Jace felt his heart pound relentlessly in his chest, a constant drumming that mirrored his mounting fear. Feeling the weight of Stephanie's piercing gaze, he stood still.His head was filled with thoughts, frantically trying to figure out how to get out of this situation and please her without giving in. However, there was no obvious way out and no simple fix.He took out his phone from his pocket with a quivering palm. It was almost 6 PM when the luminous screen showed the time. At home, in a safe haven from this storm, Avalynn would be waiting for him. Trying to relax his breathing, he pushed a long swallow, but the tightness in his chest persisted.His voice faltering, he said, "Stephanie, it's been good seeing you, but I really have to go." Trying to get some distance, he stepped carefully back.His eyes raced around, looking for some kind of justification, any way out.Stephanie's countenance darkened as her eyes narrowed. Her voice was low and menacing as she screamed, "Where
Comfortable in the living room, Avalynn waited for Jace to come back with a nice smile on her face. Eager to spend some quality time with him, she had laid out a pleasant evening. In a few minutes, the door crested open, and Jace entered. His expression was tense and his shoulders clearly showed strain; but, he felt comfort flood over him as soon as he saw Avalynn's brilliant smile. Though he was struggling in his head, he couldn't help but smile back.Jace's heart raced as he got near. Avalynn loved his happiness very much, hence he dreaded anything that would break it. Her calm and contentment was like a salve for his wounded spirit, yet his mind strayed back to Stephanie's unannounced homecoming. Why was Stephanie back? His belief was that their chapter finished. She had stopped getting in touch with him, apparently living her life. Still, her unexpected comeback had sent him into a whirl of uncertainty and doubt.As Avalynn welcomed him kindly, Jace battled to concentrate;
Like a tightrope between them, the quiet threatened to break at any second.Jace's eyes darted from Avalynn to Stephanie as his brain tried to come up with a way to diffuse the tension.For her part, Stephanie simply raised one subtly arched eyebrow and sent a knowing glance at Jace, her mouth's corners twisting into a sly smile.She seemed to be daring him to be honest, to reveal the truth in all its ugliness.However, Jace never gave up on a challenge. Stephanie interrupted the silence just as he was going to say anything. "Oh, sweetheart, spare yourself the stress; I'll handle the introduction." She turned to face Avalynn and said, grinning smugly. With a nonchalant attitude, she crossed her legs and sat back in her chair. "You see, Avalynn," she said in a condescending tone, "Jace and I were quite the couple back in the day." Well, we were practically bonded. It was passionate and fierce, everything a relationship ought to be." She hesitated, allowing her words to linger. "I c
The following morning, Jace sat in his office, his thoughts concentrated on the work at hand. His assistants, Mark, and Elizabeth were occupied with going through files on his desk; each folder held crucial information about what to do in response to the Ryder Group threat."We must immediately strengthen our cybersecurity measures," Jace stated, according to his voice company. "They are attempting to get inside our systems. Their success must be allowed."Elizabeth turned the pages of the documents and nodded. "I concur. I've already made touch with our IT division. They are currently developing improved methods."Mark lifted his head from his notes. "How about our legal counsel? Should we involve them in case things get out of hand?"Jace massaged his temples, his tension level rising due to the circumstances. Yes, confirm that they are in standby mode. We must be ready for any legal actions they may take against us."The intercom chimed as they carried on with their conversation.
With her mind racing, Avalynn paced the living room of the mansion. She couldn't get rid of the suspicion that Stephanie wasn't being honest. There felt to be something menacing about her presence.Avalynn made an effort to divert her attention, but her thoughts would not stay away from Jace and Stephanie.What was the background of them? What did Stephanie's presence here signify for her relationship with Jace, and why was she there now?She experienced a twinge of anxiety, not only for their partnership's future but also for the nature of their connection itself. Even though they had experienced a lot together, Stephanie's abrupt return made things feel uncertain.Avalynn curled up on the couch and held a cushion against her chest. With Jace, she had always felt safe, but suddenly she started to have her doubts.Unexpected emotions had been sparked by Stephanie's presence, and she couldn't help but question if Jace was really over his past.In order to grasp the situation, she ne
You're really not going to expose me, are you?" Jace's voice was low, almost pleading as he stood in Stephanie’s dimly lit room. Stephanie’s reaction was immediate. Her lips curled into a mocking, mischievous smile."You came to meet me here after leaving your wife in your room? Man, you really have guts." Her eyes gleamed with a deadly mixture of dark humor and enjoyment as she sauntered closer.Jace said, "Answer me, Stephanie," with an even stronger tone. "Are you going to expose me?"Stephanie let out a sigh, her face somewhat relaxing."Jace, no. I would never treat a man I love that way. To get you to see things my way, I simply had to frighten you." She then gave him a fleeting kiss on the lips.Jace brushed her aside and took a step back. "That’s wrong, Stephanie."With a gleam of victory in her eyes, she grinned. "Oh, please, hurry up. You've missed me, I know that.Jace tried to get the talk back on course, ignoring her remark. "H
The next morning, Jace paced his office as the events of the night before continued to replay in his head. Despite his best efforts last night, Avalynn refused to give him a chance to clarify. Not even his voice would do for her. He was troubled by Stephanie's comments, her touch, and Avalynn's betrayed expression. To prove to Avalynn that she was the only person he genuinely cared about, he had to figure out a way to put things right between them.The buzzing of his phone startled him out of his reverie. It served as a friendly reminder about tonight's charity banquet that his employer was hosting. With a sigh, he acknowledged that this might be a diversion. He reached for his secretary's number on the phone. His secretary took a few rings before picking up the phone. "Yes, Mr. Malvis?" she asked with a smile."Hi Elizabeth. Would you kindly come to my office now so we can begin preparing for the gala?""Yes, in that case, sir. Elizabeth said, "I'll be there immediately," and
As the night wore on, Jace saw Stephanie across the floor in his traditional black tuxedo. His teeth clenched, but he understood his duties as the host. He took a big breath and walked over to Stephanie, his face hiding a mask of courteous curiosity.With a measured voice, Jace said, "Stephanie, I'm glad you could make it on such short notice."Stephanie pivoted, her eyes brightening as though she hadn't anticipated his arrival. "Jace, my sweetheart! This is such a beautiful event. You've surpassed even yourself.Jace grinned tightly as he nodded. "I'm grateful. Allow me to present you to a few important team members."Jace walked Stephanie around the room introducing her to his coworkers. She enchanted them with ease, displaying her wit and brilliance. Every introduction was prefaced with a subtly revealing glimpse into her past with Jace, creating a feeling of comfort and familiarity."Mr. Bennett, did Jace tell you about the time we attended the charity ball in Paris?" Stephani
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