The rain had finally stopped.
Ethan stood on the balcony of his apartment, watching the sun rise over Seattle. The sky was clear, the air fresh. It was a beautiful morning. The kind of morning that made you believe in second chances.
But Ethan couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.
Ava walked out onto the balcony. She was holding two cups of coffee. She handed one to him and stood beside him.
"You're up early," she said.
"I couldn't sleep. Too much on my mind."
"What are you thinking about?"
"Alex. About what he said before they took him away."
Ava nodded. "He said he was trying to protect you."
"I know. But that doesn't make it right."
"No. It doesn't."
They stood in silence, watching the city below.
Ethan's phone buzzed. He pulled it out.
It was a text from Nor
