Chapter 5

• Ava’s POV
• Three weeks later,
• "Miss Ava, the Don has arrived," Cecille said, entering my room and lowering her head.
• I nodded and walked downstairs, then to the living room. He sat there, lost in thought, his forehead creased, legs slightly apart in a formal manner.
• "Don Moretti," I said. His mysterious, dark eyes met mine.
• He stood and sighed deeply. "Respect, honor, and unwavering obedience," he said.
• I frowned. I didn't know what he was talking about. If it was about the rigid code, I was already bound by his law.
• "-That's all I ask from you, Ava," he said coldly, matching his appearance.
• I don't like men controlling me, but this man was different. He was the Don, the boss of all bosses. I couldn't believe I had to bow my head to the Italian, the one who replaced the Romanovs leadership.
• "Your lawyer told me everything…" he said.
• I raised an eyebrow, struggling to conceal my irritation. The Pavlov family still grated on my nerves. I lost everything when I married into that family.
• "I already explained the consequences of your request. Did your mother ever tell you that the man you married would inherit everything you owned?"
• I shook my head. "She said nothing of the sort."
• "Then you have your answer."
• Caspian. That motherfucker. He planned all of this. Now, I feel like I'm nothing but the Romanov last name echoing in my head.
• I clenched both fists, and tears suddenly threatened to spill, but I wiped them away. I'm frustrated and devastated by everything.
• If my parents were alive, they'd be destroyed too because their legacy has been reduced to nothing. Their only daughter was left with an unbearable burden, heartbroken and betrayed by everyone. And now, I have no one to turn to for protection from this hell but the man I hate most.
• "It didn't matter. This house...it's everything I have."
• "That's where you're wrong, Ava. You are living in one of my properties."
• My breath caught in my throat. He was right. I'd left it all behind after I married Caspian, and now... here I am, "What am I supposed to do? I have nothing left," my voice broke.
• He looked at me, his expression unreadable. "You don't have to worry. I'm not going to take it from you."
• "What do you mean by that?" I said, stepping closer, my heart pounding.
• He slid a white folder across the table. "Your father's will," he said, his voice low. "He wanted me to give it to you when the time was right."
• I looked up, a question in my mind, "Why him of all people why my father trusted this man a lot?" Then I opened the folder and asked, "And about Caspian... he's got my mother's will, doesn't he? Because of the divorce."
• He nodded. "Yeah. Your mother put everything on that marriage, her whole fortune. She basically bet it all on you marrying him."
• I snapped the folder shut, the sound echoing in the sudden silence. Lifting my gaze, I met his. He'd been watching me, a steady, unsettling stare.
• "I don't understand," I managed, my voice tight. "Why did my father trust you with something that's rightfully mine?"
• "Because," he replied, his voice cold, "if I'd given it to you while you were still married, you know exactly what would have happened." He turned away, his back a rigid line. "Read every word of his last testament."
• I remained silent, the unspoken questions burning in my chest.
• He turned his head, his eyes locking onto mine. "I know you hate me. Because I'm the one leading the organization now, not a Romanov. And I see it in your eyes, the way you look at me."
• I bit my lip, hard, fighting the urge to speak.
• "But I am not your enemy, Ava. I’m a friend." Then, with that, he left me speechless.
• He was right, damn him. Still, I hated him. Hated him to the bone. All I wanted from him was his protection and nothing more.
• "Miss Ava! The invitation!" Cecille rushed over, breathless, thrusting a cream-colored envelope into my hands. Caspian and Erica. They had the nerve—the sheer audacity.
• I stared at the invitation, a wave of pure, unadulterated hatred washing over me. I swallowed, but my expression remained blank.
• "Everyone's saying we have to go," Cecille said, her voice tight. "Especially members of the Ironclad."
• I scoffed. "Tomorrow?" Were they sent this late on purpose or because the organization forced them?
• "Fine," I said, my voice flat. "We're going tomorrow."
• ****
• Pavlov’s Grand Wedding Ceremony
• Pavlov's garden was, as expected, over the top. I arrived at five, the late afternoon sun doing its dramatic thing, and the place was packed. Honestly, it felt a bit too much like my own wedding.
• Then he showed up—the Don. Everyone bowed, of course. And then he sits right next to me. Seriously? Of all seats…
• "So," he said, that sarcastic tone of his, "you actually came to your ex's wedding."
• I gave him a tight smile. "They invited me," I said like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
• Everyone's eyes were on me, of course, because I was sitting next to the Don. And those stares? Pure malice. Like, I'd just set the place on fire or something. Then, the groom. And then her. The bride. Perfect little traitors, the pair of them.
• Watching them kiss, get married... I felt absolutely nothing. Well, nothing good. Just this wave of disgust, like I was going to be sick.
• Once the ceremony ended, Erica and Caspian headed straight for the Don, all smiles. And when they saw me, standing next to him. Their smiles kind of dropped.
• "Congratulations," Fabio said, his voice flat.
• "Thanks, Don Moretti." Erica smiled.
• "Caspian, I have something to discuss with you for a minute." Fabio said then Caspian followed him.
• And they just left me with Erica. Great.
• "Congratulations," I said, sighing. Before I could turn away, she spoke up.
• "How are you doing, Ava?" she asked, her voice way too sweet.
• I turned to her, raising an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"
• Erica's smile was pure smug. "Oh, you know. Aren't you just dying inside that I married your ex-husband? I mean, you've lost everything, haven't you? Including him."
• I just looked at her, calm as anything.
• "Funny you should say that," I replied, my voice even. "Because you think I lost? I actually won." Then her arrogant grin slipped as I walked away.