Revenge Wears a Soft Smile

of the institution, the taste of blood in my mouth, and Liam' s smiling face as the world went dark. But now, I was in my own bed, in my penthouse apartment, and the morning sun was streamin

ive girl who gave everything for love. This time, I would be the architect of his ruin. Every lie, every betrayal, ev

m door ope

You

e walked in holding a tray with coffee and a croissant, the picture of a devoted fiancé. He smiled, that perfect,

he said, setting the tray down. "You were wor

e would steal, rebrand, and use as the foundation of his empire. In our past

ed smile onto my face. It fel

am. That's so

u know, I was thinking. You've been pushing yourself too hard. This company, it's

ry. Last time, I argued. I told him I could handle it. I told him I didn't wan

he final presentation for the acquisition is next week. Let me handle it. I can be the face of th

he passionate, protective Ava he knew. But she was g

e of the company. He wanted control of the presentation. He wanted access to the core data to impress Chloe's father

s skin was warm, but all I could feel wa

d, my voice deliberat

tly. He was surprised. Thi

of genuine confusion crossing his face be

ability. "I am tired. And you're so good with people, Liam. You'd be bett

ining brightly. "Ava, that's... that's fantastic. I knew yo

aughing. He had no idea wha

as about to ask for. "And I'll draft an email to the board, letting them know you'll be lead

ly vibrating with excitement. He leaned in and kissed me, a

hispered against my cheek. "This i

mile still perfectl

for me. "I'll get out of your hair, then. Let

doubt. He was probably going to tell her how he

turning back one last t

old life, I would have said it back without thinki

" he said, and

dow, looking down at the city below. He thought he was climbing the ladder. He had no idea I was about to saw it off at the top, and hand him a lit match o