Chapter 4 A night I can't forget and Guilts

Chapter Four

Evening crept in faster than usual. Ava dragged herself out of bed, her body tired, her heart heavier than ever. She got dressed slowly, every movement sluggish, and stepped out of the house.

She stood outside Evan's apartment, frozen.

Her hands felt too weak to knock. Fear gripped her chest, and a thousand questions raced through her mind.

What if he asks too much?

What if he finds out?

What if I break down in front of him?

Finally, she knocked,softly, hesitantly. Her heart pounded.

The door opened. Evan stood there, eyes filled with concern. "You're here," he said, pulling her into a tight hug.

Ava clung to him, guilt washing over her like a cold wave.

"I was so worried," he whispered, stepping back to check her face. "How are you now?"

"I'm fine," she said, forcing a small smile. "Just... tired."

"Let's sit. You look like you've been crying."

They sat on the couch. Evan studied her like he was seeing her for the first time,like something in her had changed.

Ava took a breath, reached into her bag, and pulled out the check.

"I got the money," she said.

Evan blinked. "What?"

"For your mom's surgery," she added. "I... I borrowed it."

He stared at her in disbelief. "You borrowed it? From who?"

"Someone I know," she said quickly. "I don't want to talk about it. Just... use it. She needs help."

Evan's eyes welled up with tears. He reached for her and held her tightly.

"What would I have done without you? I love you so much."

"I love you too," Ava said, though the words felt heavy on her tongue.

"Thank you. I don't deserve you."

Ava said nothing.

But in her mind, the words echoed:

You don't deserve me... but not the way you think.

AJ Cars –Office

A man sat behind a desk piled with documents, but his mind wasn't on the work.

Alejandro Fernandez.

Owner of AJ Cars. Powerful. Private. Restless.

But right now, none of that mattered.

He leaned back in his chair, jaw clenched, lost in thoughts that refused to leave.

Her.

The girl from that night.

Ava.

The memory clung to him like a shadow he couldn't shake. He'd tried to forget her,tried to move on,but every time he closed his eyes, he saw her. Felt her.

Her voice. Her tears. Her truth.

Flashback

After the night they shared, she looked at him with glistening eyes and whispered:

> "I didn't do this for money. I did it for someone I love. Please... don't try to find me. I don't want to hurt him."

End of flashback.

Alejandro sighed, frustration building in his chest. He ruffled his hair, trying to shake her voice from his head. It didn't work.

He stood up abruptly.

"Cancel everything," he told his secretary. "I need to go somewhere