Chapter 12 - Caught in His Web

Ava’s POV

I swallowed back my frustration, pulling away as Orion’s smug smirk stayed firmly in place. The infuriating arrogance, the way he looked at me like he could see right through every carefully built wall I’d put up—I hated it. And the worst part? He was right.

The door clicked shut, and I felt a rush of relief, glad the junior associate hadn’t lingered long enough to see the weakness on my face. I was already berating myself, feeling the hot shame creep up my cheeks. I’d let him get too close. I’d let him pull me into his gravity, again, and just like that, I’d lost the upper hand.

Orion’s words lingered in the air, taunting me. “It was for you.” They rang in my ears, irritatingly close, too intimate, too assured. I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. I shouldn’t have let him get that close. I shouldn’t have let myself feel anything.