Lydia’s phone call

Ava's brows shot up in surprise. "A nightmare?" She tilted her head, taken aback.

Dylan nodded. Actually, he was telling the truth. Through his nightmares, he realized he had been reborn.

"In that nightmare," he continued, "I saw myself hurting you—in ways I can't even begin to describe." His throat tightened as the images flashed before his eyes—her pain, her suffering, her tragic end.

Ava's fingers slackened in his grasp, her pulse quickening. His insides clenched in nervousness when he saw the change in her expression. But he had already decided to tell her everything.

Taking a steadying breath, Dylan pushed forward. "By the time I realized my mistakes, it was already too late. You—" he faltered for a moment before forcing himself to continue, "You left me." Steeling his heart, he added, "I saw you… lying there. Covered in blood. Motionless in the hall."