Ava let out a soft, almost inaudible sigh as she slowly turned her head to gaze out the window, watching the unfamiliar city blur past her like a painting in motion.
The low hum of the car engine filled the silence as the driver maneuvered through winding streets, taking her to a destination she hadn't chosen, yet couldn't refuse.
She had no real choice—Ethan's request had come with a sort of finality she couldn't argue with, and before she knew it, she was slipping into the elegant dress he had handpicked for her.
Now she sat, clad in a sleek, figure-hugging mini gown that shimmered under the dim interior light, paired with delicate hand gloves that somehow complimented her skin so perfectly it felt deliberate.
But Ava didn't feel beautiful. She felt like a pawn—dressed and placed on a board she didn't understand.
Perplexed and restless, she lowered her head to stare at the outfit, her mind running in circles.
