AVA

The room fell into an uncomfortable silence, heavy with the weight of recent events. Rowan had left to fetch the doctor, leaving Alex and me alone in the aftermath of my mother's departure. My body ached from the encounter, and my mind was still reeling from the shock of it all.

I sat on the edge of the bed, my gaze fixated on my trembling hands, unable to meet Alex's piercing stare. The air between us crackled with unspoken words, the tension palpable. And then, breaking the silence, Alex's voice filled the room.

"Your clothes are dirty," he said, his tone almost casual, as if he were commenting on the weather. The simple observation caught me off guard, causing me to raise my head and finally meet his gaze.

I nodded, my voice barely a whisper. "Yeah, it's been a rough day."

Without a word, I attempted to stand up, my legs unsteady beneath me. But before I could take a single step, my body betrayed me, and I stumbled forward. My heart raced as I braced myself for impact, but before I hit the ground, strong arms wrapped around me, steadying my fall.

Alex's grumbled curse reached my ears, his voice laced with a mix of annoyance and concern. He carefully lifted me, his touch gentle yet firm, and placed me back onto the bed. As I found myself nestled against the soft sheets, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unexpected comfort.

"Stay still," he ordered, his voice tinged with authority. I watched as he disappeared into the closet, rummaging through my clothes. Moments later, he emerged with a warm hoodie in his hands.

He approached me, his movements deliberate and purposeful. As he pulled the hoodie over my head, I couldn't help but notice the tenderness in his touch. It was a stark contrast to the image I had painted in my mind of a heartbreaker, and a pang of confusion washed over me.

"There," he said, stepping back to admire his handiwork. "You look more comfortable now."

I nodded, my lips parting to speak, but no words came out. Instead, I found myself lost in the depths of his eyes, searching for answers to questions I didn't even know how to ask. There was a vulnerability in his gaze, a glimpse of a side of him I had never seen before.

I nodded, my lips parting to speak, but no words came out. Instead, I found myself lost in the depths of his eyes, searching for answers to questions I didn't even know how to ask. There was a vulnerability in his gaze, a glimpse of a side of him I had never seen before.

As the intensity between us grew, the air thick with unspoken desires, it felt as if we were on the precipice of something life-altering. The world around us faded into insignificance, and in that moment, it was just him and me.

Our faces drew closer, the magnetic pull between us undeniable. The anticipation crackled in the air, a delicate dance of longing and hesitation. I could feel his breath mingling with mine, our lips inching closer, ready to bridge the gap that had kept us apart for so long.

But before our lips could touch, the door swung open, shattering the fragile moment into a thousand scattered pieces. Rowan entered the room, accompanied by the doctor, their arrival like a jolt of reality.

Startled, we instinctively pulled away, our gazes averted, cheeks flushed with a mix of desire and embarrassment. The room filled with awkward silence, the weight of the interrupted moment hanging in the air.

Rowan's voice broke through the tension, his concern evident in his words. "Sorry to interrupt, but the doctor is here to check on Ava."

I nodded, trying to compose myself, my heart still racing from the near-miss. Alex, too, regained his composure, his features carefully neutral. We had been caught in a vulnerable moment, a stolen second of possibility, but now it was back to the reality we had created.

I nodded, trying to compose myself, my heart still racing from the near-miss. Alex, too, regained his composure, his features carefully neutral. We had been caught in a vulnerable moment, a stolen second of possibility, but now it was back to the reality we had created.

The next day, I found myself going about my routine, determined to avoid any unnecessary encounters with Alex. I focused on my work at the hospital, burying myself in the demands of my profession, hoping that the busyness would distract me from the lingering thoughts of our almost-kiss.

As the day drew to a close, I made my way back to my building, a mix of exhaustion and relief washing over me. The streets were dimly lit, casting long shadows on the pavement. I quickened my pace, eager to reach the safety and solace of my own apartment.

But just as I approached the entrance of my building, my heart sank as I caught sight of a familiar figure standing by the door. It was Daniel, my ex-boyfriend, and a wave of anxiety washed over me. I had hoped to put that part of my past behind me, but now he stood before me, a haunting reminder of pain and broken trust.

Before I could react, Daniel closed the distance between us, his presence suffocating. He stood too close, invading my personal space, a menacing smile playing on his lips. I instinctively took a step back, my mind racing with fear and discomfort.

Suddenly, his grip tightened around my arm, twisting it painfully behind my back. Panic surged through me as I felt my freedom slip away, his touch triggering memories of past abuse. My attempts to break free were futile, my body trapped in his vise-like hold.

And then, just as hope seemed distant, a voice cut through the tension like a lifeline. "Let her go."

I looked up, my eyes widening in disbelief. It was Alex. He stood a few feet away, his eyes filled with a fierce determination. Without a second thought, he stepped forward, forcefully pulling Daniel away from me.

"Stay away from her," Alex warned, his voice laced with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine. His protective stance and unwavering gaze filled me with a mixture of relief and awe.

Daniel sneered, his bravado faltering under Alex's unwavering gaze. With a final contemptuous glare, he retreated, disappearing into the shadows. I stood there, trembling, my body aching from the encounter.

Alex turned to me, concern etched on his face. "Are you okay?"

I nodded, my voice barely above a whisper. "Yeah, thanks."

He offered a small, reassuring smile. "You don't have to thank me princess," he said, a mischievous smirk tugging at the corner of his lips, as his gaze held a hint of amusement.

 "It seems all I've been doing these days is rescue you."

A sarcastic remark slipped past my lips before I could stop it as a scowl settles on my face. "Oh, how lucky I am to have my knight in shining armor always at the ready."

Without waiting for a response, I turned away from him, determined not to let his words or his presence affect me any further. I walked briskly, my steps filled with purpose, as I distanced myself from the turmoil that seemed to follow in Alex's wake.

In the solitude of my apartment, I sought refuge from the chaos of the outside world. I craved the solace of solitude, where I could gather my thoughts and shield myself from the unpredictable emotions that threatened to consume me.

As I lay in bed, I closed my eyes, shutting out the remnants of the day. Sleep beckoned, offering a temporary escape from the tumultuous reality that surrounded me. I hoped that in the realm of dreams, I would find a respite, a momentary reprieve from the complexities that entangled my heart and mind.

With a sigh, I let go, allowing the weight of the day to slip away, if only for a few hours. Tomorrow would bring its own challenges, but for now, I embraced the oblivion of sleep, seeking solace in the darkness that promised a temporary respite from the tangled web of emotions I found myself entwined in.