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NEW BEGINNINGS“Rohan,” Ava said, relief flooding through her voice.Rohan’s expression shifted immediately when he saw her, professional concern melting into something warmer. His gaze moved from Ava to the receptionist, who was still standing with her hand extended toward the phone.“What exactly is happening here?” His voice carried the kind of quiet authority that made people pay attention.“Sir, this woman is claiming to know Mr. Santos personally,” the receptionist said, her tone dripping with skepticism. “She has no appointment, and she’s being disruptive when I explained our policies.”“I see.” Rohan turned back to Ava, and she caught the slight tightening around his eyes. “Miss Moreles” He called out and bowed before her. The receptionist was stunned, who was this woman to make the CEO’s PA to bow before her, before she could process the scene, his voice caught through her shock.“Jennifer,” Rohan said to the receptionist, his voice perfectly calm. “You’re fired.”The woman

Springfield Memorial Hospital looked exactly the same as the day Ava had left for her wedding six weeks ago. Same sterile hallways, same smell of antiseptic and floor cleaner, same controlled chaos of medical professionals moving between crises. But walking through those familiar doors felt like entering a different world entirely.“Miss Moreles.” The security guard at the front desk smiled warmly. “Welcome back. We have missed you around here.”“Thank you, Pedro . It’s good to be back.” But even as she said it, Ava was acutely aware of the two men in dark suits who had followed her into the building. Dario’s security detail, keeping their distance but never quite out of sight. She wondered how long it would take before everyone noticed she’d acquired shadows.The elevator ride to the executive floor felt longer than usual. Director Cedric Fraser had requested to see her before she resumed her duties, which was standard protocol after extended medical leave. What wasn’t standa

The penthouse was dark when Dario arrived home at nearly midnight, only the city lights streaming through the windows providing any illumination. His meeting with the board had run longer than expected, dealing with the fallout from his abrupt departure from the syndicate gathering. Some bridges couldn’t be unburned, but the Santos empire would survive.It always did. He was pulling off his tie when he noticed the figure curled up on the living room couch. His breath caught in his throat as he moved closer, taking in the sight that greeted him. Ava was asleep, still wearing her medical uniform from her first day back at work. One arm hung over the edge of the couch, the other tucked under her cheek like a pillow. Her red hair had fallen across her face in soft waves, and there was something peaceful about her expression that he hadn’t seen since before everything went wrong.She had waited for him. After everything that had happened between them, after weeks of careful distance an

SOMEWHERE IN X-COUNTRY.“Everything is moving according to plan, boss.” The man kept his head down, voice respectful but steady.A quiet laugh came from the shadows behind the massive chair. The room was dim, lit only by small lamps that threw strange shapes across the stone walls. The air smelled of cigarettes and something damp, like a place that hadn’t seen sunlight in years.Maps covered the rough walls, marked with red pins and dates. Weapons sat in neat rows on wooden tables. This wasn’t just a hideout. This was a war room.“What happened to the Marquess circle?”“Dario’s people took them two days ago. He knows you’re alive now. He’s gathering information, calling in favors.”Another laugh, rougher this time. “Smart man, that Santos. Always was.”A cigarette glowed orange in the darkness as someone took a long drag.“Keep watching his woman. The nurse. She’s the key to all of this.” The voice was calm, patient. “Dario won’t know what hit him until it’s too late.”-----Ava check

Daphne Earnshaw stood there like a bad memory came to life.Five years hadn’t changed her much. Still tall, still wearing that smile that meant someone was about to get hurt. Her clothes screamed money, designer everything from her shoes to the purse that probably cost more than Ava’s car.“Daphne,” Ava managed, her voice coming out smaller than she wanted.“Oh good, you remember me. I was worried all that working-class living had damaged your memory.” Daphne’s eyes swept over Ava’s simple jeans and sweater with obvious disdain. “Though I see your fashion sense hasn’t improved.”“Who is this?” Rebecca stepped closer to Ava, her protective instincts kicking in.“Nobody important,” Ava said, but Daphne laughed.“Nobody important? How rude, Ava. We were study partners in nursing school. Well, before she dropped out of my league and I moved on to better things.”“You didn’t move on to better things. You got kicked out for cheating,” Ava said, finding her voice.“Details.” Daphne waved