"You're lying!" I screamed, lunging for Gary and grabbing his collar. The cold fabric felt thin in my shaking hands. "What the f**k did you do. Answer me damn it."
Gary laughed—a cold, empty, hollow sound that held no humor. "I warned you, Ava. I told you exactly what would happen if you ran. But you didn't listen to a damn word I said. And now?" He leaned in close, his breath hot and terrible against my ear, making me shiver with disgust and fear.
"Now you'll pay for it."
My knees instantly buckled beneath me. The world tilted. No. No. This couldn't be happening. This wasn't just my life being ruined, this was my family. The people I loved, even if they were complicated.
"I... I have to call them," I stammered out, fighting to breathe. "Our lawyers... they’ll fix this."
"Won'
