Behind the Perfect Smile
Chapter One
The Hawthorne Estate looked less like a home and more like a luxury resort.
The wrought-iron gates slid open with barely a whisper as Richard Carter steered his SUV along the winding driveway. On either side, towering oak trees shaded perfectly manicured lawns that stretched towards gardens bursting with white roses and lavender. A marble fountain stood proudly in the centre of the circular drive, its crystal-clear water sparkling beneath the afternoon sun.
Ava Carter stared through the passenger window without saying a word.
She had seen photographs online, but none of them had prepared her for the size of the estate. The mansion itself rose three storeys high, its sleek glass walls reflecting the golden sky. Every detail looked expensive—from the stone façade to the balconies lined with flowering vines.
It didn't feel like home.
It felt like a museum.
Richard smiled nervously.
"So... what do you think?"
Ava shrugged.
"It's big."
He laughed awkwardly.
"That's all?"
"What do you want me to say?"
He sighed.
"I know this is a huge adjustment."
She kept her eyes on the mansion.
"You've only been married for three weeks."
"I know."
"You barely asked me how I felt."
Richard gripped the steering wheel tighter.
"I thought... maybe once you saw the place, things would feel different."
"They don't."
Silence filled the car.
Richard wasn't a bad father.
He had simply been lonely.
After Ava's mother died seven years earlier, he had buried himself in work. Long hours designing homes for wealthy clients meant birthdays were often celebrated late and family dinners became takeaway meals eaten over blueprints.
Then Victoria Hawthorne entered his life.
Successful.
Elegant.
Confident.
Within eighteen months, they were married.
Everything changed.
Including Ava's address.
The SUV stopped beneath the covered entrance.
Before Richard could switch off the engine, the front doors opened.
Two house staff stepped outside.
One collected the luggage.
The other welcomed them with a warm smile.
"Good afternoon, Mr Carter. Mrs Hawthorne is waiting inside."
Ava blinked.
Someone had opened the car door for her before she'd even reached the handle.
She climbed out awkwardly.
The entrance hall stole her breath.
White marble floors stretched beneath a sweeping staircase that curved gracefully to the second floor. A crystal chandelier hung overhead like frozen rain, scattering tiny rainbows across the walls. Sunlight poured through enormous windows, filling the room with warmth.
She suddenly became very aware of her worn trainers.
"Richard!"
Victoria Hawthorne crossed the room with effortless grace and hugged her new husband.
She looked exactly like the business magazines described her—perfectly tailored cream suit, dark hair neatly pinned back, and a smile polished by years of public appearances.
"I'm so glad you're here."
Richard smiled.
"So are we."
Victoria turned to Ava.
"You must be exhausted."
"I'm okay."
"I hope you'll be happy here."
"I'll try."
It wasn't rude.
It was simply honest.
Victoria seemed to appreciate that.
"I've had your room prepared. If there's anything you'd like changed, just let me know."
Before Ava could answer, footsteps echoed from upstairs.
A young man leaned casually against the banister.
Tall.
Dark hair.
Sharp jawline.
Confident enough to know everyone was already looking at him.
Lucas Hawthorne.
Her new stepbrother.
"So," he said with a crooked smile, "you're Ava."
She nodded.
"And you're Lucas."
"I was expecting someone taller."
"I was expecting someone nicer."
Richard cleared his throat.
"Kids..."
Lucas chuckled.
"I like her already."
Ava wasn't sure if he was joking.
Victoria rolled her eyes.
"Lucas, would you please show Ava around?"
"I suppose."
He picked up one of her bags before she had a chance to protest.
"Come on."
The second floor was just as impressive as the first.
Family portraits lined the walls.
Private lounges overlooked the gardens.
A library occupied one entire wing of the house.
"This place is ridiculous," Ava muttered.
Lucas laughed.
"That's one word for it."
"You grew up here?"
"Unfortunately."
"You don't sound grateful."
"I've learned that expensive houses don't automatically make happy families."
His expression shifted for only a second.
Long enough for Ava to notice.
Short enough that he quickly smiled again.
He opened a bedroom door.
"This one's yours."
The room was larger than her old bedroom and living room combined.
A king-sized bed faced floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city skyline. Built-in bookshelves surrounded a reading nook, while a private balcony stretched outside.
Even the wardrobe looked bigger than most bedrooms.
"This isn't a room."
Lucas smirked.
"No."
"It's a hotel suite."
"You'll get used to it."
"I don't want to."
He leaned against the doorframe.
"You really don't like rich people, do you?"
"I don't know enough of them."
"Fair answer."
For the first time, the conversation felt easy.
Then a black sports car pulled into the driveway below.
Lucas glanced outside.
"They're early."
"They?"
"My friends."
Three students stepped out of the car.
One girl with bright red curls.
A tall guy wearing headphones.
Then another young man climbed out from the driver's side.
He adjusted the sleeves of his navy shirt before looking towards the mansion.
Even from the second floor, Ava noticed the quiet confidence about him. He wasn't trying to impress anyone. He didn't have to.
As if sensing someone watching, he looked up.
Their eyes met across the distance.
Neither of them looked away immediately.
Lucas noticed.
"Oh."
A grin spread across his face.
"This should be interesting."
"Who is he?"
"My best friend."
Lucas folded his arms.
"Ethan Monroe."
The name meant nothing to Ava.
Yet something about the way he looked at the house—calm, thoughtful, almost wary—made her wonder whether life inside the Hawthorne Estate was far more complicated than its polished exterior suggested.
Down below, Ethan gave a polite wave towards the window.
Ava hesitated.
Then, almost without thinking, she waved back.
Neither of them knew it yet.
But that brief, silent exchange would be the beginning of a story that would change both of their lives forever.
