The morning sun rose over Cross Tower, spilling gold across glass and steel—but inside, the air felt colder than ever.
Ava woke to the sound of her phone buzzing again. Another article. Another headline.
"The Ice Marriage: Damien Cross's Bride Missing from Morning Briefing."
She groaned and tossed the phone aside. It hadn't even been a week, and already, the media was feeding on her like sharks in bloodied water.
Her new life was measured in staged smiles and silence. Breakfasts prepared for two, but eaten alone. A wedding band that weighed heavier than chains.
Until that morning—when a small brown envelope slipped under her door changed everything.
The Envelope
There was no name, no return address. Only a wax seal—a faded crest she didn't recognize. Inside was a single flash drive and a folded note.
"For the truth you were never meant to see."
Ava stared at it, heart pounding.Truth?
She hesitated, then plugged the flash drive into her laptop. A folder appeared instantly: Sinclair—Cross Deal, 2017.
Inside were scanned contracts, company memos, and a payment record with a familiar signature—Victoria Hale.
Her pulse jumped. Why would Damien's legal counsel be involved in her father's downfall?
One document made her breath catch:Authorization for Confidential Asset Transfer. Signed: Damien Cross. Co-Signed: Richard Sinclair.
Her father's name. Damien's name.Both on the paper that destroyed everything.
Ava's mind spun. Did Damien know? Or had someone forged it?
Before she could think further, a voice came from the doorway."What are you doing?"
Caught
Damien stood there, hair still damp from the shower, his shirt unbuttoned at the collar. He looked like sin wrapped in control—and danger.
Ava slammed the laptop shut. "Nothing."
He frowned. "You're lying."
She straightened her shoulders. "Maybe I learned from the best."
His jaw tightened. "You're testing my patience."
"Then maybe stop giving me reasons to."
They locked eyes—two storms colliding.
Finally, Damien crossed the room, grabbed the laptop, and opened it. The file was still there, glowing like a loaded gun. His expression darkened."Where did you get this?"
"It was sent to me," she said. "And it proves that whatever you think my father did—you're wrong."
His voice dropped, low and dangerous. "Be very careful, Ava. You don't know what you're talking about."
"I know enough to see that you're not just avenging your family," she shot back. "You're protecting someone. Maybe Victoria?"
He froze. For the first time, Damien didn't have an answer.
The Rift
He shut the laptop, handed it back to her, and turned away. "Delete it."
"No."
He spun back. "You signed a contract, Ava."
"Not one that said I'd be your blind puppet."
For a long moment, neither spoke. Then, quietly, he said, "You think you want the truth. But when you find it… you'll wish you hadn't."
She lifted her chin. "Try me."
He exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "You really don't know when to quit."
"Maybe I'm finally learning from you," she said. "You never quit either."
Something in his eyes softened—too brief to be real. "Then maybe that's why one of us will get destroyed."
He left before she could respond, leaving the door half open and the air heavy with things unsaid.
Later — The Secret File
That night, Ava couldn't sleep. She waited until Damien's office lights went off, then slipped into his study.The room smelled like cedar and whiskey—his scent everywhere.
She turned on his computer, searched his drives, and found a hidden folder marked R.S. Case Archive.Her father's initials.
Inside, more documents appeared—emails, reports, and a letter from Damien's late mother. Ava's eyes scanned quickly until a line froze her blood.
"Richard was not responsible for the collapse. The deal was sabotaged internally. Please forgive him before it's too late."
Ava's breath caught.His mother had known. Damien had built his entire revenge on a lie.
A floorboard creaked behind her.
"Ava."
His voice was quiet. Lethal.
She turned slowly. Damien stood in the doorway, eyes shadowed, betrayal flickering across his face.
"You broke into my office."
"You've been living in one," she shot back. "Every room in this marriage is a cage."
He stepped closer, anger and confusion mixing in his gaze. "You shouldn't have seen that."
"Then maybe you shouldn't have hidden it."
For a heartbeat, neither moved. Then he whispered, almost broken,"If that letter is real… then everything I've done…"
Ava's voice softened. "Can still be undone, Damien. But not if you keep treating everyone like an enemy."
He looked at her, eyes burning. "You have no idea what I've sacrificed."
She met his gaze steadily. "Then let me."
He turned away before she could see the emotion flicker behind his mask.The man who built his empire on revenge was finally facing the one truth he couldn't control—her.
End of Chapter Five