Ava’s studio felt smaller than ever.
The contract sat on her cluttered desk, a stack of pristine white pages that seemed to mock the chaos of her life. She hadn’t touched it since Liam’s lawyer delivered it that morning, the sleek black envelope emblazoned with the Carter Industries logo like a warning. Sign here, and your life is no longer your own.
Mira perched on the edge of Ava’s couch, her dark eyes scanning the document with the precision of a hawk. “This is insane,” she muttered, flipping a page. “He’s basically buying you.”
Ava wrapped her arms around herself, her fingers digging into her elbows. “I know.”
“No, you don’t,” Mira snapped, slapping the contract down. “Listen to this: ‘The Wife agrees to reside in the Husband’s primary residence and attend all public events as requ
