Three days.
That was how long I managed to stay away from her.
I buried myself in contract signings, meetings, and everything Sophie arranged for me. Three quiet days inside the Imperial Crown Hotel overlooking the glittering lights of Pasadena.
And somehow… none of it could clear Ava from my head.
I shut my laptop with more force than necessary and leaned back against the chair in the hotel suite.
My phone vibrated against the table.
Father.
The atmosphere in the room suddenly became cold.
“Yes,” I said into the phone.
The other end was silent and cool.
“You sound tired,” he replied in a calm and controlled voice.
“I have been working.”
“Laptop work isn’t leadership, Christien. You’ve spent years hiding behind the scenes while Sophie handles field operations,” he said slowly,
