Betrayed by Love, Forged by Billions

state were imposing. Gold-t

m a cramped New York studio, now supposedly the biologic

ed into this family, the Ashwort

rely looked at me. Her

sister, all polished charm and

didn't rea

her voice smooth as silk. "We need to set

This wasn't a welcom

e?" I

make you lose nine things you value – experiences, possessions, peop

fe began: with a threa

n. My art supplies, ruined. A cherished photo of my

th strike. T

For the ninth strike, Ava darling, it'

f me. "One million dollars. Fo

a little rough around the edge

uld break me.

a buzzed with N

ade her move. She cornere

pounding, from

earby to hear. "A million dollars. Just walk a

at the check,

darling," he said, his voice carrying. "Ava

took my hand, and kiss

shed over me. He lo

th admiration, some with am

ade of purple I' d never

torme

ough the Ashworth mansion. "Fine! I'll

war hero, son of Senator Elean

hloe, a grab for status, tied to a med

it set something new in motion

onto the balcony, Ethan'

from the library b

Riley marriage is a delightful compli

od ran

Vance, your instructions for Vance Indust

? Vance I

ck musician. He was Ethan Van

by the shadows, my phon

s I want her. She' s a means to an end. Undermine t

"As for Ava... she was usef

iley marri

. Keep Chloe for myself, of course. I'd 'rescue' Ava later. Control her,

rom my numb fingers

t AURORA. My

URORA flashing: Ethan Vance. Threat Level: Crit

d. Ethan, my Etha

Every touch, e

s, to destroy the Ashworths.

ge with a comatose man, th

iven me, the one he said was a fam

sp breaking. It fell to

r chok

ance. He wouldn't win

ace. I would marry Mac R

h this?" Kevin Ashworth, my half

ally, mostly. Now, h

"Chloe gets what she wants.

relief. "Good. It' s for the

erness in my eyes, the

tate was supposedly arri

Kevin," I said, my voi

icker of unease in hi

ything. The patents, the shares, the properties. V

et, but it held

t's... that's a fortune

avering. "My substitution for Chloe. It st

king about? Your inheritance? That'

hares alone are worth billions! Why

it' s mine, Kevin. Because this family, my mother included, let

, my father's memory, my friends. You all

reed. This is

said Michael left them in a trust, difficult

ld. AURORA had shown me the truth of the will. "The 'triggers' are my coming of age and my

? You let Chloe dang

.. she convinced Mother and Father it was bette

rds like ash in my mouth. "Fine.

I' ll get them. But why keep it f

d of any warmth. "Ethan Vance me

ld, so detached, i

ng in his eyes. He finally saw a glimps

wly. "I'll ge

trong facade I' d

lounge, tears finally e

e buzze

"Ava, my love. Thinking of you. Are you packed for

dispose of me after

, Ethan," I manage

entertaining Chloe a little. She' s

led sobs in the background

n lit up

Feed from Ethan Van

was on his penthouse balcony. Chloe

s other hand, he deliberately knocked a glass of champagne

into the phone, his eyes, on the video feed, g

en below the video. He intends to break Chloe Ashworth comple

han grabbed Chloe' s chin,

me, his voice a low snarl, "you thought you cou

is words were a fresh knife in

e, no longer of just sorro

, to break Chloe, t

im think he

was still his na

earn. They