Ava's POV
I started working at Dad's museum. Elloria Enterprises might be my birthright, but this—this felt like mine.
It was the opening day. I dressed elegantly, the happiest I'd been in a long time. Finally, something was mine.
I was showing people around, pointing out pieces of my artwork, when I saw him.
Ethan.
Staring.
My smile faded. "Who invited him?" I muttered under my breath. But I already knew.
Melissa.
He started walking toward me, slow like he had something to say.
I turned away, pretending to fix the display beside me.
"Ava," he said.
I didn't answer.
"Ava, please. Just give me a minute."
I looked at him—cold, steady. "You don't belong here."
"I just wanted to see you," he said, voice low.
I scoffed. "You already did enough. You and Melissa make a great team."
He opened his mouth to speak again, but I walked away. I wasn't doing this. Not here. Not today.
I stepped outside, needing air. Away from the noise. Away from him.
That's when I saw Nico leaning against the rail, hands in his pockets, watching the sky.
He turned, noticed me.
"Didn't know museums had escape doors," he said.
I smiled a little. "They do now."
He stepped closer, gently pushing my hair behind my ear. "You're really something, little angel."
I looked up at him. "I wish this could work."
His eyes didn't leave mine. "Me too."
When everyone left, I stayed behind to pack up and lock the place. Then I smelled it—smoke. Thick and sharp.
The museum was on fire.
Flames spread fast, swallowing walls, licking the ceiling. I froze. My heart raced. Where do I run? How do I save my art?
Everything I poured my soul into... burning right in front of me.
Then I heard someone call my name.
It was Nic.
I don't know how he got in, but suddenly he was there—grabbing my hand, pulling me through the smoke.
I couldn't move. I just stood there, frozen. So he carried me.
We escaped through the back entrance. Smoke behind us. My heart pounding. Everything I'd built, burning.
"Ava... Ava," he said, shaking me gently.
But I didn't. I was right there, in his arms—very much awake.
"You saved me, Nic." That was all I could say.
I hugged him like I'd never let go.
I pulled back just a little to look at him. His face was ash-streaked. Eyes filled with worry.
"Why were you even there?" I asked.
"I had a feeling," he said. "Call it luck. Or maybe I just couldn't stay away."
"You have enemies, little angel? Because someone did this," Nico said, voice low and deadly calm.
"It's probably Melissa. And her mom," I snapped, fingers curled tight.
His jaw tightened. "Then I'll make them regret it."
Just like that. No hesitation. No fear.
And somehow, it made me feel safer than I'd ever been.
Dad picked me up after Nico left. The ride home was silent, heavy. But the moment I stepped through the door—I saw them.
Melissa. Elara.
I snapped. "I know you did it. You're gonna pay."
Elara gasped, already dabbing at fake tears. "My own daughter… how could you think I'd hurt you?"
Melissa chimed in, voice sweet and sharp. "Sis, we've always stood by you. You're just overwhelmed, that's all." She tucked her hair behind her ear like she was innocent. "Do you want us to leave?"
"Don't you ever call me sis again," I warned, voice cold.
"Enough," Dad barked. "Ava, stop blaming your mother and your sister."
"She is not my mother!" I shouted. "And she never will be."
I was shaking now. "Everything I built is gone. Burned. Nothing left for me. And you're standing here defending them?"
I didn't wait for a reply. I turned, stormed up to my room, and collapsed on the bed. The second the door shut, the tears came. I couldn't stop them.
Dad came into my room later, quiet steps, soft eyes.
"Honey, I'm sorry… I just want everyone to be happy. I know you don't like them, but we're a family now. And I love Elara. She makes me happy. Please, let's try to live in peace, okay?"
I nodded slowly, then hugged him. "Okay, Dad."
Truth was—I didn't want to break his heart. Not with the truth. Not yet.
As we pulled apart, he cleared his throat. "I'm going to the doctor tomorrow."
My brows lifted. "Why? Are you sick?"
"My sight's getting worse," he said, forcing a smile.
I touched his hand gently. "You'll be okay, right?"
"Of course, honey."
But the way he looked away told me everything.
The next day dad came back with drugs the doctor had given him. I was happy that he would get better.
But I had to go see Nic, at least to thank him properly. I still didn't have his number so I would stop at his house.
I got to Nico's house and I knocked but Ethan opened the door.
"Hey Ava, you came," he said calmly.
"I'm not here for you, Ethan, I'm here to see Nic." I said.
"Wait? What? Nic? My uncle.. you call him Nic, Hold on is something going on between the two of you," he snapped.
"Get over it, he saved me from the fire yesterday, and even though I'm here to see him for another reason it's none of your business." I replied.
"What? You can't date my uncle, you're not his type and we dated. You look beautiful, Ava" he replied.
"Just go call your uncle, Ethan." I snapped.
I stood there, stunned for a second.
Not his type?
What did that even mean?
Don't I look beautiful? Didn't he see the way Nic looked at me? Like I was the only girl in the world?
I bit my lip, trying not to let it get to me.
Just then, I heard footsteps.
Nic.
He walked in—towel around his neck, shirt damp and clinging to him. Hair messy. God, he looked good. Like really good.
His eyes landed on me. "Ava?"
I smiled, trying not to seem too eager. "Hey."
He glanced at Ethan, then back at me. "Is everything okay?"
Ethan scoffed and walked away without a word.
Nico moved closer. "You alright?"
I nodded. "I just… wanted to see you. To say thank you."
His jaw softened. "You didn't have to come all the way here."
"I wanted to."
He held my gaze, and for a second, the world felt quiet again. Just me and him.