Chapter 3

The Hayes family Sunday dinner was a formal affair.

The long mahogany table gleamed under the crystal chandelier. Silverware clinked against fine china.

Everyone adhered to unspoken protocols, a dance of old money and tradition.

Mr. and Mrs. Hayes, Ethan' s parents, were polite but cool towards Ava. Their initial approval of her had long since eroded under Ethan' s influence.

Chloe, seated next to Ethan, was the center of attention.

When wine was poured, Ethan quickly covered Chloe' s glass.

"None for Chloe," he announced. "Doctor' s orders. Still recovering."

A distant uncle, a jovial man, boomed, "Then you must drink her share, Ethan! A toast to her health!"

Ethan smiled. "Gladly." He was protective, doting.

Ava sat quietly, picking at her food.

Her surgical scars still ached, a dull throb beneath her silk dress.

She maintained a polite smile, enduring the pain, the charade. For the last time.

Mrs. Hayes, at one point, noticed Ava hadn' t touched her wine.

"Ava, dear, you' re not drinking?"

Before Ava could reply, Ethan interjected, "She' s not feeling her best, Mother." A minimal, obligatory gesture. Not concern, just social management.

His eyes were already back on Chloe.

After dessert, Mr. Hayes Sr., the patriarch, cleared his throat.

The table fell silent.

"Chloe, my dear," he began, his voice resonant. "Now that you' re well, we must think of your future."

He smiled benignly. "I' ve spoken to the Ashworths. Their youngest son, James, is a fine young man. A doctor. Very suitable."

Chloe' s smile froze. She looked at Ethan, a flicker of panic in her eyes.

Ethan stiffened. His hand, which had been resting on Chloe' s arm, tightened.

"Father," Ethan said, his voice dangerously low. "Chloe is not interested in James Ashworth. Or anyone else."

"Nonsense, Ethan," his aunt chirped. "A girl Chloe' s age needs to be settled. She can' t rely on you forever. You have a wife, after all." She gave Ava a pointed look.

Several other relatives murmured agreement.

"Chloe doesn't need to marry anyone if she doesn't want to," Ethan stated, his voice rising, a muscle twitching in his jaw.

"And who will take care of her?" Mr. Hayes Sr. challenged, his eyes narrowed. "You? A married man?"

Ethan stood up abruptly, his chair scraping loudly against the polished floor.

The room went silent.

"I will take care of Chloe!" Ethan declared, his voice ringing with anger and something akin to desperation.

"I will never have children of my own. My sole focus will be Chloe. She can live with me, I will provide for her, support her, for the rest of her life. She doesn' t need to marry anyone!"

A collective gasp went around the table.

Ava stared, speechless.

Mrs. Hayes looked horrified. "Ethan, what are you saying? You have Ava!"

Ethan didn' t even glance at Ava. His eyes, burning with a fierce, possessive light, were fixed on Chloe.

Chloe looked pale, overwhelmed, but a tiny, almost imperceptible smile touched her lips before she quickly looked down, feigning distress.