ACE'S POV
I know I was wrong for leaving her alone in my office to get cleaned up after we just finished having amazing sex—okay, I mean after I just finished fucking her stupid. Hell, I shouldn't have done any of that. Being cold to her was already enough. She came all the way to my company to apologize, and I repaid her with anger and lust.
But I couldn't see any of that in the moment. All I saw was red. I was trying to hide my feelings for her—my complicated, messy feelings. She hurt me by believing what the media said about me. But could I really blame her? She barely knew me. Still, I was blinded by anger, and all I could think about was punishing her with my body.
And then Mark saw us. Damn. I hated that I didn't lock the office door. He didn't see much—just her face—but that was enough. He saw the way she looked at me, helpless and innocent, the way she always does when I'm inside her. I told him not to say a word. He nodded, but I could see the questions in his eyes.
Back at home, things were awkward. She did everything she normally did when I got back from work—made dinner, folded laundry, even left a glass of wine on the table for me. But she didn't look at me. Not once. Her eyes were red and swollen like she'd been crying for hours. Damn. Maybe I misjudged her. Maybe she wasn't pretending. Maybe she wasn't a gold digger after all.
I thought about it for a few minutes, then shoved it all out of my head. I wasn't going to fall for another woman's tricks. Not again.
---
The next day, I had to attend the annual company gala. It was a big deal—press, investors, board members. Normally, I'd go alone, but this time, I was expected to bring my wife. Anna.
She didn't ask questions when I told her. Just nodded and went to get ready. When she stepped out of the bedroom in a deep emerald gown, I forgot how to breathe. The dress hugged her curves perfectly, her hair was swept up, and her eyes—God, her eyes—looked like they held galaxies.
"You look…" I cleared my throat. "You look incredible."
She gave me a small smile. "Thank you."
We arrived at the venue, a grand ballroom glittering with chandeliers and polished marble. The moment we stepped in, the whispers started.
"That's her?"
"She's the one from the tabloids."
"Did you see the video?"
I clenched my jaw. Anna kept her head high, but I could feel the tension in her spine. She was trying to be strong.
Then came Vivienne Langford a partner in my company, Rich. Ruthless. And obsessed with me. She'd made it clear she didn't like Anna from the moment she saw her.
"Ace," she purred, sauntering over in a blood-red gown. "You didn't tell me you were bringing a guest."
"This is Anna," I said. "My wife."
Her smile tightened. "How… charming."
Anna extended her hand. Vivienne ignored it.
"I must say," Vivienne continued, circling Anna like a vulture, "that dress is… bold. Where did you find it? A clearance rack?"
Anna's cheeks flushed. "It was a gift."
"Well," Vivienne said, sipping her champagne, "it's certainly… memorable."
I was about to say something when one of the board members called me over. I hesitated, but Anna gave me a small nod. "Go ahead," she said. "I'll be fine."
I should've known better.
---
I was only gone for ten minutes. When I returned, the room had shifted. People were whispering, pointing. Phones were out. And in the center of it all—Anna.
She stood frozen, her hands clutching the back of her dress. Something had gone wrong. The zipper had been tampered with. The fabric had come loose. She wasn't exposed, not exactly, but it was enough to make people stare. Enough to humiliate her.
Vivienne stood nearby, smirking.
I moved fast. Shrugged off my tuxedo jacket and wrapped it around Anna's shoulders.
"Come with me," I said.
Her eyes were wide, stunned. "Ace—"
"I've got you."
I turned to the crowd. "Anyone who took a photo—delete it. Now. If I see one image online, I will personally make sure your careers are over. That's not a threat. That's a promise."
Silence.
Then I turned to Vivienne.
"You did this."
She blinked. "I don't know what you mean."
"You touched her dress. You caused this."
"Prove it."
I stepped closer. "You think I won't? You think I won't burn every bridge you've ever built? You think I won't make your name synonymous with cruelty?"
Her smile vanished.
"This is my wife," I said, my voice low and dangerous. "And you just made the biggest mistake of your life."
I turned back to Anna. "Let's go."
---
Back home, she sat on the edge of the bed, still wrapped in my jacket. She hadn't said a word since we left.
I knelt in front of her. "I'm sorry."
