Ava

Chapter 8: A Moment of Peace

(Ava's POV )

I needed air.

I needed to be anywhere but in that suffocating dining room, where Richard Sterling played puppet master, and Damien Sterling sat there, brooding and infuriating.

So I stormed out, my heels clicking against the marble floors, my breathing sharp.

This was too much.

The forced engagement.

The public announcement.

The fact that I'd have to live here.

I pressed my hands to my temples, willing myself to calm down.

But then—

"Well, that was dramatic."

I turned sharply.

Sophia Sterling.

Leaning against the railing of the balcony, arms crossed, watching me with a knowing smirk.

I exhaled sharply. "Are you here to drag me back inside?"

She snorted. "God, no. I just came to see how much damage my father managed to do in one night."

I let out a bitter laugh. "Let's just say he's very efficient at ruining lives."

Sophia sighed, stepping closer. "Yeah. That sounds about right."

I studied her.

She wasn't like the rest of them.

She didn't have that cold, untouchable arrogance.

Her smirk was genuine. Her eyes held something I hadn't seen in Damien or his father.

Warmth.

"You don't like him much, do you?" I asked.

Sophia let out a dramatic groan. "I tolerate him for the sake of my sanity. And my bank account."

I blinked, then snorted. "Honest. I like that."

She grinned. "I figured you might."

Silence stretched between us, but it wasn't uncomfortable.

I leaned against the balcony railing, staring at the massive, perfectly trimmed gardens.

"This isn't your first arranged marriage, is it?" Sophia asked suddenly.

I let out a slow breath. "No. But it is my first time being forced into one by a loan shark."

Sophia winced. "Yeah… that tracks with my father."

I hesitated before speaking again. "And Damien? Does he just… always do whatever your dad tells him to?"

Sophia laughed. "Oh, hell no."

I turned to her, surprised.

She smirked. "You think my brother is obedient? Trust me, he's only playing along because he has no choice. And because he's still trying to figure out how to burn my father's empire to the ground."

That… caught me off guard.

Because I'd assumed Damien was just another cold, spoiled, rich heir.

But if he really hated his father that much…

Then maybe we had more in common than I thought.

Sophia nudged me lightly. "Look, Ava, I know my brother's a pain in the ass. But… he's not as bad as he seems."

I gave her a dry look. "Oh, so the kidnapping and threats were just a fun little personality quirk?"

She rolled her eyes. "I mean it. Damien has his walls up, but if you ever manage to break through them…"

She trailed off, shrugging.

I scoffed. "Not interested."

Sophia smirked. "Sure. Let's see if you're still saying that in a few months."

I narrowed my eyes. "You are way too entertained by this."

She grinned. "Oh, absolutely."

I sighed, shaking my head.

Maybe Damien wasn't the only one in this house who was going to drive me insane.

---

After a while, Sophia went back inside, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

I didn't get much time to dwell, though—because a soft voice interrupted my silence.

"Ava?"

I turned to find Eleanor Sterling standing near the balcony doors.

Her expression was kind, her eyes warm as she stepped toward me. "I wanted to show you your room."

My room.

My new prison.

I sighed but nodded. "Alright."

She smiled and led me through the winding hallways of the massive estate.

"This place is ridiculous," I muttered, glancing at the massive paintings and elaborate chandeliers.

Eleanor chuckled. "I suppose it is."

I glanced at her. "Did you choose to marry into this family?"

Her smile faltered slightly. "No. I didn't."

I tensed.

I hadn't expected that answer.

Eleanor exhaled softly. "But I did choose to make the best of it. And I hope… in time, you will too."

I looked away. That wasn't happening.

We reached a large wooden door, and Eleanor pushed it open, revealing a bedroom bigger than my entire apartment.

A massive canopy bed sat in the center, soft golden lighting making the room feel strangely warm.

It was beautiful.

But all I saw was a cage.

Eleanor turned to me, eyes searching. "Do you need anything?"

I hesitated before saying the one thing I had been thinking about all night.

"Can I see my mom?"

Eleanor's brows lifted slightly in surprise, but she nodded. "Of course, sweetheart."

Relief flooded my chest.

Finally, one thing was going my way.

I exhaled, sitting on the edge of the bed.

Eleanor hesitated, then gently squeezed my hand. "I know this is hard. But you're not alone here, Ava."

I swallowed, not knowing how to respond.

Because I wanted to believe her.

But I wasn't sure if I could.

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