The secrets we bury

Strings

I sat in the parking lot of The Nook Café, engine off, Watching.

There they were.

Thornton and Melanie. Sitting across from each other. Laughing. Flirting.

Flirting.

The f*****g nerve.

He leaned in just a little too close. She tucked her hair behind her ear. He smiled. She blushed.

I nearly choked on my own spit.

I dialed Thornton. Just to see if he’d do the right thing.

He didn’t.

I watched, through the window, as he glanced at the screen, saw my name… and silenced the call.

Oh no he didn’t.

I told Averie I wouldn’t cause a scene — and I wouldn’t.

But I’d make a goddamn entrance.

I stepped out of my car like I was stepping onto a red carpet. Hair perfect. Lip gloss freshly applied. Rage dressed up in Chanel.

I walked into the café, all smiles and sugar, but my insides were fire.

They didn’t see me at first. So I slid right into their booth, beside Melanie, uninvited and unwanted.

“Hey guys,” I said sweetly. “I had no idea you two were here. I just needed a little pick-me-up.”

Thornton blinked like I’d slapped him.

He could smell my bullshit from a mile away.

“Ava,” he said slowly. “You’re quite far from home.”

I tilted my head, resting my chin in my hand. “Well, I was craving something sweet.”

I smiled at Melanie. “Looks like I wasn’t the only one.”

Melanie — bless her dumb little heart — lit up.

“It’s going well,” she said brightly. “We were just talking about college—”

I didn’t even hear the rest.

Her voice turned into static as I watched her eyes sparkle. Her cheeks were pink, glowing. She looked alive.

And I wanted to put that light out.

“Cute,” I said flatly. “Well, it’s so good to see you both. I really can’t wait for Jason’s party. It’ll be so nice to all hang out together.”

I stood, smoothed my dress, and turned to Thornton — my voice dropping just enough for Melanie not to catch the venom.

“Thort,” I said with a cold smile. “Give me a call when you get a moment, alright?”

He didn’t answer.

Didn’t have to.

I looked at Melanie one last time, all innocence and gratitude, like she really believed she belonged here.

“Have fun, you two,” I said, waving as I walked away.

I didn’t look back.

But the air behind me felt like fire.

As I got into my car, I could feel the fury rise in my throat like bile.

No one moved without my permission. No one ignored me. And no one — especially not Thornton Grayson — rejected me for the girl I made.

This game wasn’t about love.

It never had been.

It was about power.

And it was time to tighten my strings — and remind my little puppets exactly who was holding the crossbar.

When I got home, I skipped dinner. I needed something stronger.

I went straight to the bar cart, poured myself some vodka — rocks only, no distractions — and climbed the stairs to my room, my lair, my f*****g domain.

I kicked off my heels, dimmed the lights, let the buzz settle in my bones.

My phone lit up.

Thornton.

Video call.

I smirked and answered, casually lounging on my bed like I hadn’t just stalked him across town.

“Ava,” he snapped, his face filling the screen. “What the hell was that about tonight?”

I tilted my head and sipped slowly.

“He groaned, rubbing his temples. “You said you didn’t have an issue, so why are you creating one right now and Don’t play dumb. You walked into that café like you owned it.”

“I do own it,” I snapped. “I just don’t like being left out of the loop.”

He narrowed his eyes. “You knew we’d be hanging out.”

“Sure,” I said with a shrug. “But there’s hanging out, and then there’s whatever the f**k that was.”

He shook his head, almost amused now. “Why were you calling me in the first place, Ava?”

I took another sip. Leaned in, eyes glinting.

“I wanted to f**k,” I said flatly. “But it seems you were too busy being engulfed in the glowing aura of Melanie.”

He laughed. That low, smug laugh I hated and craved all at once. “Really, Ava?”

“You can have her, Thornton,” I purred, crossing my legs slowly. “But don’t you dare forget who made you get her. Don’t you forget who you belong to.”

His eyes darkened. He didn’t speak for a second.

Then he softened — just like I knew he would.

“Do you want me to come over?”

I smiled. Not sweetly. Not kindly. A wicked smile that curled like smoke.

“Yes.”

He smirked back. “I’ll be there in twenty.”

He hung up with a shake of his head. “You are something else, Ava.”

I lay back against the pillows, staring at the ceiling.

I always get what I want.

Especially when I feel like I’m losing control.

And tonight?

Tonight, I was going to remind Thornton Grayson exactly where his loyalty lay.

Between my sheets — and beneath my thumb.