The cab eased to a stop in front of the café.
Ava didn’t move immediately. Her hand remained on the door handle, fingers curled around it, as if stepping out meant crossing into something she couldn’t undo.
A second passed, then another. She pushed the door open.
The café was quiet enough for decisions.
Inside, the air carried the quiet hum of low conversations and clinking cups. It felt… normal. Too normal for the weight sitting in her chest.
Her eyes found him quickly.
Mr. Carter sat in the corner, a file closed in front of him, his posture composed, like a man who had already arranged the conversation before she arrived.
Ava sat across from Mr. Carter, her fingers resting on the edge of the table, still and controlled. The file lay between them like something alive.
“I don’t hav
