Thread of Fate

ter

rned slowly, and A

overed half his face, casting shadows that matched the dim hotel lighting. Ava couldn't see him

at each othe

voice, he sai

tr

ome Rosie

ightly to her ear. "Come on, Ava, pick up

the couch, phone in hand. S

? Ava's not a child

ink nothing happened? She never comes ho

eyes. "You always

ed her and

at th

ath shaky. His voice echoed in her mind

tr

he couldn't. Her h

this time. "Take off your

signation. Her fingers moved on their own as she slipped out of her robe

s wide open, star

r across the room, silently watching her li

rs. This isn't me. T

echoed in her head.

heets. She couldn't let him lose

nd the bedsheets, and tears s

he room was heavy with tension. Ava's breath caught in

he said quietly, his

ated but

eone she loved. But as the night unfolded, the lines blurred. Between d

ody was whispering the one th

o

ornin

el room, warm and quiet. Ava slowly opened her

t a check on t

mil

he memory. The choices. The way

because s

somehow, she

because she betrayed Evan, but be

in silence, every movement a reminder of what she'd d

uffy.

itterly, "What

ain. I didn't even see his face. I don't even know

nds tr

r voice resound

Apar

lked in looking lifeless like a g

uch. "Ava! What's wrong wit

th, but no words came. Instead, her c

wrapping her arms

acing a comforting hand on Ava's back. Together, they held her,

Ava gently pulled away and w

orla exchan

kay," Rosie

orla replie

thing "Rosie said again an

va's

her bed and stare

every sound, every feeling she wasn't ready

one buzzed

v

rla told me you're not feel

swallowed hard, blinking away tears. Her fing

t at your p

hit

e phone fal

to the ceiling,

ll them? Ro

I tel

no, I

sks where I

what she'd say:

e the biggest l

into her hair and let out a sc

, Rosie

lled, rushing

alarmed. "What t

d frozen outsi