Ethan’s POVThe first dinner after my return felt strange.Dad and his wife, Clara, were happy to have me back. They asked about my year away, my training, and my plans. I answered politely, trying to focus on the food. But my attention kept drifting to the girl sitting across from me.Ava.She was wearing a simple light blue sundress. It looked innocent enough, but the thin straps kept slipping off her shoulders, and every time she moved, the fabric clung to her body in ways that made it hard to look away.She caught me staring once. Instead of looking embarrassed, she gave me a small, knowing smile and slowly crossed her legs under the table.“So, Ethan,” she said sweetly, “how does it feel being back home after so long?”Her voice was polite, but there was a teasing edge to it.“It’s fine,” I replied, keeping my tone neutral. “Quiet.”“Too quiet?” she asked, tilting her head. “You used to complain that it was too loud when I was around.”Clara laughed. “You two always had such inte
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