Chapter 0198

Luke stood in the shadows, his face etched with concern as he overheard Ava's conversation with Stanley. His eyes narrowed, his mind racing with the implications of Amelia's release from prison.

He knew how much Ava had suffered at her hands, and the thought of her returning to that dark place was unbearable. He remembered the nightmares, the anxiety, the fear that had gripped her for so long. He didn't want her to go back to that.

As Ava and Stanley parted ways, Luke approached her, his expression softening. "Hey, what are you doing out here?" he asked, his voice gentle, trying to sound nonchalant despite the worry gnawing at his gut.

Ava chuckled, a hint of nervousness in her laugh. "Just seeing Stanley off," she lied, trying to brush it off, but Luke knew her too well.

Luke's eyes lingered on hers, his gaze piercing. "You should come back inside," he said, his voice laced with concern. "It's getting chilly out here, and you're pregnant. You need to take care of yourself."

"Yeah, l