Chapter Nineteen
I didn’t sleep.
I tried.
I really did.
But every time I closed my eyes, I felt it again—that quiet, steady pull sitting just beneath the surface of my thoughts. Not strong enough to take over. Not loud enough to drown everything else out.
Just… there.
Waiting.
Watching.
Reminding me.
I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at nothing, my fingers clenched into the fabric of my sheets. The house was silent again, like nothing had happened.
Like I hadn’t just been somewhere else.
Like something hadn’t followed me back.
A soft knock broke the silence.
I didn’t respond right away.
“Ava.”
Ethan.
Of course.
“Come in,” I said quietly.
The door opened slowly, and he stepped inside, his gaze immediately locking onto me. He looked like he hadn’t slept either.
Good.
A
