chapter 3
1009 Words
Ava gazed at him. All the alarms in her mind were screaming. "What does that mean?"
Damian didn’t respond immediately, Rather, he ignored her and went back to his desk. A portion of the tension in the room was released by the movement, Not everything. Just enough to allow Ava to breathe once more, He took a seat and under control.
"Take a seat." he ordered, his eyes cold as ever since the moment she came.
Ava didn't move. "I'm not here to obey any others."
One black eyebrow went up. The following hush was almost uncomfortable as Ava finally took a seat, not because he instructed her to but due to the sudden weakness in her legs… Because A file that was lying on his desk was accessed by Damian.
She was surprised that it had nothing to do with her. It had to do with Ethan. Her stomach constricted. "You mentioned that you could assist my brother."
"I am able to." he blurted out.
"How?" She asked, I heart repeatedly pounding,
"With my help the accusations vanish."
Ava chuckled suddenly, A bitter little chuckle. "Are f*****g Delusional, That isn't possible."
"Yes, it is."
"No." Her tone became more acute. "Murder investigations don't simply vanish, you should know that considering your seat."
Damian's face remained unchanged. "The family of the victim is prepared to retract some statements."
Ava scowled. "The family of the victim?"
"Among other things."
She was troubled by something in his response. It sounded practiced. carefully selected. As if he wasn't sharing everything with her, Damian moved the file away before she could ask him.
"Your brother will be set free."
Her heart ceased to beat. She had been waiting all day to hear those words. The words for which she had prayed, However, it was risky to hear them from Damian Blackwood. "What would you like in exchange?"
Between them, the question lingered. Damian reclined in his seat. observing her. assessing her, similar to a man choosing whether to divulge a secret. He then pulled open a drawer, took out a folder and moved it across the desk.
Ava scowled. "What's this?"
"Go through it."
She opened the folder slowly and She was met with a glare from the first page. big. bold and Not possible.
WIFE CONTRACT
Ava gave a blink, then blinked once more, She had definitely misinterpreted. She turned the pages, legal provisions. signatures. Terms. circumstances and marriage once more...
Marriage was the subject of every page. Her jaw dropped open. Then she chuckled, since it was ridiculous… Totally ridiculous. "This is a joke, it clearly has to be."
Damian said nothing. The laughs instantly stopped. Her grin disappeared. "Oh my God." It dawned on her. "You're not kidding."
"No, i am not Miss Ava"
Ava leaped to her feet. "Are you f*****g insane?"
Calmly, Damian folded his hands. "No."
"You have no idea who I am? And you want me to marry you?”
“That is correct."
“Why?"
"That isn't covered by the contract."
Ava looked at him incredulously. Not included in the contract? "You want me to be your wife?"
“A temporary spouse."
"Oh, that really makes it better." Sarcastically, she uttered.
Damian appeared nearly amused for the first time as Ava became even more enraged by the sight. "This is crazy."
"Maybe."
"Maybe?"
She tossed the folder back onto his desk. "No." The response arrived right away. Without a doubt. without considering.
"No.. I see." Damian's face flickered with something.
She wasn't sure if she had dreamed it because it vanished so fast, disappointment, But it vanished as fast. "Very well," Ava said after pausing. Was that all? No disagreement? Not under any pressure? No dangers.. just a calm aura he was giving out, who was this man
Her eyes narrowed suspiciously. "You're only going to say that?"
Damian got up. slowly. He appeared larger only from the movement. More daunting. more risky. He circled the desk. halted in front of her. Near enough for her to detect the subtle hint of pricey cologne. It was close enough to cause her anxiety. "You cherish your brother."
It wasn't a query. Ava took a swallow. "Obviously, I do."
Damian gave one nod. then gave the contract to her. Once more. "Take it."
"I won’t ."
But She reluctantly took it as Damian met her gaze straight. Additionally, it was the first time she had seen him and She perceived assurance…total assurance. The kind that made her shudder. Ava scowled the moment he said , "You have forty-eight hours."
"For what?"
"To make you reconsider."
She was annoyed by his self-assurance. "Why do you think I will?" Damian's eyes remained fixed.
"Because when a loved one drowns..."
He lowered his voice. “You no longer give a damn if the hand reaching out to you is from the devil or a saint.”
Ava gasped for air. The words fell more forcefully than she had intended. since they were accurate. Damian took a step back. It was the end of the meeting. Disregarded. As if her departure was previously anticipated.
Ava turned and made her way to the door. furious. Perplexed and shaken. She wrapped her hand around the handle. Then Damian spoke once more. One last time. "Ava."
She came to a halt. She looked back against her better judgement. His face was unreadable, chilly, risky.
"Your brother doesn't have 48 hours."
Her face was drain out of blood.
"What?"
"A plea deal is being offered by the prosecution tomorrow morning."
Ava froze.
"No.. that isn't true"
"Everything changes if he signs it."
Her heart started pounding. "He wouldn't." But uncertainty began to creep in even as she spoke. Ethan felt afraid. Fearful. And fearful people did desperate decisions.
Damian stared at her. "As I mentioned." He spoke softly. “You have forty-eight hours miss Ava Sinclar.”
Ava gazed at him. Then at the contract she was holding. Additionally, for the first time… She was scared and unsure if she would continue to say "no."
- Writer
