Chapter 4 4

Ava arrived at Ethan's penthouse office at Gold Standard Enterprises.

Chloe was already there, perched on the edge of a plush sofa.

She was dressed in somber, expensive black, her eyes red-rimmed, dabbing at them with a lace handkerchief.

A picture of wronged grief. Ava knew it was an act.

Ethan stood by his vast window, looking out over the city.

He didn't turn when Ava entered. He didn't see the fading bruise on her temple.

"Did you leak information about Chloe to the press?" he asked, his voice dangerously soft.

The accusation hung in the air, immediate and absolute. He didn't even consider her innocence.

Chloe let out a small, theatrical sob.

"Oh, Ethan, please don't be harsh on Ava. I'm sure she didn't mean any harm. It's just... this rivalry between our families. Perhaps she thought..."

Her voice trailed off, her insinuation clear. She was subtly reinforcing his suspicion, making Ava look petty and vengeful.

Ethan turned, his eyes cold. "Well, Ava? Did you?"

Ava met his gaze. "How would I know what information was leaked, Ethan? Unless you were there when it supposedly happened? Or perhaps Chloe shared the intimate details with you?"

A flicker of something – surprise? discomfort? – crossed Ethan's face.

Ava pressed on, her voice gaining strength.

"You're so concerned about Chloe's reputation. What about mine? What about the Chen family's reputation? Or does that not matter in your world?"

Her tone was laced with a sarcasm she rarely used with him.

Chloe stood up, gliding towards Ethan.

"Darling, it's alright. Marcus handled it. He managed to stop the story from running. No real harm done."

She placed a comforting hand on Ethan's arm, effectively ending the interrogation.

Ethan's efforts to protect Chloe. Of course.

Ava remained silent. Her resolve to leave, to end this charade, hardened with every passing moment.

Chloe then turned to Ava, her expression shifting to one of feigned concern.

"Oh, Ava, your poor head! What happened?"

She reached out as if to touch the bruise.

Ethan glanced at Ava's temple, his expression dismissive.

"She probably bumped it. She's clumsy."

The casual cruelty of his remark stole Ava's breath. He didn't care. He truly didn't care.

Chloe sighed dramatically. "Well, I should leave you two to talk. Ethan, darling, I'll see you tonight at the foundation meeting."

She air-kissed him, then swept out of the office, leaving a trail of expensive perfume.

Ethan let out a long breath.

"Ava," he said, his tone softening slightly, a manipulative shift she now recognized. "Just... try to be kind to Chloe. She's been through a lot. If you can do that, things will be better for you. For us."

Ava looked at him, a direct, challenging gaze.

"Us, Ethan? Do you even consider me your wife? Your partner?"

The question hung in the air, raw and desperate.

"Of course, I do, Ava," he said, his voice smooth.

"Then why do I feel like a dirty secret?" she shot back. "Why do your actions always scream otherwise?"

His face tightened. He hated being challenged.

Before he could answer, his intercom buzzed.

Marcus Thorne, his head of security, spoke, his voice urgent.

"Mr. Gold, there's a fire alarm. Sixth floor. We might need to evacuate."

The sound of distant sirens began to wail.

Ethan's head snapped up. His eyes, for a split second, met Ava's.

Then, he turned and ran from the office.

"Chloe!" Ava heard him shout as he disappeared down the corridor. "Chloe's at the foundation meeting! Sixth floor!"

He didn't spare Ava a second thought, a backward glance.

He abandoned her. Again. For Chloe.