. "Perfect," he murmured.
Ava looked at him questioningly. "What is it?"
"Just clearing some space in your life," he said, lifting her hand again. "And making sure no one gets away with hurting you."