NICHOLAS’ POV

The moment Ava’s eyes met mine, something undeniable hit me.

The atmosphere in the room changed all at once, as if the oxygen had vanished, making every word and every movement suddenly matter.

Anna was still sitting too close, her perfume filling the air, her body positioning to me like a question I had no interest in answering.

But when I saw Ava standing frozen at the doorway, the thought struck—this is my chance.

A chance to push her away.

To remind her and myself that ...