Chapter 2

The next morning, Mom was beaming. "Ava, darling, come meet Chloe Van Doren," she said, gesturing to a young woman standing beside Ethan in the foyer. Chloe was stylish, beautiful, and radiated wealth. She smiled at me, a bright, practiced smile. "So nice to finally meet you, Ava. Ethan talks about his little sister all the time." "Little sister," I echoed internally. In the kitchen, as I was getting a glass of water, Ethan cornered me. He leaned in, trying to kiss me. I turned my head. "Chloe is just a childhood friend," he murmured, his breath warm against my ear. "My father’s been pressuring me to settle down, find a suitable wife. Chloe plays the part well. It’s nothing, Ava." I looked at him, my face blank. "Okay." He frowned, surprised. Usually, any hint of another woman would send me into a jealous fit. My indifference seemed to unsettle him. "Ava?" "Breakfast is ready," I said, sidestepping him. At the table, Ethan and Chloe were the picture of a happy couple. He laughed at her jokes, his arm casually draped over the back of her chair. Chloe picked up a piece of fruit from her plate, took a bite, then offered the rest to Ethan. He ate it from her fingers, his eyes briefly flicking to me. I felt nothing. I simply excused myself. "I have an early appointment." "Oh, where are you going, dear?" Mom asked. "Just an errand for my NYC trip," I said vaguely. "Well, you should join us on our date later, Ava," Chloe said sweetly, her eyes glinting. "We’re going to the new art exhibit." "That’s a lovely idea," Mr. Davenport said. "Ethan, it's raining quite heavily. You should drive Ava to her appointment first." I tensed. If Ethan drove me, he’d know I was going to the visa office. My escape was becoming more complicated. "Of course, Father," Ethan said, his smile not quite reaching his eyes. In the car, Ethan drove, with Chloe in the passenger seat. I sat in the back, the silence thick. After a few minutes, Chloe turned slightly, her voice a conspiratorial whisper meant only for me. "He’s quite something, isn't he?" she said, her eyes flicking towards Ethan, then back to me, sharp and knowing. "I know all about you two, you know. This little charade he plays with you." My heart pounded, but I kept my face impassive. "It’s cute," she continued, a smirk playing on her lips. "But you don’t really think you have a future, do you? He’s a Davenport. He needs someone… suitable. Someone like me. I can have him whenever I want, Ava. Don't ever forget that."