PERFECT LIE

Ava didn't speak for the rest of the drive. Three words kept repeating in her mind. They're after you. Not Ethan; Not the billionaire whose face appeared in newspapers and whose enemies could afford black SUVs and masked men.

Her. A woman who had spent the last three months worrying about overdue bills and whether she would have a place to sleep next week. It made no sense. And that terrified her more than the attack itself. The car finally passed through a pair of enormous black gates; Ava looked up.

The mansion beyond them looked less like a home and more like a private palace: towering stone walls and endless glass windows reflecting the moonlight. Perfectly trimmed gardens stretching across acres of land.

Security guards stood at every entrance; cameras watched every corner. It was beautiful, and somehow, it felt like a prison. We're here," Ethan said quietly. Ava turned toward him; she was still angry. And still afraid.

But seeing the exhaustion behind his usually controlled expression made her hesitate. For the first time, she realized something. Ethan wasn't scared for himself. He was scared for her."How long have you known?" she asked. His jaw tightened. Known what?"

"That I was in danger."A silence stretched between them. Too long.Ethan."Long enough."Her heart dropped. You knew before you ever called me."

"Yes."Honesty hurts more than a lie. You offered me two million dollars because you needed a fake girlfriend?"Partly."

"Partly?"There were other reasons."

"Such as?"He looked away. I can't tell you yet."

Her anger returned instantly. You can't tell me yet?"It's not that simple."That's exactly what people say when they're hiding something."

His eyes met hers. Would you rather I lied to you?"

The question stole her answer.

No. She hated how much she respected his honesty, even when she hated the truth. Ethan opened the car door. Come inside. You're exhausted."I'm not staying."

"Yes, you are."The confidence in his voice irritated her. You don't get to decide that."

"No," he said calmly. "The people who tried to kill you decided it."The words struck harder than she expected. Ava looked away because she knew he was right.

For now, only for now. She stepped out of the car.

The mansion was even more intimidating up close.

A woman dressed in an elegant black uniform greeted them at the entrance. Good evening, Mr. Blackwood."Clara, this is Ava Morgan."

The woman smiled kindly. Welcome, Miss Morgan."

Ava gave a small nod. She wasn't sure what was stranger. The fact that she was standing in a billionaire's mansion or the fact that she had become his responsibility overnight.

Ethan led her through endless halls decorated with priceless paintings and grand chandeliers.

"You live here alone?"Mostly."Mostly?"

"My staff live in separate quarters."And your family?"A shadow crossed his face. I don't have one."The answer was simple, too simple.

But the pain behind it was impossible to miss. Ava's anger softened. I'm sorry."His eyes lifted to hers. For a second, the cold billionaire disappeared. A lonely man stood in his place.

"Don't be," he said softly.

The way he looked at her made her chest tighten.

She immediately looked away. Dangerous. That was what this was. A dangerous attraction to a man she barely knew-a man with secrets, A man who had brought chaos into her life.

So why did her heart race every time he came close? They reached a large bedroom. The room was bigger than Ava's entire apartment. A fireplace burned gently. A balcony overlooked the gardens.

A king-sized bed sat in the center. Ava turned slowly.

"This is a bedroom for ten people."A small smile appeared on Ethan's face. It's not, "It should be."

For the first time that night, he laughed.

A real laugh. Deep and warm, the sound caught her off guard. She stared at him. What?"

"You should do that more often."His smile faded.

His gaze remained on her. Do what?"Smile.

The atmosphere changed instantly. The space between them suddenly felt much smaller, and Ava became aware of everything. The rain was still falling outside. His scent, the warmth in his eyes, and the way he was looking at her. Not as an employee.

Not as a stranger, as a woman.

Her breath caught.Ethan."Yes?"She should step away. She should remember the danger, the lies,

The secrets. Instead, she whispered-"Why did you choose me?"His expression darkened.

"Because from the moment I found you, I couldn't stop thinking about you."Her heartbeat stumbled.

Found you, not met. Found.

Another mystery. Another question, but before she could ask what he meant, he stepped closer. Too close. You're afraid of me."She swallowed. "Maybe."

"You should be."The honesty sent a shiver through her. Then his hand slowly lifted. He touched a strand of hair near her face. A simple touch

But it felt more intimate than anything she had experienced. You should also know something, Ava."

"What?"I would never hurt you."The words were quiet. A promise. And somehow, she believed him.

That was the most dangerous part. She trusted him. She shouldn't, but she did. Her eyes dropped to his lips. A mistake because he noticed. Of course he noticed.

Ethan Blackwood noticed everything. His voice became softer. Tell me to stop."She wanted to.

She really did. Instead, she whispered-"I can't."

That was all it took. He closed the distance between them. His lips touched hers gently.

Nothing as she expected not cold, not controlling,

Careful as if he was afraid she would disappear.

Ava kissed him back before she could think.

Before she could remember every reason she shouldn't, the kiss deepened with all the fear and tension of the night.

A reminder that they had escaped death together.

That somehow, in the middle of fear, they had found each other. When they finally separated, they were both breathing heavily. Ethan rested his forehead against hers. This changes everything."

"No," she whispered. It changes nothing."A faint smile appeared. You're lying."

She hated that he was right. Before she could answer, a distant sound echoed through the hallway: a metallic click, a door closing. Ava pulled away. What was that?"Ethan immediately stepped back. His entire expression changed. Cold and alert.

The billionaire was back.Nothing."She frowned.

"That didn't sound like nothing."It's late. Get some sleep."Ethan." "Goodnight, Ava."He turned and walked away. Too quickly and too suddenly, which made her suspicious. Ava waited until his footsteps disappeared. Then she opened her bedroom door.

The hallway was silent. Curiosity pulled her forward. She followed the direction of the sound.

Past the guest rooms, past the library, past a hallway she hadn't noticed before. The lights there were dim. The air was colder. At the end of the corridor stood a massive black door. Unlike every other door in the mansion, this one had a biometric lock, a keypad, and a heavy metal handle.

A small sign was attached beside it. PRIVATE WING - NO ENTRY. Ava's pulse quickened.

She reached out. Her fingers brushed the cold metal. What's behind this door?"

"Something you were never supposed to find."

Ava gasped. Ethan's voice came from behind her.

Cold and emotionless. And for the first time since their kiss...she was afraid of him.