Ava stood by the full-length mirror in her room, the early morning sunlight spilling across the floor like golden silk. Her robe slipped off her shoulder, exposing the small crescent-shaped scar near her collarbone—one she rarely thought about. But this morning, everything felt raw again. The past days had been a whirlwind of revelations, media chaos, and forced smiles.
Her fingers gripped the edge of the vanity table. The headline from the tabloid still echoed in her head: "Fake Wife, Real Drama: The Scandalous Secrets of Ava and Jace Carter."
She hadn't slept well. Who would, knowing that your privacy had been violated? That your story was now public fodder?
A knock came at the door.
She turned. "Come in."
Jace entered, dressed casually but looking no less formidable. His dark eyes softened when they landed on her. "You okay?"
"No," she said honestly. "But I will be."
He stepped closer, gently taking her hand. "We'll get through this. Together."
"I know," she whispered. "But right now, I feel like I'm standing in the eye of a storm."
He kissed her forehead. "Then I'll be your anchor."
---
Downstairs, their legal team had gathered. Lawsuits were being drafted. They were pressing charges for illegal surveillance and invasion of privacy. But the emotional damage was harder to repair.
Later that day, Ava decided to visit her father's grave. It had been months. She needed clarity. Closure.
Jace offered to go with her, but she shook her head. "This one… I need to do alone."
The cemetery was quiet. She knelt by the headstone, fingers trailing over the engraved letters.
"Dad," she whispered. "I don't know if you ever meant to protect me or sell me off. But I'm here. I'm fighting. And I need you to know… I'm starting to forgive you."
The wind picked up, rustling the leaves.
"I love him," she admitted aloud. "Jace. And it scares me. But I think… he loves me too."
---
Meanwhile, Jace received an anonymous email with an attachment.
> "You think the worst is over? Check this out.
He clicked.
A video played. A man speaking to someone off-camera. It was Richard. Ava's uncle.
"I did what I had to do. She can never know who really paid the price."
The footage was time-stamped two weeks prior.
Jace's blood ran cold. What was Richard hiding now?
He called his PI. "Find out where Richard is. And who he's working with."
---
Ava returned home just after sunset. Jace met her at the door.
"You need to see something," he said, guiding her to the living room.
He played the video.
Her hands covered her mouth. "What does that mean?"
"I don't know yet. But I will."
They sat in silence, hands intertwined.
Then the front door rang.
Jace frowned. "Expecting someone?"
She shook her head.
He opened the door to find Lena, dressed in a red coat, flanked by two reporters with flashing cameras.
"Ava Carter," one of them called. "How do you respond to allegations that your marriage was a lie?"
Lena smiled cruelly. "Smile for the press. They're just getting started."
Jace stepped forward, shielding Ava. "Get off my property before I call the police."
Lena's smile didn't waver. "It's cute that you still think you're in control."
She handed over an envelope. "See you in court."
She turned and walked away, heels echoing down the steps.
Ava opened the envelope.
Inside was a lawsuit.
Defamation. Breach of Trust. Public Endangerment.
Ava's legs gave way, and Jace caught her before she hit the ground.
"It's okay," he murmured. "We fight back now. For real."
Tears slipped down her cheeks as she nodded.
---
That night, after hours of calls and legal consultations, Ava found herself curled up on the balcony sofa, arms hugging her knees, staring at the moon.
Jace walked over, carrying a blanket. He draped it around her shoulders, then knelt beside her.
"You don't have to be strong all the time," he said softly.
She turned to him, eyes red. "I'm tired, Jace. Of pretending, of fighting, of being everyone's target."
He gently pulled her into his arms.
Their foreheads met.
"Then don't fight alone," he whispered.
She looked into his eyes, a war of fear and longing inside her.
His hand slid up to her cheek, thumb brushing her skin. "I've never wanted anything more than I want you right now."
She didn't speak—just leaned forward until her lips touched his.
The kiss was slow at first, filled with emotion and questions. Then it deepened, hungry and unrestrained. He lifted her into his lap as their mouths molded together, breaths mingling, hands exploring familiar curves with new desperation.
She gasped into his mouth as he trailed kisses down her throat. Every touch sent sparks down her spine. He whispered her name against her skin like a prayer, like she was salvation.
The night was filled with whispered promises, shared tears, and a love that felt both fragile and fierce.
By dawn, they lay tangled together on the couch, the blanket barely covering them, the city slowly waking around them.
Jace tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear and kissed her softly. "We'll win this. Together."
Ava nodded, heart full and terrified all at once. "Together."