Her Name Was Ava
314 Words
Chapter 37: Her Name Was Ava
Jay slammed the door behind him as he stepped into the apartment. He was wet from the rain, jaw clenched, breathing hard like he’d been running.
Lena stood in the hallway, arms crossed, her phone clutching tightly in her hand.
“You didn’t tell me about Ava.”
Jay’s entire body froze.
The silence was so thick it felt like the walls leaned in to listen.
“Where did you hear that name?” His voice was low, dangerous, yet Lena didn’t flinch.
“She came to the door,” she said. “She whispered your name like a threat. Like she knew me. Like she knew... everything.”
Jay raked a hand through his damp hair. “Did you let her in?”
“Of course not. Who is she, Jay?”
He didn’t answer.
“Don’t do that,” Lena said sharply. “Don’t go silent on me again. Not after everything.”
Jay turned slowly, his eyes darker than she’d ever seen them. “Ava is the reason Elijah is dead.”
Lena’s breath caught.
Jay looked away. “At least... that’s what I believed. For a long time.”
“What do you mean believed?”
“I mean, it was never that simple,” he said. “She was part of our crew. Brilliant. Dangerous. Beautiful. And manipulative as hell. She played both sides.”
“She betrayed you?”
“She betrayed everyone.”
Lena stepped closer. “Then why is she here now?”
“I don’t know.” His voice cracked. “But if Ava’s back, it means someone’s forcing her hand. And if she’s come looking for you... it means they’ve found a weakness in me.”
Lena frowned. “Me?”
“You,” he repeated. “Because now they know I care. And that changes everything.”
- Writer
