re was standing behind the counter, shifting uncomfortably as Harold Kent loomed on the other side. He was tall, with a

ven tone as she approached. "I did

ach his cold, calculating eyes. "Ava. Always a pleasure to

. Ava gave her a tight nod. "Claire,

tated. "Are

s.

r to Ava, invading her personal space. She didn't back dow

you want,

a." He gestured to the cozy interior of the bakery. "It's a sha

"If you have somethin

, isn't it? I've been reviewing the terms, and it seems... outdated. Thi

isit? You're already char

siness in a prime location, my dear. But if you can't mana

d her fists at her sides, forcing herself to stay calm. "I'v

u'll find that the courts rarely side with tenants. I

im. "I won't le

always get what I want, Ava. Think

the middle of the bakery, seething. She wanted to scream, to

a moment, she thought it might be Harold sending another vei

as J

ple: We need to tal

Harold-two men who had the power to unravel everything she'd

in her hands. For years, she'd managed to keep her life stable, sa

ing blue eyes. He was her everything, her reason for fighting. But how long coul

side, Ava realized one thing: she

casting a golden glow over the small but cozy living room. Ethan's giggles filled

leaping onto the cushions with all the energy of a

ures but softened by the sight of her son. "The moon, huh? Are

ing to think. "Hmm... only if the

, the one thing that could ground her no matter how chaotic life became. But today

s had been consumed by what Harold's veiled threats might mean for Sweet Reverie a

asked, climbing into her lap with h

'm not frowning, sweet

nocently, his small hands playi

stuff. But you don't have to w

Ava watched him play, the weight in her chest grew heavier. She'd been able to shield Ethan from t

ut of her thoughts. She reached for it and saw Julia

mail. A minute later, a notification popped up-a voicemail from h

on't know what's going on, but I need to see you. Last night... it wasn't just a coincidence. I came back to New Y

the way his words stirred something in her-anger, yes,

declare he wanted to fix things. He had no idea w

ice cut through her

holding his little backpa

le and stood. "Okay, b

e routine. She held his hand as they walked past the bustl

nd gave her a big hug. "Bye, Mommy!

ed, kissing his foreh

ng him disappear into the crowd of children. She sighed, pulling her

ck car pulled up beside her. The windo

d, his voice fir

, her heart pounding. "Ju

avoiding me if I didn't make it impossible

e weight of his gaze on her. "

tone softening. "Just give me five m

ere was a glint of sincerity in his eyes that made her pause. Again

s of Julian's cologne-a scent that triggered

he said, crossing

or leaving, for not... being the man you deserved back then. I was selfish and reck

eaning. Ava stared at him, torn between

. "Do you really think you can just show up and

ling to do whatever it takes to earn your trus

ds caught in her throat. Because for the fir