With her mind racing, Avalynn paced around Jace's room. She had been waiting for what seemed like hours, and her anxiety and confusion increased with each passing minute. What discussion is Jace and his grandfather having? Sorting through her bag and unpacking the few personal belongings she'd taken from her own room, she tried to divert her attention. However, she was simply reminded of how uncertain their future was by the familiar trinkets and pictures.Her stomach seized as she took a quick look at the time.Avalynn observed how luxurious the area she was in was. Jace's room was an extravagant study. The crystal chandelier overhead cast a pleasant glow that made the deep golden furniture sparkle. The polished hardwood floors were covered in thick, fluffy rugs that added a softness to the otherwise regal atmosphere of the space. Rich velvet and silks covered the king-sized bed, which had numerous pillows stacked on top like a throne ready to be occupied.Beautiful paintings a
As Alice completed setting up their dinner, the smells of succulent roast chicken and creamy mashed potatoes filled the room. There was an intense tension between Jace and Avalynn when they sat down to eat, and the silence was deafening.Before eating, Jace sliced soft pieces of chicken meat and put them on Avalynn's plate. Their tastebuds were melted by the delicious flavor of the perfectly seasoned potatoes. However, the tension persisted and ruined the otherwise pleasant dinner.With a careful and hushed voice, Jace said, "I couldn't tell you everything when I got back, but my meeting with Grandpa went better than I expected."Avalynn's fork paused halfway to her mouth as her eyes widened with surprise. "Are you serious? How?"Grasping the table with his fingertips, Jace inhaled deeply."I was able to persuade him that we are actually working on creating something genuine, despite his worries about our marriage. He has faith in us for the time being, so we must establish credibil
"Are you alright, sir?" Jace was startled out of his daydream by Elena's gentle voice as it burst through the stillness.His secretary was standing in the doorway when he looked up after briefly getting dizzy. Her worried face was the ideal disguise for the chaos swirling inside of her.Jace spoke calmly, "I'm fine," even though his thoughts were anything but. "Just reasoning some things."Elena moved in closer after nodding. "If there's anything I can do to help...""No," Jace snapped out of it, trying to smile. "It's nothing I can't handle."Jace was actually far from okay.His thoughts were racing, going over and over everything had happened over the last two weeks. Somehow, the truth of his marriage to Avalynn had found its way out, despite their best efforts to keep it that way. They had maintained appearances with such care and attention to detail. They weren't even in the same space. Their union, which was only a business partnership, was meant to be kept under wraps.How did
Elena's heartbeat echoed in her ears as she called Liam's phone, her hands shaking. She made sure no one was nearby by taking a quick look around the poorly lighted parking garage.It took two rings on the phone before Liam answered."Elena," Liam's voice was almost too silky. "What's the status?"Elena took a long breath, her voice faltering slightly. "We have a problem, Liam. Jace is starting to become skeptical. He's started asking questions about internal communications."There was a pause at the other end. "Why do you think he's suspicious?"Elena gulped hard. "He's been acting differently and more cautiously. He also acknowledged the likelihood that someone close to him was the leak. I think he's starting to distrust me."Liam sighed. "We can't afford a slip-up now. We are too close. Just keep playing your part and being regular. Do not give him any reason to distrust you."Elena nodded, but Liam could not see it. "I will do my best. But he's not an easy man to deceive.""Speak
With his mind spinning with doubts and unanswered questions, Jace sat at his desk and stared at the files strewn all around him. In an attempt to reduce the growing stress, he massaged his temples. His mind was interrupted as his phone chimed. When he picked it up, a message from an unidentified number appeared.There are only three days remaining in the one-week deadline that was assigned to you. "Damen Coates: "Dissolve your marriage with Avalynn or have the truth about it revealed in the news."**Jace's chest constricted. Rereading the message made his fingers shake. The name Damien Coates kept repeating in his thoughts, causing a cold perspiration to appear on his brow.The ramifications whizzed through his head. If the truth about his fictitious marriage to Avalynn came to light, it would be more than simply a scandal. It would not go well. He would lose everything he had fought so hard to achieve, including his business empire and reputation.His carefully crafted façade of s
Jace stood at his office window, his reflection a ghostly double in the glass as he stared out at the city skyline. The distant sound of traffic was a low background noise to the racing thoughts in his head. He continued on clenching and unclenching his fists, trying to keep himself focused.He turned at a faint knock on the door. With a pile of documents held in her arms, Elena stood there looking calm as ever."Come in," Jace gestured for her to go inside.With deliberate movements, she placed the paperwork on his desk and walked in. "These are the communications you requested, sir."He said, "Thank you, Elena," taking a minute to look at her more intently than usual. The doubt lingered in the back of his mind, but he forced himself to ignore it.For a short while longer, Jace's gaze lingered on Elena, and he could nearly make out the obvious symptoms of anxiety on her face.Her gaze flitted from him to the files and back as her fingers fidgeted with the pile of documents she'd pl
