Chapter 35

Chapter 35
Avah's pov
The moment Selene's icy blue eyes landed on me, I felt it. A calculated, assessing gaze that stripped me bare. Layer by layer, as if I were nothing more than an object under inspection. She wasn't just looking at me. She was studying me, searching for weaknesses, cataloging my every detail.
Then she moved, her platinum blonde hair swaying behind her as she walked with the kind of confidence that came from knowing she was untouchable. Her heels clicked sharply against the floor, each step deliberate and predatory. She was close now...too close. When she finally stopped in front of me, I realized with irritation that she was taller.
Her chin tilted down ever so slightly as she stared at me, amusement flickering in her eyes. I suddenly became acutely aware of our differences. She was like a carefully crafted sculpture, elegant, poised, and carrying the kind of arrogance that came with old money. I, on the other hand, felt like a rabbit under the gaze of a wolf.
I straightened my spine and met her stare head-on. "Can I help you?"
"Not really." Her voice was smooth, almost playful. "So you must be Avah. Roman's new wife."
She said it so casually, as if tasting the words on her tongue, as if they were foreign to her, an offense she had to acknowledge. Then, without warning, she began circling me.
Slow. Methodical. Like she was inspecting every inch of me.
I refused to turn, but I could feel her behind me, and my skin crawled under the weight of her gaze.
"And you are?" I asked, feigning ignorance.
She laughed. A small, amused sound, like I had just told a joke only she understood.
"Selene," she said, stopping beside me again. "Haven't you heard of me?"
There was a challenge in her tone.
"No," I answered, tilting my head. "I would have remembered if someone mentioned you."
Her expression flickered for the briefest second before she let out a dramatic scoff, as if my response was beneath her. She moved toward the seating area and sank gracefully into a chair, crossing her legs like she owned the place.
"If you didn't know me before, that's fine." She waved a perfectly manicured hand, inspecting her nails as though I was nothing more than an afterthought. "But you know me now."
I clenched my jaw. I didn't like the way she spoke or the way she carried herself. It wasn't just arrogance; it was possession. She believed she had a right to something or someone.
I crossed my arms. "So, why are you in my store?"
She took her time before responding, still focusing on her nails. Then, without looking at me, she said, "I just wanted to meet you."
The casual way she said it didn't fool me. There was something sinister beneath her words, something dangerous.
"And let you know that I'll get him back."
For a moment, the words didn't fully register.
My stomach dropped.
I blinked. "Get who back?"
Selene's lips curled into a slow, knowing smile.
"I will destroy you."
A chill ran down my spine.
She didn't raise her voice. She didn't need to. The way she said it, with absolute certainty, with the same ease one would use to state a simple fact, made my blood turn cold.
My fingers curled into fists at my sides. I had never met someone who could make me feel so... uneasy. So threatened without even lifting a finger.
Selene pushed herself up from the chair, brushing an invisible speck of dust from her designer dress. "Cassandra, just buy anything. I'll be leaving now."
She turned back to me, her smile never faltering. "Have a great day, Avah."
And just like that, she was gone, bodyguards trailing after her like shadows.
I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding.
Cassandra, still grinning like this was some sort of twisted game, lazily picked up a random piece of jewelry and handed it to Sally. "Send this to my house," she said before sauntering off like nothing had happened.
As soon as they were gone, I turned to Sally. She was still on the floor, hand red from where Cassandra had been pressing her heel into it.
"Are you okay?" I crouched beside her, reaching for her wrist.
She nodded quickly, though her expression was shaken. "I...Yes. I'm fine, Mrs. Avah"
I swallowed hard, trying to steady my racing heart.
Selene's words echoed in my mind, haunting me.
I will destroy you.
I had a feeling, that was no empty threat.
I took a deep breath, trying to push aside the lingering unease Selene had left behind. Right now, Sally mattered more.
"Sit down. What happened?" I asked, crouching beside her.
Sally hesitated, her fingers flexing slightly as if testing for pain. "They walked into the store demanding for you. When I said you weren't available, Cassandra asked for coffee." She swallowed hard, her voice tightening. "She poured it on the floor, and when I went to clean it, she stepped on my hand. She said she wouldn't release it until you came. That's why I called you."
My stomach twisted with anger.
I reached for her wrist gently, noting the red marks where Cassandra's heel had pressed down. My jaw clenched.
"It's okay, Sally. None of this is your fault," I said, my voice softer now. "We're just dealing with rich assholes who think they can do whatever they want." I exhaled sharply, guilt settling in my chest. "I'm so sorry."
Sally gave me a small smile, though the tension in her eyes remained. "Ms. Avah, can I give you some advice?"
I blinked, taken aback. Sally wasn't one to get involved in personal matters. One of the things I liked about her. She did her job, kept her head down, and never pried. So for her to speak up now... it had to be something important.
I nodded. "Of course."
She hesitated for just a moment, then said, "Ms. Selene grew up with your husband. Everything she did, everything she studied, was tailored for him. She has a PhD in business management because Roman is the heir to Rome International. She was meant to be with him."
A strange weight settled on my chest.
"So, when he married you," she continued, "we were all... surprised. But I think he's happy with you." Her eyes softened, but then her expression turned serious again. "Still, you need to avoid Selene at all costs. Especially now that she's determined to get Mr. Roman back."
My breath caught.
For someone so quiet, Sally was incredibly perceptive. And she had just voiced the very thing I had been afraid to admit to myself.
I knew Roman and Selene had history. I knew they had been childhood sweethearts. But I had never allowed myself to ask the question that had lingered in my mind from the start:
Why me?
Why had he chosen to marry me instead of her?
And more importantly... Would he regret it?
The thought left a hollow ache in my chest.