AVA'S POV
The morning sunlight filtered through the tall windows of the sitting room, brushing everything in soft gold.
But even that warmth couldn't shake the heavy weight that had settled deep in my chest.
I hadn't heard from Ethan since the last encrypted message he sent the night before, and my instincts refused to quiet down.
I stood by the kitchen island, fingers wrapped around a warm mug of chamomile tea, my thoughts spiraling faster than I could catch them.
Mrs. Rosalind moved quietly behind me, wiping down the countertops and humming a soft hymn under her breath.
Her presence was always grounding, like a tether to something constant in an unpredictable world.
Melanie had just left, after bringing me updates from the foundation.
The whistleblower tip-off was growing into a legal storm, and the involvement of Carl had sent a fresh wave of doubt and distrust through the entire organization.
I hated that I had trusted him. That we all had.
