Orion’s POV

Rose’s call was still fresh in my mind as we made our way through the bustling streets toward Ashton Valley Medical Center. Her voice had been sharp, almost biting, as she filled me in on the situation.

“You shouldn't mess this up again, Mr Miller,” Rose had said. “And before you even ask, no—this isn’t just about Holly. Ava’s had enough people letting her down. I know you're a good person, so I'm giving you the opportunity to make things right with her.”

I was busy beating myself up on how things played out with Ava when Rose called me about the trip to California. I have to make things right no matter what it takes. I will never divorce Ava. Never.

“I get it, Rose. And thank you,” I had replied, keeping my tone calm even as frustration bubbled beneath the surface. Rose never liked me so I was surprised to hear that she was willing to help. She always had a way of making everything seem like it was entirely my fault.

But she was right this time at least.

“And another thing Mr Miller—I think that we need to watch Mason,” she added. “Something’s off with that guy. He’s got a vibe I don’t like.”

At least someone else has finally noticed! But I didn't let her in on my suspicions. I instructed her to work closely with the team I sent to trace the source of that security breach. I couldn't take Mason's word about the source being from the subsidiary.

Now, as I pulled up to the hotel Ava had booked for us, I couldn’t help but smirk slightly. Sharing a room with Ava wasn’t something I had planned on, but when the receptionist had shrugged and told us the hotel was fully booked, I had taken it as a sign.

“We only have a single room left,” she’d said apologetically, sliding over the key card. “It has one queen-sized bed.”

I had glanced at Ava, expecting some sort of protest, but she merely sighed in frustration and snatched the card from the counter.

---

The room was cozy, with warm tones and minimalist décor, meanwhile Ava’s mood was anything but warm. She dumped her hand bag onto a chair and turned toward the window without a word. I leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching her silently. She was beautiful even when she was angry—especially then.

“This isn’t exactly ideal, huh?” I offered, attempting to break the ice.

She shot me a glare over her shoulder. “I’m only in this space with you because of Holly, Orion. Let’s not make this more awkward than it has to be.”

I chuckled, raising my hands in mock surrender. “Fair enough.”

As she began unpacking, I couldn’t help but admire the way she moved—graceful, determined, yet guarded. It was as if she had built an impenetrable wall around herself, and for good reason. I had been the one to hurt her, after all.

I didn’t bother unpacking although I put our things together in one bag. We are a couple after all. Instead, I sat on the edge of the bed, scrolling through emails and messages until I heard Ava’s voice. She was on the phone, her tone soft but serious.

“Yes, Mason, I’m fine… No, she’s stable for now… I’ll keep you updated.”

I tried not to listen too closely, but every mention of his name felt like a jab to my chest. Mason had always been too close for my comfort. I could tell he wanted more from Ava than just friendship.

And thinking about the way Ava had hugged him at the airport, maybe she's beginning to feel the same way. The mere thought of them together made my chest tighten in pain. I can't let that happen.

When she hung up, I cleared my throat. “Any new update on Holly?”

“Nothing. She’s stable,” Ava replied curtly, not bothering to elaborate. She grabbed her toiletries and headed to the bathroom without another glance in my direction.

Night came quickly, and with it, an uneasy silence settled over the room. Ava lay on the far side of the bed, wrapped tightly in the blankets, as if creating a barrier between us. I lay on my side, staring at her back, resisting the urge to reach out and pull her close.

Relax, Ava,” I said after a while as I watched her scoot farther away from me. “I’m not going to bite.”

“Good,” she muttered, her back still to me. “Because I’d probably punch you if you tried.”

I laughed softly. “You’re as charming as ever.”

Silence stretched out again, but this time, it felt lighter. Almost comfortable.

Out of nowhere, Ava spoke, her voice quieter than before. “Why did you really come with me, Orion?”

“For Holly, obviously,” I said casually. “I failed her before. I wasn't there when she needed me and I wasn't about to repeat the same mistake again.”

“Liar.” She turned to face me, her eyes sharp even in the dim light. “You didn’t join me just for her. You wouldn’t have been here if it were just about that.”

I hesitated, caught off guard by her directness. “Okay, fine,” I admitted. “I came here for you too. I screwed up several times before, and I’m trying to fix it.”

Her expression softened for a moment before she quickly masked it with indifference. “You can’t just show up and expect everything to go back to how it was. A lot of things have changed,”

“I know,” I said, my voice low. “But like I keep telling you, I’m not going anywhere this time.”

Ava didn’t reply, turning back over, but I noticed the slight tension leaving her shoulders. Progress, however small, was still progress.

So many times as we lay in silence, my hand twitched toward her, but I stopped myself each time. She wouldn’t want that—not yet. Still, watching her like this, so close yet so far, was its own form of torture.

Finally, when her breathing evened out and I was sure she was asleep, I couldn’t hold back any longer. Gently, I slipped under the covers and moved closer, wrapping my arms around her waist. Her warmth seeped into me, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I felt at peace.

‘Finally, I’ve touched you after what seemed like an eternity.’

She shifted slightly, turning in her sleep and nuzzling her face against my neck. My heart raced as I inhaled her familiar scent, a mixture of lavender and something uniquely Ava. She slept soundly, oblivious to the chaos she was causing in me.

I wanted her so badly, but this wasn’t the time. All I could do was hold her, hoping that someday, she’d let me back in.

As I held Ava tightly in my arms, every moment felt like a delicate balance between comfort and chaos. She stirred slightly, but didn’t wake. Her breath was soft against my neck, and for a fleeting second, I allowed myself to believe that things could truly go back to how they were.

But peace was fleeting, and reality came crashing back when I heard the quiet ping of a notification.

My eyes darted toward the headboard, where her phone lay face-up. The screen lit up briefly with a message preview, and curiosity got the better of me. I reached out carefully, making sure not to wake her as I grabbed the device.

What I saw made my blood run cold.

The hell?