Chapter Six – First Blood

Ava did not sleep.

She lay on the wide bed with her eyes closed, but her mind remained fully awake. The ceiling above her was unfamiliar. The silence of the Kane estate was different from the suffocating silence of prison. Here, the quiet felt controlled, deliberate, like the calm surface of deep water hiding unseen currents.

At precisely five a.m., she opened her eyes.

Today, she would draw blood.

Not enough to kill.

Just enough to let her enemies feel pain.

Ava rose, showered, and changed into a simple black dress prepared by the house staff. No heavy makeup. No jewelry. She needed to move quietly, unnoticed.

When she stepped into the hallway, Lucas Kane was already waiting.

“You’re up early,” he said.

“I don’t waste time anymore,” Ava replied.

Lucas studied her face.

“No fear.”

“I already died once.”

Lucas turned.

“Come.”

They entered his study.

A tablet lay on the desk.

Lucas picked it up and slid it toward her.

“Initial investigation results.”

Ava took it.

On the screen were photographs, transaction logs, and surveillance screenshots.

Exactly as she remembered.

Mark Collins held administrator-level access to Reed Holdings’ internal accounts.

Blue Harbor Holdings existed.

Funds had been transferred through layered offshore accounts.

Lily Reed had been entering Mark’s private residence after midnight for months.

Ava’s fingers tightened.

Even though she had expected it…

Seeing it confirmed still made her blood run cold.

Lucas watched her reaction.

“You were right.”

Ava did not smile.

“When will you move?”

“I already have,” Lucas said.

Ava looked up.

Lucas continued calmly. “I inserted an internal audit request into Reed Holdings’ financial system this morning. It’s anonymous. It won’t point to you.”

Ava’s eyes flickered.

“Good.”

Lucas added, “Now tell me your move.”

Ava did not hesitate.

“Mark keeps a physical backup drive in his bedroom safe.”

Lucas raised an eyebrow.

“You’re certain?”

“I discovered it accidentally in my past life,” Ava said. “Two weeks before I was arrested.”

“What’s on it?”

“Transaction records, audio recordings, email logs.”

Lucas considered.

“You want it.”

“Yes.”

“You understand that returning to the Collins residence is risky.”

“I also understand that Mark will never suspect me.”

Lucas studied her.

Then he nodded.

“I’ll have a driver take you.”

“No bodyguards,” Ava said.

Lucas paused.

“You’re testing me.”

“I’m testing Mark,” Ava corrected.

Lucas exhaled slowly.

“Fine. But you wear a tracking device.”

Ava nodded.

Thirty minutes later, Ava stood outside the Collins residence.

The same house she had once called home.

The same place where she had cooked, cleaned, waited, and loved.

Now, it felt like enemy territory.

She pressed the doorbell.

The housekeeper opened the door.

Her eyes widened.

“Miss Ava?”

Ava smiled faintly.

“I left something important behind.”

The housekeeper hesitated.

“Mr. Collins is looking for you everywhere.”

“I know.”

She walked inside.

The familiar living room felt foreign.

Every step stirred memories.

Mark’s voice came from upstairs.

“Ava?”

He appeared at the top of the staircase.

His face showed relief.

Then confusion.

Then anger.

“Where did you go last night?” he demanded.

“I felt sick and went to rest,” Ava replied calmly.

“Why didn’t you answer your phone?”

“I turned it off.”

Mark frowned.

Something about Ava felt wrong.

Too calm.

Too distant.

“You embarrassed me,” he said. “Guests were asking where my bride went.”

Ava lowered her eyes.

“I’m sorry.”

The apology sounded obedient.

Perfect.

Mark relaxed slightly.

“Go upstairs. We need to talk.”

Ava walked past him.

Mark followed.

Inside the bedroom, Ava glanced around.

Everything looked unchanged.

She moved toward the dressing table.

Mark watched her carefully.

“Why do you feel different today?”

Ava paused.

“Different?”

“You’re quieter.”

Ava turned toward him.

“Maybe marriage made me mature.”

Mark laughed.

“That’s better.”

He stepped closer.

Ava suppressed the urge to recoil.

“Last night was exhausting,” she said softly. “I want to shower.”

Mark nodded.

“I’ll wait.”

Ava entered the bathroom.

She locked the door.

Her heart began to beat faster.

She knelt and pressed a hidden latch behind the cabinet.

A small wall panel slid open.

Inside was a digital safe.

She entered the code.

Exactly as she remembered.

The safe clicked open.

Inside lay a black flash drive.

Ava took it.

Closed the safe.

Replaced the panel.

She stood, looking at herself in the mirror.

Her reflection looked calm.

Cold.

Not a victim.

A hunter.

She flushed the toilet.

Washed her hands.

Opened the door.

Mark looked at her.

“Feeling better?”

“Yes.”

She walked past him.

“I forgot my phone charger. I’ll take it and leave.”

Mark frowned.

“Leave?”

“I need space.”

Mark hesitated.

Then nodded.

“Fine.”

Ava walked downstairs.

No one stopped her.

She walked out of the house.

The moment she entered the car waiting outside, she exhaled slowly.

She placed the flash drive in her bag.

First blood drawn.

Her phone vibrated.

Lucas: Got it?

Ava typed: Yes.

Lucas: Good. Come home.

Ava leaned back.

Her lips curved faintly.

Mark Collins…

Your nightmare has officially begun.