Chapter 23: Latte Lies and Fake Goodbyes
Ava wasn’t sure what was worse: the fact that Ethan Chase had started a wildly untrue rumor about her and Ryan, or the fact that people actually believed it. Her phone buzzed with notifications at an unholy pace, every ping drilling deeper into her rising irritation. She’d muted her social media hours ago, but that didn’t stop people from finding other ways to torment her.
Kelly, for one, had been relentless.
Kelly: "OMG! Are you actually engaged?? Why didn’t you tell me??"
Kelly (10 seconds later): "Also, did he propose with a ring or a prenup? I’m dying to know."
Ava groaned and slammed her phone face-down on her desk. It wasn’t just Kelly. The city’s most popular gossip blog had latched onto the rumor like a barnacle on a boat, publishing an article with the headline:
"MATCHMAKER MATCHES HERSELF? RUMORS FLY ABOUT AVA LEE AND DIVORCE LAWYER RYAN KIM!"
Of course, the attached photo—taken by someone at the gala—didn’t help. It showed Ryan leading Ava out of the ballroom, his hand firmly around hers. Out of context, it looked... well, it looked romantic.
"Unbelievable," Ava muttered, slumping in her chair.
The door swung open, and Ryan strolled in, holding two coffee cups. He had the audacity to grin.
"Morning, fiancé," he said cheerfully, setting one of the coffees in front of her.
Ava glared at him as if she could set him on fire with her mind. "This is your fault."