Chapter 43 Ava
Ava
Pain comes back first
Everywhere.
Sharp.
Heavy.
Unavoidable.
But it’s not the only thing.
I’m here.
Breathing.
Alive.
And when I look at him—
really look—
I see it.
What I did to him.
His eyes.
Still locked on me like he’s making sure I don’t disappear again.
The tight line of his jaw.
The way his hand holds mine like letting go isn’t an option.
Fear.
Anger.
Something deeper.
All of it.
For me.
My fingers tighten around his.
Stronger now.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper.
His expression shifts instantly.
Hard.
Firm.
“No.”
I blink, caught off guard.
“No?”
“You don’t apologize for surviving.”
The words land deeper than anything else.
My throat tightens.
“I almost left you again.”
His jaw clenches.
“You didn’t.”
“I almost did.”
He leans in, pressing his forehead to mine.
That same touch.
The one that grounds me.
Pulls me back.
“But you didn’t,” he says again.
Softer now.
Steadier.
“You fought.”
Because of you.
Because of us.
I don’t say it.
I don’t need to.
He already knows.
His hand shifts, fingers threading fully through mine.
Holding on.
Firm.
Certain.
“We’re not done,” he says quietly.
A faint smile touches my lips.
“Good.”
Because neither am I.