Night.
Devid was standing in front of the wardrobe, methodically loosening his tie. The faint scent of his cologne lingered in the air cool and crisp, like his personality.
Ava sat on the edge of the bed, folding laundry with quiet care, each piece placed neatly in a stack.
Without looking directly at her, Devid spoke, his tone clipped.
Devid: "Tomorrow's a business party. Everyone's bringing their wives."
Ava's hands paused mid-fold. She turned her head slightly.
Ava: "Oh… alright."
He glanced at her then, eyes sharp and assessing, as if she'd already done something wrong.
Devid: "Wear something good."
Her brows furrowed faintly. "Good" in his vocabulary always meant "expensive, polished, perfect."
Devid: "Not your usual plain dresses. And don't embarrass me in front of them."
His words landed like a slap, not because they were loud, but because they were so effortlessly dismissive.
Ava looked down at the shirt in her hands, pressing her lips together.
Ava: "Okay."
He didn't respond. He reached over, switched off the lamp on his side of the bed, and lay down. The light from his phone screen illuminated his face in cold blue as he scrolled through messages, not sparing her another glance.
Ava turned her back to him, curling slightly under the blanket. She told herself she didn't care but the truth was, she did.
The Next Morning
By the time Ava came downstairs, David was already dressed in his tailored suit, every detail immaculate. He was checking something on his watch when he saw her approach. Without preamble, he handed her a sleek black garment bag.
Devid: "I had it delivered this morning. It matches the event theme."
She blinked at the unexpected gesture, her fingers brushing the soft material through the bag.
Ava: "You… bought this for me?"
He didn't answer her question directly. Instead, he picked up his briefcase, his voice firm.
Devid: "Be ready by six."
And with that, he left, leaving her standing with the dress, unsure if the faint warmth in her chest was hope or just wishful thinking.
(Evening Before the Party)
In the quiet of their room, Ava unzipped the bag carefully. The dress inside took her breath away black silk with a fitted waist, an elegant sweep to the skirt, a daring slit along the thigh, and a neckline lower than she'd ever worn before.
Her fingers hesitated over the fabric. It was bold, glamorous… nothing like her usual modest style. But he had chosen it. Maybe just maybe this was his way of showing he wanted her to be by his side, even if he'd never admit it.
She placed it neatly on the bed, promising herself she would wear it for him, even if it made her uncomfortable. After all, it was the first time he'd personally chosen something for her.
Humming softly to distract her nerves, she went to the bathroom to freshen up.
The moment the bathroom door clicked shut, Mrs. Maron appeared in the hallway, her eyes narrowing when she spotted the black dress laid out on the bed. She stepped into the room like it belonged to her which, in her mind, it did.
Her lips curled.
Mrs. Maron (muttering): "Not tonight, sweetheart. You don't get to shine next to my son."
With sharp, deliberate movements, she turned the dress over and began pulling at the fine stitching along the neckline and slit. Expensive silk gave way with soft snaps, the seams loosening into delicate, dangling threads. The slit now gaped higher than decency allowed, the neckline just low enough to look indecent rather than elegant.
Satisfied, she laid the dress back exactly as she'd found it and slipped out, her heels silent on the carpet.
When Ava stepped out, towel wrapped around her hair, she reached for the dress and froze.
The fabric was gaping, threads hanging loose like spider silk. Her stomach twisted.
Ava(whispering): "No… no, no… what happened?"
Her mind raced. She couldn't wear this not without looking cheap and inappropriate. But how would she explain it to Devid without sounding careless?
Panic bubbled up as she tore through her wardrobe, searching for something else. Most of her dresses were too plain, too casual for such an event. Finally, she pulled out a soft blue dress modest, fitted at the waist, but nowhere near the sophistication of the ruined black gown.
She smoothed it down, hoping it would at least look neat.
(Evening..)
The front door opened downstairs. Heavy, confident footsteps approached. Devid entered the bedroom, his eyes instantly landing on her. His gaze swept from head to toe, and his jaw tightened.
Devid: "What… are you wearing?"
Ava swallowed.
Ava: "I.. The dress.."
His voice cut through hers, cold and sharp.
Devid: "You can't follow one simple instruction?"
She flinched.
Ava: "I tried, but.."
Devid: "I told you to wear what I bought. But no, you pick something that'll make you stand out for all the wrong reasons."
Her chest ached.
