Chapter Twenty-Six
I chose.
Not loudly.
Not dramatically.
There was no sudden realization, no clear moment where everything clicked into place.
It was quieter than that.
More terrifying.
Because it felt… final.
“I can’t stay in the middle,” I said, my voice steadier than I expected.
Ethan didn’t interrupt this time.
Didn’t try to guide me.
He just watched.
Waiting.
And somehow—
that made it harder.
Because now, whatever happened next…
It was entirely on me.
My fingers tightened slightly around his.
Not enough to pull him closer.
Just enough to feel him.
Real.
Warm.
Present.
And then—
I let go.
His hand slipped from mine slowly.
Not forced.
Not ripped away.
Just… released.
“Ava.”
He said my name like it still meant something.
Like I was still something he coul
