Rivals Heart

Uncharted Waters

In her penthouse suite, the glittering city lights made shadows on her as she paced back and forth. Now she was in uncharted waters: married to a man who detested her, a man she’d tricked into signing a contract tighter than any wedding vows. And the worst part? She didn’t know what he would do next.

A sharp knock jolted Ava from her thoughts. Her heart raced; her assistant wasn’t due until morning, and no one else knew where she was staying.

Another louder knock made her hesitate, but she reluctantly opened the door.

It was Liam, drenched in the rain. She figured he would be at the board meeting tomorrow, but why was he barging in uninvited?

Her anger rose as she asked, “What are you doing here?”

“Sarcastically,” he said, “checking on my new wife.” “Though it looks like I wasn’t invited.”

“Enough. Get out,” Ava demanded, arms crossed, but he didn’t move.

“I’m not here for pleasantries, Ava. I’m here to renegotiate,” he replied, his tone dark.

“The terms are final. You signed,” she shot back.

Liam chuckled lowly. “Did you think a little blackmail could hold me down? Think again.” He pulled out a folder. “Take a look.”

Ava opened it, and her blood ran cold. The documents detailed a web of transactions connected to her family, evidence of illegal dealings that could destroy Sinclair Enterprises forever.

“How… how did you get these?” she stammered, heart hammering.

Liam’s gaze hardened. “While you were busy playing games, I was busy covering my bases. I’m a Grant, Ava. We don’t take threats lightly.”

Her mind raced. She had just cornered him last night. How had he retaliated so fast? He continued before she could respond.

“I’m going to tell you what’s next.” His voice dropped, and he stepped closer. “You’re going to dissolve that contract. Publicly. Announce that you were wrong, that this marriage was a mistake. And then you’ll walk away.”

She swallowed hard, her brain scrambling for a counter. “And if I refuse?”

His smile was razor-sharp. “Then these files go straight to the authorities.”

She was looking at him, refusing to let him see the fear coursing through her. “Fine. I’ll match your every move if that’s the game you want to play.”

They faced off, each daring the other to flinch, for a moment. Then Ava did something she hadn’t meant to. She grabbed his collar, pulled him down, and kissed him fiercely and defiantly, attempting to unbalance him.

He didn't put up a fight. He pulled her closer, hands moving to her waist and matching her intensity with a fierce hunger of his as well. It wasn’t gentle or kind, it was two enemies willing to fight so stubbornly they couldn’t back down.

The kiss stopped as suddenly as it started. breathe heavily, gazing evenly at each other in awed silence, they broke apart.

“Nice try,” Liam muttered, his voice rougher than before. “But that won’t change a thing.”

Ava smirked, her mind suddenly clicking into place. “I think it changes everything.”

Reaching for her phone, she touched a few keys and held up the screen. A red light blinked, a recording device she’d activated the moment he entered.

Liam’s face darkened as he realized his threat, his demands, and the entire interaction had been recorded.

“Oops,” Ava said, feigning innocence. “Guess I forgot to mention I record everything when dealing with someone I don’t trust.”

Liam’s gaze turned icy “You will regret that.”

Inside her, her nerves unraveled but her expression remained calm. She knew she'd just poked a bear.

She hardened herself, and said, “Guess we’ll just find out.” “I suggest you leave now before I choose to disclose this to the board.”

Liam’s jaw clenched but he turned on his heel, slammed the door, and walked away, leaving without another word. Her heart pounded in her chest; Ava sank against the wall. Despite winning this round, how much more can she withstand?

Her phone rang again and this time there was a message from an unfamiliar number.

“Nice trick. But you’re not the only person who knows how to pull the dirty trick. Check your email.”

Ava sat in front of her laptop, hands shaking as she opened an email with a blank subject line and an attachment named “URGENT.” As the video downloaded, she saw her father shaking hands with another man over what looked like a bag of money.

The realization hit her hard: Liam wasn’t bluffing; he had documents that could ruin her family, and she was unaware of their existence. Her phone vibrated again, displaying a message from an unknown number.

“You have 24 hours to recall the marriage contract. Tick tock.”

The screen faded away and Ava looked right at it, feeling both fear and hopelessness inside of her. Liam had outplayed her and placed her in a position that she was not able to evade.

But Ava Sinclair wasn’t going to let herself be defeatist about it. She’d been on the brink before and she had emerged from it. Well, “if Liam wants a war, he’s going to get one.” She said.

As she was packing, preparing for a new, more lethal plan, she received a phone call. it was a phone call from her father and he sounded serious.

“Ava… we need to talk. Now.”