~Ava's POV~
"She walked into a law firm this morning," Colt said. "Not the family one. Independent. Downtown."
I set my coffee cup down slowly. "Which firm?"
"Hargrove and Associates. They handle contract disputes. Mostly private settlements."
I didn't say anything for a second. Lily wasn't just cracking. She was quietly building a way out before the whole thing collapsed on her.
"Keep watching her," I said. "And Colt? Don't tell Dominic yet. It should be between both of us and no third party.”
I hung up and sat back.
*****
That morning had started quietly enough.
I woke up before seven, made coffee, and sat at the kitchen island with my notepad, doing what I'd been doing every morning for the past week. Running names. Old contacts from my Hale Industries days. People who liked me
