Chapter 112

Emily’s POV

Ava’s words hung in the air like smoke, filling every corner of my apartment, impossible to ignore.

Her face was blotchy from crying, her body hunched in defeat, but her eyes were steady. Steady in that way Ava always was when she’d already made up her mind.

“I’m giving you my blessing,” she said again, like repeating it would make it easier for me to hear. “If you and Alex… if something ever happens there, I won’t stand in the way.”

It should have felt like relief. I finally got the permission. The loosening of a knot I’d pretended wasn’t there.

Instead, it felt like a burden being shoved into my chest.

I stared at her, trying to find the right words, but all I could manage was a whisper. “Ava, what are you doing?”

She let out a bitter laugh, swiping at her damp cheeks. “What I should’ve done a long time ago, admitting the obvious. You and Alex… there’s something there. I see it, Em. I’d have to be blind not to.”

He