All Chapters of The Wrong Bride: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

“I am fine,” he said.For a while, they danced in silence. Then a server approached Ethan’s side and whispered something discreetly. Ethan nodded once.“I need to step out for a moment,” he said quietly. “Stay here. I will come back.”“Should I follow you?” Ava asked.“No. Stay here.”He guided her toward a quieter corner and then walked away, moving toward a side hallway.Ava watched him go.Inside the hallway, Ethan walked quickly to a private door marked for the CEO.Entering the room, he changed into the prepared disguise. He put on a fitted black suit jacket with a high collar and wore a plain dark mask that covered the upper half of his face. A hat shadowed his features. Anyone who looked his way would have no chance of recognizing him.A staff member stepped in. “Everything ready, sir,  the MC is calling soon.”Ethan nodded.

Pearl nodded. “Of course they did, our work is too beautiful to ignore.”A deep warmth spread through Ava’s chest. For the first time, she felt the world reaching toward her, opening a door she never expected.Their approval passed through a panel connected to Newton Group. Ethan’s company reviewed hundreds of applications each year. Promising designs were given priority. Ava and Pearl had no idea their work had stood out so clearly. Even Ethan himself did not realize her name sat inside the list that crossed his desk.The next few days turned into a rush of preparation. They arrived early at the studio and often left late. They hung sketches on the walls, debated fabric choices, and practiced how to arrange their booth.Pearl spent hours practicing poses for modeling their clothes, adjusting her makeup, and rehearsing answers for potential customers.Ava worked quietly beside her, sorting fabrics into neat stacks and stitching until her fingers felt numb. She kept the studio bright

Standing in that hall, Ava took her first step away from the quiet shadows of her life. This event became more than a showcase. It became proof that her efforts carried weight outside the closed walls of her home and studio, even if the man she lived with still knew nothing of it.As the evening moved forward, an announcement echoed through the speakers, instructing guests to prepare for the arrival of the guest of honor and the formal opening of the showcase. The crowd slowed. Several people shifted toward the central walkway.Pearl glanced at Ava. “Looks like someone important is coming.”Ava adjusted a sleeve on one of the mannequins. “Probably a sponsor.”“Or a powerful CEO,” Pearl added with a light chuckle. “These events love important faces.”Ava smiled faintly, not thinking much of it. She focused on straightening a small fold near the collar of a dress, unaware that the special guest of honour whose entrance will soon be announced was the same man who already ruled every corn

Ava stepped inside slowly. Her shoulders had dropped from exhaustion and her hair fell loose around her face. She carried her bag with both hands as if even that small weight felt difficult.Ethan stood at once. “You are back,” he said.The simple words settled softly around her, as if the room itself had breathed out in relief. She nodded and tried to straighten her posture.“You look tired,” he said as he took the bag from her hand. “Come sit.”Ava hesitated for a moment then followed him to the dining table. The sight of prepared food made her eyes soften. “You bought dinner.”“I thought you would be hungry,” he said.She sat down. “Thank you. I did not expect this.”“You were working all day,” he answered. “You need food.”They ate quietly at first. She kept her pace slow, cutting her food with small movements. Ethan watched her from time to time, noting the faint tremble in her fingers and the way she breathed more deeply than usual. When she lifted her cup, he gently pushed a na

She took one step forward, but he lifted his hand slightly. “Sit,” he said.The single word carried gentle authority, and she obeyed without thinking.He tested the porridge on the spoon, waited for it to cool, then placed the bowl in front of her. “Eat slowly.”Ava looked at him with quiet surprise. “You made this?”“It is simple.”“I see you can cook very well.” She said.He glanced at her, and for a brief second, a faint smile touched his face before fading. “Do not tell anyone.”Her chest tightened with an emotion she did not fully understand. She looked down and stirred the porridge gently, watching the steam rise in thin lines.Her thoughts moved softly.‘He hides behind silence, yet moments like this show pieces of who he really is. Small, careful kindnesses.’She lifted the spoon slowly and took a small bite. Warmth spread through her chest.Ethan pulled out the chair across from her and sat down. He rested one arm on the table, watching her eat with attention; not too close,