The world didn't stop when Ava left Selene.
But it sure as hell felt like it did.
Every corner of the office whispered her name.
Every scent, every seat, every goddamn mug in the kitchen.
Selene had built an empire. Now she couldn't even hold herself together.
Not when her queen had abdicated.
One Week Later
The gala photos were still trending.
Selene in red. Ava in diamonds.
Everyone thought it was the beginning of something bold.
But behind the filtered shots and fan tweets, everything had already fallen apart.
Ava had moved departments.
Selene hadn't touched her.
And the silence between them had grown louder than any fight.
At the executive meeting
Charles kept his eyes low as he slid the quarterly figures in front of Selene.
"Revenue's up. Our rebranding strategy worked."
Selene nodded but didn't speak.
She was colder now. Focused. Distant.
No one mentioned Ava. But they all felt her absence.
Especially Selene.
Ava sat at her new desk, overlooking the city. Farther from the executive floor. Farther from Selene.
But closer to herself.
She hadn't cried. Not once.
And that scared her more than anything.
Because it meant she was learning to live without Selene.
Even though she didn't want to.
That night
Selene stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window in her penthouse.
Whiskey in hand. Hair tied back. Her suit jacket hung loose around her shoulders.
She hadn't eaten. Hadn't slept. But her mind ran wild.
With memories.
Of Ava's lips. Her laugh. The soft hum she made when falling asleep.
And the way she said her name when she was hurt.
"Selene…"
It echoed in her head like a ghost.
Back in her apartment, Ava stared at the untouched plate of pasta on her counter.
She was trying.
Trying to move on. Trying to be okay. Trying to breathe without feeling like she was missing a rib.
But everything still reminded her of Selene.
Even the silence.
Especially the silence.
Tuesday – 9:00 AM
Boardroom, Ellison & Gray HQ
The room was a fortress of glass and tension.
All twelve board members sat upright, documents in hand, suits pressed, minds sharp.
Except Selene.
She leaned back in her chair, one leg crossed over the other, perfectly poised in her tailored navy pantsuit. Her icy gaze swept across the room until it landed on the last person to walk in:
Ava.
She wore her power like silk—elegant, soft, but unrelenting. Her emerald blouse hugged her curves, her pencil skirt accentuated the lines of her ambition, and her chin was held high.
Selene's heartbeat stuttered.
It had been twenty-two days, fourteen hours, and thirty-eight minutes since she last touched her.
But who was counting?
"Let's begin," Selene said, her voice crisp, eyes never leaving Ava.
Ava didn't falter. She took her seat across the table, flipping open her folder with precision.
Cold. Professional. Controlled.
Just like Selene had taught her.
The irony stung.
The meeting was brutal.
Investors challenged projections. Charles stammered through his report. Two department heads argued over marketing budgets.
Selene remained composed. But her eyes kept drifting.
To Ava's hands. Her lips. The way she bit the inside of her cheek when frustrated. The way she never once looked back at her.
She couldn't take it anymore.
Mid-meeting, she stood.
"Everyone out," Selene commanded.
Silence fell.
"Now."
No one argued.
They cleared out like shadows at sunrise, stealing nervous glances between Selene and Ava.
The door closed.
Just the two of them now.
Selene walked around the table, slow and deliberate, her heels echoing.
Ava remained seated, staring down at her open folder like it was the only thing tethering her to reality.
"You planned this," Ava murmured.
Selene didn't deny it.
She stood behind Ava, her breath dangerously close to her ear. "You've been avoiding me."
"You told me to focus on work."
"And you did," Selene whispered, her voice low. "Too damn well."
Ava stood abruptly, pushing her chair back.
"Don't do this. Not now. Not here."
"Why not?"
"Because this isn't personal. It's business."
Selene stepped in front of her, blocking her exit.
"I lied."
Ava blinked. "About what?"
"That night. When I said I could keep my hands off you. That I'd wait a month. That I could bury my feelings under work and gala speeches."
She inhaled, voice tight with restraint. "I can't. I won't."
Ava looked up at her, heart racing.
"You hurt me."
"I know."
"You ignored me."
"I know."
"You made me feel like I was nothing but a beautiful toy."
Selene swallowed hard. "You were never a toy. You're the only thing in this building that ever made me feel alive."
Ava's eyes filled with tears, but she didn't blink them away. "Then why did you leave me?"
