The Proposal Twist
Two weeks after the warehouse nightmare, the penthouse had settled into a fragile rhythm. Ava's bruises had faded to yellow shadows and Lucian's protective grip had eased just enough for her to breathe without feeling watched every second. Damien was behind bars, charged with kidnapping and corporate espionage, his family revelation a twisted secret Ava had shared only with her father in a tearful hospital visit. Robert had taken it hard, whispering apologies for old sins, but he'd squeezed her hand and said, Blood don't make family, baby girl. Heart does.
Now, on a crisp evening, Ava sat at the kitchen island flipping through a magazine while Lucian worked late in his study. The city lights twinkled beyond the windows, a peaceful backdrop that felt almost normal. Almo
