Episode 1:The threads we can't see

The wind was biting cold as Ava stepped out onto the balcony, her fingertips trembling, not just from the chill, but from the weight of the unknown. She had always felt like something was missing, something just out of reach, like a thread that tied her to something or someone she couldn't quite understand. Her mind wandered back to the dream she had the night before, the one that left her feeling both shaken and strangely relieved. In it, Noah, her boyfriend, had kissed her gently, telling her everything would be okay. But then, his eyes flickered for a split second, like he wasn't really there, like something was off.

She couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to their relationship than met the eye. She had always trusted Noah, believed in his promises. But this nagging suspicion that something was hidden from her,it wouldn't go away.

Ava leaned over the railing and let the cold air rush past her face, grounding her in the present. She closed her eyes, hoping to clear her head. But then, the sharp buzz of her phone in her pocket brought her back. It was a message from an unknown number, a simple text with just a few words.

"Don't trust Noah."

Ava's heart skipped. Her eyes scanned the message, over and over again, but there was nothing more,no name, no explanation. She shook her head, trying to dismiss it. It could be anyone. A prank. Yet, her instincts told her this was real. She couldn't ignore it.

She quickly typed out a response, her fingers trembling as she typed, "Who is this?" but before she could hit send, the phone buzzed again.

"Don't trust Noah. He's hiding something."

Her pulse raced as she stared at the screen. A cold sweat broke out on the back of her neck. She could feel it now,a growing tension in the air. She had to find out who was behind this. And more importantly, why they were warning her about Noah.

Her fingers hovered over the keys, the question burning inside her: What was he hiding?

Across town, Noah sat in his car, his fingers drumming nervously on the steering wheel. He hadn't expected to be in this position feeling like the walls were closing in on him. The decision to go through with it had been difficult, but now, seeing the weight of his actions slowly unfolding, he realized there was no turning back.

The phone in his pocket buzzed. A message.

He didn't need to look at it to know who it was from. Ava. He hesitated for a moment before pulling the phone from his pocket and reading her text.

"Who are you hiding from, Noah?"

His breath caught in his throat. How much did she know? He had promised her everything would be okay, but now, with this message, he wasn't sure he could keep that promise. He stared at the screen, his mind racing. Was it too late to explain? Was it too late to pull her out of the web he had unwittingly tangled them both in?

He hit reply, trying to steady his hands as he typed, "I'll explain everything. Please just trust me."

He waited, watching the three dots on the screen as if they were mocking him. Then, nothing. No reply. Not even the three dots anymore.

A knot twisted in his stomach. This wasn't just about him anymore. This was about Ava. And if he didn't find a way to make things right, he might lose her forever.

Back on the balcony, Ava stared at her phone, frustration bubbling inside her. She didn't know who to trust anymore. Noah was the one person she thought she could rely on, but now, with this cryptic message, doubt had planted itself firmly in her mind.

Her phone buzzed once again, and her heart skipped a beat as she saw the name flashing on the screen: Liam.

Her ex. The one person she'd tried so hard to forget. The one person whose name still held the power to rattle her every time it appeared.

She took a deep breath, trying to steady her racing thoughts. She didn't want to get tangled up in the past. But this time, she couldn't ignore the message.

"You need to know the truth about Noah. He's not who you think he is."

Ava's hand shook as she read the message. How did he know about Noah? How much did he really know?

The weight of the situation crashed over her, and for the first time in years, she felt the sharp sting of uncertainty. Who was she supposed to trust?

Elsewhere, in the shadows, another pair of eyes watched,eyes that had been watching for a long time. A figure, cloaked in darkness, remained hidden, their every movement calculated, their every word deliberate.

A long breath escaped their lips as they stood, unseen, behind the curtain of Ava's life. They had set the stage, and now the players were moving into position. All it took was a few well-placed words, a few strategic actions, and the unraveling would begin.

This was just the beginning.