Millionaire Marriage

Unspoken Truth

Chapter 10,

The morning sun poured through the cabin windows, waking Ava before she was ready to leave the comfort of Ethan's arms. She stretched lazily, enjoying the warmth of the bed and the quiet stillness that surrounded them. For a moment, everything was perfect. But as she lay there, something shifted inside her—an unease she couldn't quite place.

Ethan was still asleep beside her, his chest rising and falling steadily. She watched him for a moment, admiring the peace on his face, but her mind began to wander. This weekend had been incredible—more than she could have ever dreamed. But it also felt fragile, like something too good to last.

Slowly, she slipped out of bed, careful not to wake him, and padded over to the window. The lake was calm, the water glistening under the morning light, but Ava's thoughts were anything but still. She found herself thinking about their life outside of this perfect bubble—back in the city, where expectations, responsibilities, and secrets lingered.

One secret in particular weighed heavily on her heart.

Ava stared out at the water, trying to shake the feeling, but it clung to her, refusing to let go. Could she really build a future with Ethan if she wasn't completely honest with him? She had always been guarded, protecting herself from the world. But Ethan had found a way past her walls, and now, standing in the quiet of the cabin, she realized that if she didn't open up, she might lose him.

Behind her, she heard the soft rustle of sheets as Ethan stirred. His voice broke through her thoughts.

"Morning," he mumbled, his voice thick with sleep. "You're up early."

Ava turned to him, forcing a smile. "Just couldn't sleep. The view is too beautiful to waste."

Ethan stretched, then sat up, rubbing his eyes. "You okay? You seem... distant."

Ava hesitated, her heart pounding. She could brush it off, make an excuse, but she knew this was the moment she had to be honest. If she wanted their relationship to be real, she couldn't hide anymore.

She walked over to the bed and sat down beside him. Ethan looked at her, concern flickering in his eyes. "What's going on, Ava?"

Taking a deep breath, she finally spoke. "There's something I need to tell you, Ethan. Something I should've told you a long time ago."

Ethan's face softened, and he reached out, taking her hand in his. "Whatever it is, you can tell me. We'll figure it out."

Ava squeezed his hand, grateful for his reassurance, but the words still felt heavy on her tongue. "I haven't been completely open with you. There's a part of my life I've kept hidden because I was scared—scared of what it might mean for us."

Ethan's brows furrowed slightly, but he stayed quiet, waiting for her to continue.

"I come from a complicated family," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "My father... he's involved in some things I never wanted to be a part of. I left that life behind, but it still follows me. And I didn't want it to touch you. Or us."

Ethan's expression didn't change, but she could see the understanding in his eyes. He gently pulled her closer, his hand resting on her knee. "Ava, I'm not worried about your past. I'm here for you. Whatever you're carrying, you don't have to carry it alone."

Ava felt a wave of relief, but it was mixed with a lingering fear. "I just don't want it to affect what we have, Ethan. I didn't want to burden you with this."

Ethan shook his head. "You're not a burden, Ava. You never will be. If there's something we need to face together, then we'll face it. But don't ever think you have to hide things from me."

She let out a shaky breath, tears brimming in her eyes. "I've never met anyone like you, Ethan. Someone who makes me feel like I can let go of everything I've been holding on to."

Ethan leaned forward, brushing a tear from her cheek. "You can let go, Ava. I'm not going anywhere."

In that moment, Ava realized just how much she loved him. She had been so afraid to show him all the parts of herself, but here he was, embracing her fully—flaws and all.

Ethan cupped her face in his hands, his voice soft but firm. "I love you, Ava. Nothing about your past is going to change that."

Ava's heart swelled, the words sinking deep into her soul. She leaned into his touch, her lips brushing against his. "I love you too, Ethan. More than I can say."

The kiss that followed was full of promise, sealing the trust they had just built. For the first time, Ava felt truly free—free to love Ethan without fear, free to face whatever challenges might come their way.

And as the morning light filled the room, so too did the certainty that together, they could conquer anything.