Chapter 3: The Price Of A Lie

Ava’s fingers curled into the skirt of her wedding dress. She had imagined this moment a hundred different ways. Luca would shout, he would call his men, he would expose her in front of everyone downstairs.

Instead, he simply stared at her.

Waiting.

“I didn’t know what else to do,” she finally said. Luca’s expression remained unreadable, that’s not an explanation. My sister disappeared this morning.

“I know.”

Ava froze. “You know?”

I knew before your father did. The words made her stomach twist. Then why did you come here? “Because I wanted to see how far your family was willing to take the lie.” Ava stared at him, you knew I wasn’t Elena?

“From the moment I saw you.”

Her heart sank. “Then why didn’t you stop the wedding?” Luca walked toward the window, because I wanted answers. He looked outside. Elena disappeared with twelve million dollars from one of my accounts.” Ava’s eyes widened, “What?” She also took documents belonging to my company.

She wouldn’t do that.

“You barely know your sister.”

“I know her.”

“No,” His voice was calm, but firm. You know the woman she allowed you to see. Ava shook her head, you’re lying. Luca looked at her, I don’t need to lie to you. He reached into his jacket and pulled out a photograph. He held it toward her, then Ava stepped forward. The photograph showed Elena, her sister, standing beside a black car outside a hotel. Beside her stood a man Ava had never seen before. Elena was smiling, not the nervous smile she had worn during the engagement. A genuine smile.

Ava’s heart sank. “When was this taken?”

“Last night.”

She stared at the photograph. “Who is he?”

“That’s what I’m trying to find out.” Luca lowered the picture. Your sister didn’t simply run away from a wedding.

“What are you saying?”

I’m saying she planned something. Ava shook her head, that can’t be.

You’re still defending her?

“Because she’s my sister.”

And that loyalty is exactly why you’re standing here. He stepped closer. You agreed to marry a man you had never met because your father told you your family would be destroyed otherwise.

Ava looked away. “Yes.”

“Why?”

Because they’re my family. Something changed in his expression. For the first time, Ava saw something almost like understanding, then it disappeared. You have until the ceremony ends.

Her head snapped up. “What?”

“You will walk down that aisle.”

Ava stared at him. “Why?”

Because Elena made a promise to me. “I’m not Elena.”

“I know.”

Then this makes no sense. It makes perfect sense. He stepped closer. “You are going to become my wife.”

Ava’s heart pounded. “No.”

Luca’s eyes narrowed slightly. “You don’t seem to understand your situation.” I understood it perfectly, she lifted her chin. My sister disappeared, my father owes you money. You know I am not Elena and somehow you still want to marry me.

Correct.

“Why?”

Luca studied her for several seconds. Because someone wanted this wedding to fail.

Ava frowned, what?

The timing of Elena’s disappearance wasn’t accidental. He handed her the photograph again, someone knew about the wedding. He paused, someone knew your family was desperate. Another pause, and someone knew that if Elena disappeared, your father would be forced to find a replacement.

Ava felt cold. “You think someone planned for me to marry you?” I think someone is using your family.

“Who?”

I don’t know.

Then how can you expect me to marry you?

Because I intend to find out. Ava stared at him, and I’m supposed to help? You already are. She laughed bitterly, by becoming your wife?

Exactly.

“This is insane.”

Probably. His calmness frustrated her more than anger would have. What happens if I refuse? Luca’s expression hardens, and your father’s company disappears. Ava’s breath caught.

“That’s not all.” He walked toward the door, the debt becomes immediately payable. She swallowed, and if we can’t pay? He stopped with his hand on the door.

“Then your family loses everything.” He opened the door. Ava suddenly understood. This wasn’t a marriage proposal, it was an ultimatum.

“Wait.”

Luca looked back. She hated herself for asking the next question. “What do I get?” For the first time, a real smile appeared on his face. You’re finally thinking like someone who wants to survive. He returned to her, you’ll get protection.

I don’t need your protection.

“You will.”

I want freedom.

“You’ll have it.”

She frowned, “As your wife?”

Within reason.

“That’s not freedom.”

“No.” His gaze held hers, it’s a negotiation. Ava crossed her arms, and what exactly do you demand? His eyes dropped briefly to the wedding ring waiting on the table.

“One year,” She stared at him.

“One year, you’ll remain married to me for one year.

“And then?”

If you still want to leave, I’ll let you go. Ava didn’t trust him. What happens to my family?

Their debt disappears.

Her eyes widened. “Completely?”

“Completely.”

She searched his face for the trap, there had to be one. There are conditions, of course. Luca’s voice lowered, you will not betray me.

“I won’t.”

You will not investigate my private affairs.

“Fine.”

“You will not attempt to escape.” Ava’s eyebrows rose, that’s not exactly reassuring. “It isn’t meant to be. She almost laughed.

He was impossible. Then he added quietly, and you will never lie to me again. Ava looked at him, the irony wasn’t lost on either of them.

“I’ll agree.”

Luca extended his hand. She stared at it. This was the moment she could walk away, she could refuse, she could let her father’s company collapse, she could leave this nightmare behind. But she thought about the employees who depended on the company, the families who would lose their homes. Her father, her sister and the strange photograph in Luca’s hand.

Someone had planned something, and Elena was at the center of it. Ava slowly placed her hand in his, Luca’s fingers closed around hers. His grip was warm, steady and dangerously reassuring.

“One year,” she whispered.

“One year.” He slipped the ring onto her finger, it fit perfectly. Ava stared at the diamond, then Luca leaned closer. His voice dropped to a whisper, there’s one more thing you need to know.

Her pulse jumped. “What?”

His eyes darkened. “I didn’t choose Elena because I loved her.” Ava’s heart stopped, then why did you choose her? Luca’s gaze remained fixed on hers. Because Elena Bennett was supposed to know who killed my father.

Ava went completely still. Her sister wasn’t just missing, she had been hiding something. And now Ava was wearing the ring of a man who believed her sister knew the truth about a murder. Before she could ask another question, the cathedral bells began to ring downstairs. The ceremony was starting.

Luca offered her his arm. “Ready, Mrs. De Luca?” Ava stared at him. She had no idea whether she was walking toward salvation or destruction. But one thing was certain, by the time she walked out of that room, she would no longer be Ava Bennett.

She would be Luca De Luca’s wife.

And somewhere in the city, Elena Bennett was running from a secret that could destroy them both.