AVA'S POV
The sea air stung my cheeks as the boat pulled farther away from the southern cliffs, the horizon swallowing the darkness behind us.
My heart pounded like a war drum. I kept my eyes locked on the receding shoreline, half-expecting shadows to reemerge, chasing us across the waters. But there was nothing, only waves and wind.
Ethan stood at the wheel, quiet and focused. The steady tension in his shoulders hadn't left since we fled the estate.
He hadn't spoken more than a few words since we left, but I could feel the weight pressing on him. On both of us.
The flash drive was safe in my jacket. The files, the photos, the web of lies that had encased my life for years, they were all here.
I wasn't sure if I was more afraid of what we'd do with them or of what would happen if they fell into the wrong hands again.
We anchored at a small, private cove just before dawn. Ethan had secured the coordinates weeks ago, in case things went wrong.
