The next morning came too fast.
Reality always does.
Ava woke to the sound of voices.
She stepped out quietly—
And froze.
Dominic stood near the window, his expression cold, dangerous.
"You were told to stay away," he said.
A voice responded through the phone, faint but threatening.
"You're getting careless."
"I'm handling it."
"Are you?" the voice mocked. "Because we've noticed her."
Ava's stomach dropped.
Her.
Dominic's grip tightened around the phone.
"You don't touch her."
"Then don't give us a reason to."
The call ended.
Silence.
Heavy. Suffocating.
Ava stepped forward.
"Dominic…"
He turned—and for the first time—
She saw fear in his eyes.