Chapter 36
Ava is asleep on my chest when the knock comes.
My mouth curves into a small smile before I even think about it.
Mason.
He said he might finish early tonight.
I shift carefully, easing Ava higher against my shoulder so I don't wake her, and move toward the door.
The apartment feels warm and quiet in that soft evening way, it does now when he's been around a lot lately, like everything has settled into place.
Like it's safe.
Another knock, slightly firmer this time.
I reach for the lock without hesitation.
"Mason?" I call softly as I open the door.
The word dies in my throat.
It's not him.
Ryan stands in the hallway.
Everything inside me stops.
For a second, I genuinely can't process what I'm seeing. Like my brain refuses to connect the shape in front of me to the memories I've spent so long trying not to think about.
Then it hits.
And panic detonates through my body so fast I nearly drop Ava.
No.
No no no
Ava stirs against my chest, making a small, sleepy sound.
Ryan's eyes drop immediately to her.
"Chloe," he says quietly, like this is normal. Like he belongs here. "You didn't answer my calls."
My grip tightens around Ava instinctively.
"You can't be here," I whisper.
His gaze flicks back to me.
Same look as before.
Controlled. Familiar. Wrong.
"I came to see my daughter."
My stomach twists violently.
"She's not yours."
His expression barely changes.
"She is."
My mind starts spiraling.
Think.
Think.
I can't let him in.
I can't let him see inside.
I take one step back and force my voice to steady.
"Leave."
Ryan doesn't move.
He watches me.
Like he's waiting for me to do something predictable.
Something he understands.
Ava starts fussing softly, sensing my fear.
That breaks something in me.
I turn abruptly and slam the door halfway shut—
Lock it.
Chain it.
My hands are shaking so hard I can barely get it done.
Another knock hits immediately.
Not loud.
Controlled.
Patient.
That's what scares me most.
Because Ryan never rushes when he knows he doesn't have to.
I spin around, heart pounding so hard it hurts.
No phone.
Kitchen counter.
Living room.
Mason's keys, gone.
My phone.
My phone!
I sprint into the hallway, nearly tripping over the rug, and grab it off the coffee table with shaking hands.
Ava whimpers louder now.
I rush into the bathroom and shut the door behind me, locking it hard.
"Shh, shh," I whisper, bouncing her gently even though my arms feel like they're going to collapse. "It's okay, baby. It's okay."
My hands are shaking so badly that I almost drop my phone.
One call.
Mason.
Please pick up.
It rings.
Once.
Twice.
My chest tightens so hard I can barely breathe.
"Come on," I whisper.
Ava starts crying properly now.
The sound shatters me.
Then...
"Chloe?"
Mason's voice.
Instant relief so sharp it nearly makes me sob.
"Mason," I choke out immediately. "Mason, he's here...he's outside...Ryan's here."
A pause.
Sharp.
Instant shift in his tone.
"Where are you?"
"I'm in the bathroom with Ava," I whisper quickly. "I locked us in. I didn't know what else to do. He's at the door, he-he found us."
Another pause.
Shorter this time.
Controlled, but different now.
"Are you safe?"
"I don't know," I admit, voice breaking. "I don't know."
Ava screams louder in my arms.
I press her closer instinctively.
"Mason, please."
"I'm on my way," he says immediately. No hesitation. No doubt. "Stay in the bathroom. Lock it. Do not open it for anyone except me. Do you understand?"
I nod even though he can't see me.
"Yes."
"Chloe."
His voice sharpens slightly.
"I'm coming. You hear me?"
My throat tightens painfully.
"Okay."
The call ends.
Silence crashes in for half a second, then banging at the front door again.
Not patient anymore.
My entire body locks up.
Ava cries harder.
I slide down the bathroom wall, pulling her close against my chest, shaking uncontrollably as I stare at the locked door.
"Mason," I whisper into the air like he can hear me still. "Please hurry."