Chapter 2 - The Man Who Knew Victoria's Secret
The man walked slowly through the ballroom.
Nobody spoke.
Nobody breathed.
Because everyone knew his face.
Damian Cross.
The billionaire businessman who had spent the last five years destroying Sterling Financial from the outside.
The man Victoria Sterling called "the enemy."
Liam stared at him.
"What are you doing here?"
Damian ignored him.
His eyes went straight to Avery.
"I'm sorry it took me this long."
Avery's face turned pale.
"Damian..."
The guests immediately reacted.
They heard the way she said his name.
Like they knew each other.
Victoria smiled.
"There it is."
She turned toward the crowd.
"You see?"
Her voice became louder.
"She knows him."
Liam looked between them.
"Avery?"
Avery felt trapped.
She had imagined this moment many times.
But never like this.
Not with her baby in her arms.
Not with everyone watching.
"Let me explain."
Victoria laughed.
"Explain what?"
She pointed at Damian.
"That you secretly met with my family's enemy?"
Damian stepped forward.
"Enough."
Victoria's eyes narrowed.
"You don't get to speak in my house."
Damian smiled coldly.
"Actually, Victoria, I know this house better than you think."
A strange silence followed.
Liam noticed.
"What does that mean?"
Damian looked at him.
"It means your mother has been hiding things from you for years."
Victoria's expression changed.
Only for a second.
But Avery noticed.
She knew that look.
Fear.
"Get out," Victoria ordered.
Damian didn't move.
"Twenty-five years ago, your father made a deal."
Liam froze.
"What deal?"
Victoria immediately interrupted.
"This is nonsense."
Damian continued.
"A deal that destroyed my family."
The guests watched silently.
Avery looked at Liam.
She could see the confusion growing.
The same confusion she had carried for years.
Because Victoria wasn't just cruel.
She was hiding something.
And Avery knew exactly what.
Three years earlier...
After Avery married Liam, she believed things would get better.
She was wrong.
Victoria controlled everything.
The house.
The staff.
The family events.
Even the way Avery dressed.
"That color is embarrassing."
Victoria looked at Avery's dress.
Avery forced a smile.
"It's just a dinner."
"No. It's a Sterling dinner."
The words were always the same.
You are not one of us.
One night, Avery finally broke.
"Why do you hate me?"
Victoria looked surprised.
"Hate?"
"Yes."
Victoria walked closer.
"I don't hate you, Avery."
"Then what?"
"I pity you."
Avery's eyes filled with anger.
"For what?"
"For believing Liam's love is enough to protect you."
That sentence stayed with Avery.
Because deep down...
She knew Victoria was right about one thing.
Love couldn't fix everything.
Back in the ballroom, Damian reached into his jacket.
He pulled out a folder.
"I brought proof."
Victoria's face changed.
"Liam, don't listen to him."
But Liam took the folder.
Slowly.
Carefully.
He opened it.
The first page made his expression change.
Then the second.
Then the third.
"What is this?"
Victoria said nothing.
Liam looked at his mother.
"Mom..."
His voice shook.
"Did you know about this?"
Victoria remained silent.
And that silence answered everything.
Avery watched as Liam turned another page.
Then suddenly...
He dropped the folder.
Because inside was a document with a signature he recognized.
May you like
His father's signature.
And a secret that had been hidden for twenty years.
