A Dangerous Secret
596 Words
The silence inside the car was suffocating.
Ava stared through the tinted window as the city lights blurred past. She wanted to ask Ethan why he had appeared at the café at the exact moment she needed help, but the icy expression on his face warned her against it.
Finally, she broke the silence.
"Thank you... for today."
Ethan didn't look at her.
"I didn't do it for you."
His cold reply stung more than she expected.
"I did it because if anyone discovers our marriage, everything we've worked to protect will fall apart."
Ava lowered her eyes.
"Right..."
Of course.
She had forgotten her place.
She wasn't his wife in the way normal wives were.
She was simply a secret he needed to hide.
The car stopped in front of her apartment.
The driver stepped out and opened the door.
Ethan remained seated.
"You'll stay inside until I say otherwise."
Ava frowned.
"Am I a prisoner now?"
His eyes finally met hers.
"No."
"Then why can't I leave?"
"Because someone is looking for you."
A chill ran down her spine.
"You mean... that man from the café?"
Ethan nodded once.
"He wasn't there by accident."
Ava's heartbeat quickened.
"Who sent him?"
For a brief moment, Ethan hesitated.
Then he answered.
"Sophia."
The name meant nothing to Ava.
"Who is she?"
Ethan looked away.
"The woman the whole country believes I'm going to marry."
Ava's breath caught in her throat.
"So... everyone thinks you're engaged?"
"Yes."
"And they don't know you're already married."
"They never will."
Ava slowly stepped out of the car.
Before closing the door, she whispered,
"Sometimes I wonder if marrying you was the biggest mistake of my life."
She shut the door before Ethan could answer.
The black Rolls-Royce disappeared into the night.
Ethan watched her through the rear window until she entered the building safely.
Only then did he speak.
"Drive."
Meanwhile...
Sophia Lang sat in the private lounge of an exclusive members-only club.
A glass of untouched wine rested in front of her.
Across the table sat Victor Kane.
The private investigator.
He slid a thin folder across the table.
"I've confirmed something."
Sophia leaned forward eagerly.
"What is it?"
"Mr. Blackwood has been secretly transferring money every month to an apartment downtown."
Sophia's eyes narrowed.
"A woman lives there."
"Name?"
"We're still confirming it."
Sophia smiled.
"I don't need confirmation."
Her smile slowly turned cruel.
"I just need proof."
Victor opened another file.
"I've already placed someone outside the apartment."
"They'll report every visitor."
Sophia picked up the file and laughed softly.
"Ethan..."
"You really thought you could keep secrets from me."
She closed the folder.
"When I find her..."
"I'll make sure she regrets ever meeting you."
At the same time...
Ava sat alone on the balcony of her apartment.
The cool night breeze brushed against her face.
She looked at the glittering city below.
Thousands of people were living their lives.
Laughing.
Falling in love.
Building families.
Yet she couldn't tell a single soul that she was married.
Her phone vibrated.
It was a message from an unknown number.
She opened it.
Her blood ran cold.
"I know who you are."
A second message arrived.
"Stay away from Ethan Blackwood..."
Then a third.
"...or you'll disappear before anyone even knows your name."
Ava's hands began to shake.
Who knew?
Who was watching her?
And... how had they found her so quickly?
Far below, parked across the street, a black SUV remained motionless.
Inside, a man lowered his phone after sending the final message.
He smiled.
"Found you."
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