Semua Bab Entangled Affair: Bab 21 - Bab 30

The morning light rose gently over the Paris skyline, spreading a warm golden glow across the cobblestone alleys of Montmartre. A week had gone by since Damien arrived—seven still, emotionally charged days since he expressed his feelings to Ava And during that period, nothing had been simple. True to his promise, Damien didn't attempt to influence her, nor did he beg or implore. He didn't urge her for forgiveness or request that she return. He remained—steady, patient, and quietly resolute to demonstrate that his love for her was not a momentary announcement but something genuine.For Ava, her time in Paris was a bold decision. She had immersed herself in her creativity and her self-reliance, yet the remnants of their history continued to murmur in her mind. Damien's presence, in contrast, felt distinct this time—subtle and steady. He wasn't present to resolve issues with lofty speeches or grand gestures of love. Rather, he provided her with distance. He allowed her time. And graduall

The last night of Ava’s exhibition in Paris was nothing less than enchanting. The gallery buzzed with soft conversations and the melody of clinking champagne flutes, glowing beneath warm golden lighting. Art critics and collectors came together with intrigued fans, all enchanted by the depth and feeling of Ava’s creations. It was a night she would always remember—not only for the milestone it represented in her career, but also for how Damien had supported her throughout, his quiet pride providing her stability amid chaosAs the evening came to an end and the final guest stepped into the cool Parisian night, Ava remained in the serene room, absorbing the view of her paintings one final time before they were packed and sent to their new destinations. Damien observed her quietly, his expression contemplative.“Are you prepared?” he inquired gently while she gazed at himShe nodded, an uncommon mixture of success and sorrow surrounding her. "Indeed." "I believe I am."The following morni

Although it was late—well after midnight—Damien was unable to sleep. Memories of earlier times crowded his thoughts, which often happened when he allowed himself to ponder. Tonight, the memories seemed weightier than usual, the hurt more acute, the desire stronger. He stood at the window, gazing at the muted city skyline, the flickering lights below the storm creating a sorrowful sight. Ava had fallen asleep much earlier, but something kept him there, lingering in the shadows, alone with his thoughts. During these moments of isolation, the recollections emerged—those he had hidden, buried beneath layers of doubt and self-control. Her recollections. She was called Claire. She was all that Damien had never realized he desired and required. Friendly. Kind. Modest. All that had been absent from his life. She entered his life when he was nineteen, still youthful enough to hold onto the hope o

The evening atmosphere was thick with the aroma of rain, indicating a storm nearing the city. Ava sat silently at the edge of her bed, as the soft lamp light created elongated shadows across the room. The silence was intense, pressing on her heart and turning each breath into a challenge.In her grasp, her phone shimmered gently, the notification on the display cutting through her delicate tranquilityI know your secret. Tell him, or I will.No name. No number she recognized. Only seven words, unsettling in their clarity, exact and ruthless. Initially, she believed it must be a kind of error. Perhaps a joke. Whoever sent it knew. They knew about her father. About the abandonment, the pain she had buried under years of practiced smiles and quiet strength.Her grip on the phone tightened. She wanted to believe it was nothing — a bluff. Maybe if she ignored it, the sender would give up.Yet anxiety had already infiltrated her, digging in deeply. She removed the message, her heart racing,

The city glittered below Julian’s office window, the skyline stretched like a crown of diamonds against the inky night. But he didn’t see it. His attention was consumed by a single, all-consuming objective. Ava Rossi. He had spent months digging into her past, and now the truth sat neatly in a thick manila file on his desk — a chronicle of secrets, abandonment, and the very pain she had fought so hard to conceal. Julian had always known people broke easier when their past was weaponized against them, and Ava was no exception. She would unravel. And Damien would follow. Julian didn’t plan to crush them in a single blow. That would be too easy. No, this needed to be slow. Calculated. The kind of pain that lingered. He started with seeds — small, almost invisible. A well-timed remark over drinks. A carefully constructed pause. “She’s guarded,” Julian said casually to Damien during a networking event, swirling his drink as though they were merely chatting. “Given everything she’s bee