Ava’s POV:
I don’t move right away.
The hallway feels suspended, like the house itself is holding its breath. Daniel’s hand remains lifted, fingers angled toward the right corridor. Margaret stands behind him, perfectly still, as if she already knows how this ends.
Two paths.
Both deliberate.
Both traps in different packaging.
“Public,” I repeat quietly. “You said public.”
“Yes,” Daniel answers. “Visible, controlled, neutral ground.”
There is no such thing as neutral when people like him choose the setting.
“And the other way,” I say, nodding toward the left corridor. “What’s there?”
Margaret speaks before Daniel can. “That route is not part of the agreement.”
“So it exists,” I reply.
Daniel lowers his hand slowly. “Ava, this is not the moment to test boundaries.”
I look at hi
