Shadows of Truth

Ava sat motionless, her fingers gripping the plush fabric of her dress as Damien's words echoed in her mind.

Enemies. Target.

A slow, involuntary shiver ran down her spine. It wasn't the first time she had questioned what kind of man Damien truly was, but hearing it confirmed in such blunt terms sent an uneasy chill through her. He was powerful, yes. But that power wasn't just the kind that built empires—it was the kind that destroyed them.

Her heart pounded. How many people had been crushed under the weight of Damien Blackwood's control? And was she just another piece on his chessboard?

Still, she refused to be intimidated.

Lifting her chin, she met his piercing gaze head-on. "So, what now?" she demanded, her voice steady despite the tight knot in her stomach. "Are you going to lock me away like some prisoner for my so-called protection?"

Damien's lips curled slightly—not quite a smile, but something close. A ghost of amusement flickered in his dark eyes. "If that's what it takes."

Ava's breath hitched.

Was he serious?

Her fingers curled into the fabric of the couch, her knuckles turning white. Heat rose in her chest, a mixture of frustration and apprehension.

Travis, who had been watching the exchange from the side, let out a low chuckle. "I have to say, Ava, I'm impressed. Most people in your position would be scared out of their minds right now."

Ava turned to him, her expression unreadable. "Who said I'm not?"

The corners of Travis's mouth twitched, as if her response amused him. He folded his arms over his chest, leaning against the desk with an easy confidence. "Smart answer."

Damien exhaled through his nose, the amusement fading from his face as he leaned back in his chair. His fingers steepled together, and his sharp gaze locked onto hers. "Tell me exactly what the caller said."

Ava hesitated, her pulse thrumming beneath her skin.

If she told him, would she be giving him more control over her life? But at the same time, keeping it from him felt just as dangerous.

Her throat bobbed as she swallowed, and finally, she relented. "They asked if you ever told me what happened to the last woman who got too close to you."

The temperature in the room seemed to drop.

Travis stiffened, the easygoing smirk vanishing from his face. Damien's expression darkened, his jaw tightening ever so slightly.

Ava watched him closely, her pulse picking up. She wasn't blind—something about that question struck a nerve.

"Who were they talking about?" she asked, her voice quieter now, laced with suspicion.

The silence stretched between them, thick and heavy.

Then, in a clipped, controlled voice, Damien said, "That's none of your concern."

Ava's nails dug into her palms. "It is my concern if someone is calling me and trying to scare me with your past."

Damien exhaled slowly, his fingers tightening briefly before relaxing again. "It's being handled."

That wasn't an answer.

And she wasn't going to let him dodge the question.

Ava leaned forward slightly, her voice firm. "Did something happen to her?" Her breath caught as a sudden thought struck her. "Did she—" She hesitated, dread curling in her stomach. "Did she die?"

Damien's gaze turned unreadable, his features hard as stone. "Drop it, Ava."

But how could she?

A pit formed in her stomach as unease slithered through her veins. Someone from his past—someone important enough to be used as a warning—was gone. And now, Ava was caught in the middle of whatever storm had been left behind.

Her hands curled into fists at her sides, her nails pressing into her skin.

She needed to be smart.

Pushing Damien for answers wouldn't work—not now.

But that didn't mean she was going to let it go.

Not yet.

---

Unwelcome Warnings

Ava barely had time to process the events of the day when an unexpected knock on her door made her heart jump.

Her head snapped toward the sound, her breath catching in her throat.

Expecting one of the house staff, she turned, only to freeze when she saw who stood in the doorway.

Caroline.

Dressed in a sleek black gown that hugged her figure perfectly, Damien's sister leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed over her chest. A faint, knowing smirk tugged at her lips, her sharp eyes flicking over Ava as if she were inspecting something disposable.

Ava straightened, quickly masking the flicker of unease that passed through her. She wasn't about to let Caroline see her shaken.

"Caroline."

Caroline stepped inside without waiting for an invitation, her heels clicking softly against the polished marble floor. The scent of expensive perfume trailed behind her as she moved further into the room.

She didn't bother with pleasantries.

"I have to admit," Caroline mused, tilting her head as her eyes scanned Ava's figure, "I didn't think you'd last this long."

Ava's fingers twitched, but she refused to react.

"If you're here to insult me," she said coolly, "you might as well leave. I've had a long day."

Caroline let out a soft, humorless laugh, taking another slow step forward. "Oh, sweetheart, I'm not here to insult you." She leaned in slightly, her voice lowering to a taunting whisper. "I'm here to educate you."

Ava's stomach tightened.

Caroline's gaze gleamed with amusement as she circled her, slow and deliberate, like a predator assessing its prey.

"Because it seems no one has explained your true position in this family," she continued, stopping just inches from Ava.

Ava clenched her jaw, refusing to step back. "And what position would that be?"

Caroline's smirk widened, a flash of cruelty flickering in her eyes.

"The temporary one."

Ava's hands curled into fists at her sides.

"Let me make one thing clear," Caroline said smoothly, her tone deceptively sweet. "You do not belong here. My parents will never accept you. Damien will never love you. And no matter how hard you try to convince yourself otherwise… you will never be one of us."

Ava's breathing steadied, her expression unreadable.

Caroline took another slow step forward, closing the space between them.

"And before you start believing ridiculous lies," she added, her voice dripping with condescension, "that phone call you received? A desperate attempt from my brother's enemies to shake you up. But let me save you the trouble—there was never another woman before you."

Ava stiffened.

Caroline's smirk deepened as she leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a whisper. "No tragic love story. No dark secrets. Just people who despise Damien and would love to see his new charity-case wife crumble under pressure." She pulled back, feigning sympathy. "And from what I see, they're doing a pretty good job."

Ava's nails pressed deeper into her palms, but she refused to flinch.

Caroline studied her, as if expecting her to crack, before taking a step back, her expression turning ice-cold.

"Now," she said lightly, "you should start preparing yourself for reality. Damien will find a real wife. And when that happens? You'll be nothing but a mistake he corrects."

Ava's chest tightened, but she refused to let the words sink in.

Caroline let out a satisfied sigh, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "Good talk."

Then, without another word, she turned on her heel and strode out of the room, leaving behind an eerie silence.

Ava stood there, the weight of Caroline's words pressing against her.

Unwanted. Unloved. Disposable.

But if Caroline thought she would scare her away that easily…

She had another thing coming.