The evening was quiet—too quiet.
Ava sat curled on the couch, Liam asleep in his room, the soft hum of the city muffled behind glass. Ethan had just finished washing the dishes, his sleeves rolled up, hands still damp. It felt strangely domestic. Dangerous, even—because it felt good.
He walked over, eyes locked on her. "You're quiet tonight."
She looked up, lips twitching into a small smile. "I'm not used to this… peace."
Ethan sat beside her. "Maybe it's time we change what you're used to."
His fingers brushed hers. She didn't pull away.
"Do you think," she asked softly, "it's really possible? To rebuild after everything?"
He didn't answer with words—just leaned forward, pressing his lips to her knuckles. Tender. Deliberate. "I don't want to pretend anymore, Ava. I want to fix what I broke."
For a moment, she let herself believe it was possible.
But that moment didn't last.
---
Cole Dynamics – The Next Day
The elevator ride was suffocating. Claudia stood poised, flawless in a dark tailored coat, her assistant trailing behind with a file clutched tight to her chest.
"Is it ready?" Claudia asked without looking.
"Yes, ma'am. Everything you requested."
"Good."
She walked into the executive suite like a queen reclaiming her throne. Victoria was already seated, pale but collected. The wounds of her humiliation had faded, replaced with something more dangerous: alliance.
Claudia dropped the file on Ethan's desk. "It's time to end this farce."
Victoria opened the folder. Her eyes widened. "You're using that?"
Claudia's voice was a blade. "If Ava wants to stand in our world, then she'll learn the cost."
---
Ava's Office – Moments Later
She was going over quarterly numbers when the knock came. Ethan entered first, but his expression had shifted—less warmth, more storm.
Behind him, Claudia followed.
Ava stood, spine straight. "Mrs. Cole."
Claudia smiled with no kindness. "Miss Bennett. I thought we should talk."
"I didn't think there was anything left to say."
"Oh, but there is." Claudia set the folder down on Ava's desk. "You might want to read it before you decide how far you're willing to fall."
Ava opened it slowly—hands steady, breath shallow. Her eyes scanned the contents: surveillance photos… financial reports... legal jargon...
And then her name—linked to her past. A sealed record.
Ava went cold. "You went digging."
"I don't dig," Claudia said. "I destroy."
Ethan moved to stand beside Ava, jaw tight. "You had no right—"
Claudia cut him off. "I have every right to protect this family. If she stays, if this… charade continues, I'll make sure everything about her becomes public record. Including the things you never knew, Ethan."
Ava's voice was ice. "You're threatening me in front of your son."
"I'm warning you," Claudia said, eyes gleaming. "Stay in your lane, Ava. Or I'll ruin more than your reputation. I'll ruin his name along with yours."
Victoria watched from the corner, silent satisfaction in her smirk.
Ava closed the folder and slid it back. "You think this scares me?"
Claudia leaned in. "I think it should."
Ava stepped forward, the click of her heels slicing through the tension. Her eyes never left Claudia's as she extended her hand.
"If you think this is going to scare me… you haven't been paying attention."
Claudia hesitated, then held out the folder like a dare.
Ava took it—calmly, deliberately—and tucked it under her arm.
"I've lived through worse than your secrets. And I'm still standing."
She turned without waiting for a response, her chin high as she walked out of the room—folder in hand, power in her step
The elevator doors shut behind her with a soft chime, but the storm inside Ava raged loud and fierce. The folder sat against her chest like a pulse, a heartbeat of everything Claudia never wanted her to see.
She didn't open it.
Not yet.
Instead, she stood in the glass-paneled lift, watching the city blur beneath her feet as she descended from Claudia's lair. Every floor she passed was another memory—of humiliation, of being watched, doubted, dismissed.
But this time… Ava wasn't spiraling.
She was ascending.
---
Ava's Apartment – Later That Night
The folder lay unopened on her coffee table, daring her to break the seal.
Liam was asleep. Ethan was pacing the living room with a tension he couldn't quite mask.
"What did she give you?" he asked, voice tight.
Ava didn't look up. "A choice."
Ethan froze. "Ava…"
"She thinks I'll run scared. That I'll crawl away quietly if she shows me enough shadows from your past." Ava finally looked at him, her eyes unreadable. "But I'm done reacting. I'm done playing her game."
Ethan slowly crossed the room and sat beside her. "Then let me play it with you."
She stared at the folder. "She's hiding something, Ethan. And it's not just about us. It's deeper. More personal. Whatever's in here… it's meant to sever, not warn."
He reached for her hand. "Then let's read it. Together."
Ava hesitated—then opened the folder.
What spilled out wasn't a single document. It was dozens. Photos. Confidential reports. Bank transactions. And—at the very bottom—a birth certificate.
But not Liam's.
Ava's breath caught.
She picked it up, hands trembling. Ethan's eyes widened as he read over her shoulder.
"What the hell…"
Mother: Annabelle Westbrook.
Father: Redacted.
Child: Ava Westbrook.
Date: Altered.
The date was scratched and retyped. Faint traces of another year showed through.
Ava whispered, "That's not my birthday…"
And suddenly, everything tilted.
---
Cut to: Claudia's Private Study
Claudia poured herself a glass of wine, her lips curling into something between pride and wariness. A knock tapped at the door.
Victoria entered.
"She took the folder."
Claudia nodded. "Good."
Victoria crossed her arms. "And if she doesn't crumble?"
Claudia sipped. "Then
she'll dig. And when she does… the truth will do what lies never could."