Ava's eyes fluttered open, and she found herself in a warm, cozy room, the scent of pine and cinnamon wafting through the air like a Christmas treat. Ethan was sitting beside her, his eyes filled with concern, his face illuminated by the soft glow of a nearby candle.
"Welcome back," he said, his voice low and husky, as he handed her a cup of steaming hot tea, like a Christmas gift on a cold winter's morning.
Ava took a sip, feeling the warmth spread through her body like a Christmas hug. She tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness washed over her, and she fell back against the pillows, like a Christmas stocking being stuffed with treats.
Ethan's eyes narrowed, his face filled with concern. "You're not going anywhere, Ava," he said, his voice firm but gentle, like a Christmas parent scolding a mischievous child. "You need to rest."
Ava's eyes locked onto his, her heart pounding in her chest like a Christmas drummer beating out a lively tune. "What happened?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, as she tried to piece together the fragments of her memory, like a Christmas puzzle being solved.
Ethan's eyes seemed to cloud over, like a Christmas sky filled with snowflakes. "Someone attacked you," he said, his voice low and urgent, as he glanced around the room, his eyes scanning the shadows, like a Christmas detective searching for clues.
Ava's eyes widened, her heart racing with fear. Who could have attacked her? And why? She felt a sense of unease wash over her, like a winter's breeze blowing through the garden.
Ethan's eyes seemed to hold a glimmer of reassurance, like a Christmas candle burning brightly in the darkness. "Don't worry, Ava," he said, his voice low and husky. "You're safe now."Ava's eyes locked onto his, her heart pounding in her chest. She trusted Ethan, she realized. She trusted him with her life, like a Christmas child trusting a beloved parent.
As she looked around the room, Ava saw that it was filled with Christmas decorations, the scent of pine and cinnamon wafting through the air like a Christmas treat. There was a Christmas tree in the corner, its branches decorated with candles and ornaments, like a Christmas wonderland.
Ethan followed her gaze, his eyes filled with amusement. "I like Christmas," he said, his voice low and husky, as he smiled, like a Christmas elf spreading joy and cheer.
Ava's eyes locked onto his, her heart pounding in her chest. She felt a sense of wonder wash over her, like a Christmas miracle being born. She was falling for Ethan, she realized. She was falling for him hard, like a Christmas snowflake drifting gently to the ground.
As they sat there, the Christmas decorations twinkling around them like a festive wonderland, Ava knew that she had to tell Ethan the truth. She had to tell him that she was falling for him, like a Christmas secret being shared.
But just as she was about to speak, the door burst open, and a figure strode in, like a Christmas storm blowing through the room. It was Lady Catherine, her face filled with concern, her eyes scanning the room like a Christmas detective searching for clues.
"Ava, darling," she said, her voice filled with relief, as she rushed to Ava's side, like a Christmas parent rushing to comfort a frightened child. "I'm so glad you're safe."
Ava's eyes locked onto Lady Catherine's, her heart pounding in her chest. What was Lady Catherine doing here? And what did she know? She felt a sense of unease wash over her, like a winter's breeze blowing through the garden.
As Lady Catherine began to speak, Ava knew that the game was afoot, like a Christmas mystery being solved. She was about to uncover the truth, and nothing would ever be the same again, like a Christmas miracle changing lives forever.