Chapter 3

The next morning, Ava was in the small conservatory, tending to her collection of orchids. It was a quiet, meditative task, a stark contrast to the brewing storm in the main house. Buddy lay at her feet, his head on his paws.

Ethan and Chloe emerged onto the adjoining terrace, already dressed for the day, coffee cups in hand. They were laughing, Chloe's hand possessively on Ethan's arm.

"Oh, Ethan, darling," Chloe said, loud enough for Ava to hear. "Last night was... exquisite. Just like old times, only better."

Ethan beamed, pulling Chloe closer for a kiss that was deliberately ostentatious. "For me too, Chloe. You're the only one who ever truly understood me."

Ava continued to mist her orchids, her movements precise, unhurried.

Ethan finally noticed her. "Ava. Good. Chloe prefers her eggs scrambled, not fried like you usually make them for me. And make sure the toast is light brown, not dark. She's particular." He waved a dismissive hand. "And get rid of those funereal flowers in the dining room. Chloe likes lilies."

Lilies. Her sister's name. A cruel, thoughtless jab.

Ava turned slowly. "Good morning, Ethan. Ms. Carter." Her voice was calm, devoid of inflection. "Unfortunately, the kitchen staff prepares your breakfast, Ethan, as they have for the past five years. I'm sure they can accommodate Ms. Carter's preferences if you inform them. As for the flowers, they were chosen by your grandfather for today's luncheon. Perhaps you should discuss any changes with him."

Ethan's eyes narrowed. "What's gotten into you, Ava? You're being deliberately uncooperative." He took a step towards her. "Don't think for a second you're indispensable. There are plenty of women who would be happy to take your place, who would actually appreciate what they have."

Ava met his gaze, a flicker of something unreadable in her own. "Is that a threat, Ethan? Or a promise?" She knew the contract was her only shield, and its expiration her only hope. "If you find someone more suitable, I'll pack my bags today."

His face flushed with anger. He was used to her silent compliance, not this quiet defiance.

Chloe stepped between them, placing a placating hand on Ethan's arm. "Ethan, darling, don't upset yourself. I'm sure Ava is just... adjusting." She gave Ava a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "We wouldn't want any unpleasantness, would we?"

She gently steered Ethan back towards the house. "Come, let's talk about the guest list for your birthday party. I have so many wonderful ideas."

Ava watched them go, then turned back to her orchids. Her hands were steady. The countdown had begun.

She was in her room, carefully packing a small suitcase with the few personal items she intended to take with her, when her private phone rang. It was Dr. Ramirez, the head of the Davenport medical team.

"Ava, we have an emergency. Ethan collapsed at his club. He's having a severe crisis. We need you at the clinic immediately."

Ava's blood ran cold. Despite everything, her body was still tied to his survival. "I'm on my way."

She grabbed the specially prepared medical kit from its hidden compartment – the one containing the concentrated serum derived from her latest painful plasma extraction. This was the part of the contract Ethan never saw, never acknowledged.

At the private clinic, Ethan was pale, his breathing shallow. Dr. Ramirez looked grave. "His levels are critical. The standard infusion isn't working fast enough."

Ava didn't hesitate. She prepped the syringe with the clear, potent serum. This was her lifeblood, literally, given to him.

As she administered the injection, Ethan's eyes fluttered open. He focused on her, his gaze hazy, then sharpened with suspicion.

"What... what is that?" he rasped, trying to push her hand away.

"It's your medication, Ethan," Ava said calmly, holding his arm steady.

He recovered quickly, too quickly. The unique properties of her cells worked like a miracle, a miracle he took for granted.

Within the hour, he was sitting up, color returning to his face, but his eyes were hard as he stared at her.

"That wasn't my usual stuff," he accused, his voice rough. "What did you give me? Were you trying to poison me?"

Ava felt a familiar wave of weariness wash over her, mixed with a dull ache in her bones from the recent extraction. "It was a specialized booster, Ethan. Prescribed by Dr. Ramirez for emergencies like this."

"I don't believe you," he snarled. He grabbed the used syringe from the medical tray, his eyes glinting. "I'm having this analyzed. If you've done something..."

He didn't finish the threat. He didn't need to.

Ava simply met his gaze. "Analyze it, Ethan. You'll find nothing but what's supposed to be there. What's always been there. Keeping you alive."

The cost to her, the constant drain, the hidden pain – that wouldn't show up in any lab report.