Ava's POV

The penthouse felt too quiet after everyone left. I paced from room to room, the marble cold beneath my bare feet, the city lights twinkling in the distance behind the glass walls. Ethan had gone to the office for a quick meeting he couldn't cancel. He kissed my forehead before leaving, promised to return soon, and told me to rest. I tried. I really tried. But the silence pressed in on me until I could no longer stay still.

I picked up my phone and called Sandra. She answered on the s