She looked at me, eyes shining. "Why did you defend me?"
"Because you didn't deserve that. Because You're my wife. And no one gets to hurt you."
"Right"
I nodded. "Okay then I'm going to bed ."
She reached out, held my hand. "Thank you."
I leaned into her touch. "I should've never left you alone with her ."
She smiled, small and sad. "It's alright."
"Yeah," I said. "
---
CHRISTMAS BONUS
ANNA'S POV
I had never celebrated Christmas like this before. Not with a tree that touched the ceiling, not with garlands wrapped around staircases, not with the smell of cinnamon and roasted turkey drifting through a house filled with laughter.
Growing up, Christmas was just another day. My parents didn't believe in holidays. They believed in silence, in control, in cold dinners and colder stares. There were no gifts. No music. No warmth.
So when Ace told me his parents had invited us for Christmas dinner, I didn't know how to feel. Nervous? Definitely. Excited? Maybe. Terrified? Absolutely.
He didn't say much when he told me. Just handed me the invitation and said, "We're expected."
Expected. Like I was a formality. A name on a list. A placeholder.
He hadn't said anything since the gala. Not really. He defended me—publicly, fiercely—but once the cameras were gone, so was the warmth. He didn't look at me the same. Didn't touch me. Didn't speak unless necessary.
I knew he was confused. I could see it in his eyes. But it didn't make it hurt any less.
Still, I agreed to go.
The house was beautiful. A sprawling estate nestled in the hills, covered in snow and twinkling lights. Ace's mother greeted us at the door with a smile that was all warmth and none of the judgment I'd expected.
"Anna, dear," she said, pulling me into a hug. "We're so glad you came."
I blinked. "Thank you for having me."
Ace's father was quieter, but kind. He shook my hand and offered me a glass of mulled wine. The house was filled with cousins, aunts, uncles, and children running around in Christmas pajamas.
It was… magical.
I stood by the fireplace, watching the flames dance, when Ace's mother came over.
"He doesn't talk about his feelings much," she said softly.
I looked at her, startled.
"But he notices everything. And he remembers. Even when he pretends not to."
I didn't know what to say.
She smiled. "Just give him time."
Dinner was a feast. Roast turkey, honey-glazed ham, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and a dozen other dishes I couldn't name. I sat beside Ace, our shoulders brushing occasionally. He didn't pull away, but he didn't lean in either.
His mother led a toast. "To family. To forgiveness. And to new beginnings."
Everyone raised their glasses. I hesitated, then followed.
After dinner, the family gathered around the tree to exchange gifts. I hadn't brought anything. I didn't know I was supposed to.
But then Ace's mother handed me a small box wrapped in gold paper.
"It's from all of us," she said.
Inside was a delicate silver bracelet with a tiny snowflake charm.
"It's beautiful," I whispered.
She smiled. "It's a tradition. Every woman in the family gets one on her first Christmas with us."
I blinked back tears. "Thank you."
Ace watched me, his expression unreadable.
Later, as the night wound down and the snow began to fall outside, I stepped onto the balcony for some air. The cold bit at my cheeks, but I didn't mind. It felt real. Honest.
Ace joined me a few minutes later, two mugs of hot cocoa in hand.
"You okay?" he asked.
I nodded. "This is all just… new."
He handed me a mug. "They like you."
"I like them too."
We stood in silence for a while, watching the snow.
"Thank you," I said finally.
"For what?"
"For bringing me. For letting me see this side of you."
He didn't respond. Just sipped his cocoa.
I looked at him. "You don't have to pretend with me, you know."
He met my gaze, something flickering in his eyes. "I'm not pretending. I just… don't know what's real yet."
I nodded. "That's fair."
He looked away. "But I meant what I said. You're my wife. And no one gets to hurt you."
I smiled, small and sad. "Even if you think I'm just like the others?"
He didn't answer.
But he didn't walk away either.
And maybe, for now, that was enough.
Later that night, I lay in bed staring at the ceiling. The bracelet still dangled from my wrist, catching the moonlight.
I didn't know what the future held. I didn't know if Ace would ever trust me. Ever love me.
But tonight, I had felt something I hadn't felt in years.
Belonging.
And that, in itself, was a kind of Christmas miracle.