"Good morning, Jace," Elena said with a hint of fake optimism as she walked into his office.The smile was not returned by Jace. Rather, he reclined in his chair, his gaze fixed on her face. He did not greet Elena back. "Close the door, Elena," he said.A small furrow appeared on Elena's forehead as she nodded. Stepping up to his desk, her heels tapping the shiny surface, she waited in front of him.Jace grabbed for the envelope and took out a stack of pictures without saying anything. He threw them onto the desk, causing the glossy pictures to glide over the glossy wood surface and land in front of her. "Explain this," he sharply challenged.Elena noticed the photos and her eyes grew wide. She trembled a little when she took up the top photo. She and Liam were clearly in the picture, their faces identifiable and their smiles too close to be misinterpreted as innocent. She lost all of her blood on her face. Her thoughts raced, remembering the intimate and secure times she had spent wi
"Burden me?" Jace's voice got louder. I feel bad about putting you down, Elena. But your lies and betrayal are too much.Elena's knees gave out, and she fell to the ground holding the pictures. "Please, Jace," she cried out. "Don't do that. I'm ready to do anything. Do not fire me. Do not push me away."Jace stared at her with a stone-like look on his face. "Anything?" he asked in a dull voice. "You'd do anything to stay, to prove yourself?""Yes," Elena exclaimed, looking up at him with desperate eyes. "Anything."Jace sighed and rubbed his temples. "You have stated it before, Elena. After London, you told me you'd change and be honest. But here we are again."I've changed," Elena repeated, her voice frantic. "I am not the same person I was. I made an error, but I can fix it. Please give me a chance."Jace shook his head slowly. "I cannot, Elena. I can't keep giving you chances. You've ruined all of your relationships. "There is no trust left."Elena's shoulders slumped as the weight
Elena took another shot, the warm liquid leaving a track down her throat as the alcohol's warmth failed to calm the raging anger inside of her. Alone in the darkened bar, she couldn't stop thinking about Jace's charges and the damaging pictures he'd shown her earlier in the day.With a loud creak, the door opened, and Liam hurried inside, his footsteps resonating on the hardwood floor with a sense of urgency.His face showing concern, he hurried over to where he could see Elena at the corner table. Nestled into the seat across from her, he questioned, "Elena, what's going on? You sounded urgent on the phone."Elena's eyes shot up to meet his, a mixture of rage and despair. "Jace knows," she stated openly, her rage hardly contained in her voice.Liam's eyebrows shot up in panic. Leaning in closer, he pressed, "Knows what?"She leaned forward, hatred seeping into her words. "About us, Liam," she growled. "He's got photos. He came up to me today."Liam's mouth tightened as the realizati
Jace had a firm hold on the steering wheel as he sped away from the gorgeous mansion on the curving roads. In his memory, the events of the night played over and over like a movie, with each scenario becoming weirder and more puzzling than the previous.The kiss they had with Avalynn was electrifying, and it was all part of their plan. But when he told Elena he loved Ava, he felt like butterflies were flying in his chest and he couldn't get rid of them. Why did it feel so true?He could think about anything since it was so silent as he drove. It wounded him a much that Elena lied to him. In reality, she wasn't only his secretary; she was also a close friend and part of his inner circle. Her treachery hurt a lot, but it also made me doubt myself, which was terrifying.Why did she chose to visit Liam, who competes with him in business? Was it merely out of spite, fueled by her unrequited affections for him?Or was there a broader agenda at work? Jace couldn't dismiss the notion th
She turned to face the bed, feelings and thoughts running through her head.But as she moved to get back under the blankets, a strong hand grabbed her arm, shocking her.Jace was at his breaking point.. he couldn't control it any longer. He turned her around and kissed her with intense desire. In that moment, all questions vanished.With equal desire, Avalynn wrapped her arms around his neck and drew him in.Their breaths mixed and tongues tangled. Jace's hands moved through her back, pulling away her towel and revealing her skin. Avalynn's fingers quickly opened his shirt, pulling it off his shoulders.With a shrug, Jace removed his shirt and put his hands back on Avalynn's body, feeling every inch of her wet skin. She quickly helped with his belt.He kicked his pants off as they dropped to the ground and pulled her in close.Driven by strong want, they made their way towards the bed.Feeling the heat of his skin on hers, she wrapped her legs around Jace as his hands found her wai
Jace woke up to the soft morning light shining through the curtains, causing a warm glow in the room.He blinked, his mind slowly registering the events of the previous night. Avalynn was nestled against him, her breathing soft and even. He felt a mixture of amazement and uncertainty as the truth of their proximity struck him once more.He traced the contours of her face with his gaze as he lay there, watching her sleep. Her calm, contented appearance stood in sharp contrast to the inward anguish he was experiencing. Though he wished they could linger in this instant forever, he realized they had to have the inevitable talk.With her eyelids fluttered open, Avalynn stirred. There was a pause as her eyes locked with his, a mutual realization of the seriousness of what had happened between them.They lay there in quiet for a long while, the realization of what had just transpired crushing them. However, the quiet was cozy and held the possibility of something more substantial.Jace w
Jace arrived at work, his head a swirl of thoughts about Avalynn and the talk they hadn't finished. Adam, his driver, seemed abnormally uncomfortable during the ride, and Jace couldn't shake the impression that something was up."Adam," Jace called from the back seat, "is everything alright?"Adam's eyes flickered up to the rearview mirror, then back to the road. "Yes, sir. Everything's fine."Jace scowled, feeling the falsehood but opting not to press the topic. He had more serious tasks to attend to at the office.Stepping entering the building, the normal noise and bustle of the office did little to soothe his anxiousness. Employees welcomed him with polite nods and hurried smiles, conscious of the tension in the environment. He made his way to the elevator, his thoughts going back to the circumstances that led to Elena's discharge.When he reached his office, Marcus was already waiting for him, looking hurried. "Jace, we need to talk before the meeting.""What's going on, Marcus
Avalynn took in a big breath as she tried getting up again. She needed to focus. Why was Dylan reaching out to her now, after so long?She felt a mix of feelings thinking Dylan could be following her. But she also felt a lingering pain of regretful longing while grasping the bracelet. Its complex design and excellent craft skills symbolized a part of her past she had forgotten."Did Dylan leave the country?" she muttered, her thoughts racing. Why did he leave? Was it shame? Regret? Or just wishing to start fresh somewhere new?Holding the bracelet, Avalynn felt warmth and a measure of relief. Despite the anguish and betrayal, Dylan still thought of her. It was modest, but it mattered. She had loved him once, and that love left marks.But it was improper to think of Dylan now, with her connection with Jace already strained, even if it was pretense. She needed to go on and start anew.The bracelet was like an anchor, anchoring her to a history she struggled to let go of. She closed h
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