The air between them was charged, thick with tension that made Ava's skin prickle. Liam stood there, poised like a man who had already won, his smirk a silent challenge.
Noah was rigid beside her, his fists clenched at his sides. "You don't belong here."
Liam chuckled. "Oh, but I do. This has everything to do with me, doesn't it?" His eyes flicked to Ava, sharp, dissecting. "You're curious, aren't you? About what really happened that night."
Ava didn't move. Couldn't.
Because he was right.
Jasper shifted closer to her, his presence grounding, protective. "If you have something to say, Liam, say it. Otherwise, leave."
Liam sighed, feigning disappointment. "So impatient." He took a step forward, and Noah was in front of Ava in an instant, blocking his path.
"That's close enough," Noah warned.
Liam raised his hands in mock surrender. "Relax. I just want to talk." His gaze slid back to Ava. "I can give you the truth. The real truth. But I need to know—are you willing to hear it?"
Ava's pulse pounded. She wanted to say no. Wanted to turn away.
But something in Liam's eyes—something unsettlingly certain—held her still.
Noah's voice was low, almost desperate. "Ava, don't listen to him."
Liam's smirk didn't waver. "Because you're afraid of what she'll find out?"
Jasper scoffed. "You act like you're doing this out of kindness, but we all know that's a lie."
Liam's expression darkened, his amusement fading. "I don't care what you think, Jasper. This isn't about you." His eyes met Ava's. "It's about her. And whether she's ready to stop being blind."
Ava swallowed hard. Every instinct screamed at her to walk away. To turn to Noah and let him be the only voice that mattered.
But she couldn't ignore the gnawing doubt.
Liam was manipulative. Twisted. But was he lying?
Noah's hand found hers, his grip warm, steady. "Ava, I know this is hard, but—"
"I'll listen."
The words left her mouth before she could stop them.
Noah stiffened. Jasper muttered a curse under his breath.
Liam smiled. "Smart girl."
Ava wasn't sure if she had just made the right choice.
Or the worst mistake of her life.