I wanted to make him confess.

Ava tried to persuade him again, her voice softening. "Ethan, don't do this. There is still a way out for you. Surrender to the police. Tell them Lydia forced you into this. If you cooperate, you won't be punished as harshly."

"I don't need your mercy," he retorted. "I am capable of turning fate in my favor."

His fingers dug into her arm as he steered her toward the parking lot. "All these years, I was loyal to your family. I protected you. I loved you. And yet, you only ever saw Dylan. You never gave me a chance."

Ethan's voice darkened with scorn. "I was ready to walk away. To leave you with the man you love and start fresh somewhere far from this mess. But you had to ruin everything. Now, you're coming with me."

Panic surged through Ava's veins. No. She wouldn't let him take her. She twisted in his grasp, struggling. "Let me go, Ethan! This won't end well for you!"