Ava’s POV
“What did you just say?” Damon’s whole expression shifted, like someone yanked the floor out from under him.
Shock flashed in those deep eyes of his, mixed with a hint of panic he clearly didn’t want me to notice.
“Quit?
Ava, do you even hear yourself?”
“I hear myself very clearly.” I met his gaze without blinking.
“I’m exhausted, Damon.
I’m done being the one who pleases no one.
Today I stayed at the office for an urgent task, didn’t go shopping with your mother, and you called me just to grill me about it.
That really hurt.
And to your family, I’m just some useless nobody, but at the company I’m the one holding everything together.
How is that fair?”
“No.
Who said you’re useless?” Damon shot back instantly, his voice sharp with frustration.
He stepped forward and grabbed my shoulders like he was afraid I’d disappear if he didn’t hold on.
“I’ll make them shut their mouths.”
He stared at me, anxiety written all over him.
“Ava, listen.
This project is critical for us.
You’re the only one who can see it through.
You can’t walk away now.”
“And what about your mother and Sylvia?” My voice was ice-cold.
Damon’s Adam’s apple bobbed.
He sucked in a deep breath, like he was bracing himself for something messy.
“I’ll take care of them. I promise. Starting today, they won’t bother you again. I’ll cut off their financial support until they learn what respect actually means.”
For profit, he could sacrifice his own mother and little sister without blinking.
Maybe I should’ve praised him for being such a textbook Alpha.
But honestly?
This was exactly what I wanted.
Less drama for me.
Why would I complain?
I pretended to hesitate for a moment, then slowly nodded.
“Fine. I hope you keep your word.”
Damon let out a long breath, his whole body relaxing.
He leaned in, trying to pull me into his arms, but I stepped back just enough that it looked natural.
“I’m tired. I’m gonna shower.”
I didn’t look at him again.
I went straight upstairs and into my own room.
The warm water poured over me, washing away the day’s exhaustion.
I shut my eyes, but Damon’s handsome, deceitful face kept flashing through my mind, along with Sylvia’s smug, poisonous smile.
I scrubbed my skin harder, almost like I could wash away four years’ worth of grime and humiliation.
When I came out wrapped in a bathrobe, towel drying my hair, I nearly jumped.
Damon was in my room.
Just sitting on my bed.
His tall, sharp figure cast a long shadow under the soft lamp light.
He hadn’t turned on the overhead lights, only the dim bedside lamp, and the whole room felt strangely intimate, too intimate.
“What’s going on with you lately?” he asked, lifting his head.
Those deep eyes locked onto me like he was trying to read every thought I’d ever had.
He stood up and walked toward me, slow and steady.
His Alpha scent wrapped around me instantly, cedarwood mixed with a faint smoky warmth, heavy with that natural male pull I used to fall for.
Damon wasn’t as striking as Adrian Thorne, but he was still dangerously attractive.
I froze for a second.
“So, I’m free tonight.” He stepped right up to me, his heated gaze tracing every line of my face.
His voice dropped, rough and low.
“I can… spend some real time with you.”
He reached out, pulling me into his arms.
His other hand lifted my chin, and his burning lips were already closing in.
The water running down my skin suddenly turned icy, jolting me awake.
If this had been before, my heart would’ve been racing, and I’d be melting right into his whole overbearing-but-tender routine.
But now?
Every breath he took, every touch he laid on me, dragged up the image of him losing himself in another woman’s arms.
And those so-called “vitamins” he fed me, poison wrapped in sweetness.
My whole body went stiff.
My brain spun like crazy, trying to find some believable excuse to push him away.
“Damon? Are you in there? I need you, it’s urgent!” Sylvia’s anxious voice came from outside.
Damon froze.
His brows bunched together, irritation flickering across his face like someone had yanked him out of a dream.
“I’ll send her away,” he muttered to me, his grip on my waist refusing to loosen.
His eyes were dark with wanting, as if he’d already decided nothing would stop him.
“Damon! It’s Leo! He needs his dad!” Sylvia’s voice wavered, almost crying.
“Maybe deal with him first before… whatever else you’re doing?”
The moment she mentioned Leo, I felt Damon’s arm slacken just a little.
A flash of uncertainty crossed his eyes.
There it was, my opening.
I put a hand on his chest and gently pushed, my voice soft, generous, perfectly understanding.
“Go to him. He’s just a kid. He comes first.”
That tiny bit of kindness instantly softened his hesitation into gratitude and guilt.
He dipped his head and pressed a light kiss to my forehead.
“You’re always like this, Ava. So thoughtful. If you could have a child, you’d be an amazing mother.” He let me go, sounding almost reverent.
My fingers curled into a tight fist.
I can have children.
He’s the one who lied.
If I had my wolf right now, I’d probably tear his heart straight out just to see if it ever beat honestly.
Damon turned to leave, but suddenly stopped mid-step.
His eyes landed on the bare wall.
“Our wedding photos… where are they?”
I thought of the ashes those prints had become, and the giant framed one tossed into the darkest corner of the storage room.
I tugged my lips into a perfect, harmless smile.
“Oh, that. I’ve been doing a big clean-up. Season’s changing, so I wanted to switch up the decor a bit. I put everything away for now.”
He stared at me, eyes narrowing just slightly, like he was trying to read between my words.
“Do you want to see them? I can grab them,” I lied smoothly.
The tension in his face eased.
He shook his head.
“No need. Get some rest. You have clients tomorrow.”
With that, he opened the door and walked out.