Ava’s POV
The quiet stretched between us like a taut thread as Liam and I entered our room. The click of the door behind us sounded louder than it should’ve, swallowed by the heavy silence that lingered after the storm downstairs.
He didn’t say a word.
He walked across the room, pulling off his jacket and tossing it carelessly over the armchair. His shoulders were tense, jaw locked, eyes staring at nothing in particular. The weight of what happened at the dinner table still hung over him—over both of us.
I watched him for a moment, my fingers gently fiddling with the bracelet on my wrist. Then I stepped closer, my voice soft but clear.
“Jack deserves a fresh start, Liam.”
He turned to look at me, a flicker of disbelief shadowing his eyes. “You think so?”
“I do.” I nodded slowly. “Yo
