Ava was the first to move when she felt like her heart was going to explode right out of chest.
It wasn't sudden or dramatic, no sharp gasp, no hurried step back, but it felt deliberate, like a decision she had been quietly building toward the entire time they stood there beneath the moonlight.
Her fingers loosened around Damian's.
The moment she pulled her hand away, she felt the loss of warmth instantly, a strange ache blooming in her chest as if her body protested the choice even while her mind insisted on it.
Damian noticed immediately.
His hand remained suspended between them for half a second longer than necessary before slowly dropping back to his side. He didn't try to stop her. Didn't ask why. But something unreadable crossed his eyes as he stared at her. His heart couldn't help but not be quiet.
Ava swallowed and took a small step back.
