Gabriel stepped out of Celina’s room to take Ava’s call, and even after hanging up, her dry, decisive tone still echoed in his mind. He knew it wasn’t jealousy—Ava wasn’t that kind of woman. But he also knew her well enough to recognize that logical, disciplined nature of hers—almost mathematical in its precision—that didn’t tolerate lapses, especially when it came to previously scheduled commitments.

As he walked down the hallway toward the balcony to get some fresh air before returning to the