The article spread like wildfire.
"Fake Marriage or Real Scandal? The Carter Deal Uncovered."
It was everywhere—news sites, tabloids, social media feeds. Ava couldn't go a second without seeing her face plastered beside Jace's, the headlines spinning tales of deceit, power plays, and marital fraud. The intimate photo was the worst—a blurred but unmistakable image of her and Jace in bed, clearly taken through a long-lens camera.
Ava stared at it in horror.
"This was taken in our home," she whispered.
Jace's expression was stone. "Our privacy was violated. And we're going to find out who did it."
"You think Lena's behind this?"
"She's the only one with motive, connections, and the nerve."
Jace made a call. Ten minutes later, their security team was at the mansion. Cameras, entry logs, and employee phone records were requested immediately. Jace didn't care who it exposed—he wanted the truth.
Meanwhile, Ava sat silently in the lounge, phone buzzing nonstop with messages. Some supportive. Some cruel. Some terrifying.
> "Gold digger."
"Fake wife, fake life."
"You're going to bring him down with you."
She shut it off.
Her eyes met Jace's as he walked back in. "This isn't just about us anymore," she said. "This is war."
He nodded. "And we're fighting it together."
---
That night, they held a press conference.
Cameras flashed. Reporters buzzed.
Jace stood before them in a sharp navy suit, his arm wrapped around Ava.
"To those speculating about the authenticity of our marriage—I have nothing to prove. Except to the woman beside me."
He turned to her. "Ava, I married you because I believed in us. Because I saw something real. And I still do."
Ava stepped forward. "Our relationship may have started with a contract, but it became something more. You can print whatever you want. We're not going anywhere."
The reporters shouted questions. The cameras clicked like gunfire.
But Ava and Jace stood their ground.
---
The next few days were chaos. Brands associated with Jace pulled back. Stocks wavered. His board of directors demanded explanations. His legal team advised a media blackout.
Jace ignored them all.
"I'm not hiding from this," he told Ava. "I'm not hiding you."
Ava admired his resolve, but the pressure was building. The whispers, the doubt, the constant judgment—it was wearing her down.
Until she found herself in the guest bathroom, hands gripping the sink, staring at her reflection like it was someone else.
She whispered, "What if they're right?"
"Then we prove them wrong."
She turned. Jace was in the doorway, shirt sleeves rolled up, eyes tired but unwavering.
"I don't want to be your burden," she said.
"You're not. You're the reason I'm still standing."
He stepped closer. "You think I care about what they say? I care about you. About us. I'll fight every damn headline, every lie, for you."
Ava burst into tears, and he pulled her into his arms.
---
Later that week, they attended a gala hosted by the Carter Foundation—an event that couldn't be cancelled.
All eyes were on them.
Ava wore a midnight-blue gown that shimmered like starlight, her hair swept into a low bun. Jace, in classic black tux, never left her side.
When they walked into the ballroom, conversations hushed. Then surged with whispers.
"They showed up."
"Have you seen the article?"
"They look… close."
As the evening progressed, Ava smiled, danced, and made polite conversation. But her eyes remained alert. Every corner felt like it hid another camera. Every interaction felt like it could be twisted.
Then she saw her.
Lena.
Dressed in red. Radiant. Smirking.
She approached slowly, champagne in hand. "Ava. You look breathtaking. Scandal suits you."
Ava's lips curved slightly. "Lena. Red suits snakes."
Lena laughed. "Fiery. I like it." She turned to Jace. "Still playing house?"
Jace stepped in front of Ava. "Walk away."
"But I came to support the foundation," she said innocently. "I do care about families. Especially broken ones."
Ava clenched her fists, but Jace took her hand. "Don't. She's not worth it."
But Lena leaned in one last time. "You can't fake forever. Eventually, truth breaks through."
---
That night, Ava couldn't sleep.
She wandered to the balcony, cold air brushing her skin.
She felt Jace behind her before she heard him.
"Lena was wrong," he said. "Truth doesn't break us. It makes us stronger."
She looked at him. "Do you regret it?"
"Marrying you?" He shook his head. "It's the only decision I've never second-guessed."
Ava leaned into him. "Then let's stop being scared. Let's live loud. Love louder."
He pulled her close. "Then marry me again. For real this time."
Her eyes widened. "Jace—"
"No contracts. No obligations. Just us. Just love."
Ava smiled through tears. "Yes."
He kissed her under the moonlight.
And for a moment, the world went quiet.
---
But their peace wouldn't last.
Because Lena wasn't the only one watching.
And soon, the true enemy would show their face.