The second day after her recovery, the house was unusually calm.
Mrs. Maron had left for her mother's home, and Devid had to step out briefly for a meeting.
James stayed behind, claiming he needed "rest from city chaos" but truthfully, curiosity about Ava kept him intrigued.
And she surprised him.
Timid at first, Ava slowly warmed to him. Maybe it was the gentle way he spoke, or how he never raised his voice, or maybe the way he never looked at her with cold eyes.
She made tea.
They sat in the garden.
For the first time in years, she smiled. A real one. Not small or forced.
James laughed at one of her innocent stories. "You're too cute for this mansion of stone hearts."
She giggled softly, hiding her face.
"Did you ever smile like that with Devid?" he teased, only half-joking.
Her smile faded for a moment.
Then she looked away, murmuring, "He doesn't like when I talk too much."
James's chest tightened at her words.
But she quickly turned the conversation, asking about his travels, his art, his hobbies. And for the next half hour, they were just two people talking, laughing, sipping tea like old friends.
But they didn't notice…Devid.
He had returned.
And he was watching them.
His jaw clenched as her laughter rang out, soft and sweet, meant for someone else.
She never smiled like that at him.
She never opened up like that for him.
The mug in his hand shattered against the stone floor.
That night…
She walked into the bedroom, her fingers sore from cleaning up dinner despite James's protest. She thought Devid was asleep.
But he wasn't.
He was sitting on the edge of the bed, shirtless, dark eyes locked on her.
"Come here," he ordered.
Her breath hitched at his tone.
She stepped closer.
He grabbed her wrist not rough, but firm enough.
"You like talking to him?" he asked, voice cold.
Ava blinked. "H-He's your friend, I was just"
"Did I say you could smile like that for someone else?"
Her lips parted.
"I didn't know I needed permission to smile…"
That was the wrong answer.
His grip tightened, and he dragged her onto his lap, caging her with his arms.
"You don't," he whispered against her ear, "But now that I've seen that smile I want it only for me."
He kissed her. Hard. Hungry. Jealous.
She whimpered into the kiss, but he didn't stop. Instead, he laid her down and pressed his weight against her.
"You smiled at him," he growled. "Now pay for it."
That night… he didn't let her go.
He claimed her body again and again.
And each time, her voice grew shakier, her pleas softer.
But at the end. His touch slowed.
Gentled.
His forehead pressed against hers as he whispered hoarsely, "Don't ever smile at someone else like that again… I want it only for me."
(Time skips to the next day)
The morning sunlight poured gently into the bedroom. Ava stirred beneath the soft sheets, soreness blooming in her body from the night before. But more than the ache it was his words echoing in her mind.
"Don't ever smile at someone else like that again... I want it only for me."
He wasn't in bed.
She sat up slowly, brushing her hair behind her ears. As she walked out, she found him standing in the living room, sipping his coffee in silence. His tie was half-done, his hair tousled. He looked like a man fighting something inside himself.
She didn't know what to say.
James had already left to his apartment he'd said goodbye with a warm smile and a half-joking, "Don't forget to smile, sunshine."
Now, the house was quiet again.
She stepped toward Devid, nervously holding her hands together. "Can I… ask something?"
His eyes flickered to her. She rarely asked anything. That alone caught his attention.
He set his mug down, watching her silently. "What is it?"
"I-I want to go out," she whispered. "Just… outside. Maybe for a walk. Or coffee. Somewhere that's not the walls of this house."
He stared at her.Not with anger.
Not with coldness.
But confusion. Then something else something softer.
She wasn't asking for jewelry. She wasn't asking for luxuries.
She just wanted to breathe.
A simple request from a girl who had spent most of her life locked in loneliness.
And it did something strange to him.
Something warm.Almost painful.
He turned away slightly, muttering,
"I have meetings…"
Her smile fell just a little, though she nodded obediently. "I understand."
But the image of her hopeful face how it dimmed like that burned in his mind.
He cursed under his breath.
Ten seconds later, he walked back toward her and gripped her wrist gently. She looked up in surprise.
"Go get ready," he said. "We're going out."
Her eyes widened. "R-Really?"
His jaw ticked as he tried to look unaffected. "Don't make me change my mind."
Her lips curved slowly. "Okay…"
And for the first time…He realized something. He liked seeing that smile.
When it was for him.