Chapter 15: The Offering and the Flame

"You were never the victim, Ava. You were the offering."

Ava's Penthouse — Still Bleeding Midnight

Her back was still against the glass, breath heavy, thighs trembling from Damien's last thrust. The city below sparkled—oblivious to the storm inside the goddess of Hollywood's penthouse.

The moonlight kissed her bare skin, bruises along her neck like art. Damien stood close behind her, his hands still on her hips. Possessive. Like he owned her. Like he had every right.

And maybe… he did.

She didn't speak.

Not yet.

She couldn't.

Because if she opened her mouth, it wouldn't be to speak.

It would be to scream.

He'd made her feel like a woman tonight, not a brand. Not a fame machine. He touched her with fire and fucked her like he was rewriting destiny—like he was trying to save her soul by dragging it through hell.

Finally, she whispered,

"That woman. Who is she?"

Damien's jaw tensed.

"She's no one you need to worry about."

"Then why was she watching me?"

He turned her around. Gripped her chin.

"Because, Ava…

you're not who you think you are."

She yanked herself free. Walked to the mirror. Looked at herself.

Not the flawless actress the world adored.

But the girl inside who had been crying for years behind red carpets and award shows.

"I'm done playing games."

She turned back. Eyes cold.

"And I'm done crawling back to you."

He didn't speak.

Just watched her slip into silk. High heels. Diamond studs.

The diva was back.

But something behind her eyes… broke.

Not weakness.

Not pain.

Power.

The kind that comes right before someone sets the world on fire.

Red Carpet — 1 Hour Later

Flash. Flash. Flash.

Ava descended the luxury car like a goddess reborn. Damien wasn't at her side this time.

But another man was.

Tall. Suave. Black suit. Paid escort.

It was for show.

For the cameras.

For Damien.

And she knew he was watching.

From somewhere.

Elsewhere — A Hidden Estate

Scarred Man: "She's resisting him now."

Unknown Voice: "That's what makes her perfect.

She has to break him before she becomes who she truly is."

Scarred Man: "And if she doesn't?"

Unknown Voice:

"Then we remind her who lit the fire that killed her family.

We remind her who she was promised to before the world ever knew her name."

Ava's Past — Buried Fragment

A child's voice:

"But I don't want to be chosen."

An older voice:

"You were chosen the moment you were born.

The blood in your veins doesn't belong to you."

Screams.

Ashes.

A silver crest burned into her shoulder.

Back in the Present — Damien's Lair

Damien watched the footage again.

The leaked video.

Ava.

On her knees.

Looking into the camera.

But not at it.

At him.

She'd whispered something.

Something no one else had heard.

He rewound.

Played it again.

And his heart… stopped.

"Find me before they do."

Final Scene — Ava's Bedroom

The escort was gone.

The makeup wiped clean.

She stood at her mirror.

Staring.

She touched the old scar on her shoulder—the one her team had always covered.

Only now…

It was glowing.

Faintly.

Like a brand waking up.

Cliffhanger Quote:

"They didn't make you famous to worship you, Ava.

They made you famous so they could watch you fall."