When The World Comes Knocking
731 Words
Ava woke up slowly, wrapped in warmth.
The curtains glowed golden with early sunlight, and for the first time in weeks, she felt... safe.
No Damian.
No headlines.
No harsh silence.
Just the soft hum of the house and the memory of Jace’s words from the night before:
> “I’ll wait until you trust me.”
She rolled over in bed — and nearly jumped when she saw him.
Jace. Sitting in the armchair by the window, dressed already in black slacks and a gray sweater, eyes scanning something on his tablet.
"You’re watching me sleep now?” she asked, voice still sleepy.
He looked up, startled. Then — a small smile.
“You looked peaceful,” he said. “Didn’t want to wake you.”
She blinked, then sat up, clutching the sheets around her.
“Did you sleep here all night?”
“No,” he said. “Just came in early. I made breakfast… again.”
She laughed. “Should I be concerned?”
“Possibly. It’s actually edible this time.”
He stood, walking to the door, then paused.
“I also cleared my entire morning for you.”
Her brows lifted. “Why?”
“I figured you might need a day where no one expects anything from you. No obligations. No press. No fake smiles.”
Her heart cracked open a little more.
“Jace,” she said softly. “Why are you suddenly… like this?”
He didn’t turn around. “Because I don’t want to lose the one real thing I didn’t know I was looking for.”
Then he left.
---
Later that day, Ava found herself in the garden.
The air was crisp. She wore one of his hoodies over leggings and felt more like herself than she had in months.
She sat under a tree with a book, but her eyes kept drifting to the memory of his face this morning.
The small smile. The way his voice softened.
Was this what falling felt like? Quiet. Slow. Safe.
She didn’t hear the gate open until it was too late.
“Found you,” a voice said.
Her blood went cold.
Damian.
Standing just inside the garden, sunglasses pushed up on his head, looking like the devil in designer.
“What the hell are you doing here?” she snapped, jumping to her feet.
“You blocked my number. Had to get creative.”
“You’re trespassing,” she said. “Leave. Now.”
But he didn’t. He stepped closer.
“You think Jace Blackwood is the solution? You really think he cares? You’re just another pawn in his game, Ava.”
“Get. Out.”
He reached into his coat — and Ava’s heart nearly stopped. For one terrifying second, she thought—
Then Jace appeared.
Out of nowhere.
Grabbing Damian by the wrist and slamming him against the garden wall.
Ava gasped.
“Touch her again,” Jace growled, “and you won’t walk out of here.”
Damian laughed bitterly. “You think you own her?”
“No,” Jace said. “But I protect what matters to me.”
Damian shoved off the wall and dusted himself off. “You’ll regret this.”
“No,” Jace said coldly, taking Ava’s hand without looking away from him. “You will.”
And just like that, Damian left.
---
Back inside, Ava was still shaking.
She sat on the edge of the bed, and Jace knelt in front of her.
“Did he touch you?” he asked, voice low, controlled.
She shook her head. “He scared me.”
His jaw locked. “He doesn’t get to scare you. Ever.”
“I didn’t expect him,” she whispered.
“I did,” he said. “I saw his name on a tabloid forum yesterday. I was going to warn you.”
She looked into his eyes.
And something broke between them — in the best way.
She leaned forward, resting her forehead against his. He froze, then exhaled.
Their breaths mingled. Hearts thudding. Not a kiss — not yet — but something more.
“I feel safe with you,” she whispered.
He closed his eyes.
“I want to deserve that,” he said.
They stayed like that — forehead to forehead, hands tangled together — letting the silence speak what words couldn’t.
- Writer
