Chapter Eleven: The Announcement
1026 Words
The ballroom erupted into applause as Ethan and Ava descended the grand staircase.
Crystal chandeliers bathed the room in golden light, while an orchestra played softly in the background.
Every guest watched them.
Every camera followed them.
Ava had attended elegant events before.
Nothing like this.
This wasn’t merely an engagement party.
It was a battlefield hidden behind champagne glasses and expensive smiles.
Nathan Sinclair approached first.
He extended a hand to Ethan.
“Congratulations.”
Ethan shook it.
“Thank you for coming.”
Nathan smiled politely.
“I wouldn’t have missed this.”
His eyes shifted to Ava.
“So…”
“You’re the woman who finally convinced Ethan Blake to settle down.”
Ava returned the smile.
“I suppose I am.”
Nathan chuckled.
“I hope you know what you’ve signed up for.”
Before she could answer, Victoria stepped beside her father.
She looked stunning.
She knew it.
Her red gown commanded attention.
Unfortunately for her…
Tonight wasn’t about her.
Victoria’s gaze lingered on Ava’s engagement ring.
“It’s beautiful.”
“It is,” Ava replied calmly.
“I used to wonder what kind of woman Ethan would choose.”
She smiled sweetly.
“I simply expected someone…”
Her eyes slowly swept over Ava.
“…different.”
Ava smiled back.
“I imagine disappointment is difficult.”
Victoria’s smile faltered.
Only for a second.
But Ethan noticed.
So did Arthur.
“Ladies and gentlemen.”
Arthur’s voice echoed through the ballroom.
“If I could have your attention.”
Conversations died immediately.
Arthur stood beside the stage, champagne in hand.
“I’ve spent seventy-five years building this family.”
His eyes rested on Ethan.
“And for most of those years…”
“I believed my grandson would marry his work.”
Laughter rippled through the room.
Even Ethan smiled.
Arthur continued.
“So imagine my surprise when he introduced me to the remarkable young woman standing beside him tonight.”
He beckoned Ava closer.
Her heart skipped.
She hadn’t expected a speech.
Arthur took her hand warmly.
“Ava…”
“You’ve brought something back into Ethan’s life.”
“He laughs again.”
“He smiles.”
“And for that…”
“You already have my blessing.”
The room applauded.
Ava’s throat tightened.
She glanced at Ethan.
He wasn’t looking at the audience.
He was looking at her.
As though Arthur’s words had affected him too.
The applause faded.
Then Lucas spoke.
“Grandfather.”
Arthur looked over.
“Yes?”
Lucas smiled politely.
“I think everyone would love to hear how Ethan proposed.”
Silence.
Ava’s stomach dropped.
They had never discussed a proposal.
She looked at Ethan.
He remained perfectly calm.
Too calm.
Arthur grinned.
“Wonderful idea.”
Several guests nodded eagerly.
Reporters raised their phones.
Victoria folded her arms.
Waiting.
Watching.
Ethan reached for Ava’s hand.
His thumb brushed gently across her knuckles.
A silent reassurance.
Then he began.
“I had planned everything.”
Ava looked at him.
This was new.
“There was a reservation.”
“Flowers.”
“A ring.”
He smiled faintly.
“But when I saw her…”
“I forgot every word I’d prepared.”
Ava blinked.
He continued effortlessly.
“So I asked the only question that mattered.”
He turned toward her.
His gray eyes softened.
“‘Will you marry me?’”
The ballroom had gone completely silent.
“And?”
Arthur asked eagerly.
Ethan smiled.
“She said no.”
Laughter exploded across the room.
Even Ava laughed.
“I did?”
“You interrupted me.”
He looked at her.
“You thought I was joking.”
More laughter.
Arthur wiped tears from his eyes.
“That sounds exactly like you, Ethan.”
Ava couldn’t believe how naturally he lied.
Or…
How naturally she wanted to believe him.
The music began again.
The master of ceremonies stepped forward.
“Ladies and gentlemen…”
“It’s time for the couple’s first dance.”
Ava’s heartbeat doubled.
She whispered without moving her lips.
“I’m going to step on you.”
“I’ll recover.”
“I’m serious.”
“So am I.”
He led her onto the dance floor.
Hundreds of people formed a circle around them.
The orchestra started playing a slow waltz.
Ethan placed one hand at her waist.
She rested hers on his shoulder.
“This is terrifying.”
“No.”
His voice was barely audible.
“They’re watching us.”
“I know.”
“They’re judging us.”
“I know.”
“What if I mess up?”
His gaze never left hers.
“Then I’ll catch you.”
Something inside Ava melted.
The music carried them slowly across the floor.
One step.
Another.
This time…
She didn’t step on his foot.
She followed him perfectly.
Around them, cameras flashed.
No one noticed the whispered conversation between them.
“You’ve improved.”
“I had a good teacher.”
“I thought you hated compliments.”
“I do.”
“So why are you smiling?”
She hadn’t realized she was.
Across the ballroom…
Lucas watched the dance with narrowed eyes.
He leaned toward Nathan Sinclair.
“They’re convincing.”
Nathan’s expression remained unreadable.
“Convincing isn’t the same as real.”
Lucas smiled.
“I’ve arranged something.”
Nathan looked at him.
“What?”
Lucas nodded toward one of the waiters moving quietly through the crowd.
The man wasn’t part of the Blake household staff.
He was someone Lucas had hired.
The waiter slipped into Ethan’s private office upstairs.
Five minutes later…
He walked back out carrying a thin black folder.
Lucas’s smile widened.
“If Ethan Blake has secrets…”
He murmured.
“…I’ll find them.”
As the orchestra reached its final note, Ethan gently spun Ava beneath his arm before pulling her back to him.
The ballroom erupted into applause.
Neither of them noticed the folder disappearing into the crowd.
Neither of them knew…
That before the night was over, someone would discover the one thing capable of destroying everything they had built.
- Writer
