Chapter.3
888 Words
Chapter Three – The Queen’s Judgment
The rooftop air turned icy despite the summer warmth. Ava stood frozen, her body still tingling from Liam’s kiss, yet her veins ran cold at the sight of Eleanor Blackwell’s diamonds catching the moonlight.
The woman was elegance and danger personified. Perfectly coiffed silver hair, a gown worth more than Ava’s annual salary at her old job, and eyes that had ruled boardrooms and charities alike with ruthless precision. She was Manhattan royalty—and Ava was nothing more than an intruder in her kingdom.
“Ava.” Eleanor’s voice dripped disdain as her gaze slid from Ava’s trembling form to Liam’s hand still resting possessively at her waist. “I see now what kind of girl you are.”
Ava’s lips parted, panic choking her. “Mrs. Blackwell, it’s not—”
“Not what it looks like?” Eleanor cut in, her smile sharp. “Do you think I was born yesterday?”
Ethan’s silence behind his mother was worse than her accusations. He stood like a statue, eyes shadowed, hands clenched at his sides.
“Ethan,” Ava whispered desperately. “Please—”
But it was Liam who broke the silence.
“Enough,” he snapped, stepping forward, placing himself between Ava and Eleanor’s venom. “If you have a problem, take it up with me.”
Eleanor’s laugh was low, humorless. “Oh, believe me, Liam, I’ve had a problem with you since the day you were born.”
The words cut sharper than knives. Even Ethan flinched.
Liam’s jaw tightened, but his voice stayed steady. “Then keep me out of it. Ava doesn’t deserve this.”
Eleanor arched a brow. “Doesn’t she? She’s been dangling herself between my sons like some… cheap distraction.”
Ava’s breath hitched, shame and fury tangling inside her. “That’s not true!” she cried.
“Then explain what I saw,” Eleanor said, her tone razor-sharp. “Explain why you were in his arms at midnight while my son waits for you at home.”
Tears pricked Ava’s eyes, but she forced herself to stand tall. “Because I’m human. And humans make mistakes.” Her voice cracked. “But don’t you dare call me cheap.”
Liam’s eyes burned with pride, but Eleanor only smirked, lips curving like a predator circling prey.
“Ethan,” Eleanor said coolly, ignoring Ava, “I warned you she was unfit. You didn’t listen. Now look.”
Finally, Ethan stepped forward. His gaze locked on Ava, unreadable, heavy with something darker than anger—disappointment.
“Ava,” he said quietly, “I asked for honesty. All I wanted was truth. And you gave me silence.”
Her chest shattered. “Ethan, please, I—”
He raised a hand, stopping her. The restraint in his movements was scarier than any fury. “I need space. Time to think.”
And with that, he turned and walked away, his broad back stiff, his footsteps echoing like thunder.
Ava reached for him, but Liam caught her wrist. “Don’t,” he whispered. “He’s not listening right now.”
But she yanked free, spinning on Liam. “This is your fault!” Her tears finally spilled, hot and helpless. “If you hadn’t kissed me, none of this—”
“You kissed me back,” Liam snapped, his voice raw, breaking. “Don’t pretend you didn’t want it.”
The rooftop fell silent except for her ragged breathing. She wanted to deny it, to scream—but the truth hung heavy between them.
Eleanor’s voice sliced through. “Pathetic. Both of you.” She shook her head, diamonds glinting cruelly. “Mark my words, Ava—you’ll regret the day you set foot near this family.”
With that, she swept away, her heels striking like gavel blows, sealing Ava’s doom.
Later that night, Ava sat curled on the edge of Ethan’s bed in the penthouse. His scent lingered on the sheets, but he hadn’t returned. She stared at her reflection in the mirrored wall, makeup smeared, gown wrinkled, eyes hollow.
What had she done?
A soft knock startled her. She opened the door to find Liam leaning against the frame, his tie gone, shirt rumpled, eyes stormy.
“You shouldn’t be here,” she whispered.
He shrugged. “Neither should you. But here we are.”
Her tears threatened again. “You’ve ruined everything.”
“No,” he said firmly, stepping closer. “Everything was already broken. You just didn’t want to see it.”
Her chest ached. “Ethan will never forgive me.”
“Then he doesn’t deserve you.” Liam’s hand cupped her cheek, rough thumb brushing away a tear. “You think I don’t know what it costs me, wanting you? He’s my brother. But I’d burn every bridge if it meant having you.”
Her heart twisted violently. She wanted to hate him, to shove him away. But when his forehead pressed to hers, when his breath trembled like he was breaking too, she realized the truth: she wanted him. Desperately.
Her lips parted, ready to admit it—
And then the door behind Liam swung wide.
Ethan stood there, his eyes cold, his voice lethal.
“I knew I’d find you here.”
- Writer
