The world around her was crumbling, shattering into irreparable pieces. Aveline could barely feel the cold air biting at her skin, nor the numbness spreading through her trembling limbs.
Then, warmth draped over her shoulders, its weight foreign yet oddly grounding.
Aveline's sucked a deep breath, her swollen, tear-streaked eyes barely registered the manicured nails resting gently yet firmly over her shoulders.
She flinched. Her body tensed from the raw betrayal. But the hand on her shoulder didn't retreat. It was steady, calm, and unwavering.
Aveline hesitated, her breathing still uneven as she turned her head slightly, her teary gaze catching the faint silhouette of a poised, elegant woman. The dim lighting cast silver streaks through her hair, shadows covering most of her face.
Aveline didn't resist as she was helped to her feet.
The woman spoke, her voice smooth yet firm, cutting through the stillness like a blade, "Once you are done crying, always stand back on your feet."
Aveline's brows quivered. The words should have felt empowering. Instead, they felt… distant. She had just watched her husband betray her, watching the life she was building crumble into nothing.
How was she supposed to just stand back up?
The woman continued, her tone steady as though she could read Aveline's mind, "Girl, we don't need a man. We are what a man needs."
Aveline's throat tightened. Her fingers clutched the blazer without realizing it. Her heart wanted to believe those words, but her mind screamed otherwise.
Not just two months of married life, she had spent two years believing Damien was her safe place, her home. And now?
He was never hers to begin with.
The woman turned, her graceful strides unhurried as she added, "Sometimes, you really gotta show people how unimportant they actually are."
Aveline sucked in a breath.
The words were so simple, so absolute shook something inside her.
Something shifted inside her.
Her gaze followed the woman. Her aura of confidence, control, and self-respect was like a ripple disturbing the stagnant waters of Aveline's pain.
The woman halted and turned back, pulling a sleek black card from her handbag. She extended it towards Aveline. "You might need it."
Aveline hesitated before lowering her gaze to the card. She didn't know this woman. Didn't know what she wanted or why she had even bothered to speak to her.
Yet, Aveline reached out, slowly, hesitantly.
'Giselle' - Embossed in gold on the smooth black surface.
The moment the name felt familiar, the woman spoke again, her voice smooth, unwavering. "Remember, the most dangerous woman is the one who watches, waits, and knows everything."
Aveline shivered. Not from the cold. The weight of the words settled over her, pressing down on her soul.
Without another word or sparing another glance, the woman stepped into her luxury car and drove away, leaving behind an air of mystery and unshakable power.
Aveline stood there, unmoving, the weight of the blazer still warm on her shoulders. The wind howled again, but Aveline barely noticed. The woman's presence lingered, but more than her words.
For the first time in hours, she felt something other than pain.
Not anger. Not grief.
Something like resolve.
'We don't need a man. We are what a man needs.'
It sounds so right.
Why was a man strong when supported by a woman, but a woman weak when standing beside a man?
'Sometimes you really gotta show people how unimportant they actually are.'
It was HER who gave so much importance to Damien. Wasn't she?
Her breath steadied. Her fingers curled into the fabric of her nightwear.
Why was she crying over the man who had never been hers to begin with?
Shouldn't she feel relieved that she found out the truth before wasting any more time?
She had been given a second chance at life—she refused to waste it floating like a dead fish in a river.
She hadn't done anything wrong, and she wouldn't let anything else go wrong.
'The most dangerous woman is the one who watches, waits, and knows everything.'
Yes, her first instinct was to leave Damien. But no, not yet.
She needs to learn the truth.
Why did Damien agree to an arranged marriage with her?
His actions made it clear that Vivienne wasn't new in his life.
Then why did he convince Aveline to marry him?
Why did he make her dream again when he was in love with someone else all along?
So she would wait.
She would learn the cruel and unforgiving truth of her life.
Aveline clenched the black card in her hand and turned back toward the entrance of the Obsidian Clubhouse.
Maybe she wasn't done crying yet. But when she was, she would stand back up - Stronger, fearless, and confident.
And when she did, Damien Ashford would regret losing her.
….
At the entrance of the Obsidian Clubhouse,
From the shadows of the entrance, the woman– Giselle – stepped out, her eyes trained on the disappearing Maserati from the main gate.
In front of her, a man stood in deathly silence, his gaze unreadable as he stared into the darkness.
"Do you really think she could fight her way out?" Giselle asked, her tone laced with skepticism and a hint of worry. "She isn't tough." Her first impression.
Her eyes barely darkened for a moment as she continued, "Vivienne Sinclair will have her for breakfast, much less Damien Ashford." She crossed her arms, wondering how the delicate woman could fight a mammoth ahead of her.
The man's jaw tightened, his sharp green eyes glinting dangerously. "She will."
There was no doubt in his voice, only certainty. He had the confidence that Aveline didn't have in herself, yet.
Without another word, he strode inside the clubhouse, and a man in uniform approached.
"There should be no inkling of her appearance at Obsidian." The man commanded without halting in his strides.
He would help her until she could stand on her own. Until she could tear Damien apart herself.
"I will take immediate action, sir." The man bowed before departing down a separate hallway.