Chapter 124 - The Path Forward

Ava’s POV

*Flashback*

Clinging tightly to Mason as we walked toward the car, I couldn’t keep my mind from spinning. The chaos of the last few hours kept replaying in my head, leaving me both relieved and shaken.

Seeing Mason emerge from that abandoned building, shirt bloodied and torn, had made my heart stop. He looked like some kind of battered superhero, and something deep in my chest tightened with fear and admiration.

Without thinking, I had run straight into his arms, muttering thank yous over and over, as if that could truly convey the gratitude I felt.

Now, seated in the backseat while holding Holly, I gripped her hand tightly, silently praying she would be okay. Her fingers felt cold in mine, and though I checked her body again for any cuts or bruises, I found nothing.

The blood… it wasn’t hers. But then whose blood was it? My eyes flicked toward Mason, who sat quietly beside me, his shirt stained with dark red patches.