Chapter 70

Deric POV

I told myself I wouldn’t go. Told myself she deserved space, anything but the mess of my world. But as the moon dragged higher and the city went quiet, my feet moved on their own. My car knew the road like it wanted to drag me there by itself. I didn’t even have time to think.

Ava’s apartment building stood like it always had. Lights were off in most of the windows. But hers still glowed dimly, like an invitation or a warning.

I stood outside her door for a full minute.

Then I raised my hand and knocked. Once. Twice. Three times. No answer. I called her phone, it went straight to voicemail, like it has been for days now.

My heart beat hard in my throat. I started to turn away, maybe she’d gone to sleep, maybe she’d moved on, maybe she hated me.