ANMELDEN“Sir...”“Don’t speak.”Jackson’s voice was low, yet it was enough to make Rio immediately shut his mouth. After years of working as his assistant, Rio knew exactly when he could still offer advice and when he should remain silent. Right now, clearly belonged to the second category.Jackson got into the car and tossed the folder, which now contained nothing but the remnants of useless documents, onto the seat beside him. It felt open. Small torn pieces of paper were still tucked inside. A sight that, for some reason, felt incredibly irritating.The engine had not been started yet. They were still parked right in front of Maverick’s mansion. But for the first time since arriving there, Jackson had no intention of leaving in a hurry.He simply sat there in silence.His left hand was clenched on top of his knee while his gaze remained fixed blankly ahead. Yet his mind was nowhere near there.What kept appearing instead was Ava’s face. The way she had looked at him, spoken to him, and deli
Ava fell silent. Not because those words hurt her, but because for the first time, she was truly hearing how Jackson saw her. And it was far sadder than she had imagined.Without realizing it, her hands clenched together."And I've just realized something else." Jackson let out a short laugh. "You moved on to someone else awfully fast.""I didn't move on to anyone," Ava said, trying to remain as calm as possible."Really?" Jackson mocked. "Because from where I'm standing, you've adapted remarkably well."Ava took a long breath. In the past, words like those would have made her cry. Today, she would not cry over words meant to hurt her. "If you came here just to insult me, you should leave."Jackson froze, then burst into loud laughter, so loud that it seemed to fill the entire dining room. "Me? Insult you?""That's enough, Jackson." Maverick had run out of patience. He rose to his feet and looked at the man still standing at the entra
"Of course not." Ava cut a piece of toast on her plate. "Besides, there's no way I could compete with your chef's skills."Maverick seemed to think for a few seconds. "Then what if I told you your cooking tastes better?"Ava nearly choked on the piece of bread she had just chewed. "That's impossible.""Why?""Because I know my own abilities."Maverick merely shrugged as though he had no interest in arguing about it."What are your plans for today?""I have to go back to work." Ava spread jam on her toast. "I only got three days off, and it's time to get back to my routine."Maverick frowned slightly in surprise. "That soon?" He pushed aside his now-empty plate. Shifting his chair slightly so he could look at Ava more comfortably, he added, "Or are you afraid they'll replace you?"Ava laughed. "As if.""Then?"Ava smiled faintly. "I just don't like being away from work for too long."Maverick nodded slowly. That answer did not surprise him in the slightest. After hearing Ava talk at le
"Let me do it," Ava said, immediately taking over the kitchen as soon as she came downstairs from her room."But, Madam..." One of the maids looked confused. In all the years they had worked in this mansion, no resident had ever insisted on going into the kitchen to prepare their own breakfast."It's fine." Ava smiled faintly. "I'm only making a simple breakfast for Mr. Maverick. You can tell me what he likes.""But Mr. Maverick might scold all of us for letting you be in here," another maid replied anxiously."Why would he be angry?" Ava let out a small laugh instead. "Besides, I don't mind."She took an apron hanging from one of the racks and tied it around her waist. Her movements looked so natural, as though the kitchen was not an unfamiliar place to her."So..." Ava turned to them. "Tell me. What does he usually eat for breakfast?"The staff exchanged glances for a moment. Finally, one of them gave in."Mr. Maverick usually prefers simple meals. Eggs, toast, coffee, and fruit.""
All this time, everyone had known Ava as Jackson Langham's fiancée. But standing inside this apartment, for the first time, Maverick saw Ava as herself. And without realizing it, Maverick began to understand one thing; perhaps it had never been Ava living in Jackson's world. Instead, Jackson had never truly known Ava's world.Meanwhile, Ava, who had been standing near the door all this time, looked slightly awkward. She watched the way Maverick looked around her apartment and unconsciously began to feel nervous."Don't tell me you're judging my apartment," she said softly.Maverick turned to look at her. Then, for the first time since entering the apartment, a faint smile appeared on his face."I'm just trying to get to know my wife."That answer left Ava speechless for several seconds. Fortunately, Maverick did not seem to be waiting for any response from her. He turned his attention back to the bookshelf near the window while Ava tried to ignore the strange flutter that rose in her
Ava's question a moment ago made Maverick realize that the girl sitting beside him was uncomfortable talking about her parents. In the end, Maverick chose to steer the conversation toward another topic. And it seemed that Ava also noticed how he was trying to keep her comfortable.The smile returned to her face, and the conversation over lunch became warm again.After lunch was over, they headed back to the car."What are you going to do after this?" Maverick asked."Aren't you going back to the office?" Ava looked at the man beside her with a puzzled expression."I already told you, I'm on leave. Did you forget?"Ava smiled awkwardly. "I want to pick up some things from my apartment.""Then I'll take you there." Maverick had just been about to open the door for Ava when she immediately refused."There's no need. My apartment is still a mess."Maverick's brow furrowed deeply. "Is there a problem with that?""I..." Ava seemed to bite her lower lip hesitantly. "I'm embarrassed, Mr. Mave
The entire room instantly became tense. They alternated glances between Maverick and Jackson. If an argument broke out in this room...Ava slowly turned her head. Her eyes met Jackson's, and he looked as though he was suppressing a growl.“I want to talk to you,” Jackson
Ava looked at Maverick with a furrowed brow and said softly, “I don't live with Jackson.”That answer made Maverick frown in disbelief. “You've been together for seven years but... you don't live together?”Ava let out a soft laugh. “Why would I have to live with him?” She gave a small shrug. “I wa
Jackson cursed under his breath. With trembling hands, he opened one of the news articles that had appeared on his screen yet again. Photos of Ava and Maverick filled the front page. Beneath the photo, it was written in unmistakably clear letters: Ava Langham. Mrs. Ava Langham. Maverick Langham’s w
What Ava had said suddenly made the atmosphere in the study feel much quieter.Their eyes met once again. Several seconds passed in silence before Maverick finally said calmly, “As long as that ring is on your finger, you are my wife.”Ava’s heart pounded softly. A faint crease appeared between her







