Ava didn't say anything for a long time.Just stayed curled against me, breathing shaky and uneven.
Finally, she pulled away — not fully — just enough to look at me.Her face was still a mess, and somehow, she was still the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.
"Come on," I whispered, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Let's get some air."
She hesitated — but nodded.
No words. Just a nod.
I took her hand, laced our fingers together like if I let go, she might disappear again.
We left the apartment, walking into the cool night air.The streets were almost empty, the city buzzing softly around us.
We walked.
No destination.No plan.Just... walking.Breathing.Existing together in the same broken space.
I squeezed her hand a little."I owe you the truth," I said.
She didn't say anything — just squeezed back.
So I spilled it all.
"Veronica has a girlfriend," I said, voice low. "Has for years."
Ava's head snapped up, eyes wide.
"Yeah," I said with a humorless laugh. "Her name's Becca. She's a photographer. They've been hiding it forever."
Ava just stared at me like she wasn't sure whether to laugh or punch me.
"But Veronica's dad?" I shook my head. "Mr. Langley — the guy who owns SK Industries? One of the richest, most psychotic bastards you'll ever hear about?"
I sucked in a breath. "He'd rather burn the whole damn world down than let his 'perfect daughter' be a lesbian."
Ava flinched, and I hated the world for making her have to hear this shit.
"My mother and Mr. Langley went to school together," I continued, voice getting rough. "They're old friends — and when I say 'friends,' I mean... monsters who cover each other's asses."
I looked up at the sky, stars blurred out by the city lights."They don't care who they crush. They don't care about love. All they care about is power, money, control."
I stopped walking.Turned to face her fully.
"If anyone — anyone — tried to expose Veronica, or mess with Mr. Langley's image, he'd destroy them. Their families. Their futures. Everything."
Ava's face twisted, her brows furrowing like she was trying to make sense of a thousand lies at once.
"My mom was in on it," I said. "She orchestrated everything. The engagement. The breakup. Even what happened to us."
I swallowed hard."I didn't know," I whispered. "I swear to you, Ava. I didn't know until it was too late."
The silence stretched between us, heavy and sharp.
"You deserve someone better," I said, my voice breaking a little. "Someone who isn't dragging you into a war between rich psychos."
Ava was quiet for a long second — then stepped closer.
"I don't care," she said, her voice shaking but strong.
I blinked, stunned.
"I don't care about your mother," she said louder. "Or her stupid rich friends. Or your messed up past."
Tears burned my eyes, but I forced a smile.God, she was everything.Stronger than I ever was.
"I care about you," she whispered. "Only you."
I grabbed her face, leaned my forehead against hers.Breathing her in like I was drowning and she was the only air left in the world.
"I'm not going anywhere," I promised. "I don't care how dangerous they are. Let them come. Let them try. I'll protect you, Ava. I'll burn down their whole fucking empire if I have to."
She laughed — a broken, watery laugh — and it was the most beautiful sound I'd ever heard.
We stood there, on the sidewalk, under the washed-out stars, like two idiots in love and ready to fight the entire goddamn world if we had to.
Together.
Always