The morning after felt strangely quiet.
Ava stirred first, her cheek resting on Jace's bare chest. His arms were still wrapped around her, and his steady heartbeat echoed in her ear. For the first time in what felt like forever, she felt safe—wrapped in warmth, in honesty, in something that wasn't forced or faked.
She didn't want to move, afraid the moment would vanish if she did.
But she did move—just enough to look up and meet his gaze. He was already awake, watching her.
"Morning," he murmured, voice thick with sleep and tenderness.
"Hey," she whispered, brushing a kiss to his shoulder.
There was a contented stillness between them, but it didn't last long. Reality, as always, crept in.
Ava sat up, pulling the sheet around her. "Do you think Lena will really go through with the lawsuit?"
Jace sighed, following her movement. "She's angry. Vindictive. But she's not stupid. This is a power play."
"She wants to destroy us," Ava said softly.
"No," he corrected. "She wants to destroy you. I was just collateral until now. But you're a threat to her—because you matter to me."
Ava looked down at her hands. "Then what do we do?"
"We fight," he said, reaching out and brushing her hand. "But not just with lawyers. We uncover the truth. About what she's planning, and about what your uncle was hiding."
---
Later that day, Ava met with her best friend, Mila, at a cozy downtown café.
"I've never seen you like this," Mila said, sipping her latte. "You look… torn."
Ava gave a weak smile. "That's because I am. Being with Jace—it feels like falling. Every time I think I have solid ground, something gives way."
"But do you love him?" Mila asked.
"Yes," Ava said without hesitation. "But love isn't the problem."
"Then what is?"
"I'm afraid he'll keep choosing secrets over me."
Mila's expression softened. "You're not the same girl you were when you walked into that contract. You're stronger now. And maybe that's exactly what he needs—someone who won't let him run."
---
Back at the penthouse, Jace was deep in conversation with his PI.
"There's something else," the investigator said. "We dug deeper into Richard's offshore accounts. There's a transaction that links back to Lena's father's corporation."
Jace narrowed his eyes. "Are you saying Richard was working with the man who arranged Ava's contract?"
"I'm saying Lena and Richard may have been planning this together all along."
Jace's jaw clenched. "They wanted to trap her. Maybe even ruin her."
"Or control her inheritance," the PI added. "It's all tied to a trust that activates on her next birthday."
---
That night, Ava was reading in bed when Jace walked in, holding a thin folder.
"What's that?" she asked.
He sat beside her. "Proof. Of how far they were willing to go."
Her stomach turned as he opened the folder, revealing documents, transactions, even emails.
She stared at the evidence. "They were playing us. Both of us."
"But we're done playing," he said. "It's our move now."
She met his eyes, and something in her steadied. "Then let's make it count."
Jace leaned in, his voice low and fierce. "No more shadows. No more fear. We're in this together."
Ava nodded. "Together."
But as they embraced, far from their minds was the hidden camera tucked in the corner of the room—recording everything.
---
The next morning, Jace received a phone call from an unknown number.
"Carter," he answered.
A distorted voice replied. "You're being watched. And if you don't stop digging, the girl pays the price."
The call disconnected.
He stared at the screen, heart pounding.
They were getting closer to the truth. But now, the danger wasn't just legal or emotional—it was real.
And someone out there was willing to do anything to keep the past buried.