va to the 19

g detective and formally withdrew

voice flat, echoing Ethan' s carefully chosen w

pensive-looking lawyer. She smirked o

Ava could hear. "I told you she was just being

licker of remors

r that Tiff Brewer was engaged. To the sole heir of a Texas oil fortun

e. She sent a short note to a burner phone numbe

ur engagement. Best wishes fo

enign, felt like shards of ic

Liam at a small, unassuming Italian restaurant in

and Ethan Hayes and Chl

ed them first. Her smile wa

all room, her eyes flicking dismissively from Ava to Liam

m, then back to Ava. A muscle twitched in his jaw

suringly, touching Ava' s arm. "She deserves all the happiness in the w

aurant crackled wit

ly to Chloe. He then turned to Ava, his

d, her voice surprisingly calm, he

arm possessively. Ava felt... a strange sort of c

at Hayes Capital the next

ant and entered his office, placing a c

voice devoid of emotion. "To begin repaying the

her, his expression unreadable. "Wh

said, her eyes searching his.

noramic view of the city skyli

ion costing her more than he could ever know. "Or perhaps, I loved

ng herself. "I want a clean br

harsh laugh. It was a

u think you get to

n understanding, you and I. An unspoken agreement. I dictate the

the silence hang

hat, Ethan?" Ava press

illing. "Barring death, Ava.

ze, her own surprising

r voice barely a whisper. "Is my dea