91. Control Rehab

Carver's laptop dinged, signaling a new email. He quickly opened it and started typing, his fingers flying across the keyboard. He was excited about what he was doing and that much was clear.

Peyton was still sprawled out on their bed, unaware of the tension between Ava and Carver. The flicker of the camera’s light while she showered had rattled Ava, and Carver’s nonchalant dismissal... claiming it wasn’t him...had done little to comfort her.

“Carver,” Ava said, sharper than intended. “I know I saw it. Why would the camera light be on if not for someone watching?”

He didn’t look up immediately, focusing on the screen as he tapped away on the keys. “I told you, Ava, it wasn’t me. Maybe it’s a malfunction.”

“A malfunction,” she echoed, skepticism threading through her tone. “How convenient. As you are sitting over there on the only laptop in the apartment with access to the feeds.”

He finally looked at her, his dark eyes flashing with irritation. “There’s nothing to worry about.”

“Then