Chapter 4 Behind closed doors

The car ride back from the gala was silent, except for the soft hum of the city rushing past. Ava sat stiffly, her hands clasped on her lap, the diamond ring glinting under the ambient lights. Julian sat beside her, jaw tight, gaze fixed out the window like the skyline might offer him answers.

She was still reeling from what had happened.

Damian Vale.

His words stuck with her, slippery and unsettling. He had seen something in her-something she wasn't even sure she believed herself. And Julian's reaction... it hadn't just been protective. It had been possessive. Territorial.

But it was the way his hand had lingered at her back, the way his voice lowered only for her, that haunted her most.

She shifted slightly, catching Julian's reflection in the window. "You're quiet."

"So are you," he replied without looking at her.

"Was tonight a success?"

He finally turned his head, his gaze piercing. "Define success."

"We made it through. No one questioned the ring or the story. We smiled. Played the part."

"You handled yourself well."

The compliment caught her off guard.

"Even Evelyn?"

He almost smirked. "Especially Evelyn."

Ava allowed herself a small breath of relief. "So... that's it then? I pass the test and now I'm officially Mrs. Blackwell?"

"On paper, you've been Mrs. Blackwell for weeks."

"Yes, but now it feels real."

Julian was quiet again. Then, out of nowhere, he said, "You did more than just pass."

She blinked. "Is that your way of saying thank you?"

"No." His mouth curved slightly. "That's my way of saying I underestimated you."

Ava didn't know how to respond to that.

When they arrived at the penthouse, the doorman nodded and opened the doors with a flourish. The elevator ride was fast and smooth, but the silence between them had weight. Not tension exactly-but something building, pressing, unspoken.

Inside the penthouse, Ava stepped out of her heels, grateful to be free of them. Julian had already poured himself a drink by the time she slipped into the kitchen.

"You want one?" he asked.

"I'll take something non-alcoholic."

"Wise."

She reached for a bottle of water and leaned against the counter. "Damian's going to be a problem, isn't he?"

Julian's face hardened. "He's always a problem."

"Why does he hate you so much?"

There was a long pause before he answered. "Because I beat him."

"At what?"

Julian's eyes were unreadable. "Everything that mattered."

She frowned. "That sounds... dramatic."

"It is."

She waited for more, but he offered nothing else.

"You said he ruins everything he touches."

"He does."

"And I should stay away."

"You should."

Ava tilted her head. "And if I don't?"

Julian looked directly at her. "Then you're not as smart as I thought."

A challenge. And a warning.

But before she could fire back, a loud buzz echoed from the security panel by the elevator.

Julian frowned. "That's late."

He walked over, pressed a button, and a voice filtered through.

"Mr. Blackwell, apologies for the interruption. There's a woman here asking to see you. She says it's urgent."

Julian's posture stiffened. "Did she give a name?"

The doorman hesitated. "Lena Vale."

Ava's head snapped up.

Vale?

As in Damian Vale?

Julian's expression went blank. Ice.

"Send her up."

Ava's stomach tightened. "Who is she?"

Julian didn't answer. He walked to the window, back straight, hands clasped behind him.

The elevator dinged less than a minute later. Ava turned toward it, unsure of what-or who-to expect.

The doors opened.

And there stood a young woman, probably in her mid-twenties, with long dark hair, striking blue eyes, and a worn designer coat. Her face was pale, her eyes rimmed red. She looked scared... and familiar.

"Julian," she said, her voice cracking. "I didn't know where else to go."

Julian stepped forward, his face unreadable. "Lena."

She flung herself into his arms.

Ava stood frozen, her heart thudding strangely.

Julian held her stiffly, then gently pulled back. "What happened?"

"It's Damian," she whispered. "He found out. About the money. The company account. He's going to ruin me."

Julian's jaw clenched. "He wouldn't."

"He would. You know he would. Please, I need help. I need you."

Ava took a slow step closer. "I'm sorry... who are you?"

Lena blinked and turned. "You must be the wife."

Ava gave a cautious nod. "And you're... Damian's sister?"

Lena's eyes flickered. "Not exactly. He raised me. But I'm not his blood. I... I used to be Julian's fiancée."

Silence slammed into the room.

Ava's breath caught.

Julian turned slowly toward her, but it was Lena who stepped forward.

"I'm sorry," she said quickly. "This is awkward. I didn't mean to make things complicated. I just-Julian was the only person I trusted before everything went to hell."

Ava's voice was quiet. "You were engaged?"

"Three years ago," Julian said flatly. "It ended."

Lena's face twisted with pain. "Because of Damian. He blackmailed me. He manipulated me. He twisted everything until I thought Julian didn't love me."

Julian looked like stone. Ava had never seen him so still.

"So you came back now," Ava said slowly. "Because you need his help?"

Lena nodded. "He's the only one who ever protected me. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to intrude. I didn't even know you were married."

Ava's lips parted. She didn't know what to say.

Julian finally turned to her. "Can we talk?"

Ava swallowed. "Sure."

They stepped into his study. The door closed behind them.

"Is this a joke?" Ava asked quietly.

"No."

"Your ex shows up in the middle of the night crying about your business rival-who just so happens to be your former best friend-and we're supposed to pretend that's normal?"

Julian rubbed his temples. "Lena and I ended a long time ago. Whatever this is, it has nothing to do with us."

"But it does," Ava said, her voice sharp. "Because I'm your wife now. Or did that part slip your mind?"

He looked at her. "You said it yourself-this is a performance."

She hesitated.

"Yes," she said finally. "But it's not just about appearances anymore, is it?"

Julian didn't answer.

Ava took a step forward. "Why didn't you tell me about her?"

"Because it didn't matter. Until now."

"But it does now. So tell me the truth. Do you still love her?"

The question hung in the air, fragile and burning.

Julian met her gaze. "No. But I did. And I would've married her-if Damian hadn't destroyed it."

Ava turned away, staring at the shelves lined with leather-bound books and corporate awards.

"You need to decide what this is," she said. "Because I can't keep playing a part if I don't know the script."

Julian moved closer. "You're not just part of the script, Ava. You're the reason the script exists."

She blinked at him, startled.

He lowered his voice. "I married you because I needed someone I could trust. Someone unpredictable. Someone real."

She whispered, "And Lena?"

"She's a ghost. One I buried years ago. But Damian... he's playing a deeper game. And now, he's using her again. Which means we're running out of time."

Ava's heart pounded. "Time for what?"

Julian reached into his desk drawer, pulled out a file, and placed it on the table.

Inside were photos. Of Damian. Of Lena. Of transactions. Confidential records.

"Damian's not just trying to destroy my company," he said. "He's laundering money through her startup. Using her name. If I don't stop it, I lose everything."

Ava looked up at him, stunned. "And you think Lena's part of it?"

"I think she's caught in the middle."

Ava let out a slow breath. "What do you need me to do?"

Julian didn't blink. "Play your part. But this time, don't just pretend to be my wife."

Her eyes locked with his. "What does that mean?"

"It means," he said softly, "you'll need to be close to Damian. Get him talking. Get him to slip."

She stiffened. "You want me to spy on him?"

"I want to protect you. But I also need your help. You're the only one he doesn't see coming."

Ava looked down at the ring on her finger, then up into Julian's eyes.

Something inside her shifted.

"Fine," she said. "But if I'm going to be your wife... I want the truth. All of it."

Julian gave a single nod. "Deal."

But neither of them realized just how dangerous the truth would be.

Not yet.