CHAPTER SEVEN

Avery’s POV

The days after Aiden’s note blurred into a whirlwind of work and strange emotions I couldn’t quite label. Living under the same roof with Aiden felt like balancing on a tightrope, where one small misstep could send everything crashing. His promise to give me freedom and happiness, to protect me, lingered in my thoughts, yet I couldn’t ignore that I was still a pawn in this game our families had built around us.

Aiden was, in many ways, a mystery wrapped in professionalism and cool restraint. He kept his distance physically and emotionally, despite his occasional gestures of friendliness. We could be standing in the same room, sharing polite words, but there was always an unspoken boundary—a mutual understanding that neither of us would cross unless forced. Maybe that was for the best.

It was early on a Monday morning when my father summoned me to his office again. His voice had held its usual brisk tone over the phone, but there was something else—an urgency. The merger was in full swing, and I suspected he was calling me in for yet another round of updates. I’d grown used to his demands by now, yet each meeting chipped a little more away from the fragments of autonomy I’d once held.

As I entered my father’s office, he didn’t look up from the documents he was reviewing. “Sit,” he ordered curtly, not bothering with formalities.

I took a seat, watching as he finally lifted his eyes to mine, his expression unreadable.

“There’s a new investor interested in the company,” he began. “A high-profile businessman, and his capital could significantly expand our assets. He’s particularly drawn to the merger between our companies.”

“Alright,” I said cautiously. “What does that mean for us?”

“It means that your marriage to Aiden is more critical than ever. This man needs to see unity—stability—between you and Aiden if we’re to secure his investment.” He handed me a document filled with unfamiliar figures and notes. “He’s set to visit next week. Until then, I need you to keep up appearances with Aiden. Attend events together. Make it clear that you’re happily married.”

“Appearances,” I echoed, bitterness slipping into my tone. “Is that all this is about, Dad? Image?”

He looked at me sharply. “This is business, Avery. If you want to call it ‘image,’ go ahead. But your duty is to the family and to this company. I expect nothing less than complete cooperation.”

I felt a wave of frustration build inside me but forced myself to nod. Fighting with my father was like trying to swim against a powerful current. He saw only results, not the toll this arrangement took on me, and certainly not how trapped I felt. I’d thought that, with the merger in progress, things would settle down. But here I was, already ensnared in another web of expectations.

“Fine,” I said, my voice barely concealing my anger. “I’ll attend the events.”

“Good. And Aiden knows what’s at stake as well, so I suggest you both prepare yourselves. I’ll send a full schedule to your assistant.”

With that, I knew I’d been dismissed, and I left his office with a sense of resignation. It was clear that my father saw me only as an asset in his corporate game, a tool to be used as he saw fit. And now I was expected to parade around with Aiden, my supposed “partner,” to make this marriage appear convincing to outsiders.

Back at the mansion, I found Aiden in his office. His gaze lifted when I walked in, and he gave me a curious look, as if sensing the storm simmering beneath my calm facade.

“I spoke with my father,” I said, standing in the doorway. “Apparently, there’s a new investor. And we need to... show ‘unity’ for him.”

Aiden’s brow furrowed, and he sighed, nodding in understanding. “So, they want us to act like the perfect couple in public. That’s predictable.” He leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair. “Look, Avery, we don’t have to pretend when it’s just the two of us. I’m not here to pressure you into anything you’re uncomfortable with.”

I appreciated his words, though they did little to alleviate my resentment. “It’s not you I’m frustrated with, Aiden. It’s the whole setup. I’m expected to be this perfect wife, attending events and smiling like I’m thrilled with this marriage when, in reality…”

He nodded, giving me a sympathetic look. “Believe me, I understand. This isn’t the life I envisioned for myself either.”

We shared a quiet moment, a mutual understanding passing between us. Whatever this marriage was, it was something neither of us had chosen willingly. Yet here we were, bound by our families and the unyielding expectations they placed on us.

“Alright,” I finally said, breaking the silence. “Let’s get through these events and keep things professional. If we can manage that, maybe we’ll get some peace after all this settles down.”

***

The following week was a whirlwind of carefully orchestrated appearances. I accompanied Aiden to business dinners, charity galas, and social functions, all of which were filled with people watching our every move, searching for cracks in the image we presented. I learned to smile politely, to laugh at the right moments, to play the part of the loving wife. But inwardly, I felt hollow, like I was living someone else’s life.

One evening, after a particularly draining gala, Aiden and I returned to the mansion in silence. As we entered the house, he turned to me, looking weary.

“You did well tonight,” he said, his voice soft. “Thank you for going along with this.”

I shrugged, not meeting his eyes. “I didn’t have much of a choice, did I?”

His face softened, and he seemed to hesitate before he spoke. “I know this isn’t what you wanted, Avery. If there was any other way…”

I looked at him, my frustration bubbling to the surface. “Is there, though? Because from where I stand, we’re both trapped in this arrangement, and there’s no way out.”

He sighed, leaning against the wall, his expression a mixture of exhaustion and regret. “You’re right. It does feel like a trap. But… maybe, just maybe, we can make this bearable for each other.”

His words, though well-meaning, only reminded me of the reality I couldn’t escape. The walls of this marriage were closing in, and I felt as though I were suffocating. But Aiden’s gaze held a hint of compassion, a silent promise that he wouldn’t make this harder than it had to be. And for that, I was grateful.

We spent the next few days preparing for the investor’s visit, rehearsing our roles and going over every detail with precision. The morning of his arrival, I woke up feeling tense, my nerves frayed as I dressed in a carefully chosen outfit that projected elegance and confidence.

Aiden met me in the foyer, his own expression reflecting the tension we both felt. “You ready?” he asked, offering me a reassuring smile.

“As ready as I’ll ever be,” I replied, taking a deep breath.