AVA'S POV
I used to think healing meant forgetting. That in order to move forward, I had to erase everything that had hurt me.
But as I stared at my reflection in the cracked mirror above the sink, I realized I hadn't forgotten anything.
The scars were still there.
Not on my skin, but in my eyes, in the tremble I fought to hide, in the way my breath hitched when someone raised their voice too loud. The truth was, I didn't want to forget. Because remembering meant I had survived it.
And I had.
The day had officially begun, though the world outside still wore the sleepy gray of dawn. I could hear Ethan in the other room, making calls in low murmurs. Always planning, always protecting. He thought I didn't notice the tension in his voice whenever Carl's name came up.
But I did.
Carl had found our trail. Again.
