Ava stood frozen between the two men, her bare feet cold on the hospital floor.

The thin gown clung to her skin, making her feel exposed under their stares.

Steve extended his hand further. “Come with me. Right now. I’ll get you somewhere safe where they can’t twist your mind anymore.”

Micheal’s face flushed with anger. “Don’t be stupid, Ava. He doesn’t want you. He wants Phelps Jewelry. That’s all he’s ever wanted.” 

He stepped closer, voice dropping to that familiar soothing tone. “I love you. I’ve always loved you. Remember our plans? The house upstate? The future we talked about every night?”

Ava’s head still throbbed. She looked at Steve, remembering the heat of his kiss moments ago. “Why should I trust you? You barely know me.”

“Because I see you,” Steve said, gray eyes locked on hers. “Not the heiress. Not the trophy. The woman fighting to breathe in a room full of vultures.” He took one step closer. 

“Your father is innocent. I have people looking into the evidence right now. Come with me and we’ll fight this together.”

Micheal laughed bitterly. “He’s lying. His firm has been trying to take over our company for years. This is all part of his game.”

Lois pressed her fingers to her temples. The pull toward Steve felt dangerous and alive. Micheal felt safe but suffocating.

“I need time. Both of you, just… stop.”

A nurse entered the room, eyes widening at the tension. “Miss Frazer needs rest. Only one visitor at a time.”

Micheal immediately softened his expression. “Of course, nurse. I’m her fiancé. I’m staying.”

He turned to Ava, brushing her cheek with the back of his fingers.

“See? Everyone is worried about you. The board wants you to take a break. Just a few weeks in a quiet place. I’ll handle everything until your father’s name is cleared.”

Steve’s jaw tightened. “She doesn’t need a facility. She needs the truth.” He looked at Ava, voice low and urgent. 

“Last night my fingers on your skin made you feel something real. Don’t let them bury that woman.”

Ava’s heart raced. She remembered the way Steve’s thumb had traced her lip, the way her body had responded. “Micheal, tell me honestly. Did you put something in my drink?”

Micheal’s eyes widened in genuine-looking pain. “After everything we’ve been through? You really believe him over me?” He reached for her hand.

“I gave you that glass because you looked beautiful and deserved to celebrate. I would never hurt you.”

Steve cut in. “Then explain why security footage from the gala shows you handing her that specific flute after speaking with Marcy.”

Micheal froze for a split second.

Ava noticed. “Micheal?”

Micheal recovered quickly, squeezing her hand. 

“Security footage can be manipulated. Reynolds is good at that. Baby, please. Your mother would want you to trust me. She trusted me with you.”

The mention of her mother hit hard. Lois pulled her hand back. “My mother died scared. She warned me about people getting too close to the company. Maybe she saw something I didn’t.”

Steve moved beside her, his presence solid and warm. “Let me show you the real files. Not the ones they planted. Come with me tonight. My car is downstairs.”

Micheal blocked the door again. “If you walk out with him, I can’t protect you anymore. The board will freeze your accounts. Your father will lose any chance at bail. Is that what you want?”

Lois felt torn, her body still aching from the drug and the weight of their words. Steve’s nearness made her skin tingle with possibility. Micheal’s touch now felt like quicksand.

She whispered, “I need to see my father.”

Steve nodded. “I can arrange that. Quietly. Tonight.”

Micheal’s voice rose. “You’re making a huge mistake, Ava. After I’ve given years to this family. To you.”

He stepped forward, eyes glistening. “I held you when your mother died. I stood by you when the press called you fragile. Don’t throw us away for a man who will discard you once he gets what he wants.”

Lois’s chest tightened.

She remembered Micheal’s arms around her at the funeral, his soft promises in the dark. Yet Steve’s gaze held no pity, only raw hunger and respect.

“I’m not throwing anything away,” she said quietly. “I’m trying to survive.”

Steve touched her lower back lightly, the contact sending sparks through her. 

“Then survive with me. Let me show you what real power feels like when it’s yours, not borrowed.”

Micheal’s face twisted. “She’s mine, Reynolds. You’ll regret this.”

Ava took a shaky breath and stepped toward Steve. “Take me to see my father. Now.” 

Micheal lunged forward and grabbed her arm. “Lois, don’t do this!”

Steve moved fast, shoving Micheal back with controlled force. “Touch her again and we’ll have a bigger problem than your fake charges.”

The two men glared at each other, bodies tense. Ava stood between them, heart pounding wildly.

Micheal pointed at her. “If you leave this room with him, we’re finished. Everything we had. Everything I did for you. Gone.” 

Steve looked down at her, voice soft but intense. “Your choice, Ava. Stay in their cage or walk out and start fighting.”

She met Steve’s eyes, feeling the pull of his strength and the dangerous promise in his touch. Then she looked at micheal, whose face showed desperation and something darker underneath.

Ava pulled on a robe a nurse had left and walked toward the door with Steve.

Micheal’s voice followed her, cold now. “You’ll come crawling back when he shows his true colors. And when that happens, it might be too late to save your father… or yourself.”

The door closed behind them. Steve’s hand rested possessively on her waist as they moved down the dimly lit hospital corridor, the weight of her decision settling heavy on her shoulders.