Adrian had left Claire still sleeping, driven by the gnawing suspicion that had been festering in him. And now, standing there, he caught it—just enough.
"An ice cream date."
He hadn't heard what came before, but that single phrase was enough. His jaw tightened, the muscle ticking as his eyes darkened with something unreadable. Confusion, suspicion, and a dangerous curiosity blended into one sharp edge.
Ava walked past him, her footsteps light, her gaze cast downward, completely unaware of his presence. Adrian didn't move, didn't breathe, until her figure had disappeared down the hall.
Only then did he step out of hiding. His movements were smooth, deliberate, but his face was a mask , eerily calm, though his mind churned with a storm of questions and shadows.
He didn't follow Ava.
Instead, he turned, his footsteps echoing softly as he made his way toward his office. Each step was heavy, deliberate, his body controlled but his thoughts spiraling. He knew now there was something, something just out of reach, and he would uncover it.
No matter what it cost.
Isabella stood before her mirror, fixing the last button of her soft cream blouse. It was the simplest outfit she had ever chosen, yet she still looked breathtaking. She had promised her father she would no longer wear boys' clothes, and tonight she kept that promise—not because she wanted to, but because she wanted nothing to come between her and Ava.
She grabbed her phone, called for her driver, and then slung a small backpack over her shoulder.
In the hallway, Ava was waiting. Their eyes met, and Isabella reached for her hand immediately, holding it tightly as they walked toward the waiting car.
"Isn't this going to cause problems with your dad?" Ava asked in a low voice, worry flickering in her dark eyes.
Isabella shook her head, pointing at her outfit. "No. What he needs me to do, I've respected."
Ava's lips curled into a smile. "You still look amazing in all shapes."
Isabella laughed softly, shaking her head with mock disbelief. "You're impossible."
The driver stepped forward, opening the car door for them. Just as the girls slipped inside, his phone buzzed. A message flashed across the screen. His eyes narrowed for a second, his fingers quickly typing out a reply before he slid the phone face-down beside him. Neither Ava nor Isabella noticed—they were too wrapped in their own world.
By the time the car pulled out of the driveway, the night sky had settled in. Stars blinked faintly above, and the city lights glowed in the distance. The ride was quiet, Ava resting her head lightly against Isabella's shoulder.
At last, the car stopped at their destination: a night market alive with color and life.
The place was clean but buzzing with energy, strings of warm lights dangled across rows of stalls, people laughing and chatting as the smell of roasted corn, fresh bread, and caramel filled the air. Musicians played soft tunes on the side, and children ran with balloons in hand.
Isabella's eyes widened in awe. She had never been anywhere like this.
"I've never been here before," she admitted softly. "Father always preferred expensive restaurants with food I didn't even like. This… this feels real."
Ava squeezed her hand, smiling. "Then let's make it unforgettable."
They bought tall cones of ice cream from a kind old woman. Isabella chose vanilla with caramel drizzle, while Ava picked pistachio with chocolate chips. They walked slowly through the market, licking at their cones, brushing shoulders, and laughing at little things. Isabella's laughter was freer than Ava had ever heard—like she had finally stepped outside her father's shadow.
When the ice cream was gone, Isabella tugged Ava gently toward a quieter part of the street. They found themselves at a small park nearby, quiet and nearly empty. The grass glistened with dew, and a bench sat under tall trees. Above them, the stars stretched endlessly.
They sat close—so close their arms touched, their warmth mingling. Ava leaned her head against Isabella's shoulder. For a long moment, they said nothing, simply gazing at the stars.
Then Isabella shifted, pulling her backpack into her lap. Her heart hammered. She opened the zipper and drew out a small velvet box.
"Ava," she whispered.
Ava turned slowly, her eyes curious.
Isabella opened the box, revealing a delicate ring of gold and silver, gleaming under the lamplight. Her hands trembled as she spoke.
"Will you be my girlfriend?"
Ava's breath caught. She stared at the ring, then at Isabella. "Isabella… we're both girls. How is it possible? You know the society we live in. They'll never accept us. We can't"
"Forget the world outside," Isabella cut her off, her voice firm but tender. "Just answer me. Will you be mine? We'll figure the rest out later."
Ava's heart pounded. Her gaze lingered on the ring, then lifted to Isabella's face. Slowly, she nodded, her lips trembling.
"I have loved you from the first day I saw you walk into the school," Ava whispered, her voice breaking. "We were just five, but I knew—I wanted to be with you forever."
The memory surged between them: a lonely little girl in neat clothes, sitting quietly on the swing while other children whispered and stared. Ava, small but bold, had walked up without hesitation, holding out a toy car with a grin. "Wanna play?" she'd asked. Isabella's eyes, so heavy with loneliness, had lit up for the very first time.
Isabella's breath caught, her eyes shimmering. She squeezed Ava's hand tightly. "And I fell for you the moment you did that. No one ever dared come close because I was the rich man's daughter. But you—" her smile trembled through her tears, "—you were fearless. You became my smile, my joy, my happy pill."
The image returned: the hush of the playground, the weight of being admired but untouchable, her world muted by silence—until Ava's hand reached out, warm and sure, the first hand that had ever truly held hers.
Tears streaked down Ava's cheeks as she lifted her hand. Isabella slid the ring onto her finger, sealing the promise they had both carried since childhood.
Ava leaned forward until their foreheads touched. "I can't believe this is real."
"It's real," Isabella whispered, pulling her close, wrapping her arms around her. "You're mine now. And I'm yours."
They clung to each other, staring at the stars, as though the entire universe had paused just to witness them.
And somewhere, far away in the night, a phone buzzed again in the driver's pocket. The unseen message glowed on the screen—waiting, silent, patient.
The driver's voice came through the phone, a little tired.
Driver: "Miss Isabella, it's getting late. Should I take you and Miss Ava back home now?"
Isabella glanced at Ava before replying, her voice calm but firm.
Isabella: "No, stay in the car. We'll be there soon."
She ended the call and slowly lowered her phone, only to find Ava's eyes already fixed on her. Their faces were close—too close—and for a long moment, neither of them looked away.
Then, breaking the silence, Ava leaned in first this time, her lips brushing Isabella's with surprising confidence. Isabella's heart jumped, but instead of hesitating, she pulled Ava deeper into the kiss, her hand pressing lightly against her back.
Ava suddenly pulled away, her cheeks warm.
Ava: "Sorry…"
But Isabella only laughed lightly, pulling her right back in.
Isabella: "We are couples now. Never apologize for kissing your girlfriend."
A smile tugged at Ava's lips, but she leaned back once more, glancing around nervously.
Ava: "Someone might see us."
Isabella chuckled softly, her voice low.
Isabella: "No one is here."
Ava: "Can we… take this somewhere else?"
Excitement lit Isabella's face. She stood quickly, her hand reaching for Ava's, pulling her up with careful eagerness. Their fingers intertwined as if they had always belonged that way.