The Quiet Fury

Ava’s POV

The car ride back to the estate was tense, but definitely not for Orion.

I sat back in the leather seat, my head tilted slightly as I gazed out the window. Orion sat rigid beside me, his jaw clenched as if he were waiting for me to explode, his hand resting tentatively on my thighs.

The handcuffs still bound us, and when the chain tugged with his slightest movement, he smirked. He expected me to fume, to lash out, but I wasn’t giving him that satisfaction.

I had agreed, even signed the damn papers just to get out of this absurd situation. But my dear husband left the keys at home. How convenient!

I needed to put a distance between us. The closer I am to him, the more I crave him, and the more I fall into a reality I swore never to be in with him.

How did I forget so easily that he poisoned Holly? That he arranged for me to be kidnapped? And what about Peter? How could my body betray me with these needs that I couldn’t refuse him?

Just thinking about how good his hand felt on my thigh, like it belonged there, made me ache in places that had me biting my lips subtly. I need a distraction. I need to get him off me. Anger. Yes.

“Remember you agreed to take these off once we get home,” I said coolly, my voice cutting through the silence like a blade. “I hate being this close to you.”

When he didn’t respond, I turned my head slightly, my lips curving into a taunting smile. “Or do you need them to feel in control? Like you truly own me?”

His hand flexed, but he didn’t look at me. Coward. What is going through his mind right now?

As the estate gates opened and the mansion came into view, a flicker of unease crossed his face. I, on the other hand, rolled my shoulders back, ready for whatever or whoever was waiting inside.

The moment we stepped through the front doors, a sharp voice sliced through the air.

“Orion!”

I turned my head, amused as Pricilla Miller, dressed in her perfectly tailored suit, descended the grand staircase with the air of a queen surveying her kingdom. Her sharp eyes landed on me first, then the cuffs.

Except it was my kingdom this time.

Her lips pursed with the kind of disapproval that only years of power and privilege could perfect.

“Good evening, Pricilla,” I said smoothly, already amused at the drama that was about to unfold.

Her eyes narrowed. “You will address me as Mrs. Miller.”

“Of course,” I replied with a mocking smile, “if that makes you feel important.”

Orion tensed beside me, but I didn’t care. I wasn’t about to play nice.

Mrs Miller’s eyes darted to her son, her expression cold. “What is the meaning of this? Why did you let this bitch parade you around the office like a criminal? Have you completely lost your mind?”

“It’s not Ava’s fault, mother. I cuffed her so she doesn’t leave,” he replied flatly.

“Have you lost your goddamn mind? What snare did she use on you?” Mrs Miller spat, her eyes boring holes into my face.

Orion opened his mouth to respond, but I beat him to it.

“Don’t blame him, Mrs. Miller. If you’re going to be upset, let it be with me. I let him think he could control me,” I said with a shrug. “That’s on me.”

Pricilla blinked, clearly not expecting my directness. She recovered quickly, her lips curling into a sneer. “You think this is amusing? You’ve made my only son a laughingstock.”

“And yet, here I stand, completely unbothered.” I stepped forward, my voice calm but laced with steel. “Let me save you the trouble, Mrs Miller. If you’re looking for someone to blame, point that finger elsewhere. I don’t answer to you.”

Her eyes flared with anger. “You will not disrespect me at my son’s home.”

“This isn’t me being disrespectful, ma’am. It’s me not caring enough to pretend for your sake. Oh and it’s my home, my mansion. Not your son’s.”

Orion shot me a warning look, but I ignored him. I wasn’t about to shrink under her scrutiny, nor would I let her make me feel small.

“You’ve certainly found yourself a bold charm,” Mrs Pricilla said, her voice icy as she turned to Orion. “But boldness doesn’t equate to value. She’s a liability, Orion, and I won’t stand by while she drags this family down.”

“Dragging this family down? Please. The Millers have been doing that just fine without me. I’m not here to fix your family’s reputation, Mrs. Miller. I’m here because Richard chose me. Don’t mistake my presence for desperation,” I said firmly, not ready to back down.

Pricilla’s lips thinned, her face flushed with anger. She turned to Orion, her voice rising. “You’ve lost all sense! Look at what she’s made you do. Handcuffs? Public humiliation? Is this the legacy you want to leave behind? The very one you want to rebuild?”

“Enough, Mother,” Orion said firmly, but I stepped forward before he could take over.

“Don’t bother defending me, Orion. I can take care of myself.” I turned to her, my gaze unwavering. “You’ve had your say, Mrs. Miller, but here’s the reality—you don’t intimidate me. I don’t care about your reputation, your money, or your opinion. And because of this little drama you displayed, I’m determined to stay at all costs and there’s nothing you can do about it.”

Her eyes narrowed to slits, her tone biting. “Women like you always think they’re untouchable until they’re not.”

I took a step closer, daring her to make her move. “You don’t scare me, Pricilla. If you want a war, I’m more than capable of holding my ground. But let me warn you—attacking me will only make you look weaker. So, go ahead. Take your best shot.”

The tension in the room was electric. Orion stood frozen, his mother’s fury rising as she struggled to regain control of the situation.

Margaret finally straightened, her expression icy. “You’ve made a mistake underestimating me, Ava.”

“Funny,” I said with a smirk. “I was about to say the same to you.”

She turned sharply, leaving the room with her heels clicking against the marble floor.

When the door shut as we got into the east wing, I turned to Orion, my gaze sharp. “Take these cuffs off, or so help me, I’ll find a way to make you regret it.”

He hesitated, but the resolve in my eyes made him move. As soon as the handcuffs were gone, I rubbed my wrists, taking a step back from him.

“This has to stop, Orion,” I said firmly. “You don’t own me, and you sure as hell can’t control me. If you think chaining me to you will solve anything, you’re dead wrong.”

His jaw tightened. “I’m trying to protect you.”

I laughed, the sound bitter. “Protect me? You’re suffocating me, Orion. You heard your mother. Seems like you’re lost your goddamn mind after all. Just go back to your mistress and leave me the hell alone!”

Orion moved so fast, I barely registered it. His hand shot out, gripping my chin firmly, his face inches from mine. His voice dropped to a low, dangerous growl, sending a shiver down my spine.

“Never, Ava,” he said, his eyes dark and unrelenting. “There’s one thing you should know about me. When I bite, I don’t let go. And now, you’ve become my obsession.”

I froze, heart pounding, as his lips brushed my ear. “You can run, Ava, but you’ll never escape me.”