---
The morning light filtered softly through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. Ava stretched languidly in bed, the remnants of the previous night's passion still lingering in the air. She had never imagined such tenderness and connection with Ethan, and yet, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong.
She had to admit that Ethan's presence had brought her a sense of calm—something she hadn't realized she was craving. But deep down, Ava knew the calm wouldn't last. Lily's betrayal was only the beginning. There were too many people involved, too many complicated layers to untangle. There was no turning back now.
As she sat up and glanced at the clock, she realized she had slept far longer than usual. But it wasn't the hours of sleep that troubled her—it was the unsettling silence that hung in the air. Ethan was already gone.
The sound of her phone buzzing on the nightstand broke her thoughts. It was a message from Lily.
*"Ava, we need to talk. I'm worried about you. Please, meet me at the café in an hour. I'll be waiting."*
A chill ran down Ava's spine. There was no way Lily was genuinely concerned for her well-being. She had been playing this game far too long, and Ava wasn't fooled anymore. But she couldn't ignore the message. She knew Lily wouldn't back down.
After a moment's hesitation, Ava grabbed her phone and responded. *"I'll be there."*
***
The café was quiet when Ava arrived, a small, cozy place tucked away from the bustling streets. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, but it was the sight of Lily sitting at a corner table, her perfectly manicured hands wrapped around a coffee cup, that caught Ava's attention.
Lily looked up as Ava approached, her face lighting up with a bright, almost too-perfect smile. "Ava, darling! So glad you could make it."
Ava forced a smile, her pulse quickening. "Of course. You sounded worried."
Lily's eyes glinted with something unreadable. "I am, you know. I just hate seeing you so distant, especially with everything that's going on with Ethan."
Ava sat across from her, meeting her gaze head-on. "What do you mean, 'everything with Ethan'?"
Lily leaned forward, her voice lowering to a whisper. "I know you're trying to keep your distance from me, Ava. But you have to know, I've always been there for you. And I can't help but worry about how much he's changed you."
Ava narrowed her eyes. "Changed me? How?"
Lily's lips curled into a tight smile. "You're more guarded, more distant. It's as though you're not the same person I used to know."
Ava's heart raced as she realized the deeper meaning of Lily's words. The insinuation that Ethan had somehow corrupted her, made her different. It was classic Lily—twisting everything around to make herself appear as the innocent, misunderstood friend. Ava could feel the familiar, sickening weight of Lily's manipulation.
"Lily, I don't need your approval," Ava said firmly. "I've made my own choices. Ethan and I are together because we want to be."
Lily's eyes flickered with something dark. "Is that what you think?" she said, her voice like silk wrapping around a hidden blade. "Ethan doesn't love you, Ava. He's only with you because he doesn't know who you really are. You're not the woman he thinks you are."
Ava's breath caught in her throat. "What do you mean?"
Lily leaned back, her fingers tracing the rim of her coffee cup. "I've seen the way he looks at me. You can't compete with that, not really."
Ava stood up abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor. "You're insane if you think he's ever looked at you that way," she spat. "I'm done with you, Lily."
But as Ava turned to leave, Lily's voice stopped her. "You'll regret this, Ava. You'll see. I won't let you have him. Not this time."
Ava didn't respond. She didn't need to. Lily's words were empty, hollow. What mattered now was Ethan and the growing web of deception that was closing in around them. Ava had no intention of letting Lily have the last word.
***
Later that evening, Ava returned home, her mind still reeling from the conversation with Lily. She was no longer just a friend—she was a threat, and Ava needed to be ready. But as she stepped into the foyer, she found herself face-to-face with someone she hadn't expected: her brother, Max.
"Hey, sis," Max said with a grin, though his eyes were sharp, studying her with concern. "Everything alright? You look like you've seen a ghost."
Ava plastered on a smile, though it felt forced. "Yeah, just dealing with a few things. What brings you here?"
Max was never one to let things slide, especially with his sister. "I heard about the fallout with Lily," he said, leaning casually against the doorframe. "Thought I'd check in, make sure you're not letting her get under your skin."
Ava took a deep breath. Max had always been protective of her, even before she was born again. He had a way of seeing through the facade she put up, which was both a blessing and a curse. "It's not what you think," she said, her voice quiet. "Lily… she's not who I thought she was."
Max's brow furrowed. "You've known her for years, Ava. You don't just suddenly turn on someone like that without a reason."
Ava's throat tightened. She hadn't expected to talk to anyone else about this, but Max was right. He deserved the truth. "She's been manipulating me, Max. All these years, I didn't see it. But now I know."
Max was silent for a moment, processing the information. Then he nodded slowly. "I don't trust her either. Not anymore."
Ava's heart swelled with a mix of relief and fear. "I need to be careful. She's not going to let this go."
Max's jaw tightened, and he stepped closer. "And neither will I. If she makes a move, you call me, okay? You're not alone in this."
Just as Ava was about to respond, Ethan's familiar voice rang out from behind them. "Is everything alright here?"
Ethan's gaze flickered between Ava and Max, his sharp eyes taking in the subtle tension in the room. He had been quiet all day, and Ava could tell he was concerned. He was perceptive—always watching, always analyzing.
Ava smiled at him, feeling the weight of his protective presence. "Yeah. Just catching up."
Ethan didn't seem entirely convinced, but he nodded. "Good. Just make sure you don't let anything distract you from what's important."
Max raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. "And what's that?"
Ethan's eyes locked onto his brother-in-law with an edge of challenge. "Protecting what's mine."
Max smirked but didn't push further. Ava could feel the tension between the two men, the unspoken rivalry that had always existed, but it was different now. With Lily plotting her next move, Ava was going to need everyone—family, friends, and Ethan—on her side.
***
Later that night, after dinner, Ethan pulled Ava close, his arms wrapping around her as they stood in the kitchen. "We'll get through this together," he whispered into her ear, his breath warm against her skin.
Ava nodded, but her mind was elsewhere. She knew that Ethan would do anything to protect her, but the truth was, she couldn't escape the feeling that Lily wasn't the only danger they faced. There were secrets yet to be uncovered—secrets about her past life, about Ethan's role in it all.
But for now, all Ava could do was trust Ethan, trust that together, they would find a way to stop Lily—and anyone else who threatened their future.
---