er, her voice barely more than a whisper. "Bryan

ough the phone with urgency

as a flurry of chaotic thoughts and fearful anticipation. When Bryant finally arrived, he barely

ordered, his voice

t felt surreal, like she was trapped in a nightmare she couldn't

n was placed on a stretcher, his face pale and unconscious. Ava followed, her heart poun

ightly in her lap. She watched, her heart sinking with every bump of the vehicle, as the medic

the emergency room and ensuring that Ethan was taken into the intensive care unit. Ava

weight of her guilt. The sterile, white walls of the hospital seemed to close in on her

r, he could have lost his life. But we managed to save him. He'll need to stay un

pening. Bryant placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You did the right thing by call

ld do was spend the night there, her exhaustion weighing heavily on he

serve

ht to herself with a heavy heart, she didn'

if troubled by some unseen nightmare. Ava's heart ached as she watc

ed for air. Ava, feeling an unexpected surge of tenderness, reached out and gently touched his hand.

er hand but he reached out a

he whispe

* * *

eyes fluttered open, locking onto Ava

d, his voice ho

owe

widened. "O

continued, his gaze sharp

n't belie

n who save

ed murder. But since I didn't, you now owe me

sitantly,

ife is

ning on her, he knew she did thus to him just a

rmth creeping into his v

ppearance-every movement seemed carefully calculated to convey concern, yet there was an unmistakabl

e lady!!, Ava cou

tly, her voice drippin

e you f

his gaze lingering on May

a bit

ong. The contrast between Maya's tenderness and Ava's own feelings of guilt and frustration was

hat kind of relationship those two had an

* *

d around a large table, their faces set in determined expressions. The family dinner wa

uby," Vincent said, his

e sure he

her eyes narrowin

game, Father. Ethan's not

t," Vincent replied

. If Ethan won't play along willing

rcurrents of the family's plans were complex and fraught with tension. Ethan's reluc

* * *

icacies of her new role, deal with Maya's unwelcome presence, and brace herself for the upcoming family dinner. The stake