Chapter 4: The Truth He Refused to Hide
Ava didn't move away from the conference room door.
Marcus sat at the end of the walnut table, his folder closed beneath one hand. The other executives had begun gathering their notes, but Rachel Bennett noticed the tension in Ava's shoulders and quietly stopped.
“Is there a problem?”” Rachel asked.
Marcus glanced at her.
“Nothing that needs to delay the hiring process. I just need to clarify something with Ava.””
Rachel looked between them.
“Would you prefer a few minutes?””
“Yes, please,” Marcus replied.
The communications director collected his tablet. The other executive followed, offering Ava a polite nod on his way out. Rachel was the last to leave.
She paused beside Marcus.
“Let me know when you're ready to continue.””
“I will.””
The door clicked shut.
Ava remained standing.
Marcus gestured toward the chair she had just occupied.
“Please sit down.””
“I'd rather stand.””
“All right.””
She hugged her portfolio against her chest.
“What exactly are you going to tell Daniel?””
Marcus studied her for a moment.
“The truth.””
Her face tightened.
“What truth? That we dated? He knows we knew each other before.””
“He doesn't know what happened between us.””
“He doesn't need to.””
“That depends on what you want him to understand about the people in his life.””
Ava placed her portfolio on the table with more force than necessary.
“Don't turn this into some moral lesson, Marcus. You have a position of power over my husband. You have a position of power over my career. If you're angry with me, say so.””
“I'm not angry.””
“Then what is this?””
“An opportunity to be honest.””
She let out a short laugh.
“Honest? You stood there at my wedding and let me find out you're wealthy in front of my husband. You could have told me before.””
Marcus's expression barely changed.
“You called me worthless before you knew.””
Ava looked away.
“I didn't know you owned the company.””
“Exactly.””
The word settled between them.
Marcus leaned back in his chair.
“If I'd arrived in a luxury car, wearing an expensive watch, would you have spoken to me differently?””
She didn't answer.
“Would you have offered me a seat? Would you have thanked me for coming? Would you have asked about my life instead of inspecting my clothes?””
“That's not fair.””
“Why?””
“Because you know how complicated our relationship was.””
“I know how it ended.””
“You weren't there when I was trying to build my life.””
Marcus's eyes narrowed slightly.
“No, Ava. I was there. I was the one trying to build it.””
She flinched.
For a moment, neither spoke.
The memory between them was no longer the polished version Ava had carried around for years. It was the apartment with the broken kitchen cabinet, the overdue electricity bill, and Marcus falling asleep at the table with a laptop open in front of him.
It was the night she had asked him whether he could promise that things would improve.
And the night he had admitted he couldn't promise a date.
She had wanted certainty.
He had offered effort.
At the time, she had decided that wasn't enough.
“I had needs,” she whispered.
“I never said you didn't.””
“You were always working. Every conversation became about your company. I couldn't plan anything because everything depended on whether your next deal came through.””
“That was true.””
“So you understand why I left.””
“I understand why you wanted a different life.”” Marcus paused.
“I don't understand why you believe that gave you permission to humiliate me.””
Ava's eyes filled, though she fought to keep her expression controlled.
“I didn't think you would ever become this successful.””
Marcus looked at her for a long moment.
“That's what concerns me.””
She stared at him.
“What?””
“You've just told me the part you regret is not knowing how successful I'd become.””
“That isn't what I meant.””
“Then tell me what you meant.””
Ava opened her mouth.
Nothing came.
Marcus rose and walked toward the window. Below them, traffic moved along Peachtree Street, the cars appearing small against the glass towers.
“When I started this company, I lost nearly everything,” he said.
“I had a business partner walk away. I had a lender refuse to extend our credit. I spent months wondering whether I could make payroll.””
Ava listened silently.
“I didn't tell you those details at the wedding because I didn't come to make you feel guilty. I came because Daniel invited me. He's worked hard, and I wanted to celebrate him.””
He turned.
“Then I found you telling me I had nothing.””
Ava wiped beneath one eye.
“I was wrong.””
“Yes.””
The blunt answer seemed to surprise her.
She had expected him to soften it, to reassure her, to offer some convenient sentence that would make the admission less painful.
Instead, Marcus returned to his chair.
“I'm not going to withdraw your application because you were unkind to me at a wedding. The position has requirements. You have qualifications. The hiring team will evaluate your work.””
Ava looked at him carefully.
“Are you saying I still have a chance?””
“I'm saying the hiring process will remain fair.””
She exhaled, almost with relief.
Then Marcus added, “But fairness doesn't mean pretending that character is irrelevant.””
Her relief disappeared.
“Are you going to tell Daniel?””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
“Because he's my friend, and he deserves to know what happened.””
Ava's voice sharpened.
“You're going to destroy my marriage over a few cruel comments?””
“No. I'm not responsible for what Daniel does with the truth.””
“He loves me.””
“I hope he does.””
“He trusts me.””
Marcus paused.
“Then you should be able to tell him what happened without asking me to lie.””
Ava gripped the back of the chair.
For the first time, she looked less concerned about her interview than about the conversation that would follow it.
“Please,” she said.
“Give me time to tell him myself.””
Marcus considered the request.
“How much time?””
“Until tonight.””
“All right.””
She stared at him, surprised.
“You'll wait?””
“I said I'd give you time. I didn't say I'd conceal what happened indefinitely.””
Ava nodded quickly.
“Thank you.””
“Don't thank me yet.””
He picked up his folder.
“I also want you to understand something about Monday's decision. If you receive the position, it will be because the panel believes you're the strongest candidate. If you don't, it won't be because you embarrassed yourself at my friend's wedding.””
She swallowed.
“And if Daniel asks you about us?””
“I'll tell him the truth.””
Marcus opened the door.
The conversation was over.
Ava gathered her portfolio and walked out without looking back.
Daniel was waiting for her in the lobby when she reached the ground floor.
He stood beside a marble column, his phone in one hand and his car keys in the other. When he saw her, he smiled.
“How did it go?””
Ava forced herself to smile back.
“Fine.””
“Just fine?””
“It went well. I think.””
He took her portfolio.
“Then why do you look like someone just told you bad news?””
“I'm tired, Daniel.””
He searched her face.
“Did something happen with Marcus?””
Her heart stumbled.
“Why would you ask that?””
“Because you looked uncomfortable when he came into the room. And you've been acting strangely since the wedding.””
Ava reached for her portfolio.
“Can we please talk about this at home?””
Daniel gave it back.
“Of course.””
They walked toward the parking garage.
Halfway there, his phone rang.
He checked the screen and smiled.
“It's Marcus.””
Ava stopped walking.
Daniel answered.
“Hey, boss. What's up?””
Marcus's voice was too quiet for Ava to hear.
Daniel laughed.
“Yeah, we had a beautiful weekend. Thank you again for coming.””
He listened.
Then his expression changed.
“Tonight? Sure. Is everything okay?””
Another pause.
Daniel glanced at Ava.
“Right. I'll meet you at the office after six.””
He ended the call.
Ava stared at him.
“What did he want?””
Daniel slipped his phone into his pocket.
“He asked me to stop by after work.””
“Why?””
“He said there's something important we need to discuss.””
Ava's stomach tightened.
Daniel reached for her hand.
“Don't worry. It's probably work.””
But as they continued toward the garage, Ava knew Marcus hadn't called to discuss work.
May you like
He had given her until tonight.
And Daniel had just agreed to meet him.
