Ava woke up smiling.
The realization hit her before she even opened her eyes.
Noah loved her.
The thought immediately sent warmth through her chest.
Not excitement.
Not disbelief.
Something calmer.
Something deeper.
The kind of happiness that settled quietly inside you and refused to leave.
For months she had imagined what the confession would feel like.
She had imagined relief.
Joy.
Fear.
Instead, it felt like coming home.
The realization nearly made her cry.
Because for the first time in a long time, something felt right.
Completely right.
Then reality arrived.
The smile faded instantly.
Not completely.
Just enough.
Because loving Noah hadn't magically fixed everything.
Their parents still existed.
The situation still existed.
The future still existed.
And all th
