All Chapters of When Vows Break : Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

Ava’s POVThe door has barely clicked shut when Maya’s gasp slices through the silence.“What the actual hell was that?” she blurts, eyes still as wide as saucers. “Did he just… was that Damon Ashford talking about sex in our hallway?”I close my eyes, inhale, count to three. “Lower your voice.”“Oh, absolutely not.” She plants both hands on her hips. “I need context, Ava. Context and tea. Because what I heard…”“You heard wrong.” I stride past her toward the couch.“I heard ‘prove the marriage is real,’ and unless he’s talking about a blood test, I did not hear wrong!”“Maya.” I drop onto the sofa, pinch the bridge of my nose. “It’s complicated.”“Then uncomplicate it.”“There’s nothing to explain.”Her brows shoot up. “So the billionaire you’re allegedly marrying didn’t just proposition you through legal paperwork?”I reach for the remote. “You’re being dramatic.”“Me? You’re the one starring in a soap opera!” She paces, muttering. “Physical authenticity… What does that even mean? D

Ava’s POVThe voice hits like a glass of cold water down my spine.“Dami!”For a moment, I think I imagined it. But then the sound comes again — higher, brighter, coated with a kind of warmth that doesn’t belong here. My head turns before I can stop it, eyes locking on the grand staircase where a woman stands, framed by light and the faintest scent of roses and jet lag.She’s beautiful in the kind of effortless way that makes you instinctively fix your posture — long red hair spilling over her shoulder, skin like porcelain, suitcase still in hand. Her smile is wide, familiar, and her heels click against the marble like she owns it.“Dami,” she repeats, practically singing it, and it’s like watching someone throw glitter on a crime scene.Damon’s expression shifts so fast I almost miss it. Surprise, then something careful — too careful. His jaw tightens for half a breath before he smooths it away and turns toward her with that practiced composure of his.“Amelia,” he says, voice low bu

Ava’s POVThe morning light spills across the kitchen table, catching on the rim of my coffee cup. Maya’s already there, hair tied up, phone in one hand, spoon in the other, looking like she’s been waiting all night for me to wake up so she can pry.She doesn’t bother with hello.“So,” she says, voice syrupy and smug, “have we decided whether you’re marrying the billionaire or launching him into orbit?”I sink into the chair opposite her, wrapping my hands around the mug as if caffeine can make decisions for me. “Neither. I’m done giving him space in my head. I’ll do what needs to be done for Leo, sign what needs signing, and that’s it. No more getting angry, no more losing sleep, no more hoping he’ll suddenly become an actual person and grow a brain.”Maya leans forward, eyes narrowing with the kind of affection that always precedes an argument. “So, the plan is to marry the man without letting him touch your emotions? Babe, that’s not cold… that’s Olympic-level composure.”“I’

Ava’s POVMaya’s jaw is still dangling like she’s seen the face of God.Her hand trembles around the velvet box. “Ava Hayes, this—this looks like a ring.”I arch a brow. “Then put it down before you propose to yourself.”She gawks at me. “Are you seriously calm right now? Damon Ashford just sent you Tiffany-level trouble and you’re what? Doing sarcasm drills?”“I’m doing denial,” I say, snatching the box from her. “It’s a coping mechanism.”She trails me to the kitchen, voice rising with delight. “Open it! I want to scream properly!”“No.” I drop the entire designer bag on the counter and cross my arms. “The last thing I need is to open some billionaire mystery box and discover it’s bugged.”Maya smirks. “Or discover he’s officially lost his mind and bought you a diamond.”I point a warning finger. “One more word and you’re on dish duty for a week.”She grins wider. “Its worth it.”I roll my eyes, grab a glass of water, and ignore the bag sitting there like it knows it’s winning.---

Ava’s POVThe receptionist’s whispering and the sharp glow of the breaking-news banner follow me all the way out of the building like a shadow hungry to cling. Outside, the cold air hits my face and it’s exactly what I need. Something real. Something not shaped by Damon Ashford’s gravity.My phone buzzes again in my coat pocket.I don’t look at it. Not yet.I keep walking, boots pounding against the pavement, replaying the headline burned into my vision:> Mystery Woman Spotted at Ashford Enterprises — Damon Ashford’s Secret Fiancée?Mystery woman?It's funny how quickly the world assigns names to things it doesn’t understand.I go to hail down a cab but decide to walk home even if I give up halfway… cause that is inevitable.I need something to keep my mind busy. Something to conquer. Something that doesn’t have dark eyes and an irritatingly beautiful baritone voice haunting me at every turn.Inside the apartment, Maya is on the couch with a bowl of popcorn she definitely didn’t pay