Chapter 53 Ethan
Ethan
The world tightens.
Sound drops out.
Everything narrows to the voice in my ear.
“What does that mean?”
Ava doesn’t answer right away.
When she does—
it’s quieter.
Not weak.
Just… stripped down.
“It means… if I stay off their system too long… my body starts shutting down.”
No.
The word hits before I can stop it.
“No.”
Across from me, Hayes smiles.
Slow.
Satisfied.
“There it is,” he says. “Now you’re paying attention.”
I don’t look at him.
I can’t.
Not yet.
“You’re lying.”
“Am I?” he asks lightly. “Or have you noticed how she’s been fading in and out since she came back?”
My chest tightens.
Memory flashes—
her breath hitching—
the way she went pale—
the way she dropped—
No.
“She was injured,” I snap. “That’s all that was.”
“Of course,” Hayes says smoothly. “Whatever helps you keep standing.”
My grip tightens on my weapon.
“You don’t control her anymore.”
He tilts his head.
Almost curious.
“Don’t I?”
Something in me snaps.
I step forward.
Weapon up.
“You’re not walking away from this.”
“Ethan—” Ava’s voice cuts in.
I don’t stop.
“I said step back,” Hayes warns.
Still—
I don’t stop.
“You’re done,” I tell him.
His expression shifts.
Just slightly.
More focused.
More real.
“I already am.”
And then—
he moves.
Fast.
Too fast to stop.
He pivots—
launches—
Gone.
Over the edge.