His Arrogance, Her Quiet Revenge

o Chloe Vance becam

g her with lavish gifts, attending prem

Finance Magnate Ethan Hayes and His Aspiring Actr

otnote, the shado

rd the gossip from the st

the subtle changes in her bo

ir university, NYU. Ava had initially decline

as if that explained everything. "

a glittering ballroom, a

om, holding court, Ethan a

hs crossed near the a

ting you here. Ethan was just telling me how much he... enjoys these

ded, his gaze

" Ava managed, her v

, gestured towards a faded photograph in a display case. It showed a

"Isn' t that... Caleb? Ethan

flying to her mouth. "Oh, I' m s

artist, wasn' t he? And didn' t he have some intense college romance? I remem

er face. Her breath hitched. Ca

late brother, cut in curtly. "That was a lon

ing alone, her heart pounding, the ghost

small, triumphant smir

ed dinner, Ethan cater

she preferred from the curated menu, even discreetly signaled a w

ast, picking at her food, the earlier

her carefully constructed l

Ava excused herself, n

luded alcove ne

– Chloe' s distinct, slightly shrill laug

n the phone. "A few tears, a whispered plea, and he' d buy me the moon. He thinks I

fr

He barely knows she exists. Once I get this next role, and he' s set me up

, the sweet, innocent Chloe was a calcul

opened, and Chloe stepped o

r eyes widened,

r?" Chloe hissed, end

at her, her expr

o him," Chloe spat, her voice venomous.

She had no interest

d quickly, blo

clever, don' t you? Pla

n the plush carpet. Or

hen yelped, collapsing dramatically onto

you doing?" Ethan roared

kle. "She pushed me, Ethan! I just tried

e. He looked from Chloe, crumpled on

sk. He didn'

he snarled, and

ff guard, stu

of decorative marble stairs le

nd then she was falling, a sharp pain shoo

her stomach, terror washing over he

tairs, looking down at her,

oice devoid of any emotion but anger.

his voice instantly softening. "A

even glance

ped through her. She felt a war

hand, but he was already helping Chloe to

ed to spin. Dar

eamt o

ght dappling through the trees,

ntle, loving smile that a

," he whispered, his voice like

d, but his fingers pas

he sterile smell of antise

room. Bri

p. "Well, look who' s awake. Yo

stairs like that... you' re lucky. The baby is fi

s dizzying, washed over

artner?" the nurse as

the image of Caleb'

ispered, the words raw with a grief

the door

e, his face pale

early ove

d, his voice tight. "Your love is go