Ava's POV
I walked into Elloria Enterprises.
This was mine—for now. And I was ready.
I had barely sat down in the boardroom when the door slammed open.
Elara.
Melissa right behind her, smiling like she owned the place.
"What are you doing here?" Elara snapped. "This is my husband's company."
I didn't move. "And I'm his daughter. The acting director."
"Dad told me before he married you that if anything happened to him, I'd take over. I'm acting director."
"You don't have any right," Elara hissed.
"Actually, I do." My voice was calm. Firm.
Melissa rolled her eyes. "Wow. That fire must've fried your brain, sis."
"Don't call me that," I said coldly. "And be careful, Melissa. Your time's running out."
They stared at me like they wanted to scream.
But I sat there, quiet and sure.
This was mine. And they knew it.
"I'm the heir to Elloria Enterprises, and you both know it," I added.
Melissa stepped closer, her voice low. "We'll see how that goes, sis."
They left, and I took a deep breath.
Everything felt like it was falling apart.
Elara didn't love Dad—she loved what he had. What he had accomplished.
I had to be careful. With both of them.
I pulled out my phone and called Nico. He'd given me his number the last time we met.
He picked up almost immediately.
"Hey, Nic. Anything?" I asked.
"Not really, little angel. You should take it easy. We'll find proof—you have to trust me. And let me take you out to dinner. You've been stressed."
"What are you gonna give me if I go out with you? Wait—are you asking me out on a date?" I teased.
"It's not like that. I'm looking out for you, okay?" he replied.
"So... I'm not your type? Is that what you're saying?"
The words left my mouth before I could stop them. Ethan's voice came rushing back.
There was a pause on the line.
"I didn't say that," he said quietly.
"Then what did you mean?"
He didn't answer right away.
"This... us... it's complicated," he finally said. "Not because of you. Just... everything else."
I understood.
So many walls. So many secrets.
"Dinner's fine," I said, my voice softer. "But only if you let me pick the place."
"You drive a hard bargain," he said.
"But okay. It's a deal."
I picked a quiet rooftop place. Somewhere with lights soft enough to forget the world.
He showed up in black—jeans, jacket, shirt. Simple. Effortless. Still, he looked like trouble. The kind you don't run from.
"You clean up nice," I said, sliding into my seat.
"You always look like that?" he asked, gaze lingering.
I smiled. "You mean like a mess or like your type?"
He didn't blink. "You know what I mean."
Dinner came, but we barely touched it.
Too many things unsaid between us.
"So," he started, leaning back. "How's the company?"
"I'm holding it down," I replied. "Barely."
I paused. "Feels weird. Like I'm pretending to be someone stronger than I am."
"You're not pretending," he said. "You're just finally stepping up."
I looked away. "It's hard when everyone around you wants you to fail."
He reached across the table, fingers brushing mine. "You're not alone."
"Nic? Why can't this happen?" I asked, eyes locked on his. My voice was soft, almost scared.
He didn't answer right away. Just pulled his chair closer.
Then his fingers found mine. Warm. Sure.
He kissed my hand—slowly, like he was memorizing it. Then my wrist. Up to my neck.
No one was around. Just us. Just this moment.
His lips reached mine.
The kiss—hot, deep, like he'd been holding back forever.
I melted into it.
God… I loved this man.
Around him, the world faded.
No pain. No doubt. Just him.
He pulled away just enough to look into my eyes, his breath warm against my skin.
"I've got an idea on how to catch them," he whispered, his voice low and sure.
His fingers tightened around mine, grounding me. "For now… this is ours."
He dropped me off at the house.
I stepped out of the car—and there he was.
Ethan. Walking out like he owned the place.
He stopped dead when he saw me.
"What?" he said, eyes sharp. "I knew something was going on."
I crossed my arms. "And what exactly do you think is going on, Ethan?"
He didn't answer.
I walked past him like he wasn't even there. Because honestly, he wasn't—not anymore.
But as I reached the door, I heard his voice behind me.
"Uncle? Really? My ex? You don't see your mates or what?"
Nico's tone was calmer. "It's not what you think, Ethan."
I didn't wait to hear the rest. I walked faster.
Some things didn't deserve a front-row seat.
I shut the door behind me and leaned against it.
Silence.
But inside, everything screamed.
What was Ethan doing—showing up uninvited? Probably here to see Melissa.
And Nico… why did he have to say it like that?
I hated this. The drama. The tension around Dad.
And the worst part—I didn't feel safe anymore, not even in my own home.
They were trying to hurt me and Dad, and I knew it.
I went straight to my room, locked the door, and sank onto the bed.
This wasn't supposed to be complicated.
But somehow, it always is.
I heard a knock. Slow. Deliberate.
I opened the door—and there they were.
Elara.
Melissa.
I moved to shut it, but Melissa shoved it back, her grip tight on the frame.
"Where do you think you're going, bitch?"
I tried to close the door again, but Melissa pushed harder and stepped in.
Elara followed, eyes cold.
"You think this is over?" Elara hissed.
"You're messing with things you don't understand," Melissa added, standing too close.
I stood my ground. "Get out."
Melissa shoved me. "Or what?"
I stumbled back a step. My heart pounded—but I stood still.
"You think running the company makes you untouchable?" Elara said, her voice sharp.
I stared at them. Tension shot through my hands.
They weren't just warning me.
They were threatening me.
And I wasn't safe anymore—not even in my own home.