Chapter 2 2

Ethan Gold returned to the Hamptons beach house late the next morning.

The air was still thick with the previous night's tension.

Ava was usually up, making coffee, a forced cheerfulness about her.

Today, the house was quiet. Too quiet.

He found her in their bedroom, a suitcase open on the bed.

"What are you doing?" he asked, his voice neutral.

Ava didn't look at him.

She continued folding clothes, her movements precise, almost robotic.

"Packing," she said.

"Packing for what? We're here for another two days."

She finally turned, her eyes holding a new, unreadable expression.

"I have a surprise for you, Ethan. It's related to my departure."

He frowned. He hated surprises, especially from Ava. They usually involved some emotional demand.

"Don't be dramatic, Ava. If this is about last night..."

"It's about everything, Ethan," she said, her voice flat. "But don't worry. You'll like this surprise."

She went back to her packing.

He watched her for a moment, a flicker of unease stirring within him.

He dismissed it. Ava was always emotional. She'd get over it.

Ava picked up a framed photo from the nightstand.

It was from their secret wedding day, a rare shot where they both looked almost happy.

She stared at it for a long moment, then walked to the trash can and dropped it in.

The sound of the frame hitting the plastic was louder than it should have been.

Ethan's eyes narrowed. "What was that?"

"Just getting rid of old things," Ava said, not looking at him. "Making space for the new."

He felt a strange pang. That photo... it was one of the few proofs of their union.

"If you're still upset about last night," he began, trying a different tactic, "I was harsh. We can talk about it. I'll... I'll make it up to you. We can go to that restaurant you like in the city when we get back."

It was a superficial offering, and he knew it.

His phone buzzed. Chloe.

He glanced at the screen. Her message was urgent. "Ethan, darling, I need you. The press are hounding me about father's will. It's dreadful."

He sighed. "I have to go. Chloe needs me."

He started for the door.

"Wait," Ava said. Her voice was stronger now.

He turned, impatient. "What is it, Ava?"

"I'm coming with you."

He stared at her. "Don't be ridiculous. You know we can't be seen together like that. Especially not now, with Chloe dealing with Arthur's estate."

He was CEO of Gold Standard Enterprises. He had an image to maintain. Their marriage was a liability.

"But I'm your wife, Ethan," Ava said, a strange calm in her voice. "Shouldn't a wife support her husband when his family is in distress? Or is that role also reserved for Chloe?"

Her logic was a deliberate echo of his own twisted justifications.

He felt a surge of irritation. "Fine. But stay in the car. And don't cause a scene."

She nodded, a small, almost imperceptible smile playing on her lips.

As they walked to his car, Ava noticed a small, velvet jewelry box on the passenger seat.

It wasn't hers.

"What's this?" she asked, picking it up.

Ethan snatched it from her. "It's nothing. A gift for a business associate."

He avoided her eyes.

Ava knew. It was for Chloe. Another token of his devotion.

At Chloe's sprawling Hamptons estate, the scene was chaotic. Reporters, photographers.

Ethan immediately went to Chloe, his arm around her shoulder, guiding her through the throng.

He spoke to the press, his voice firm, protective of Chloe.

Ava watched from the car, invisible, forgotten.

She took out her phone and sent a quick telegram to her sister, Olivia, in San Francisco.

"Phase one initiating. Need legal groundwork. A."

It was a small step, but it was a step towards her own future.

Suddenly, there was a commotion.

A protestor, someone who had lost money in one of Arthur Gold's ruthless deals, lunged at Chloe, shouting.

Ethan reacted instantly, shielding Chloe, pushing her behind him.

He was her protector. Her champion.

Ava watched, a cold clarity settling over her.

This was Ethan. This was her marriage.