After the Applause
1127 Words
The door to the penthouse closed behind them with a soft click.
Ana stood still.
The wedding dress suddenly felt too heavy. Too tight. The silence pressed against her chest, the entire room felt too cold.
Jaxon walked past her without a word.
He loosened his tie. Took off his jacket. Placing it neatly on the chair, he took off his shoes and adjusted his belt.
Too calm.
That scared her more than anger would have.
“Jaxon,” she said carefully, turning to face him. “What did you mean back there?”
He poured himself a drink. Whiskey. No ice.
He took one slow sip before answering.
“Sit down, Ana.”
Her heart skipped. “Why are you talking to me like that?”
He finally looked at her.
His eyes were dark. Cold. Nothing like the man who had held her hands minutes ago and promised forever.
“I said sit down.”
She obeyed.
The couch dipped under her weight. Her fingers twisted together in her lap.
Jaxon just stared at her in silence.
She shifted uncomfortably on the couch, with her fingers deep into her palms.
Jaxon leaned against the counter, studying her like a stranger.
“How long have you known?” he asked.
“Known what?” she whispered.
“About your father.”
Her brows pulled together. “My father? Jaxon, you’re scaring me.”
Good, you should be scared a voice inside him said.
No. He pushed the thought away.
“Victor Sterling,” he continued, his voice flat. “How much has he told you about his business dealings?”
Ana shook her head slowly. “I don’t understand. My dad runs a construction firm. That’s all.”
Jaxon let out a short laugh. It held no humor.
“That’s what he told the world.”
He walked closer and dropped a folder onto the glass table in front of her.
The sound made her flinch, sweat dripping from her face.
“Open it.”
She hesitated, then reached for it, with trembling hands.
Inside were documents. Numbers. Names. Dates.
She didn’t understand most of it—but she understood one thing.
The same name appeared again and again.
Victor Sterling.
Her throat went dry, her face turned pale. “What is this?”
“Proof,” Jaxon said. “Of fraud. Bribery. Corporate sabotage.”
She looked up sharply. “That’s impossible.”
“Is it?” he asked.
“Yes,” she said quickly. “My father wouldn’t—he’s not that kind of man.”
Jaxon watched her closely.
No acting.
No guilt.
Only shock.
His chest tightened, against his will.
“You’re sure?” he pressed.
“I know my father,” she said, standing now. “He’s strict, yes. Ambitious. But criminal? No.”
Adrian stepped closer, his presence towering.
“Your father destroyed my family,” he said quietly.
The words landed hard.
Ana froze.
“What?”
“He leaked false reports that caused my company to collapse,” Jaxon continued. “My mother was blamed. She was dragged through the media. She was called all sorts of names.
His jaw clenched.
“She didn’t survive it.”
Ana’s breath left her in a sharp gasp.
“No,” she whispered. “No, that can’t be true.”
She shook her head again and again.
“This must be a mistake. Maybe someone is framing him. Jaxon, please—”
“Stop,” he said sharply, disgust written all over his face.
She flinched.
Silence fell between them again.
Jaxon turned away first.
He walked to the window, looking out at the city lights.
“I married you knowing who you are now,” he said.
Her heart was beating so fast. “Knowing what?”
“Knowing whose daughter you are.”
Ana’s voice shook. “So what does that mean?”
He turned back slowly.
“It means,” he said, “this marriage is no longer simple.”
Her eyes filled with tears. She hated that they did.
“Then why did you go through with it?” she asked. “Why didn’t you stop the wedding?”
Jaxon held her gaze.
“Because walking away would have been mercy.”
Her breath caught.
“And mercy,” he continued calmly, “is not something your father showed my family.”
She wrapped her arms around herself.
“You’re punishing me for something I didn’t do.” For a crime I know nothing about ? “
“I’m not punishing you,” he replied. “Not yet.”
The words sent a chill down her spine.
Ana straightened, forcing strength into her voice. “Then what are you doing?”
Adrian walked toward her again.
Close enough now that she could smell the whiskey. Close enough that her heart betrayed her and reacted to him anyway.
“I’m deciding,” he said softly, “how much damage your family deserves.”
Tears slipped down her cheeks.
“And me?” she asked. “What do I deserve?”
For the first time that night, something flickered in his eyes.
Conflict.
His expression shifted for a moment, but quickly disappeared.
“You,” he said after a pause, “are the problem.”
Her chest cracked.
“Because I care,” he added. “And that makes you dangerous.”
She swallowed hard.
“I love you,” she said quietly. “That hasn’t changed.”
Jaxon’s hand lifted—hesitated—then dropped.
“Love doesn’t erase blood,” he said.
He stepped back.
“There will be rules,” he continued. “Boundaries. Until I decide what this marriage really is.”
“And if I don’t agree?” she asked, her voice shaking but firm.
Adrian met her gaze.
“Then you leave,” he said. “And this ends faster than you’re ready for.”
Silence stretched.
Ana nodded slowly.
“Fine,” she said.
She lifted her chin.
“But don’t confuse my silence with guilt.”
For the first time, Jaxon looked surprised.
She walked past him toward the bedroom.
At the door, she paused.
“If my father did this,” she said without turning around, “I will face it.”
Then, softly:
“But if he didn’t… I won’t let you destroy him.”
The door closed behind her.
Jaxon stood alone in the living room.
His phone buzzed.
A new message notification appeared.
MIRA :
She’s playing innocent. Just like her father.
Jaxon stared at the screen.
And for the first time since the wedding, doubt crept in.
Not about revenge.
But about how badly this war could cost him, how much he’d be willing to lose.
- Writer
