Waves of Doubt
The Maldives sun burned hot on Ava's skin as she lounged on the overwater deck, a book forgotten in her lap. Three days into the honeymoon and paradise felt like a dream she'd finally earned, lazy mornings tangled in sheets, afternoons snorkeling hand-in-hand, evenings watching sunsets with Lucian's head in her lap, fingers tracing lazy patterns on his chest. No phones, no emails, no shadows from the past. Or so she thought.
Lucian had stepped out for a quick swim around the island, his daily ritual to burn off energy while she read. The villa was quiet, waves lapping softly beneath the floorboards. Boredom tugged at her and she wandered inside, eyeing his suitcase still half unpacked in the corner. A black leather portfolio poked out from under a pile of shirts. She recog
