CHAPTER EIGHT

Avery's POV

The investor, Mr. Porter, arrived promptly, his presence exuding authority and charisma. He was tall and imposing, with a sharp gaze that seemed to assess everything in an instant. Aiden and I greeted him, and as we led him into the living room, I could feel his scrutiny on us, as if he were measuring the authenticity of our relationship.

“Thank you for hosting me today,” he said, his voice smooth and calculated. “I’ve heard impressive things about this merger, and I’m eager to see what you both have planned.”

Aiden and I exchanged a brief glance, and he took the lead, explaining the benefits of the merger, our shared vision for the future, and how our partnership would strengthen both companies. I added a few comments of my own, playing the role of supportive spouse with practiced ease.

Mr. Porter listened attentively, nodding along, but his eyes held a shrewdness that made me uneasy. “It’s clear that you both have a solid partnership,” he said finally. “A marriage of minds, if you will.”

“Yes,” I replied, keeping my tone steady. “We believe that our combined strengths will bring substantial growth.”

He smiled, but there was something cold in his expression. “I look forward to seeing the results. I trust you both understand the importance of unity in this endeavor.”

Aiden nodded, and I did the same, feeling a chill run down my spine. There was an unspoken pressure in Mr. Porter’s words, a reminder that this merger was bigger than just us. It was a carefully crafted performance, and any sign of weakness could unravel it all.

After he left, I felt drained, the weight of the expectations pressing down on me. Aiden turned to me, his expression unreadable.

“You handled that well,” he said quietly. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me, Aiden,” I replied, my voice barely above a whisper. “I’m just doing what’s expected of me.”

He looked away, his face etched with something I couldn’t quite identify. “Avery, if there’s ever a way out of this… I’ll find it. For both of us.”

I met his gaze, surprised by the sincerity in his eyes. Part of me wanted to believe him, to cling to the hope that maybe this wasn’t permanent, that maybe we could escape the grip our families held over us. But deep down, I knew that hope was dangerous, a fragile thing that could shatter with the slightest push.

The rest of the day passed in a blur, and as I lay in bed that night, I couldn’t shake the feeling of being caught in a web I hadn’t spun. The marriage, the merger, the endless demands—it all felt like a prison. And though Aiden’s words lingered in my mind, offering a sliver of comfort, I knew that any escape would come at a cost.

Sleep eluded me that night as my mind churned over Aiden’s promise. His words had been quiet, almost tentative, but they resonated in the silence. For a fleeting moment, I wanted to believe he could change things—that he could somehow unlock this gilded cage around us both. Yet, in my heart, I knew better than to cling to false hope.

The next morning, I awoke feeling drained but forced myself to carry on. My days had become a series of routines, each movement carefully controlled to fit into the polished image my father demanded. It wasn’t long before I saw Aiden downstairs, looking equally exhausted as he nursed a cup of coffee. Our eyes met briefly, and he offered a half-hearted smile that did little to mask his own weariness.

"We've got that charity luncheon this afternoon," he said, breaking the silence.

"Right," I replied, barely able to muster the enthusiasm for yet another round of public appearances.

He noticed my hesitation, his gaze softening. "I know this is tough, Avery. If there’s anything I can do to make it easier, just tell me."

I appreciated his offer, but there was nothing he could do to change the fact that I was living someone else's life. "Thanks, Aiden. I'll be fine. Let’s just get through this, like we always do."

He nodded, though a flicker of regret passed over his face before he turned away. I knew he understood my feelings all too well. We were both bound by the invisible chains of our families, forced into roles we hadn’t chosen.

As we arrived at the venue, the familiar buzz of cameras and murmuring voices filled the air. I took Aiden’s arm, plastering on the same practiced smile I'd worn for countless events before. Inside, society elites mingled, exchanging polite smiles and handshakes that masked ulterior motives and secret ambitions. We blended into the crowd, performing the well-rehearsed dance of a picture-perfect couple.

At one point, a well-dressed woman approached us, her eyes bright with interest. "You two make such a beautiful couple," she gushed, smiling as though we were a fairytale come to life.

I forced a smile, nodding politely. "Thank you. We’re very fortunate."

She looked between us, something calculating in her gaze. "And to think, a union of two such powerful families—it's like something out of a novel. You must be thrilled."

Thrilled. The word echoed in my mind, a reminder of everything I’d lost for the sake of appearances. I forced myself to nod again, careful to maintain the perfect facade. Beside me, Aiden’s grip on my hand tightened ever so slightly, a silent acknowledgment of the absurdity of it all.

When the event finally ended, I felt a sense of relief. But the day’s demands weren’t over. That evening, my father had organized a family dinner to celebrate the progress of the merger. Sitting around the table, surrounded by people who saw me only as a pawn in their game, I struggled to keep my composure. My father, oblivious to my inner turmoil, toasted to the “success” of my marriage, to the “strength” of our families’ alliance.

As I sipped my wine, a sense of anger flared within me. They were all so blind to the cost of their ambitions—to the sacrifices they expected me to make without question. But my frustration, though fierce, was also powerless against the reality I faced.

Later that night, I found myself in the garden, seeking a moment of solitude. The cool air felt refreshing, a brief escape from the oppressive weight of expectations. I closed my eyes, breathing in deeply, trying to clear my mind.

"Avery.”