π Title: The Billionaireβs Secret Wife
π₯ Part 2: βNo Way Outβ (Extended Version)
---
The soft click of the pen echoed louder in Avaβs ears than the wedding vows she hadnβt even spoken.
It was done.
In black ink on white paper, her fate was sealed.
She had just married Damian Knight β the coldest, most untouchable billionaire in the country. No rings. No smiles. No congratulations. Just signatures and silence.
He didnβt even glance her way. He stood tall in his perfectly tailored black suit, his face unreadable β like she was just another number in his billion-dollar portfolio.
Ava tried to steady her breathing. She had done it to save her mother. That was the only reason she was here. That was the only thing keeping her from breaking down.
βThis way,β Damianβs voice cut through the silence.
βWhereβ¦ where are we going now?β she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
He looked at her like sheβd asked the dumbest question on earth.
βTo Knight Towers. Youβll live there. As my wife,β he said flatly.
βIn front of the world,β he added after a pause.
Avaβs heart skipped.
βAnd behind closed doors?β she asked, hesitating.
Damianβs jaw clenched. βBehind closed doorsβ¦ weβre just two strangers. Donβt expect anything else.β
Those words stung. She nodded silently, swallowing the lump rising in her throat.
---
Knight Towers β 59th Floor
The elevator doors opened with a ding. Avaβs eyes widened.
This wasnβt an apartment. It was an entire world.
The marble floors shimmered. A chandelier bigger than her entire bedroom hung from the ceiling. Floor-to-ceiling windows gave a breathtaking view of the city.
But it didnβt feel like home. It felt like a cage β a golden one.
Damian walked ahead, not waiting.
βYouβll sleep in the guest room. To the right,β he said without turning.
βBut weβre married now,β she said, her voice trembling. βWhy canβt I sleep with myβ¦ husband?β
He turned sharply, his gaze burning into hers.
βThis marriage is a transaction. Not a fairytale.β
Ava stood frozen, trying to hold herself together.
βBut why me?β she whispered.
Damian looked away for the first time. His silence was louder than any answer.
---
Later that nightβ¦
Ava stood by the huge window, still in her simple white dress, hugging her arms tightly. The city sparkled below, but she felt nothing but darkness inside.
Her phone buzzed. A message from an unknown number.
βHeβs lying to you. Youβre not just a convenience. Youβre a target.β
She gasped.
Who sent that?
What did it mean?
Before she could process it, Damian appeared behind her.
βDonβt trust anyone,β he said in a low voice. βThis world isnβt kind to naive girls like you.β
His tone was cold⦠but his eyes? For a brief second, they almost looked like they were warning her.
Something was wrong.
Terribly wrong.
And Ava had just stepped into the lionβs den.
[To be continued...]