Whispers of the past

Ava's grip on the phone tightened, her pulse quickening.

The voice on the other end remained calm, almost amused by her reaction.

"Who are you?" she demanded again, keeping her tone steady despite the unease creeping up her spine.

A small chuckle echoed through the line. "Let's just say I'm someone who knows your husband very well. Someone who knows what he's capable of… and what he's hiding."

Ava's brows furrowed. There was something calculated about this person's words, as if they were testing her reaction.

"I don't have time for games," she snapped. "If you have something to say, say it."

A pause.

Then—

"Did Damien tell you what happened to the last woman who got too close to him?"

Ava's stomach twisted.

Before she could respond, the call disconnected.

Silence hung in the air, heavy and unsettling.

She stared at her phone, her mind racing.

The last woman?

Her fingers curled around the device as a wave of uncertainty washed over her. Damien was cold, ruthless, and emotionally guarded—but dangerous?

She exhaled, forcing herself to stay calm. Whoever had called her wanted a reaction. They wanted to plant doubt in her mind.

But why?

Before she could dwell further, her phone rang again.

Ava nearly jumped before glancing at the screen.

Kiara.

Ava hesitated, still rattled from the unknown caller, but quickly answered.

"Kiara?"

"Ava! Finally, you picked up. I was starting to think you were avoiding me!" Kiara's voice was lighthearted, yet Ava could sense something behind it.

"No, I just…" Ava exhaled, running a hand through her hair. "It's been a weird day."

"Weird? Try shocking! I just heard about your contract being canceled." Kiara's tone dropped to a serious note. "What the hell happened?"

Ava blinked, her stomach sinking. "Wait, you knew?"

"Of course, I knew! I was the one who convinced the boutique owner to look at your designs in the first place."

Ava sat up straighter. "Kiara, I have no idea why it was canceled. They didn't even give me a reason. Just an email saying the deal was off."

A long pause.

"That's suspicious as hell." Kiara muttered.

Ava bit her lip. It was strange. The boutique had been thrilled with her work, even discussing a long-term collaboration.

"Maybe… maybe someone got to them." Kiara's voice dropped. "You're married to a powerful man now, Ava. Not everyone is going to see that as a good thing."

Ava frowned. "You think Damien had something to do with this?"

"I don't know," Kiara admitted. "But this happened way too suddenly. Something isn't right."

Ava let out a shaky breath. She wanted to believe it was just a coincidence, but deep down, doubt was beginning to settle in.

"Anyway," Kiara continued, her voice lighter, "enough about that for now. Let's talk about me!"

Ava let out a small chuckle despite herself. "Oh? What's new?"

"I'm finally coming back to New York!" Kiara announced. "I've been traveling non-stop, hopping from one country to another. You won't believe half the places I've been to!"

Ava shook her head. "You mean you're still doing your 'displaced nomad' thing?"

Kiara laughed. "Guilty as charged. I like picking a random country and staying there for months, but I think I'm finally ready to come home."

Ava smiled, some of her earlier tension easing. "I've missed you, Kiara. It's been too long."

"I've missed you too, babe. That's why we're having a full-on bestie day once I land. No excuses!"

Ava rolled her eyes playfully. "You don't have to tell me twice."

The call ended on a warm note, but as Ava set her phone down, the earlier unease crept back in.

Her contract was gone. No explanation.

A mysterious caller warning her about Damien.

Coincidence?

Ava wasn't sure anymore.

—

Confrontation at the Office

Damien's office was as imposing as the man himself. Floor-to-ceiling windows stretched behind his sleek black desk, offering a panoramic view of the city skyline. The space was meticulously organized—no clutter, no distractions.

And Damien?

He sat behind the desk, one hand holding a document while the other rested against his temple, his expression unreadable.

Travis stood nearby, his usual smirk in place, but Ava noticed the sharpness in his gaze as he glanced at Damien.

The tension in the room was palpable.

"Sit," Damien instructed without looking up.

Ava complied, keeping her back straight as she met his gaze.

"Something wrong?" she asked, keeping her tone neutral.

Damien finally set the document down, his piercing eyes locking onto hers.

"You received a phone call."

Her heartbeat stuttered, but she kept her face impassive.

"And you're tracking my calls now?" she countered.

Travis let out a low whistle. "She's got a bite. I like her."

Damien ignored him, his gaze unwavering. "Who was it?"

Ava hesitated. Something told her that admitting the details of the call could change everything.

"Just a wrong number," she said casually. "Nothing important."

Damien's jaw clenched.

"Ava," his voice was lower this time, a warning. "Don't lie to me."

She met his gaze, challenging. "And what if I do? Are you going to punish me for it?"

Travis laughed, clearly entertained. "God, Damien, you really picked an interesting one."

Damien shot him a glare before focusing back on Ava. "That call wasn't random." His fingers tapped against the desk, his mind clearly working through something. "Someone is trying to get to you."

Ava narrowed her eyes. "And why would someone do that, Damien?"

A flicker of something passed through his expression. Something dark.

"Because," he said after a moment, "I have enemies. And you, Ava, just became their newest target."

The weight of his words settled over her like a cold shadow.

She was playing a dangerous game—one she wasn't sure she fully understood.

And Damien Cole?

He was at the center of it all.