Ava's POV

My heart pounded violently as I bolted upright, gasping for air. The scream that tore through me was still caught in my throat, and the memory of the shadowy figure lingered like a dark smudge in my mind.

"Ava!"

Rose’s voice jolted me further. I turned to find her gripping my shoulders, her face pale with worry. “You’re okay. Ava, breathe!”

I blinked rapidly, my chest heaving. My surroundings started to come back into focus—the sterile hospital room, the faint sunlight streaming through the window, and Rose, staring at me like I’d just shattered.

“It’s just a dream,” she whispered softly, brushing my hair back from my damp forehead.

Just a dream. I exhaled sharply, my body still trembling. My eyes flickered to the clock on the wall—it was morning. How long had I been trapped in that nightmare?

I drew my knees to my chest and hugged them tightly, the weight of reality settling on my shoulders. Memories of my kidnapping flashed through my mind like shards of glass—cold hands, muffled screams, blindfolds. I squeezed my legs tighter as if that could hold me together.

“Ava…” Rose’s voice was gentle as she sat beside me. “You’re safe now. I promise. Do you want me to call someone? The doctor? Mason?”

I shook my head quickly. “No,” I croaked. “I’m fine.” The lie tasted bitter on my tongue.

“You don’t look fine,” she said skeptically, reaching for the water by my bedside. “Here, drink this.”

I took the glass, my hands still shaking as I gulped down the cold water.

“Rose,” I said finally, my voice hoarse. “Go check on my sister upstairs. Make sure security is tight. I don’t…” My voice faltered as I swallowed the lump in my throat. “I don’t want her to go through what I just did. I have a feeling they’ll come for her again.”

Her brows knit in concern. “Ava, you’ve been through so much. You need to rest. Are you sure—”

“Please,” I insisted, cutting her off. “Just check on her for me. And make sure she doesn’t find out that I’m here.”

Rose hesitated before nodding. “Okay. But I’m not leaving you for long.”

As soon as she stepped out, I exhaled shakily, sinking back against the pillows. The silence pressed in on me, but at least I could breathe. I stared blankly at the ceiling until a soft knock broke me out of my daze.

Rose reentered a few minutes later, her face calm. “Everything’s fine with your sister. Security is on high alert.”

“Good,” I murmured. I needed that sliver of assurance.

“Now, let’s focus on something else. Did you bring the reports I requested?”

“Work?” She blinked at me in disbelief.

“Yes, work.” My tone was firm but soft. “I need a distraction, Rose. Even if it’s just for a little while.”

She sighed, relenting. “Fine. What are we looking at today?”

She flipped through a few pages. “The Q3 projections came in. We’re ahead of target, but Mr. Connor wants to make a decision on the Sheffield merger soon. Oh, and the London team is waiting on approval for the new budget allocation.”

I nodded absently, my brain fighting to keep up. “What about the lunch meeting with Connor, did you represent me?”

Rose’s expression faltered. “I told him what happened. He said he’s coming to check on you.”

“What?” I shot her a glare. “Rose, you shouldn’t have told him! I don’t want rumors spreading among our partners about what happened.”

“Ava, it’s Connor,” she replied defensively. “He cares. Besides, people will talk no matter what. Let him worry about you for once.”

I was about to argue when the door creaked open. Mason walked in, a bundle of bright yellow daffodils in his arms.

I froze, my eyes widening slightly. Daffodils. My favorite.

“Mason…”

He flashed a small, boyish smile, and for the first time since waking up, my chest felt a little lighter. He looked ridiculously good this morning—crisp white shirt rolled up to his elbows, dark jeans, and tousled hair that made him look both effortless and sharp.

“Good morning, Ava.” He stepped forward, placing the flowers gently on the small table beside me. “Thought these might brighten the place up.”

I blinked, fighting to hide the flicker of surprise. “How did you know—”

“That you love daffodils?” His smile turned teasing. “I didn’t. I just followed my instincts.”

Rose smirked knowingly. “I’ll leave you two to it.”

As soon as the door closed behind her, I turned to Mason. “Did the police find the kidnappers?”

He shook his head, his expression darkening. “No. But they’re still working on it. Investigating leads. I did tell them what you overheard the kidnappers say.”

I nodded thankfully, but frowned afterwards. “I didn’t even hear sirens when they rescued me…”

He hesitated. “I asked them to park a few blocks away. I couldn’t risk the kidnappers panicking and running away with you or worse, harming you.”

I stared at him, processing his words. Mason was still talking, explaining how scared he’d been when he got my text and how he’d been getting ready for our date that morning. But I barely heard him.

Because all I could think about was Orion.

Why did Orion come before Mason and the police? Had he aborted his own plan at the last minute? Was that why all the fingers weren’t pointed at him?

“Ava?” Mason’s voice broke into my thoughts. He tilted his head, watching me carefully. “Are you okay?”

I forced a smile. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

Before he could press further, Mr. Connor walked in with a giant bouquet of roses.

“Ava!” Connor’s booming voice filled the room. “I heard from your assistant. Are you okay?”

I managed a weak smile. “I’m fine, Mr. Connor. Thank you for coming.”

He placed the roses beside Mason’s daffodils, looking at me with genuine concern. “I wanted to check on you personally. We were all worried. And besides…” He grinned. “I have news. I’m getting married.”

My eyebrows shot up. “Married?”

“Yes! I reunited with someone at your wedding, and I’d love for you to come to our wedding.”

I was about to respond when the door burst open, and Priscilla stormed in like a queen entering her court, Orion trailing furiously behind her.

“Oh, look at this,” Priscilla sneered, her sharp eyes darting between Mason, Connor, and me. “Men surrounding you. And yet, you still won’t leave my son alone.”

“Mother, stop,” Orion growled, his face red with anger. “Don’t do this.”

“Please,” Priscilla scoffed, waving him off. “I’m telling the truth. She orchestrated this entire fiasco to play the victim. She made you look like a failure. Imagine the headlines; Orion Miller’s wife, kidnapped right under his nose. It’s all part of her plan. She loves the narrative.”

Her words were venomous, but I stayed silent, my rage bubbling quietly beneath the surface.

“Cat got your tongue?” she taunted, her voice mocking. “Not so bratty anymore, are you?”

“Mother, enough!” Orion roared, his voice echoing through the room.

I finally spoke, my voice icy. “Since you’re here, you might as well beg your son to sign the divorce papers.”

“No,” Orion snapped, turning to me. His voice dropped, almost cold. “You’re mine. Till death do us part.”

My lips curled into a bitter smile. “I’m already dead. At least to you.”

He looked stricken, his gaze softening. “Ava, I didn’t mean…”

“Save it,” I spat, cutting him off. “Save your excuses for someone who cares.”

For a moment, the room was dead silent.

Then, I turned to Orion, my voice sharp. “By the way… how did you get there so fast? Bursting in like a savior. Was it to save your face? To act like a caring husband?”

His next words made my blood run cold and my eyes widened in shock. My heart slammed against my ribs, disbelief hitting me like a train as his words rang over and over in my head.

“You sent me your location, remember?”