Chapter 2

Ethan and Chloe left the study together a few minutes later, Chloe clinging to his arm, her expression carefully composed into one of fragile relief.

Ethan didn' t even glance down the hallway where Ava had stood.

Ava watched them disappear towards the main rooms, a hollow ache spreading through her.

She felt utterly alone, stranded in the opulence of the Harrison estate.

The air in her lungs felt thin, insufficient.

She needed to get out, away from the stifling atmosphere, away from the echoes of Ethan' s devastating words.

She found a side door that led to a deserted stone terrace.

The cool night air hit her face, but it did little to soothe the burning in her chest.

She sank onto a cold stone bench, the city lights twinkling distantly, indifferent to her pain.

Maya Rodriguez, her childhood best friend and now her personal assistant, found her there half an hour later.

"Ava? There you are. I was looking all over for you. Are you okay? You look pale."

Maya' s voice was warm, concerned.

Ava couldn' t speak. She just shook her head, tears finally escaping and tracing cold paths down her cheeks.

Maya sat beside her, putting a comforting arm around her shoulders.

"What happened?"

Ava leaned into her friend, the sobs she' d been holding back finally breaking free.

They returned to the Thompson-Cole house in D.C. much later, Maya driving Ava' s car.

Ava felt drained, numb.

The house was dark and silent. Ethan wasn' t home.

Of course, he wasn' t. He was probably with Chloe, comforting her.

Ava went straight to her bedroom, the one that felt more like a guest room than a marital chamber.

Maya helped her undress and get into bed, her expression etched with worry.

"Try to sleep, Ava. We' ll talk in the morning."

Sleep felt impossible. Every time she closed her eyes, she heard Ethan' s voice: She means nothing.

The next morning, Ethan finally appeared.

He didn' t come to her room. He summoned her to his study, the same room where he conducted most of his political dealings.

Ava found him standing by the window, his back to her.

When he turned, his face was like a granite mask, his eyes cold and hard.

"Where were you last night?" he demanded, his voice devoid of any warmth.

"I... I wasn't feeling well," Ava said, her voice barely a whisper.

"Not feeling well?" He took a step towards her. "Or were you trying to cause a scene? Upsetting Chloe?"

Ava stared at him, bewildered. "Upsetting Chloe? What are you talking about?"

"Don't play innocent with me, Ava." His voice was sharp. "Chloe was very distressed after the fundraiser. She said you were staring at her, making her uncomfortable. She thinks you' re jealous of our relationship."

Ava felt a surge of disbelief, then anger. "I was making her uncomfortable? Ethan, I overheard you. I heard what you said to her."

His eyes narrowed. "You were eavesdropping?"

"It was an accident. The door was open. But I heard every word. You said I mean nothing to you. That our marriage is just for your convenience, for her."

Ethan' s expression didn' t soften. If anything, it grew colder.

"So you heard," he said flatly. "And now you' re trying to punish Chloe for it? By making her feel threatened?"

"Punish her? Ethan, she' s the one manipulating you! Can' t you see it?" Ava' s voice rose, fueled by desperation. "She' s not as fragile as she pretends to be."

"Enough!" Ethan' s voice was a lash. "I will not have you speak about Chloe that way. She has been through enough. She needs my protection. And if you ever, ever do anything to upset her again, there will be consequences. Do you understand me?"

Ava looked at him, at the stranger he had become, or perhaps, the stranger he had always been.

The love she had felt for him was dying, replaced by a bitter, aching disillusionment.

"I understand," she said, her voice flat. "I understand perfectly."

He stared at her for a long moment, then turned back to the window. "Good. You can go."

Dismissed. Again.

Ava turned and walked out of the study, a cold resolve hardening within her.

She wouldn' t stay where she was considered nothing. She wouldn' t be a pawn.

She would leave him.

The decision, once terrifying, now felt like the only path to survival.

A bitter laugh escaped her lips as she reached her room. He threatened her about upsetting Chloe? After what he had done?

This marriage was a sham, a prison. And she was done.

She began to pack, a strange sense of detachment settling over her.

There wasn' t much to take. Most of the things in this house felt like they belonged to a life that wasn' t hers.

Her clothes, her books, her music sheets.

Then she remembered her guitar.

Her vintage Martin, her mother' s guitar.

It was her most prized possession, the one tangible link to the mother she had lost too young.

She went to the music room, a small, soundproofed space Ethan had grudgingly allowed her.

The guitar case was in its usual spot, leaning against the wall.

She opened it.

And gasped.

The guitar wasn' t there.

Panic seized her. Where could it be? She always kept it here.

She searched the room, her heart pounding.

It was gone.

Maya arrived a little later, her face full of concern.

"Ava, what's wrong?"

"My guitar," Ava said, her voice trembling. "It's gone. My mother's guitar."

Maya' s eyes widened. She knew how much that instrument meant to Ava.

"When did you last see it?"

"A few days ago. I played it... Ethan was here. He actually listened for a few minutes." A rare moment, one Ava had foolishly cherished. Had Chloe seen it? Had it sparked some jealous rage?

"Chloe," Ava whispered, the suspicion taking root. "It has to be Chloe."

Maya' s expression hardened. "I wouldn' t put it past her. That girl is trouble."

"What do I do, Maya?"

"We need to find it. And we need to confront her. But not alone. Ethan will just protect her." Maya thought for a moment. "Your brother. Daniel. He' s in town. He can help. Or... maybe we should talk to Ethan's mother, Sophia Cole Sr., if she' s around. Sometimes a mother' s influence..."

Ava shook her head. "Ethan' s mother passed years ago. His father... he' s powerful, but he dotes on Chloe too. Daniel is my best bet. But I want to see Chloe first. I need to know."

"Alright," Maya said, her loyalty unwavering. "But I' m coming with you. Where would she be?"

"Her apartment. Ethan keeps a lavish place for her downtown."

As they prepared to leave, Ava' s phone buzzed. A text from an unknown number.

Chloe' s having a little party. You should see how happy your husband makes her.

Followed by a picture. Chloe, laughing, leaning into Ethan, who had his arm around her. They were in Chloe' s apartment.

Ava' s blood ran cold. He was there. With her. Now.

"She knows," Ava said, showing Maya the phone. "She' s taunting me."

"Then let's not disappoint her," Maya said, her jaw set. "Let's go get your guitar."