Chapter 51 - Checkmate In White

Orion's POV

The week went by faster than I expected. Every day blurred into the next, consumed by the ever-growing list of tasks surrounding the wedding. I didn’t see much of Ava in those days, but that was by design.

I needed her to feel the absence of my presence, to start wondering what was happening behind the scenes.

Chloe, on the other hand, was a different story. She wasn't happy about the marriage to Ava, but I reassured her over and over again that it was all temporary.

Once I had Ava out of the way, Chloe would have what was rightfully hers. I could almost see the fire in her eyes ignite every time I told her this. And I backed up my words with actions—promises of loyalty, devotion, and yes, passion.

But the most convincing of all was the night we spent together, where I reminded her how much she meant to me.