Sophie’s voice lingered in the air.
Ava didn’t answer immediately.
She looked down at her hands, fingers twisting together in her lap. The glow from a few seconds ago dimmed.
Sophie noticed.
“Oh,” she said quietly. “That’s still there.”
Ava inhaled slowly. “I don’t know,” she admitted. “He said she’s nothing.”
Sophie tilted her head. “And you believe him?”
Ava hesitated. “I want to.”
“That’s not the same thing.”
“I know.”
Ava leaned back into the couch, staring at the ceiling. “He said she’s helping him connect with big companies. That she’s influential.”
“She is,” Sophie muttered.
Ava’s eyes flicked to her. “So you think—”
“I didn’t say anything,” Sophie cut in quickly. Then softer, “I just know Isabella doesn’t help anyone without a reason.”
Ava’s chest tightened. “He didn’