Ava: "It's not what you think..."
Devid: "Save it." His tone was final, like the slam of a door. "Just don't embarrass me tonight."
Without waiting for her reply, he brushed past her, grabbing his watch from the dresser. She stood frozen, hands tightening on the fabric of her dress, her explanation dying in her throat..
From the doorway, unseen by him, Mrs. Maron's lips curved in quiet triumph.
(At the party)
The moment they stepped inside the grand hotel ballroom, Ava felt small.
Crystal chandeliers sparkled above, laughter and clinking glasses filled the air, and every guest seemed dressed like they'd walked out of a fashion magazine.
Her hand tightened on her small clutch, eyes flicking around nervously. She'd never been in a place like this.
Ava (softly): "It's… beautiful."
Devid glanced at her briefly, unreadable.
Devid: "Sit there."
He nodded toward a table tucked near the wall.
Devid: "I need to speak with my business partners. Don't wander around."
His tone was clipped, more like an order than a request. She gave a small nod, trying not to show the sting.
And he went towards his business partners.
Across the room, a tall, elegant woman watched them Sia, Mrs. Maron's best friend's daughter. Her eyes softened when they landed on Devid, then sharpened at the sight of Ava.
She made her way toward him, touching his arm lightly.
Sia: "Devid… it's been so long."
Devid: "Sia." His voice was polite but distant.
She tried to hold his gaze, a faint smile on her lips.
Sia: "You've been ignoring my calls."
Devid: "I've been busy."
The conversation died there. Devid excused himself, already spotting his associates.
(on the other side)
Ava sat quietly, smoothing the skirt of her modest dress. She could feel eyes on her some curious, some judgmental.
A familiar voice broke through the background noise.
James: "Ava?"
She looked up, relief blooming in her chest.
Ava: "James! I didn't know you'd be here."
He grinned, sliding into the seat beside her.
James: "Of course, business event. But wow, you look… different tonight. In a good way."
She chuckled softly, their conversation flowing easily. They laughed over an old memory, her earlier nervousness melting away.
From across the room, Sia's smile turned cold. She motioned to a waiter, leaning close to whisper.
Sia: "That woman over there the one in blue. Put this in her drink. Make sure it's the orange juice."
She slipped a small packet into his palm. The waiter hesitated, but a folded bill quickly changed his mind.
When the drinks arrived, James took a glass of wine, while Ava hesitated over the orange juice.
Ava: "I don't usually drink…"
James: "It's just juice. Come on, loosen up a little."
With a small smile, she lifted the glass. The first sip was sweet and harmless.
Twenty minutes later, Ava's smile began to fade. A strange heat spread through her, her skin prickling. She tugged at her neckline, trying to ignore it.
James: "Hey… you okay?"
Ava: "Yeah… I just… feel hot."
When she tried to stand, the room swayed. She stumbled, and james caught her arm immediately.
Ava: "My head… and..ah i..it hurts."
She doubled over slightly, her breathing uneven.
James: "Okay, come on. Let's get you to the washroom."
But halfway there, her knees buckled. Without thinking, he scooped her up bridal style.
Ava (weakly): "I… need to lie down…"
Spotting an unoccupied private lounge down the hall, James kicked the door open with his foot and carried her inside. He laid her gently on the sofa, brushing hair from her damp forehead.
Sia followed silently. The moment they were inside, she turned the key in the lock from the outside her lips curling in satisfaction.
She found Devid in the middle of a discussion with two executives. Her voice was casual, but her eyes gleamed.
Sia: "You're here… standing alone… while your wife is romancing with your friend."
Devid 's brow furrowed, though his tone was still level.
Devid: "What?"
Sia: "I saw her. With James. They went into a private room together."
The muscle in his jaw twitched.
Devid: "Don't play with me. I'm not someone who believes cheap gossip."
She tilted her head, feigning innocence.
Sia: "Then come see for yourself."
His voice dropped an octave, dangerous.
Devid: "If you're lying, I'll make sure you regret it.
They reached the door. Sia stepped aside as Devid turned the handle.
The sight inside froze him.
James was leaning over Ava on the sofa his jacket discarded, his hands braced on either side of her. Ava's eyes were half-lidded, her body limp beneath him.
Something hot and violent surged in Devid's chest. His vision tunneled, the edges burning red.
His voice was a low growl.
Devid: "What the hell is this?"