The tension in the air felt suffocating, pressing against Ava's chest like an unseen force. She had expected resistance from Noah, but not this—not the silence, not the weight of something unspoken hanging between them like a thread on the verge of snapping.
Liam's words haunted her. "You need to know the truth about Noah."
But Noah wouldn't let her in.
Jasper, standing just behind her, shifted uneasily. His protective presence was familiar, grounding. But even he knew this was a battle only Ava could fight.
"Why won't you just tell me?" Ava's voice was softer now, not demanding, not accusing—just pleading.
Noah's fists clenched at his sides. "Because once you know, you can't un-know."
Her stomach twisted. That's what I'm afraid of.
Liam had made it sound so simple, so black and white. But standing here now, watching Noah struggle to find words he didn't want to say, Ava realized—truth was never that simple.
It was messy. Twisted. And sometimes, it ruined everything.
But she had already come too far to turn back.
"Then ruin me," she whispered.
Noah exhaled sharply. "Ava…"
Before he could speak, the sharp sound of a phone vibrating shattered the moment.
Jasper reached for his pocket. His face darkened as he glanced at the screen. "It's him."
Liam.
Noah's expression shifted instantly—cold, unreadable. But his knuckles turned white against his palms.
Ava's pulse pounded. Whatever happens next... there's no going back.