[AVA] Lost in my own thoughts, I was caught off guard by a knock on the door. I glanced over, expecting to see the nurse, but it wasn't her. It was Brian. Why was he still here? Startled, I jumped up from the chair and took a step back, feeling an inexplicable surge of energy coursing through me. "Hey!" Why did I have to be so awkward? There was no reason for my heart to feel like it was about to burst just because we were in the same room. Get a grip, Ava. What's wrong with you? Brian winced, brushing off my awkward greeting. Instead, his focus turned to Max. "How is he doing?" It was only then that I noticed the red stains on his shirt. Dad had mentioned that Brian was the one who found Max and brought him to the hospital. Could it be Max's blood on him? "Ava?" "Huh?" I snapped out of my daze, looking up at him before turning to face Max. "He should be awake by tomorrow." Brian nodded silently, lost in thought. "That's good," he finally said, pulling at the collar of his
I felt a pang of sympathy for him. He had likely been delayed because he had taken Max to the hospital. Damn, this was a difficult situation. "Did you try explaining to him why you couldn't make it?" "I called him multiple times, but he's not answering." I sighed. Yes, this was definitely problematic. "Why don't you go and see him? He won't be able to ignore you in person." "Right now?" he questioned, sounding as if he thought I was being foolish. "It's almost midnight, Ava. He's probably already asleep." "But he read your messages, didn't he?" He abruptly stopped, causing me to continue walking before realizing he wasn't by my side. Curiosity piqued, I turned to see what had happened. His expression twisted into a deep scowl. "How do you know?" I couldn't help but smile. He was so endearing. "Because I've been there. Trust me, I'm well acquainted with the whole 'I'm sorry, I got held up, something important came up at work' scenario. I've seen it all." He resumed walking, b
[BRIAN] The light in Kian's room is still on, so I'm assuming he's awake, and the fact that I can see the read sign in the voice message that I sent him using this app that he typically uses for texting—the one that he installed on my phone a month ago—means he heard my apology as well. Yet, an ho
“I thought you'd never open the door," Kian huffs, his breathing harsh and quick, as if he'd sprinted a mile before reaching the car. I'm so taken aback by what's going on that I don't respond for almost an entire minute. Kian snaps in front of my face. “Dad? Are you still here?" I jerk my head a
[AVA] “You’re dating Sean Edwards?” Mom asked as she followed me into the kitchen while I poured myself a glass of water. “It’s not a big deal, mom. Relax.” I said, maybe for the fifth time since I woke up and found her standing at the foot of my bed, probably contemplating waking me up by bringin
I wasn't as foresighted as they were. I still wasn't. I couldn't read between the lines. I couldn't see the signs. It wasn't until my then-boyfriend Xavier Montero pressured me to sleep with not one but three of his best friends that I saw him for who he truly was. An A-grade motherfucking asshole
[AVA] After relieving dad from watching over Max the entire previous night, I made sure to walk him to the elevator before turning around, heading back into Max’s care unit and punching my brother straight across his face. Max groaned, startled and infuriated by my attempt to bruise him, given his
I knew he would say the same thing, yet something in my chest fluttered anyway. How could anybody imagine this man could hurt me? Why were Brian and Mom so determined to split us up? I knew our relationship was a sham and only existed to save him from confronting his parents, but we were still frie
[BRIAN]When I pull up at Ava’s old address, I have only one goal in mind.To find Max and get the hell out.Why? Because this place always gave me the creeps. Not only is it the most notorious part of the city, but it’s also slightly dangerous.When Dean and his family went bankrupt years ago, I di
He walks back to the couch, and for the first time, I notice a camera that’s already been set up.My stomach tightens.He grabs the camera stand with one hand and drags it closer to where I am. Adjusting the angle, he makes sure it focuses directly on me. Then he straightens, his gaze locking onto m
[AVA]I might have lost consciousness because the next time I open my eyes, the bright lights make me wince and squeeze them shut again.“Ah…” I whimper, only then realizing my ankle is badly bruised.“You’re awake.”A deep male voice rings in my ears, and I look up—only to find the same staff guy w
[AVA]Once Brian leaves, I sink back onto the couch, my fingers dialing Max’s number again.Maybe if he picks up, I can convince him to drop by on his own, and Brian wouldn’t have to go.But every call goes unanswered. And the more I try to convince myself it’s no big deal—that Max is just being him
I run my fingers through his wet hair. “Because I can’t stop thinking about what happens next. About who’s behind this. About how this doesn’t just affect me but everyone around me.”“You don’t have to figure everything out right this second, Ava.”“I know,” I whisper, but knowing and believing are
[AVA]I finally feel a little better—enough to let Brian freshen up after his long flight.He kisses me on the forehead and promises to join me soon.Maybe he knows that if I’m left alone, my mind will start spiraling again, drowning me in guilt. And once that happens, I won’t be able to focus on an
I unlock the door and pull the door open, only to find his familiar handsome face looking back at me.He’s dressed in a white shirt and blue denim jeans, and I don’t think he could look any better.I know, I know. I probably sound like some horny bitch, but I don’t care. It’s Brian. And being horny
[AVA]After dropping me off at Brian’s penthouse, Aaron insists on staying until Brian returns.But I can clearly see the disinterest on his face—he can’t stand another bored minute with me. So, I do what I know is right.I ask him to leave.Maybe out of formality, he insists once more that he doesn
[AVA]“I’m sure she didn’t mean it, Ava,” Miranda tries to say, but she might as well accept that her daughter will never see me as someone to be trusted.Whatever I’ve done to piss this woman off, one thing is certain—I don’t care anymore. I neither have the time to bother myself with her nonsense