Ava closed her bedroom door quietly behind her, as if any sound at all might shatter what little control she had left.
The click of the latch echoed too loudly in her ears. She stood there for a moment, her back pressed against the wood and the file clutched tightly to her chest.
Her fingers ached from how hard she was gripping it, but she didn't loosen them. It felt like if she let go, everything would slip through her hands again. All the hope, clarity and Lily.
Slowly, she slid down until she was sitting on the floor. She drew her knees up to her chest on instinct, and she stared at the opposite wall without really seeing it. Her mind was still in Damian's study, replaying every word, every pause, every look he had given her.
"I'm curious." The words he said to her echoed again and again. Curious? . That was what he had said. That couldn't be just it. He was not concerned or responsible or guilty, just curious.
