And now—
Another secret. Another thing he’d never told me. Another piece of himself locked behind a door I didn’t even know existed.
“He wasn’t married, was he?” I blurted.
Ava burst into laughter. “God, no. Nothing like that.”
I exhaled—but the confusion only deepened.
She pushed the mixing bowl toward me. “Sweetheart, I’m sorry I can’t give you more. I know that must be frustrating.” Her tone dropped. “But I promise you—none of the others ever came close to what you two have. I’ve never seen him like this. Every time you messaged him—before you even met—it was like watching a kid in a candy store.”
My chest tightened.
“And after everything came out…” She lifted a warning finger. “Which I had no knowledge of—and still don’t approve of.”
I gave a faint smile. The bruise from that night still ached when touched.
“He was torn to shreds and rightfully so. But it was hard to watch. His mom and I were worried about him.”
She exhaled. “But now? He’s different. Happier. Brighter. I can see what your presence has done for him.”
“Thank you,” I said quietly, licking the bowl like a child, lips curved into a smile.
Ava laughed and turned back to the sink, humming again.
But I wasn’t listening anymore.
No woman like you.
Happier. Brighter.
I liked that.
God, I liked that.
But the things she didn’t say, the shadows she stepped around, the words she refused to give shape to… Those pricked beneath my skin like invisible thorns.
I looked around the room—really looked.
Photos of Damien with his mom.
With his brother.
Childhood snapshots.
Bookcases. Art. Life.
But no women.
Not even in the background of a frame.
My stomach twisted.
You really think you know him?
The old voice—silent for weeks now—slipped back into place like it had never left.
You really think men like him stay unattached? You’re just the first one he bothered introducing to Ava.
