The Replacement Is You

Ava slept deeply after an exhausting night—first from tossing and turning at her grandfather's countryside home, then from being swept away by Liam's passion. She didn't even have the energy for nightmares. Without the recurring dream that had plagued her since she was thirteen, she didn't murmur Ethan's name in her sleep.

At the break of dawn, she woke up to find Liam already gone. The lingering warmth on his side of the bed had long faded, leaving behind only the faint scent of cedar and a hint of cologne. She stared at the ceiling for a moment, collecting her thoughts before carefully getting out of bed, mindful of her bandaged hand.

She moved through the quiet house, her footsteps barely making a sound. When she reached the bathroom, she was momentarily stunned to find that Liam had already squeezed toothpaste onto her brush. The simple, almost domestic gesture tugged at something deep inside her, and before she realized it, a faint smile had curved her lips.