CHAPTER 9: HIDDEN TRUTHS
248 Words
BIANCA’s PARTING WORDS
Bianca smirked, stepping closer to Ava.
“You think this marriage is real, don’t you?”
Ava’s breath caught. “What?”
Rhys voice was like a blade. “Enough, Bianca.”
Bianca barely spared him a glance.
“Still running from the truth?”
Rhys fingers clenched at his sides.
Rhys, confused but determined, pressed on.
“What truth?”
Bianca only chuckled.
Then, as she walked past Ava, she murmured— just loud enough for her to hear:
“Ask him why it had to be you.”
Ava’s stomach twisted.
She turned to Rhys— but his face was unreadable.
And for the first time, real doubt crept in.
THE CONFRONTATION
Later that night, Ava found Rhys in his office.
He was standing by the window, a glass of whisky in hand.
“Tell me the truth.”
Rhys didn’t turn. “Go to bed, Ava.”
She stepped closer. “What did Bianca mean?”
“Why did it have to be me?”
Silence.
Rhys took a slow sip of his drink.
“Don’t listen to her.”
Ava’s patience snapped. “Then tell me yourself.”
Rhys finally turned. His expression was as cold as ever— but his eyes held something else.
Something he refused to say.
Then, without another word, he set his glass down— and walked out.
Ava stood frozen.
And she knew.
He was hiding something.
And she was going to find out.
- Writer
