After hearing what Summer Thorne said, Timothy York was silent for a moment before speaking. "You don't want to drag me into this, but what about you?"
Summer Thorne looked up at him. "This was always my own business. I can... I have to handle it myself."
"Mm," Timothy York hummed softly, then looked at her and said, "But I can't."
Summer Thorne faltered. "What?"
"I can't let you handle this on your own, to face such danger and such people by yourself." Timothy York once again brought her hand to his lips, his voice low.
Summer Thorne froze again, momentarily at a loss for words.
"Ava, you're not alone," Timothy York said slowly. "You still have me."
In that instant, tears welled up uncontrollably in Summer Thorne's eyes once more.
But this time, just as the tears began to moisten her eyes, Timothy York gently caressed the corner of her eye, then placed a soft kiss there.
Summer Thorne let out a soft sob before saying, "You don't have to go this far for me."
