Somewhere, I hear Eli and Mia shouting my name, but their voices are muffled, distant—like I’m hearing them from underwater.
Chapter seventeen
Elijah
Icanseetheexact moment her mind starts spiraling, conjuring worst-case scenarios.
We’d come so far in just a few weeks. Ava had finally started believing in herself—believing in us. In me.
I never thought it would be easy. Trust doesn’t come naturally to her. And the person she trusts least of all… is herself.
She can’t see how deeply we love her—just as she is. She doesn’t think she’s enough.
God, she couldn’t be more wrong.
If anything, I’m the one who doesn’t deserve her. I’m the one dragging a past behind me like a shadow. No matter how longI’ve been out of that life, there are stains that time can’t wash away.
And now, I know—I’ll have to tell her. Maybe not everything, but enough. Enough to risk losing her.
Fuck, what if she hates me?
What if this conversation is the end of us? And all I’ll be left with is the memory of these few perfect weeks—the best of my life.
She gave me everything, and I failed her.
Once she knows who I really am, what I did for the family... I doubt she’ll even want to stay friends.
And I wouldn’t blame her.
I’ve put her in danger.
Whoever’s leaving the notes and flowers—there’s a good chance they’re from my past. A past I never should’ve let touch her.
I don’t know when Ava moved from behind the counter, but the second I see her heading toward her office, something feels off. She’s unsteady—stumbling.
“Ava?”
Then she crumples to the floor.
“AVA!”
No—no, no, no.
I’m running before I realize it, sliding to my knees beside her.
“Ava, hey—Ava, look at me baby. Please open your eyes.”
I touch her face—too pale. Her skin is clammy. My heart is pounding so loud I can barely hear my own voice.
This isn’t happening. She was just standing there. She was fine. What the hell is going on?
“Mia, get these people out of here!” I shout, trying to hold it together. She doesn’t move. She’s frozen, her eyes wide with fear.
I snap. “EVERYONE OUT! NOW!”
My voice booms through the café, echoing against the walls. Chairs scrape. People shuffle. And then it’s quiet. Just Mia, Ava, and me.
I lift Ava into my arms, holding her close. She feels so small like this. Too still.
