"In her mother's eyes, I was a savior. In Ava's, I was a thief."
– Dylan Rees
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Dylan's Point of View
I sat on the couch watching Ian and Andre argue over who had the slickest hair. Ridiculous. I tapped my foot impatiently. Where the hell was she? I'd sent her a message not to be late. It was well past noon now.
My phone sat on the table, taunting me with its blank screen. No calls. No texts. I forced myself not to pick it up again. If I called her one more time, it would make the tenth attempt. I wasn't about to look desperate.
"Just admit it," Ian teased Andre, "you wish you had hair like mine."
"Of course. I look in the mirror every morning praying I'll see you instead," Andre deadpanned.
I groaned, pinching the bridge of my nose. "How is that in any way important?"
They glanced at each other and broke into laughter, like my irritation was the world's best joke.
"Relax, man," Andre smirked. "She's just late, it's not the end of the world."
"Two hours late feels like the end of the world," I shot back. "The gala tonight is the perfect chance to introduce the soon-to-be Mrs. Reed. Waiting until the shareholders' meeting will look sloppy. And she hasn't even read the contract, she doesn't know a thing about her responsibilities."
The words came out sharper than intended. Ian raised his brows, stunned. Andre leaned back with that infuriating smirk plastered on his face.
"What?" I snapped.
"Nothing," Ian drawled, rubbing his chin. "It's just weird seeing you this… worked up. Almost like you care."
"I don't care," I said too quickly. "I'm simply stating facts." But the truth gnawed at me. I was too rattled, too impatient, and I hated that they could see it.
Andre chuckled. "He's just pissed because it's the first time a girl stood him up."
I glared, but he ignored me. "Alright, found her." He waved his phone like a trophy. "What are we waiting for? Let's go get your wife."
I rolled my eyes but couldn't hide the small smile tugging at my lips.
"Point of correction," I said, standing. "She's not my wife. Not yet."
Andre clapped my shoulder. "Give it two weeks."
The diner was cramped, noisy, and smelled of a hundred meals fighting for dominance. My eyes swept the room until they found her.
Ava Carter.
Her chestnut hair was pulled into a messy bun, loose strands framing her face. She looked nothing like the women who circled my world in designer gowns. For one fleeting second, I wondered what it would feel like to tuck those stray strands behind her ear. I shoved the thought away.
Whispers trailed us as we walked in.
"Oh my gosh, they're so handsome."
"They smell like riches and look like fame."
"I'd give anything for a taste of that."
My jaw clenched in disgust. They looked at me like a prize. But Ava… Ava looked at me like I was a nuisance. The woman who should have been grateful to be tied to my name scowled as though it were a punishment.
Andre waved cheerfully. "Hi there."
She smiled politely at him, then turned her scowl back on me.
"What are you doing here?" she hissed.
"What do you think? Don't you own a clock?" I shot back before I could stop myself. Even Andre glanced at me, surprised by my edge.
She inhaled deeply. "I'm sorry I'm late, but my shift starts at ten."
"And that concerns me how?" I demanded. "I told you not to be late. And why the hell have you been ignoring my calls?"
I grabbed her hand before she could answer. "We're leaving. Now."
---
"The truth would break her, so I let his lie break me instead."
– Ava Carter
Ava's Point of View
"Wait." I tugged against his grip, lowering my voice. "I need to see my mom first. Please."
His steps faltered. For a moment, I thought he'd drag me away anyway, but the cheerful young man who was with him cut in smoothly. "We can stop by. Won't take long."
Dylan's jaw tightened, but he nodded once.
The hospital corridors were familiar but heavier now. My heart pounded as we entered my mother's room. She lay propped on the bed, pale but smiling when she saw me.
"Ava," she whispered, then frowned at the two men behind me.
Before I could explain, Dylan stepped forward, calm and composed. He took her hand like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"Good afternoon, ma'am. I'm Dylan Reed. Ava's boyfriend… soon to be husband."
My throat dried instantly.
My mother's eyes widened, tears forming as her hand trembled in his. "Husband? Ava… you didn't tell me…"
I opened my mouth, but Dylan continued smoothly, "I couldn't let her carry everything alone. I paid the hospital bills. She won't have to struggle anymore. Not while I'm here."
Shock rippled through me. He said it like a vow, like he meant it.
My mother's tears spilled over, her smile trembling with relief. She reached for my hand, squeezing it tight. "Ava… after everything… you found someone who loves you."
Her words sliced through me. She was happy. She believed. And I couldn't break her heart with the truth.
So I forced a smile I didn't feel, even as Dylan's lie wrapped tighter around me.
Her hand pressed mine, her eyes shining. "I can rest easy now. You won't be alone anymore."
I swallowed hard. Alone. If only she knew.
When we left the ward, Dylan didn't look at me. He didn't have to. The silence between us was louder than anything.
Because with one sentence, he hadn't just claimed me in front of my mother. He'd stolen something else too, her trust.
And there was no contract in the world that could undo that.