Chapter 63

• Amidst the charged silence that enveloped the space between them, their eyes locked in a poignant moment of recognition. It was a tableau of emotions unspoken, a visual symphony that played out the echoes of their shared history. However, it was Ethan who eventually broke the spell, shifting his gaze away from Ava, his body language betraying a clear intention to withdraw from the scene. Ava, with a heart heavy with the weight of understanding, perceived his avoidance for what it was - a deliberate attempt to distance himself, to ward off any interaction that could unravel their shared past.
• Yet, despite the cold distance he was trying to impose, Ava wasn't ready to let the moment slip away without a fight. Her voice, laced with a mixture of urgency and vulnerability, called out to him like a desperate plea, "Ethan... please, just wait a moment." His retreating form showed no signs of yielding, but Ava was resolute, her footsteps quickening as she closed the distance between them, determination fueling her pursuit.
• "Ethan," she implored, the syllables tinged with an aching plea, "please, just give me a chance to explain." His pace remained unbroken, his voice ringing out with a mixture of resignation and caution, "Ava, go home. You've only ever brought me trouble." Still, Ava persisted, her words a determined refrain as she continued her pursuit, "Ethan, I need you to listen. Can you please just hear me out?"