The next morning, Jace was sitting in his office, feeling very sad about being betrayed. He had been thinking about Marcus's email all night because the proof against Elena was clear.Even though he was hurt and angry, he knew he had to keep calm to catch her in the act.Jace didn't want to work until the sun rose over the city and lit up the office with a lovely golden light. He got stronger because he was determined to find the truth. He was like a man on a mission. He had to tell Elena the truth now that he knew it. He had to.He was thinking about something else when he heard Elena's footsteps in the hallway. It made his heart beat a little faster. That was it. A calm mask was put on his face as he forced himself to do his morning exercise. After a light knock, Elena arrived at the door. She arrived with her usual coolness, carrying a tablet."Good morning, sir," was her welcome."Good morning, Elena," was Jace's polite greeting. "Come in."Elena came over and gave him the ta
The evening of the dinner party finally arrived. Avalynn's hands were slightly shaky as she adjusted her dress standing in front of the mirror. She took in a full breath, preparing herself for the night ahead.. she knew it was gon' be a long night. This was their chance to put an end to the rumors that had somehow spread, whispers that their marriage had been contracted. Tonight, they had to prove that their love was genuine, thus she had to prepare for the act. Avalynn brushed the silken material of her dress, making it shine in the gentle light filling the space.The dress was a striking choice that would surely draw attention from everyone at the celebration because of its deep shade of lilac. And she desired that very much. She needed to perform her part flawlessly tonight.Her gaze darted to the door as she moved away from the mirror. She needed to make sure her mask was firmly in place because Jace would be chasing her any moment.The night would be a performance, and she co
EPILOGUE: The air in the Malvis estate was filled with the soft hum of life.. the distant chirping of birds and the rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze.Avalynn stood on the terrace, her eyes drifting over the landscape as the day slowly gave way to night. The previous few months had been a blur as she adjusted to her new position in the family business, planned the wedding, and experienced the pleasures of married life. She had, however, had a profound sense of joy and happiness throughout it all that she had never experienced before. With a little smile on her lips, she carelessly stroked her expanding tummy. Even though everything had changed so rapidly, life yet seemed quite right. The days had been full with love, laughter, and a wonderful sense of what was ahead.Silently, Jace walked into the room behind her, his light hardwood floorsteps. With his chin resting on her shoulder, he encircled her with his arms from behind and followed her look out the window. With a low g
Avalynn stood in front of the mirror, staring at her reflection with breathless eyes. Her body fit the ivory gown, which seemed a second skin with brilliant veil cascading down her back and delicate lace flowing down her arms. Grateful for the pearls' coolness, she ran her fingers over the beaded bodice.Lisa was behind her, adjusting the finishing touches, tucking the dress's train and setting the veil.With a note of wonder in her voice, she said, "Ava, you look amazing."Avalynn shifted slightly and looked into Lisa's mirror. With tears still welling up in her eyes, she said, "I can't believe this is happening. I never thought this would happen."With a kind grin, Lisa squeezed Avalynn's shoulders. "You are deserving of everything." You will make the most stunning bride when you tie the knot with the love of your life."Avalynn inhaled deeply and then looked at her mirror again.The girl who was gazing back at her appeared to be a dream - graceful, dazzling, and brimming with joy
With the sun rays coming in through the transparent curtains and lightning the room in a warm, golden glow, Avalynn stirred in her deep sleep.The blankets hugged her body tightly, leaving the remains of last night's excitement still visible on her skin.Jace stirred at her touch, his eyes slowly opening. When he saw her, a slow, lazy smile spread across his face, and he tightened his hold on her, pulling her closer. “Morning, beautiful,” he whispered, his voice husky with sleep.His features, softened by the dawn light, were relaxed in sleep, a far cry from his usually controlled and powerful look.Her heart became big with love and happiness as she reached out and gently brushed a lock of hair off his face. Peace, love, and the man who had become her whole world were all she had ever wanted.At her touch, Jace moved and slowly opened his eyes. A slow, lazy smile crossed his lips as he spotted her, and he tightened his grip, drawing her in. He whispered, "Morning, beautiful," his vo
