"You don’t get to decide how this ends, Victor," I murmured, maintaining a steady tone of voice despite my heart pounding wildly.
Victor's smile got bigger, and it made me shiver. "Oh, Ava," he leaned nonchalantly against the doorframe and drawled. "Do you not know what game you're playing? Don't worry, though; you'll find out soon enough.
Rogan moved in between us, obstructing Victor's view of me with his wide shoulders. He snarled, "Get out before I make you regret coming here," in a warning that even Victor understood.
Victor lifted his hands in a gesture of simulated submission, but I could tell he wasn't finished by the sparkle in his eyes. "All right. I'm going out. For the time being." He glanced over Rogan's shoulder one last time, meeting my eyes. "But Ava... when you’re ready for the truth, you know where to find me."
A moment of terrible quiet filled the room as the door slammed behind him.
Rogan looked at me, his countenance a mixture of worry and rage. "Are you okay?"
"Am I okay?" I said it again, raising my voice. "No, I'm not alright, Rogan. You're standing there acting like you can just... manage it while a psychopath shows up out of the blue and makes cryptic threats."
He clenched his jaw. "I can handle it."
I shook my head, feeling as though the knot in my chest could burst. "Rogan, that is the issue. You believe that you can manage everything by yourself. You're only keeping me in the dark, even if you claim to be protecting me."
With a voice that could cut, he yelled, "I'm trying to keep you safe, Ava."
"Safe from what?" I fired back. "From Victor? from the spirit of Aria? or from the reality of my position in your life?"
His silence was sufficient response.
In an attempt to control the feelings that threatened to overtake me, I took a trembling breath. "Rogan, I can no longer do this. As long as you're still clinging to her memories, I can't continue to compete for your affection."
He winced as if I had hit him. "Ava—"
"No," I cut in, my tone stern. "Let me finish."
His face was unreadable when he shut his mouth.
I said, "I love you, Rogan," in a quiet but firm voice. However, I can't keep losing myself in an attempt to win back people's love. We must be on equal footing if we are to have a future. No more shadows or secrets."
He was silent for a moment. Finally, he gave a nod. "You’re right," he muttered. "I've given you less than what you deserve. However, I'm not sure how to let go of the past, Ava.
I took a step forward him, looking him in the eye. "Then, Rogan, figure it out. You won't let me see because I'm tired of watching you fight in the background."
I turned and left the room without waiting for a response, my pulse racing with a mixture of panic and resolve.
I woke up the following morning feeling more clear-headed than I have in weeks. Although I couldn't alter the past, I could choose how I wanted to proceed. Rogan and I would only collaborate if we agreed to my terms.
I planned all day long, putting my ideas into practice. By nightfall, I was aware of my obligations.
"Where are you going?" I took my coat off the rack beside the door and Rogan asked.
"Out," I stated plainly, avoiding eye contact.
"Ava, wait." He moved ahead of me, his face displaying a mixture of worry and annoyance. "Speak to me. Don't simply ignore me.
I met his gaze and sighed. "Rogan, I'm not excluding you. I'm letting you think about what you want. And I'm doing the same to myself."
His face flickered with surprise as his brows wrinkled. "What does that mean?"
I responded steadily, "It means I'm not going to wait around for you to decide if I'm enough." "I’m going to fight for what I want, but I’m going to do it for me—not for you, and not for anyone else."
He seemed to hesitate before reaching for me, as evidenced by the twitching of his hand. "Ava, you don’t have to do this alone."
"Neither do you," I stated in a gentle yet stern tone. "But until you’re ready to let me in, I need to focus on myself."
I moved out into the cool night air, stepping around him and leaving him standing in the doorway.
No one would have thought to search for me in the little café on the outskirts of town where I ended up. I needed time to breathe and think.
A text chimed on my phone as I was sipping my coffee.
Unidentified Number: We must speak. Come to the old mill with me. Come by yourself.
A beat skipped in my chest. Victor.
I briefly contemplated disregarding the message. But something inside of me, the same unyielding determination that had already gotten me this far, wouldn't give up.
After paying for my coffee, I went to the mill, my thoughts racing.
With its shattered windows creating sharp shadows in the moonlight, the ancient mill looked just as spooky as I imagined. With my skin tingling from the chilly night air, I parked my car and went outside.
Victor was lounging nonchalantly against one of the corroded machines, waiting for me.
He said, "Glad you could make it," with a light tone and keen gaze.
"What do you want, Victor?" I asked, maintaining a steady tone.
He stepped closer, pushing off the machine. "Ava, I wish to assist you. Rogan is not who you believe him to be.
I refused to be intimidated and crossed my arms. "And why should I believe you?"
"Because I know things you don’t," he stated gravely. "Related to Aria. about the actual events that befell her.
My heart thumping in my chest, I froze. "What are you talking about?"
There was no amusement in Victor's smirk. "Ava, Reagan isn't the hero you believe him to be. He has been lying to you about everything, including Aria.
I felt a mixture of fury and terror rise to the surface of my gut. "What do you mean?"
Victor took a step forward and spoke softly. "You're looking for the truth? You will then need to have faith in me. Because Rogan is holding secrets? They're more sinister than you would think.
Though uncertainty began to creep in, my determination hardened as my mind raced. It was obvious that my battle for Rogan's affection was only getting started, regardless of what Victor knew.
And as I looked directly into Victor's eyes, I understood that the answers I was looking for might come at a price I wasn't willing to pay.