Chapter 2 The kiss that broke her

The morning sun was harsh as it poured through the tall windows of the penthouse. Ava hadn't slept. Her eyes were sore and her body still tense from holding back the tears. But she didn't cry now. She couldn't afford to.

She had spent the night staring at the ceiling, wondering how much more she could take. Every word Damien had said echoed in her mind. "Smile or I cut Levi's funding tonight."

That man,her husband by law, her captor by reality had made it clear she was nothing but a tool. And today, she was expected to be by his side again, smiling like everything was perfect.

When she walked into the dining room, Damien was already at the table, reading a newspaper and sipping black coffee like he hadn't threatened her life the night before. He didn't look up when she entered.

She stood there awkwardly, unsure whether to sit or speak. Her dress from the night before still hung off her like a punishment. She hadn't even changed. What was the point?

He finally spoke, not looking at her. "We have a charity gala tonight. You'll be wearing what my assistant picked for you. Be ready by six."

No greeting,no eye contact and obviously no care.

Ava took a slow breath and nodded. "Okay."That one word was all she allowed herself. Anything more would break her.

Damien folded the paper and stood up. He adjusted his cufflinks with quiet precision. "Don't speak unless spoken to. Don't touch me and do not embarrass me in front of the press again."

Ava blinked. "Again? When did I ever-"

His eyes snapped to hers, sharp and unforgiving. "Yesterday. You hesitated when I kissed you."

"That wasn't a real kiss," she muttered before she could stop herself.

He stepped closer, towering over her, his voice low and dangerous. "Exactly. Nothing between us is real. Don't forget that."

Her jaw clenched, but she said nothing. What could she say? He had all the power.

That evening, the dress his assistant sent was gold, tight, and covered in crystals that scratched her skin. It wasn't her style - too loud, too flashy but she knew better than to argue. She wore it like armor, even though it felt like chains.When she walked down the stairs, Damien looked her up and down with a blank expression. Then he turned and left without a word. She followed, like a shadow.

The charity gala was held in a glass-walled ballroom overlooking the city. Every elite in New York was there - celebrities, CEOs, politicians. Paparazzi lights flashed like lightning as Damien stepped onto the red carpet with Ava on his arm.She felt everyone's eyes on her judging her or mocking her. She forced a smile.

Beside her, Damien didn't speak. His hand gripped her waist with perfect control, as if reminding her she didn't belong in his world.

They walked inside, greeted by applause. Ava blinked at the sudden attention. Why were people clapping?

Then she saw it, a massive screen behind the podium, displaying a slideshow.

Photos of Damien and his charitable work.

Photos of them popped up after.Their wedding photo flashed onto the screen. Ava froze.

And then came the lie.

The announcer onstage said, "And now, Mr. Damien Thorne and his lovely wife, Ava, will take the stage to say a few words about their journey together and what marriage has taught them."

Ava's heart stopped. Her hands went numb.

Words? Marriage? He never said anything about speaking!

She turned to Damien, panic in her eyes. He leaned down slowly and whispered through clenched teeth.

"Get on that stage, Ava. Or I'll pull Levi's breathing machine by midnight."

She looked at him, stunned. "You're joking..."But the smile on his face didn't reach his eyes. And she knew that he wasn't joking.

Ava's legs moved without thinking, her heels clicking against the floor like hammers. She walked up beside him, facing hundreds of people, cameras, and flashing lights.

A microphone was handed to her. Damien took the other.

He went first.

"Our marriage..." he said, voice like honey, "...was unexpected. But sometimes, life surprises you. Ava is... a light I never saw coming. She's brave, kind, and full of fire."

Applause.

Ava stared at him, confused. Was this the same man who had told her to disappear? Who called her nothing?

He turned to her and gave her a gentle smile - for the cameras.

"Your turn, darling."

She took a shaky breath. She wanted to scream, to cry, to run.But Levi's face flashed in her mind so she smiled.

"I... I didn't expect any of this," she said, her voice soft. "But I've learned that love comes in strange ways. And sometimes, even the coldest hearts... can be warmed."

The crowd clapped again. Ava swallowed the lump in her throat.

As they stepped off the stage, Damien pulled her aside behind a curtain.

His hand gripped her chin, hard enough to bruise.

"That wasn't bad," he said, his breath hot against her face. "But next time, say I'm the love of your life. Do you understand?"

She nodded, blinking back tears.But then he did something she didn't expect.

He kissed her.The kiss was hard,deep and invasive.

And for a second, the world spun.Her heart stuttered. Her body froze. Her mind screamed.But when he pulled away, his smile was cruel.

"Now everyone thinks you're mine."

She stared at him, her lips burning, her soul shaking.

"You kissed me just to prove a point?"

"Exactly."

That kiss wasn't affection.It was power and punishment.

Ava turned away, humiliated, humiliated to her bones.As she walked back into the crowd, her legs barely holding her up, her eyes locked with someone unexpected across the ballroom.

A tall man in sharp suit was watching her with strange curiosity.He raised a glass to her and smirked.

She had no idea who he was. But something in her gut twisted.Something told her that he was going to change everything.

As Ava reaches the car, her phone vibrates. A message appears from an unknown number:

"We need to talk. Your husband isn't who you think he is."