Chloe was now settled in the private hospital, her condition carefully monitored by specialists. The sterile scent of antiseptic filled the room, a stark contrast to the small apartment she and Ava once called home. Doctors and nurses moved quietly around her, preparing for the critical surgery scheduled two months away.
Meanwhile, back at Ava's apartment, the sudden sound of the doorbell startled her. When she opened the door, Damien stood there, calm, collected, and alone. He had chosen to come by himself, insisting that there were things they needed to discuss and arrange before Ava would move into his house. The unexpected visit caught her off guard, but she nodded silently, knowing the next steps in their complicated arrangement were about to begin.
Ava gestured toward the worn-out couch, offering him a seat. "Please, have a seat."
Damien smirked, his eyes scanning the modest living room. "I don't sit on things like that," he said with a teasing edge, clearly amused by her humble surroundings.
She shot back without missing a beat, "Well, I don't have a throne for a king."
He chuckled, appreciating her boldness. "Alright, enough small talk. Let's get straight to the point."
Damien leaned forward, his tone serious. "I'm taking you to my mansion. You'll be meeting my parents, my younger sister, and the staff. They've been waiting for this moment for a long time."
He paused, watching her carefully. "It's going to be weird at first. But you just need to be bold. Remember, you're my fiancée."
Ava nodded, swallowing her nerves.
Then his eyes flicked down to her outfit. "Is that what you're planning to wear to meet my family?"
She met his gaze steadily. "Yes."
Damien laughed, a low, mocking sound. "You call that a dress? It looks like you just raided a thrift shop."
Ava's cheeks flushed, but she refused to back down.
Ava's eyes narrowed. "Where did you get those spoiled manners of yours, Damien? Ever heard of basic respect?"
He smirked, clearly entertained. "Bold. I like that."
He reached into a sleek black box he'd brought with him and handed it to her. "I was expecting you didn't have a proper dress."
Curious, Ava opened the box to find an elegant, midnight-blue sheath dress, simple yet stunning, hugging the figure just right. Nestled beside it were delicate diamond earrings and a pair of nude, pointed-toe heels.
Damien's voice was dry but commanding. "Change into that. Time to look like a human… the fiancée of a billionaire."
Ava hissed under her breath, a smirk tugging at her lips as she walked into her room to change. Damien stayed firmly standing, refusing to sit on her worn-out couch, muttering that it still wasn't fit for someone like him.
When she emerged, transformed, the midnight-blue dress hugging her in all the right places, he gave a slow, rude nod of approval. "Not bad. I'm pretty sure that's the first time you've looked this good."
Before she could retort, he turned sharply and strode toward the door. "Get in the car. We're leaving."
Damien waited by the car, arms crossed, watching as Ava slid into the passenger seat. The door slammed shut with a firm thud behind her, and without a word, he started the engine and pulled away from the curb.
The sleek car glided through the city streets, the hum of the engine filling the space between them. Silence stretched for a moment until Damien's sharp eyes flicked toward her.
"You nervous?" he asked, voice low but direct.
Ava met his gaze coolly, folding her arms. "Not really. But I'm guessing you don't care either way."
A small smirk played on his lips. "I care if you mess this up. But nervous? That's your problem."
She rolled her eyes but stayed quiet, her mind racing with a thousand thoughts. The city lights blurred past the windows as they drove on, and the tension in the car was thick.
After a moment, Damien broke the silence again, his tone almost conversational.
"You'll meet my family, the staff... it won't be easy. They're expecting me to have it all together,a fiancée who fits the part. Think you can manage that?"
Ava's jaw tightened. "I can play the part. Just don't expect me to fake being anything I'm not."
He glanced at her with a raised eyebrow, intrigued. "Good. Because this is a contract, not a fairy tale."
They drove on, the weight of unspoken words hanging between them, each preparing for the days ahead in their own way.
Soon, the sleek car slowed as they approached an enormous mansion surrounded by perfectly manicured gardens and high wrought-iron gates. Ava's breath caught , this had to be the Blackwood estate, the kind of place she had only seen in magazines and movies.
The gates slid open silently at Damien's approach, revealing a long driveway lined with towering trees and gleaming expensive cars parked near the entrance. Staff in crisp uniforms began appearing, heads turning as the car rolled in.
Damien glanced at Ava with a slight smirk and gave a subtle nod, it was time to play their parts. He quickly stepped out and rushed around to her side, opening the car door with a smooth motion that felt both rehearsed and commanding.
As Ava stepped onto the marble driveway, the eyes of the gathered staff instantly fixed on her. Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
"She's stunning."
"Who's that diva?"
"New fiancée? She's definitely out of his usual league."
Ava felt their gazes, a mix of curiosity and judgment, but she held her head high. Damien took her hand firmly in his, fingers locking together as they walked side by side toward the grand front doors.
Their smiles were practiced, perfectly fake, the smiles of a couple used to being watched, analyzed, judged.
Inside, the marble floors gleamed under the sparkling chandeliers, and the walls were adorned with priceless art. Damien led her deeper into the mansion, still holding her hand as they moved with purpose.
Behind the polished facade, Ava's heart pounded, this was the beginning of a performance neither of them could afford to fail.
The grand doors swung open as Damien led Ava inside, their footsteps echoing against the polished marble floor. Immediately, several impeccably dressed staff members appeared, greeting Damien with respectful nods and brief smiles. One woman with a pristine uniform approached Ava first, offering a warm but measured welcome.
"Welcome to Blackwood Manor, Miss" she said, her tone professional yet courteous.
Damien's voice cut through smoothly. "Make sure she's comfortable."
The staff member nodded and motioned for Ava to follow her down a wide corridor lined with exquisite art and gleaming sculptures. Damien gestured toward a plush armchair by a large window that overlooked the sprawling estate gardens.
"Have a seat here," he said, his voice low but firm.
Ava sank into the chair, her eyes widening as she took in the opulence surrounding her. The high ceilings were decorated with intricate moldings, crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead, and the walls were draped with rich fabrics in deep, regal colors. The gleam of polished wood furniture and the scent of fresh flowers filled the air, it was like stepping into a movie set of a billionaire's life, something she'd only ever seen on television.
As she gazed around, a poised staff member quietly approached with a silver tray, setting down a delicate glass filled with freshly squeezed juice.
"Here is something to refresh you, ma'am," the woman said with a polite smile.
Ava accepted the glass but set it gently on the chair beside her, still overwhelmed by the grandeur.
Damien stood nearby, watching her with a faint smirk. "Make yourself comfortable," he said, then winked. "My parents will be here any moment now. Time to put on a show."
Almost on cue, the soft sound of footsteps approached from the grand hall. Ava's heart quickened. The moment had arrived.