Lovers to Enemies

age echoed in her mind. Your fiancé's father destroyed your family. It had to be a lie. Some cruel joke. Someone trying to ruin the happiest moment of her life. But deep inside, a seed of doubt had

" A flicker of relief washed over her. Maybe she was overreacting. Maybe it was just some random person trying to stir up trouble. Then Ethan's expression changed. His jaw tightened, and a shadow crossed his face. Ava caught it instantly. "What?" she pressed. "What aren't you telling me?" Ethan sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Look... I don't know much. But there was some kind of falling out between our fathers a long time ago. My dad never talked about it. Just said it was 'complicated.'" Ava's stomach dropped. "Complicated?" she repeated. "Ethan, my parents lost everything when I was a kid. My dad had a business, and one day it all just... fell apart. They never told me why." Ethan took a step closer, his voice soft. "Ava, I swear, I don't know what happened. But I can ask my dad if-" "No," she cut in. "I'll ask him myself." Ethan hesitated. "Ava, maybe we should-" "I need to do this," she said firmly. "If I don't, I'll never stop wondering." Ethan searched her face, then nodded. "Okay. Let's go." Fifteen minutes later, they were standing in Ethan's father's home office. Mr. Carter was a tall, imposing man with silver-streaked hair and a calculating gaze. He looke