AVA'S POINT OF VIEW
The morning sun poured through the window like a quiet declaration: today would be different.
I stirred slowly beneath the soft sheets, the scent of the ocean breeze still clinging faintly to my hair from last night. For a few blessed seconds, there was nothing—no past, no scandal, no lineage to reckon with. Just the feel of Ethan's arm draped protectively over my waist and the steady beat of peace.
But then it all returned.
The truth.
The press conference.
The confrontation with Lawrence.
The reunion.
I exhaled deeply and turned toward Ethan, whose eyes opened almost at the exact same moment, like he could sense my thoughts before I even voiced them.
"Hey," he said, groggy and low. "You okay?"
I nodded. "Just... processing."
He brushed a strand of hair away from my cheek. "Big day."
