Chapter 6 Playing the Perfect Wife

Damien's shadow filled the doorway of her room.

"Who are you texting?" His voice appears to be calm, but the calmness was far more dangerous than shouting.

Ava quickly locked her screen, forcing her hands to stay still even as her pulse thundered. "No one," she said, hoping that her tone didn't betray her.

His dark eyes scanned her face, searching for some clues. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the tension grew stronger at this point.

"Give me the phone," he said finally, his hand extending.

Ava's throat tightened. "It's just my brother checking in."

Damien's lips curled into a humorless smirk. "Your brother doesn't text this late. Don't lie to me, Ava."

She held her phone tighter. Every part of her screamed to hide Mr. Gray's message. If Damien saw it, if he even suspected she was talking to another man, Levi's treatment would be the first thing he'd use against her.

"I'm not lying," she said softly, but her voice trembled.

Damien's hand suddenly shot forward, snatching the phone from her grip.

"Damien-!"

He scrolled through her messages, his sharp gaze cutting through every word.

Ava's heart pounded so hard it hurt but by luck, she'd deleted Mr. Gray's warning moments before he walked in. The screen showed only a few harmless messages from Levi's nurse.

Damien's eyes narrowed as he handed it back. "You're lucky I didn't find anything suspicious." He stepped closer, his presence suffocating and unbearable. "Remember this, Ava - I don't tolerate secrets. Whatever you do, I will find surely out. Do you understand?"

"Yes," she whispered, barely able to meet his gaze.

"Good. Now get some sleep. You'll need it tomorrow."

"Why?"

He gave her a thin, cold smile. "Because you're going to prove your worth again at another business dinner. And this time, I expect you to be flawless and exquisite."

The next day felt like a blur.

By late afternoon, Ava found herself in a deep green dress that Damien had picked for her.The dress is elegant but fitted so tightly she could hardly breathe. As always, she had no choice but to wear it.

They arrived at a rooftop restaurant in Midtown Manhattan, the city skyline sparkling like diamonds around them. The dinner was small, only four people were presentation the occasion.Damien, Ava, and two key investors: Mr. Wallace, a stern-faced older man, and his cunning, flirtatious wife, Victoria.

From the start, Ava felt like she was on trial. Every word she said was measured, every movement monitored.

"So, Ava," Victoria began with a sly smile. "Tell me, how does it feel to be married to one of the richest men in New York?"

Ava forced a polite smile. "I... I don't think about it much. Damien is just-"

"Just Damien," Victoria finished, laughing lightly. "How sweet. Though I imagine a man like him requires... effort to keep happy."

Ava's cheeks flushed. She glanced at Damien, but he was busy discussing numbers with Mr. Wallace. He didn't even notice.

When the conversation shifted back to business, Damien's hand slid under the table, brushing against Ava's thigh. It wasn't affectionate. It was a warning, reminding her that she was there to play her role perfectly.

"Ava," Damien said suddenly, turning to her. "Why don't you tell Mr. Wallace why investing in our new tech division is the best decision he'll make this year?"

Her mind went blank. "I-"

Damien's eyes hardened, giving a stern look. "Go on."

Ava swallowed hard. "Well... Mr. Wallace, I think the market is ready for something bold. Thorne Enterprises has always been ahead of the curve, and with your investment, it could-"

Victoria interrupted with a sly grin. "Bold? Or desperate? I've heard whispers and gossips that Thorne isn't as untouchable as it used to be."

Ava froze, not sure what to say.

Damien's jaw tightened. He reached over and placed a hand on Ava's back, his tone deceptively smooth. "Ava, dear, why don't you tell Victoria what happens to people who underestimate us?"

Ava forced a smile and spoke through trembling lips. "They usually... regret it."

The table laughed, but Ava could feel her humiliation growing like a storm inside her.

After dinner, as they walked to the car, Ava finally spoke. "Why do you do that? Why do you keep using me like I am a pawn?"

Damien stopped, turning to her with a cold smirk. "Because that's what you're here for. You wanted this arrangement. You wanted my money for your brother. Don't pretend you're the victim here."

Ava's eyes burned. "I never wanted this."

He stepped closer, his voice low but sharp. "Then walk away. But remember - when you do, your brother's hospital bill walks with you."

She froze. He always knew where to cut her deepest.

Inside the car, the silence was unbearable. Ava stared out the window, her mind spinning. She couldn't keep living like this. But if she left, Levi would have no chance.

She thought about Mr. Gray's message. If you want answers about Damien, meet me alone tomorrow.

Could she risk meeting him?

That night, as Ava undressed for bed, Damien appeared at her door again.

"Change into something decent," he said, his voice rough.

"What?"

He walked toward her, his eyes dark and unreadable. "You think I didn't notice how Wallace was staring at you? You think I didn't see how you charmed him tonight?"

"I didn't...."

"You belong to me, Ava." His hand suddenly cupped her jaw, tilting her face up. "And I'll make sure you never forget it."

Before she could react, he kissed her intensely.It wasn't gentle or loving but felf like it was a claim, a reminder of his control.When he finally pulled away, he said in a voice like steel, "Don't mistake this for affection. This means nothing ."

Ava stood still as he left the room, the taste of his kiss burning like fire on her lips.Her hands trembled as she whispered to herself, "I can't go on with my life like this..."

The next morning, Ava receives a text from an unknown number:

"He's lying to you.You have to meet me or you'll regret it."And this time, she knows it's Mr Gray.