Mason froze mid-step when he heard Ava's voice. Her call was faint, almost lost in the noise of the crowded airport, but it reached him, stopping him in his tracks. He turned slowly, his eyes locking onto hers as she hurried toward him.

She didn't love him. He knew this more than anyone but he can't—no—he doesn't want to give up on making her see him.

That is the only way.

Ava didn’t care about the stares from strangers or the tension radiating from Orion behind her. She reached Mason, throwing her arms around his neck in an embrace that caught him off guard.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, her voice cracking. “I didn’t mean to push you away, Mason. I don’t want you to be upset, and I hate that you’re worried. Please don’t be.”

Mason hesitated, his hands hovering uncertainly before they rested lightly on her back. His voice was soft, almost gentle. “Ava, it’s not about me. It’s about you and Holly. You don’t need to apologize.”

Ava pulled back slightly, her eyes glistening. She smiled faintly and kissed his cheek, lingering just long enough for the moment to feel significant. “I’ll keep you posted, okay? Promise.”

Mason studied her face, his brows furrowing as though he wanted to say more. But in the end, he only nodded, a small, resigned smile tugging at his lips. “Take care of yourself, Ava. Call me if anything comes up. And... take care of her.”

Ava nodded, her throat tightening with unspoken emotion. She stepped back, leaving Mason standing there as she returned to Orion, who watched the entire exchange with an expression Ava couldn’t quite place—equal parts jealousy and frustration.

When she reached him, Orion’s jaw was tight, his usual cocky demeanor replaced by a tension that matched the storm in his eyes. Still, he said nothing as they moved through security.

---

The plane ride was suffocating. Ava sat by the window, her gaze fixed on the endless expanse of clouds outside, trying to keep her mind from spiraling. Orion, seated next to her, leaned back in his chair, arms crossed as he watched her. His presence was heavy, his attempts to speak met with silence each time.

Finally, he leaned closer, his voice low but firm. “Ava, you can’t just shut me out like this.”

She turned to him, her expression cold. “Orion, not now. I don’t have the energy to argue with you. All I care about is Holly. Just... leave me alone.”

Orion’s jaw clenched, but he didn’t press further. Instead, he leaned back again, his gaze drifting to the window as silence settled between them once more.

---

When they landed, a car was already waiting to take them to the hospital, courtesy of Rose’s quick arrangements. Ava barely registered the drive; her thoughts were consumed by Holly. Every scenario played out in her mind, each one worse than the last.

As the car pulled up to Ashton Valley Medical Center, Ava was out the door before it fully stopped, her legs carrying her toward the entrance with a desperation that made her heart race. Orion followed closely, his longer strides easily matching her frantic pace.

Inside, a nurse directed them to Holly’s room, and the sight that greeted Ava nearly brought her to her knees. Holly was awake but pale, her usually vibrant energy replaced with a fragility that made Ava’s chest ache.

An image of Holly being hooked up to all those machines all over again flashed before her and she trembled slightly.

“Hols,” Ava breathed, rushing to her sister’s side. She took her hand gently, her fingers brushing against the IV taped to her wrist. “Oh, thank God you’re awake.”

Holly managed a weak smile. “Hey, Ava... You’re here. Wait…you're here?!”

“Of course, I’m here,” Ava said, her voice trembling. “I should’ve called you earlier. I should’ve—” She stopped herself, biting back the flood of guilt that threatened to spill out.

“I'm fine. They shouldn't have bothered you. But, you’re here now,” Holly said softly. “That’s all that matters.”

Ava nodded, blinking back tears. She brushed a strand of hair from Holly’s face, her voice steadier now. “What happened, Hols? Why didn’t anyone tell me sooner?”

Holly hesitated, glancing toward the bodyguard standing awkwardly in the corner of the room. Ava followed her gaze, her expression hardening as she rose to her feet.

“Where the hell were you?” she demanded, her voice sharp. “Why didn’t you call me the second something happened?”

The man opened his mouth to respond, but Holly’s voice cut through the tension. “Ava, stop. It’s not his fault.”

Ava turned back to her sister, her brows furrowed. “What do you mean it’s not his fault? It’s his job to keep you safe.”

Holly sighed, her voice barely above a whisper. “I told him not to. I made him promise not to call you every time something happened. I didn’t want you to worry.”

Ava stared at her, disbelief etched across her face. “Holly, are you serious? You fainted. You could’ve—” Her voice broke, and she took a shaky breath, forcing herself to calm down. “I was terrified, Hols.”

“I’m sorry,” Holly said, her eyes filling with tears. “I didn’t think it would be this serious. I just... I didn’t want to be a burden anymore.”

“You could never be a burden,” Ava said firmly, sitting back down and taking her sister’s hand again. “I need you to promise me something. No more secrets, okay? If something happens, you tell me. Always.”

Holly nodded, her tears spilling over. “Okay. I promise.”

Ava smiled faintly, squeezing her hand. For the first time since the phone call, she felt a flicker of relief. Holly was here. She was safe. And Ava would do whatever it took to keep it that way.

---

The hours passed in a blur. Doctors came and went, explaining that Holly’s collapse was likely due to a combination of exhaustion and the stress of adjusting to a new environment. They assured Ava that her sister would recover with rest and proper care.

Orion stayed by Ava’s side the entire time, his presence steady but distracting to Ava. He didn’t push her to talk, didn’t demand her attention. Instead, he simply stayed close, a silent pillar of support.

Holly on the other hand, couldn't stop being chatty with Orion. Ava didn't tell her what happened when she was kidnapped so she doesn't blame herself in any way regarding her estranged marriage.

As the night wore on, Ava found herself leaning against the window of Holly’s room, staring out at the city lights. Orion approached her cautiously after making sure that Holly was fast asleep, his voice soft when he spoke.

“How are you holding up?”

Ava glanced at him, her exhaustion evident in her eyes. “I don’t know. I’m relieved that she’s okay, but I’m still scared. What if it happens again? What if...”

Orion placed a hand on her shoulder, his touch warm and grounding. “She’s strong, Ava. Like you. She’ll get through this, and so will you.”

Ava didn’t pull away, but she didn’t respond either. Her mind drifted back to Mason, to the way he’d looked at her at the airport. She wondered if she’d made the right choice in sending him away.

---

By the time morning came, Holly was showing signs of improvement, her color returning and her energy slowly rebuilding. Ava stayed by her side, refusing to leave even when the nurses suggested she rest. Orion eventually convinced her to step outside for some fresh air, promising that the bodyguard and nurses will keep an eye on Holly.

As they walked through the hospital’s quiet courtyard, Ava finally broke the silence. “Thank you, Orion. For being here.”

He looked at her, surprised by the vulnerability in her voice. “You don’t need to thank me, Ava. I’m here because I care. About you. About Holly.”

Ava nodded, her gaze distant. “I just... I don’t know how to do this. How to keep my sister safe and hold everything together.”

“You don’t have to do it alone,” Orion said firmly. “You have me. And whether you like it or not, I’m not going anywhere.”

Ava looked at him, her emotions swirling. She wanted to believe him, to trust that he’d stay. But a part of her was still wary, still holding onto the walls she’d built to protect herself.

As they headed back inside, Ava couldn’t shake the feeling that the road ahead was about to get even more complicated. And for better or worse, both Orion and Mason would be there, each fighting for a place in her heart.