The dim light of the bedside lamp cast a soft glow over the room, creating a cozy atmosphere that enveloped Jace and Avalynn as they lay side by side on the large bed. The events of the past weeks had been intense, but now, everything seemed to have settled into place. The room, decorated in muted tones of gray and blue, felt like a sanctuary from the outside world.. a place where they could finally breathe and enjoy the calm after the storm.Avalynn laid her head on Jace's chest and made gentle circles over his skin while she listened to his heartbeat.They had a comfortable stillness that was laced with the warmth of unsaid understanding and shared experiences. Thinking about how far they'd come and how a one-night encounter had brought them to this point, she grinned to herself."Remember the night we first met?" Avalynn has a hushed, almost dreamy voice.With a chuckle, Jace ran a hand through her hair. "How could I overlook that? You were the most stunning woman in the club, an
Two weeks had passed since the whirlwind of revelations that had shaken the foundation of Avalynn’s world. But now, the dust had settled, and with it, a newfound clarity and peace had emerged. Avalynn had come to terms with her heritage, her place in the Malvis family, and most importantly, with Jace. The man she loved, who had been her anchor in the storm, was no longer just the man she thought she knew; he was so much more.The Malvis house was a hive of joy tonight. The huge hall gleamed with wealth and grace, decorated with crystal chandeliers and high ceilings. The walls, which were covered with pictures of the Malvis ancestors, appeared to witness to the importance of the evening.. the official recognition of Avalynn as a real Malvis and the celebration of the family's victory over the Rinders, longtime enemies.Guests started to pour into the hall as the evening sun started to set, soaking the estate in a warm, golden glow. With the quiet hum of string instruments playing
With a deep breath, Jace's grandfather looked at him and Avalynn who were seated across from him. There was a tight, stifling silence as the weight of the information he was about to impart seemed to drain the room's very oxygen. As Jace's jaw tightened and his eyes locked on the elderly guy, Avalynn shifted in her seat, her heart pounding rapidly in her chest.The grandfather said, "Jace, Avalynn," in a tone that was serene but full of a gravity that made Avalynn's skin crawl. "The results of the DNA test are in."The words, thick with anticipation and terror, hung in the air like a fog. Avalynn braced herself for what was about to happen, her fists clenched in her lap and her claws digging into her hands. Jace leaned forward a little, his eyebrows furrowing in a startled yet nervous way.The grandfather stated, "The test proves that Avalynn is in fact my late son's biological daughter."A painful gasp from Avalynn's lips as her breath caught in her throat. The words echoed in her
Apart from the soft buzz of the equipment deciding their fate in a moment, the room was quiet. Avalynn sat on the brink of her seat her fists clenched in her lap and her knuckles white from the pressure. Jace walked back and forth, his body stiff from all the questions flying about in his thoughts.As they awaited the start of the DNA test, a distinct sense of apprehension filled the air.Grandfather Jace was standing close to the door, his face expressionless. Unwilling to allow the doubt to linger any longer, he had insisted on the test being conducted right away. Avalynn was so preoccupied with the idea that her whole life had been a lie that she had hardly noticed the trip to the private clinic. The idea of having Jace as her brother and becoming a Malvis by blood was too much for her to fathom. However, they were now facing the moment of truth.A nurse arrived with the required supplies in the room. "Miss Avalynn and Mr. Malvis Senior will need to provide samples," she stated
Avalynn gazed at the picture, her eyesight going blurry. Her mother’s image, frozen in time, looked back at her with a familiar smile that now felt hauntingly distant. She swayed on her feet as the room appeared to tilt and a sensation of vertigo overcame her. Her palm trembled as she attempted to settle herself, her fingertips grazing the edge of the desk, a sign of her mounting panic.In an instant, Jace was by her side, his arm encircling her waist and supporting her before she could pass out. He pleaded, "Ava, breathe," in a worried-sounding voice. Though his hold was tight, the panic that overcame them both was reflected in the shaking in his voice.From behind the desk, his grandfather observed them with a normally calm expression that broke into a look of uncertainty that Avalynn had never seen before. The man who had always been a tower of strength appeared lost, as though the world was collapsing around him."I'm not sure I get it. How is this even feasible?" Avalynn's li
As the tension in the room increased, Jace's eyes darted between Avalynn and his grandfather, making it obvious that he was confused.“You didn’t mention she would be here,” Jace finally said, his voice tight, barely concealing his frustration. His brow furrowed in a way that made Avalynn’s heart ache. His grandfather remained seated, his hands folded calmly on his desk. “You’re right, Jace. I didn’t. But I didn’t think I could sit back and watch you continue like this. You’ve been shutting yourself away, wallowing in self-pity and loneliness. You need someone by your side.. someone you trust. And there’s no better woman for you than Avalynn.”A beat skipped by Avalynn's heart. She had rarely seen Jace's face of vulnerability, and it completely shocked her. With words stuck in his throat, he remained motionless, and the ensuing stillness was replete with unspoken realities.With black eyes filled with emotions he couldn't seem to control, Jace turned to face her. His regret-filled