Chapter 247: Unwanted Truths

Skylar stood motionless as the helicopter lifted off, the rhythmic thumping of its blades fading into the distance.

Chris was gone.

For the first time since this nightmare began, he was out of her sight. Out of control. Out of power. And she hated how that unsettled her.

Ethan and Cole were talking in hushed, tense voices near the warehouse entrance, their expressions grim. Soldiers moved with trained efficiency, cleaning up the aftermath of the ambush, securing the bodies, and double-checking exits.

And then there was Ava.

Still restrained. Still watching. Still smiling.

Skylar forced herself to look at her. Really look.

Ava was bloodied and bruised, but her confidence hadn't wavered. If anything, she seemed amused. Like none of this mattered to her.

"Something on your mind, princess?" Ava taunted, tilting her head.

Skylar didn't respond immediately. Instead, she took a slow step forward. "You were willing to stab him. To have him killed."

Ava chuckled. "You say that like you weren't hoping for the same outcome."

Skylar's jaw clenched. "I didn't want this."

Ava's smirk deepened. "Liar."

The word cut deep. Because maybe, in some dark, hidden part of herself, she had wanted him to suffer.

But now?

Now, she just felt sick.

Ava leaned in slightly. "What's wrong, Skylar? Feeling guilty? Conflicted?" Her voice dropped to a whisper. "Afraid of what it means that you don't want him dead?"

Skylar's fingers curled into fists.

She wasn't going to let her get inside her head.

"You're a snake, Ava."

Ava laughed. "And Chris is what? Your savior? Your captor? Your lover? You haven't figured it out yet, have you?"

Skylar turned away before she could say something she'd regret.

Because the worst part?

Ava wasn't entirely wrong.