3

"Well, well, look who decided to show up."

Ava barely had time to steady herself before that smug, insufferable voice slithered into her ears like a snake, evoking memories she desperately wanted to forget.

She turned, her stomach twisting at the sight of Logan Prescott, her ex-husband, standing near the entrance of the conference room. His familiar arrogance radiated off him, and right beside him, looking effortlessly poised and pleased with herself, was Sophia Ellis—the woman he had left her for.

Sophia’s red lips curled into a smirk. "I didn’t think you’d actually come. Must be hard, seeing all of this and knowing it’s no longer yours."

Ava exhaled slowly, steadying her breathing. She had prepared herself for this meeting, knowing she would have to face Logan at some point, but she hadn’t expected him to bring her. How typical, she thought, to flaunt the new trophy right in front of her.

Logan adjusted his tie, his eyes flicking over her like she was nothing more than an inconvenience. "I assume you’re here to finalize the paperwork. The sooner we wrap this up, the better."

Ava kept her expression neutral. "That’s the plan."

Sophia let out a light laugh, feigning sympathy. "You must feel so… lost. No husband, no home, no real career to fall back on."

Ava’s nails dug into her palm. She refused to give them the satisfaction of a reaction.

"Is that what you tell yourself to justify what you did?" she asked, tilting her head slightly, her voice steady.

Sophia’s smirk faltered for a fraction of a second before she recovered.

Logan, however, looked amused. "No need to be bitter, Ava. You should be thanking me. This is a clean break. A fresh start."

Ava’s lips parted slightly, an incredulous laugh escaping before she could stop it. "A fresh start? You mean the one I never asked for?"

Logan stepped closer, lowering his voice just enough for only her to hear. "Let’s be honest, Ava. You were holding me back. And deep down, you know it."

Ava felt something inside her snap, but before she could respond, a new voice cut through the tension.

"Interesting choice of words, Mr. Prescott."

All three of them turned as Alexander Sterling, the CEO of the company, walked into the room. His tailored suit was impeccable, his presence commanding. He carried himself with a confidence that was both intimidating and intriguing.

Ava stiffened. She hadn’t expected to see him again so soon.

Alexander’s gaze flicked between them before settling on Logan. "From what I understand, your success was built on someone else's sacrifices. But now that you’ve taken what you needed, she’s ‘holding you back’?"

Logan’s jaw clenched. "This is a private matter."

"Is it?" Alexander's tone remained neutral, but the hint of amusement in his eyes was unmistakable. "Then perhaps you should discuss it in private—rather than embarrassing yourself in front of your colleagues."

Sophia’s smile faded. Logan’s face darkened.

Ava said nothing, but for the first time in weeks, she felt something close to satisfaction. The dynamic had shifted, and she was no longer at the mercy of their disdain.

Alexander gestured toward the conference room. "Shall we?"

The meeting was efficient. Ava kept her focus on the paperwork, ignoring the occasional glances from Logan and Sophia, who seemed to share a mutual disdain for her presence.

Alexander sat at the head of the table, reviewing every document with an unreadable expression. The atmosphere was tense, but he remained unfazed, effortlessly steering the conversation when necessary.

Ava admired his poise. He was a man who commanded respect, and for reasons she couldn’t fully articulate, she found herself drawn to his confidence.

Then, near the end of the meeting, he spoke again.

"Mrs. Ava, would you join me for dinner this evening?"

Silence filled the room.

Ava blinked, caught off guard. "Excuse me?"

Alexander closed the folder in front of him, his eyes meeting hers with an intensity that made her heart race. "I have a business proposition for you. One that would be better discussed over dinner."

Logan scoffed. "That’s cute. You feel sorry for her, is that it?"

Alexander didn’t even glance his way. "No, Mr. Prescott. I simply recognize talent when I see it."

Ava hesitated. She didn’t owe Alexander anything, but something about his words intrigued her.

Sophia leaned forward, her voice syrupy sweet. "Ava, you don’t have to feel pressured. If you’re uncomfortable, you can just say no."

Ava smiled politely. "Thank you for your concern, Sophia. But I think I can make my own decisions."

Alexander stood, buttoning his jacket. "I’ll send a car for you at seven."

And just like that, the meeting was over.

Ava sat across from Alexander in a dimly lit restaurant, trying to figure out what exactly she was doing there. The ambiance was sophisticated, the soft music blending with the clinking of cutlery and hushed conversations around them.

She wasn’t sure what she had expected, but the evening had started surprisingly… normal. Alexander had asked about her background, her ambitions—things she hadn’t allowed herself to think about in years.

But when the plates were cleared, the conversation shifted.

"Why me?" she asked, folding her arms defensively. "What exactly do you want from me?"

Alexander took a slow sip of his wine before setting the glass down, his gaze steady and unwavering. "Marriage."

Ava choked on her drink, the words catching her off guard. "I’m sorry, what?"

He leaned back, completely unfazed by her reaction. "A mutually beneficial arrangement. You get stability, power, and revenge. I get a wife who understands the world I operate in."

Ava stared at him, trying to gauge if he was serious. "You barely know me."

"I know enough," he replied, his voice calm yet assertive.

She shook her head, still in disbelief. "You’re a billionaire. You could have anyone. Why would you want me?"

Alexander’s lips quirked slightly, as if he found her incredulity amusing. "You’ll find out soon enough."

Ava’s mind raced. The idea of entering into a marriage of convenience was ludicrous. Yet, there was something undeniably appealing about Alexander’s proposition. She had spent the last months wallowing in her heartbreak and loss, and the thought of reclaiming her life—of stepping back into the realm of power and control—was intoxicating.

"What’s the catch?" she finally asked, her voice steady.

Alexander leaned forward, his expression serious. "You’re not just marrying me for show. You’ll need to engage with the public, attend events, and help me further my business interests. It’s a partnership, not just a title."

Ava considered this. "What’s in it for you?"

He paused, letting the question linger. "I need a wife who can navigate the complexities of my world. Someone who can blend in with my social circle and keep up appearances while also being a strategic partner in my business dealings."

The implications were staggering. Could she really step into such a role? She had spent years feeling small and insignificant, and here was an opportunity to reclaim her agency.

"And what if I say no?" she asked, her heart racing.

Alexander’s gaze didn’t waver. "Then you walk away with nothing. You’ll continue to be at the mercy of your circumstances, and Logan will win. Is that really what you want?"

The challenge in his voice struck a chord. Ava felt a rush of defiance. "I want what’s best for me."

"Then consider my offer, Ava," he said, his tone softening slightly. "Think of it as a means to an end. You can carve out a new life for yourself."

After dinner, as Ava rode back in the car, her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. Could she really do this? Marry a man she barely knew, enter into a world that felt so foreign and intimidating?

But the alternative was to return to the life she had just begun to escape. Memories of her marriage with Logan flooded back: the betrayal, the heartbreak, and the feeling of being disposable. She wouldn’t allow herself to feel that way again.

By the time she reached her apartment, the decision had begun to crystallize. She would meet with Alexander again. She would explore this opportunity.

In the days that followed, Ava immersed herself in preparations for her new life. She began reading about high society, the nuances of etiquette, and the art of conversation. She practiced her posture in front of the mirror, reminding herself that she was no longer the woman who had been cast aside.