The moment Ava opened the front door, her heart dropped.
Standing there, drenched from the sudden spring rain, was a woman she hadn't seen in nearly five years—Isabelle Lancaster. Her former best friend. The same woman who had once sworn loyalty, and then vanished without a word.
Ava clutched the edge of the door, her mind spiraling. "Isabelle?"
Isabelle smiled—hesitant, almost remorseful. "Hi, Ava. I... I wasn't sure if you'd even recognize me."
"I'd recognize that voice anywhere," Ava said, stepping back instinctively, shielding the living room behind her. "What are you doing here?"
"I know I'm the last person you want to see. But I didn't come to fight," Isabelle said, voice tight. "Can I come in?"
Ava hesitated. Everything inside her screamed no, but a small part—the part that remembered shared laughter and late-night confessions—nudged her to listen. She stepped aside silently, letting Isabelle enter.
The air between them was heavy. Isabelle looked around the room, her gaze landing briefly on the fireplace, then the framed photo on the console. Her lips parted slightly when she saw the wedding portrait of Ava and Damian.
"I didn't think it was true," she whispered, walking slowly toward it. "You really married him."
Ava folded her arms, her tone sharpening. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Isabelle turned to face her. "It's just... the last time we spoke, you hated the man."
"People change."
"Or they settle," Isabelle said quietly, before quickly adding, "I didn't come to judge. I came because I owe you an apology. And a warning."
Ava narrowed her eyes. "A warning?"
Isabelle sat on the edge of the armchair, clearly nervous. "Do you remember Carter Raines?"
Ava's chest tightened at the name. "Of course I do. He's not exactly forgettable."
"Well, he's back. And he's asking questions about you."
"Carter always asked questions about me," Ava said carefully, masking the chill creeping up her spine. "That's not news."
"He's not just curious this time, Ava. He's... different." Isabelle leaned forward. "He asked me if you were still living in Coldridge. He even offered money for your current address."
Ava sat down slowly. "Why would he want that?"
"I don't know. But I don't like it." Isabelle looked up, her voice trembling. "And you deserve to know. After everything we went through... I couldn't stay silent."
Ava's thoughts raced. Carter Raines—her ex-fiancé. The man who shattered her trust and reputation in a single night. The man who disappeared when her world came crashing down.
The man who nearly destroyed her.
"Damian doesn't know," she said quietly.
Isabelle's brows drew together. "You didn't tell him?"
"No. What's the point of dragging up ghosts?"
"Because ghosts always come back," Isabelle replied. "And they always want something."
Ava stood and paced toward the window. Outside, the rain blurred the street, streaking the glass with long trails. For a second, she imagined Carter's shadow there—watching.
"I'll handle it," she said. "Thank you for telling me. But I don't think I can ever forgive you."
"I know," Isabelle said, her voice breaking. "I just wanted to do the right thing for once."
Before Ava could respond, the front door opened, and Damian stepped in, shaking off his coat.
He froze the moment he saw Isabelle.
Ava turned. "Damian. This is Isabelle."
"I know who she is," Damian said coolly. "What the hell are you doing here?"
"I came to warn her," Isabelle said, rising. "Not that it's any of your business."
"Everything involving my wife is my business."
The room tensed. Ava stepped between them. "She's leaving now."
Isabelle nodded, brushing her hair back. "I'll be in town for a few days. In case you need anything, Ava. You know where to find me."
As soon as the door closed behind her, Damian walked to Ava, gripping her arm gently.
"What did she say to you?"
Ava looked up at him. "Carter's back."
Damian's expression darkened instantly. "What does he want?"
"She's not sure. But he's asking questions. About me."
Damian's jaw clenched. "He's not getting near you."
Ava shook her head. "I can take care of myself."
He cupped her face, his tone gentler. "I know. But you're not alone in this anymore, Ava. We're in this together."
Her eyes softened. She wanted to believe him. To believe that this cold-hearted CEO had become her partner in more than just name.
But the past didn't let go so easily.
The next morning, Ava sat at the dining table, coffee going cold in her hand as she scrolled through her inbox. Her boutique's launch campaign was finally gaining traction, and orders were slowly rolling in.
But she couldn't concentrate.
Her mind kept returning to Carter—what he wanted, why now.
And more importantly, how much Damian actually knew.
She was about to stand when a notification buzzed on her phone.
Unknown Number:You look beautiful in red. Just like you did that night.
Her blood froze.
She turned pale, her heart thudding as if it were trying to escape her chest. She deleted the message quickly but not before the words burned themselves into her memory.
That night.
Only one person would ever reference it like that.
Carter.
Before she could even process it, her phone rang.
It was Damian.
"Ava," he said, voice clipped, "where are you right now?"
"At home. Why?"
"Stay inside. Lock the doors. I just got a call from the security team. Someone tried to access the building's garage without clearance. Said he was your guest."
Ava's hands trembled. "Did he give a name?"
"No. But they showed me the footage."
She didn't need him to say it. She already knew.
"Carter," she whispered.
Later that evening, Damian arrived home early. He didn't speak at first, just walked to her and held her tighter than ever before.
"I should've done a better job protecting you," he murmured.
"You didn't know," she said into his chest.
"I still should have."
They sat in silence for a long time, the fire flickering beside them. Outside, the rain had stopped, but the storm within still brewed.
Ava looked up at him. "There's something you need to know."
Damian raised a brow.
"I never told you the whole story about Carter."
He didn't push her. He waited.
She took a deep breath.
"He didn't just break my heart. He blackmailed me. He had photos—fake ones—and he threatened to send them to my father if I didn't agree to the engagement."
Damian's eyes flared with fury. "What kind of—"
"He was connected. He knew my father's reputation would shatter with the slightest hint of scandal. So I said yes."
Damian's hands tightened around hers. "And now he's back to finish what he started?"
"I don't know. But I won't let him ruin what I've built. What we are building."
He leaned down and kissed her forehead. "Then we fight back."
She looked at him, surprised.
"You and me?" she asked.
His voice was cold, but his grip on her hand was warm and steady. "Together. No matter what the storm brings."