Chapter 3: The Performance
The rest of the gala passed in a haze of forced politeness.
Ava stayed by Adrian’s side as he accepted congratulations from donors and fellow doctors. She laughed at the right moments. She answered questions about their upcoming wedding. She played the part of the perfect fiancée so well that even she almost believed it.
But she could feel Ethan’s presence everywhere.
He moved through the crowd with quiet purpose, always staying within sight. Every time Adrian’s hand lingered too long on her waist or his voice took on that sharp edge, Ethan’s eyes would find hers. It was subtle. No one else would have noticed.
But Ava noticed.
And so did Adrian.
During a brief moment when Adrian stepped away to speak with a donor, Ethan appeared beside her.
“Are you okay?” he asked quietly, without looking at her.
“I’m fine,” Ava answered, keeping her smile in place for anyone watching.
“You’re not.”
She took a small sip of champagne to hide her expression.
“Mr. Carter, please. Not here.”
Ethan’s voice dropped even lower.
“I’m not going to stand by and watch him put his hands on you all night.”
Ava’s heart pounded.
“If you do anything now, it will only make things worse for me later.”
Ethan was quiet for a moment.
Then he said, “Come to my office tomorrow morning. First thing. We need to talk.”
Before she could answer, Adrian returned.
He looked between them with narrowed eyes.
“Everything alright here?” he asked, his tone light but his eyes cold.
Ethan gave him a polite, professional smile.
“Everything’s fine, Doctor. I was just thanking Ava for her excellent work tonight.”
Adrian didn’t look convinced, but he couldn’t say anything in front of so many important people.
The rest of the evening dragged on.
By the time the gala finally began to wind down, Ava felt exhausted down to her bones. Her bruises ached beneath her clothes. Her face hurt from smiling.
Adrian wrapped an arm around her shoulders as they prepared to leave.
“Let’s go home,” he said. “I’m tired.”
Ava’s stomach dropped.
She didn’t want to go home with him. Not tonight. Not after everything that had happened.
But before she could think of an excuse, Ethan appeared beside them.
“Dr. Vaughn,” he said smoothly. “I was hoping to borrow Ava for a few minutes. There are some urgent matters regarding tomorrow’s schedule I need to discuss with her before she leaves.”
Adrian’s smile tightened.
“Surely that can wait until morning?”
“I’m afraid it can’t,” Ethan replied, his voice calm but firm. “It won’t take long.”
Adrian looked like he wanted to argue, but too many important people were watching. He couldn’t afford to look difficult.
He leaned down and kissed Ava’s cheek, his fingers pressing just a little too hard into her arm.
“Don’t be long,” he murmured.
Then he walked away.
Ava stood there, heart racing, as Ethan gently placed a hand on her lower back and guided her toward the private elevator.
Neither of them spoke until the doors closed.
Only then did Ethan turn to her.
“You’re not going home with him tonight,” he said quietly.
Ava looked up at him.
“Ethan…”
“You’re coming with me,” he said. “To my penthouse. You’ll be safe there.”
She should have argued. She should have told him this was a bad idea.
But for the first time in months, Ava felt something she hadn’t felt in a very long time.
Safe.
May you like
So instead of refusing, she simply nodded.
“Okay.”
