Chapter 8

Ava’s pov

The ballroom felt like another stage. Everywhere I turned, people wanted to meet me, board members, investors, socialites in gowns worth more than my old apartment. They smiled, shook my hand, and asked questions that sounded polite but had hidden meanings.

“Mrs. Vance,” one man said. “We’re glad to finally meet the woman who could tie this one down.”

I laughed. “Thank you.” Smiling like it was easy. “I’m honored.”

Another leaned in with bright eyes. “Where did you and Liam honeymoon?”

I didn’t blink. “Mostly the coast,” I lied smoothly. “Quiet. Just the two of us.”

They nodded, pleased, as though that was the answer they expected.

“And how did you meet?” a younger man pressed.

“That will definitely be a story for another day.”

Every lie stacked on top of the last one. My heart beat harder with each question.

One journalist asked, “Will Mrs. Vance speak about the hospital photo? People love a bit of drama.”

I laughed lightly. “I’m not one for drama. I prefer to support quietly.” Liam’s hand tightened on my elbow, silent approval.

The questions kept coming. About our marriage, my background, whether I’d take a role in the foundation. Each time, I made something up that sounded simple enough to believe. By the time we moved on, my cheeks hurt from smiling.

We slipped out onto the balcony and the noise faded. Finally, room to breathe.

Liam leaned on the railing, one hand in his pocket. He watched me like he was trying to figure out what went on in my head.

“You were good tonight,” he said after a while. Not praise, just a fact.

I gave a short laugh. “You mean practiced.”

“I was convinced with what you have told me you weren’t used to such crowd.”

“I’m not. I hate attention.” I said.

“For someone who hates attention,” he said, “you play the role frighteningly.”

“I just… do what I have to do.”

He straightened, turned to face me fully. “Do you? Or do you want them to see you as someone you’re not?”

My mouth went dry. I opened and closed it. “Maybe a little of both,” I admitted. “It’s easier to be what people expect than to explain the mess underneath.”

We both stayed in silence for a while.

“We should go,” he finally said.

I nodded.

We step back into the ballroom and the noise wraps around us again.

A man is waiting nearby. He was tall and slender, dressed in a dark suit. He has Liam’s jaw and someone else’s eyes. He’s talking to a woman in a red dress when Liam slips his arm through mine and guides us towards him.

“Ava, this is Grayson Hale — my cousin,” Liam says, smooth as always. “Grayson, meet my wife, Ava.”

Grayson turns and studies me right away. He offers his hand. “Good to meet you, Mrs. Vance.”

“You too,” I say, taking his hand. His grip is firm. He holds my hand a bit longer that necessary.

Liam watches us with something like amusement. “Grayson’s been with the family a long time. He handles a lot of our external partners.” He says casually.

Grayson nods. “I heard about the accident,” he says to Liam. “I’m glad you are okay.”

“You should know me, nothing can take me down that easily.” They both laugh at Liam’s response.

“So, Mrs. Vance,” Grayson turns to me, “will you be joining us at the board dinner next week? It would be good to have you there.” The invite is polite.

“I’ll be there,” I said.

If Liam wants me to be. I will be there. It will help me more with my plan. I need to get closer to the company. I haven’t been able to go through the USB I received earlier.

Liam steps slightly closer. “Grayson will fill you in on details later. He’ll make sure you get up to speed.” He says it like handing me a task.

Grayson’s phone buzzes. He glances down, then quickly tucks it away. He excuses himself from us and goes towards the opposite direction.

We weave into the crowd. I was starting to get tired. I wasn’t used to such crowd but endured it all because it was for a cause. I fumbled with my dress and took a look around. I couldn’t find any familiar faces I could interact with, of course I didn’t belong here. Unfortunately, I don’t know where I belonged.

Liam stays close, his hand resting at the small of my back.

A waiter offers a tray of canapés. I take one, more out of habit than hunger. Liam watches me, not the food. There’s a look on his face I haven’t seen before tonight — softer, like he’s trying to read my thoughts.

“Everything okay?” I asked.

He gives a small smile. “Fine,” he says. Then his voice drops, just for me. “How are you feeling?”

I was taken aback by the question. “I’m alright.”

“You don’t seem like it.”

Did he notice? Was it showing in my expression or is it my body language? How did he know?

“I’m just exhausted that’s all.” I finally say the truth.

“We should go home. I think we have had enough for the day.”

“No.” I hesitated. He raised his eyebrows and me probably expecting such reply.

“Are you sure?” He asked.

“I’m fine.” I want to say more. I want to ask him what he sees when he looks at me. I want to ask if any of it is real to him.

Instead I put up a smile. We move toward a quieter part of the room.

He suddenly stops and turns to me. For a second the room seems to blur. His face is very close. He leans in until his lips are almost at my ear. His voice drops so low it’s almost private. “Tell me one true thing about yourself,” he says.

The question hits me, I didn’t expect it and wondered where it came from. My chest tightens.

I want to answer honestly. I want to tell him how he ruined my family, how I was here to take everything back and destroy him, how I never expected to see such a soft side from the heartless man who destroyed me.

Liam’s eyes hold mine, patient and dangerous. He waits. The pause stretches long enough that I feel like I could fall into it.

I could tell him one true thing about myself. But what would that be?