AVA'S POV
Ethan had always been sharp, razor-focused, strategic, and eerily precise in the way he executed each move. So I knew it wouldn't take long before he began to sense that something was off.
And I was right.
It started with a slight shift in his demeanor. He wasn't cold or accusing, just... keen. Watching more closely. Asking more questions. Rechecking steps he normally would've trusted me to handle. Ethan was many things, but naive wasn't one of them.
Which made my secret mission even more dangerous.
Victor's number had burned a hole in my phone for days before I called. He was the one person Ethan would never suspect I'd turn to, because of their history, because of mine. But I had no choice. Ethan's retaliation plan was growing too aggressive, too erratic. He was about to cross a line he couldn't come back from. And no matter how much I loved him, I couldn't let that happen.
Victor answered on the second ring, his voice low and guarded. "Ava?"
