TITLE:BILLIONAIRE HUSBAND

Chapter 4: THE EX-FIANCÉE'S PLAN

The wedding after-party was at Ethan’s penthouse.

Chandeliers. Champagne. Billionaires in designer suits.

Ava stood in a corner in her second dress. Still white. Still didn’t feel like hers.

She was holding a glass of water because she didn’t drink.

Ethan was across the room talking to investors. He hadn’t looked at her once since the ceremony.

Then Victoria showed up.

Red dress. Diamond necklace. Camera-ready smile.

"Surprise!" she said loud enough for everyone to hear. "I couldn’t miss Ethan’s big day."

Whispers started.

"Ethan’s ex."

"She was supposed to be his wife."

Victoria walked straight to Ava.

"Oh my god, you must be the bride," she said, eyes scanning Ava from head to toe.

"You look... young."

Ava forced a smile. "Thank you. Congratulations to us."

Victoria laughed. "Us? Cute. Listen sweetie, can we talk? Just girls."

She grabbed Ava’s arm and pulled her to the balcony.

The door closed. Cold night air.

"Let me be honest," Victoria said, dropping the smile.

"You have 6 months. That’s what he told me. A contract marriage."

Ava’s blood went cold. "I don’t know what you’re talking about."

"Please," Victoria rolled her eyes. "I’ve known Ethan for 8 years.

He does this when his board pressures him. Gets a fake wife, shuts them up, pays her off."

She stepped closer. "So here’s my plan. I won’t make this hard.

Take $500,000 now. Leave tonight. Before you get hurt."

Ava’s hands shook. "$500,000 to leave my husband?"

"Ex-husband in 6 months," Victoria corrected. "Trust me.

I loved him. He’ll never love you. You’re a waitress."

The door opened. Ethan.

His eyes went from Victoria’s hand on Ava’s arm, to Ava’s face.

"What’s going on?" His voice was low. Dangerous.

Victoria instantly switched back to sweet. "Just welcoming your wife!

I was telling her how happy I am for you both."

Ethan didn’t buy it. He walked to Ava and took her hand.

"Are you okay?"

Ava nodded. But her heart was pounding.

He was touching her. In front of people. On purpose.

"Victoria, leave," Ethan said.

"But Ethan—"

"Now."

Victoria smiled one last time at Ava. "See you soon, Mrs. Carter."

Then she left.

The balcony went quiet.

Ethan still held Ava’s hand. He didn’t let go.

"Did she threaten you?" he asked.

Ava shook her head. "She offered me money to leave."

Ethan’s jaw clenched. "And?"

Ava looked up at him. "And I said no.

I signed a contract. I’m not a quitter."

For a second, something flashed in Ethan’s eyes.

Respect? Surprise? Ava couldn’t tell.

"Good," he said finally. "Because contracts go both ways.

Nobody gets to push you around. Not even her."

He squeezed her hand once, then let go.

"Come on. We have to cut the cake."

Back inside, cameras flashed.

Ethan put his arm around Ava’s waist for the photos.

He leaned down and whispered in her ear: "Smile."

Ava smiled.

But this time, it wasn’t just for the cameras.

Later that night, alone in her room, Ava replayed it.

The hand holding. The "nobody gets to push you around."

The way he said her title like he meant it.

$5,000,000. 6 months.

And an ex-fiancée who just declared war.

Ava touched the diamond ring.

Rule #1 of the contract: No feelings.

She was already breaking it.