From Gold-Digger to Queen

lic humiliation, before the imprisonment, before the loss of her child. The universe had rewound the tape, and now s

ust an obligation, a final act to appease a fragile woman before they started their life together. Ava had believed him. She had waited, a fool in a white dress, while he played savior to another wom

d, a nobody who had gotten lucky by catching the eye of a tech mogul. They whispered that she was a gold-digger, and a

, his voice laced with disappointment. "You pushed her too hard. You have to u

had given her everything. And her part of the deal was to be endlessly grateful and never question him. Especia

this

he had demanded he choose her. That was her mistake. She had played the part of the jealous fiancée, and it had led her strai

from her memory into her eyes. She let h

says she can' t live without me." He ran a hand through his perfectly styled hair,

, for her tears and accusations. He

She reached out and took his hand, her touch gentle. "Liam, a person' s life is

This was not the reaction he had anticipated. He had a whole speech prepared about duty and

laced with disbelief. "You.

ut Liam, I love you. And I know how much Olivia means to you. I know the guilt you carry. If something happened to

ct, selfless, understanding partner.

he ultimate test of her love, of her worthiness. In his twisted mind, her willingness to sacrifice he

voice thick with emotion.

a cold satisfaction spread

a mask of panic. "Mr. Maxwell? Mrs. Maxwell? The

to go. Now. Don' t worry about the wedding. Don' t worry about m

er forehead, a gesture of profound respect. "I' ll b

pushing him gentl

hed out of the room, leaving her alone with the

eyes vanished. The soft, understanding expression

as a test of her

first step of