"Because I'm scared of how much I need you."
Silence.
Tension.
Then Ava moved—slowly, hesitantly—and pressed her palm to Selene's chest.
"Then stop running," she whispered.
Selene caught her wrist, eyes burning.
"Only if you come back to me."
Ava looked up, soft and serious.
"I never left."
Selene kissed her.
Right there.
In the middle of the goddamn boardroom.
Years of professionalism, dominance, and distance—gone in a single breath.
A kiss full of power, apology, and everything words could never say.
Later that day...
Rumors spread like wildfire:
The CEO and her executive assistant had locked the boardroom for twenty minutes.
Selene came out smiling. Ava came out with smudged lipstick and fire in her eyes.
Neither of them denied it.
Because finally—after weeks of war—they had chosen love over fear.
Penthouse Suite – That Night
Selene stood by the tall windows of her penthouse, watching the city lights flicker like nervous fireflies.
Behind her, Ava padded barefoot across the floor, the sound of her presence soft but undeniable.
"You're quiet," Selene said, not turning around.
"I'm nervous," Ava admitted.
"Why?"
"Because I don't know what this is now."
Selene turned.
There she was—Ava in Selene's oversized silk shirt, hair still damp from the shower, skin glowing. Fragile, and yet unbreakable.
"I know what this is," Selene said, walking toward her. "It's not just desire. It's not just convenience. It's you. It's always been you."
Ava bit her lip. "Then prove it."
Selene stopped just inches away.
"No power games. No punishments. No tests. Just you and me."
Ava nodded slowly. "Okay."
Selene leaned in, kissing her gently—so unlike the fierce, dominant Selene everyone else knew. Her touch tonight was reverent. Her lips, soft prayers.
She scooped Ava into her arms like she weighed nothing, laying her carefully on the bed, not breaking eye contact once.
Unspoken forgiveness.
Selene tracing every curve of Ava's body like she was relearning it—not as her possession, but as her equal.
Tender dominance.
Ava letting Selene take the lead again—but this time, not as a test of control, but an expression of trust.
Soft laughter. Breathy moans. Whispered apologies.
"I missed you," Selene murmured against Ava's skin.
"Then don't ever do that again," Ava breathed.
Slower. Deeper. Emotional.
Each thrust wasn't just physical—it was a release. Of pride. Of pain. Of power struggles.
Ava cried out Selene's name not in surrender…
But in salvation.
Hours Later
Ava lay curled against Selene, head on her chest, both their heartbeats slowly syncing.
"Does this mean I get to sit in on the next board meeting?" Ava teased.
Selene chuckled, threading her fingers through Ava's hair. "Only if you're wearing my shirt and nothing else."
Ava slapped her shoulder lightly. "You're shameless."
"And you love it."
Silence.
Then Ava whispered, "I do."
Selene kissed her forehead. "Good. Because I'm not letting you go again."
The Next Morning – Selene's Penthouse
Selene stirred first, blinking against the pale gold of sunrise sneaking through the curtains. Ava was still curled against her side, breath steady, lips parted slightly in sleep.
For a moment, Selene did nothing but look.
No boardroom. No email alerts. No meetings.
Just Ava.
And it was the first time in years Selene felt at peace without needing to earn it.
She brushed a strand of hair off Ava's cheek.
"You look like a daydream that actually stayed."
Ava stirred. "Mmm… am I being flattered before coffee?"
"You're being worshipped before coffee."
Ava smiled with her eyes still closed. "I like this version of you."
Selene chuckled and rolled out of bed. "Get used to her."
A Change of Plans
Selene canceled her morning meetings.
Instead, she made breakfast.
Ava nearly fainted.
"You're making eggs. In a Versace robe."
"I'm a woman of many talents," Selene replied, flipping them effortlessly.
Ava leaned against the counter, sipping juice, watching her. "Are we pretending last month didn't happen?"
"No." Selene looked over her shoulder. "We're building something new. That's not pretending. That's choosing."
Ava took a slow breath. "Then I choose you."
Later That Day – At the Office
For the first time, Ava walked into Selene's office beside her—not as her assistant, not as her possession, but as her partner.
The room fell into silence.
Selene's executives exchanged surprised glances. No one said a word, but the message was clear:
Everything had changed.
Selene held the door open for Ava. "You sit here," she said, motioning to the seat beside her at the head of the conference table.
Ava hesitated. "You're serious?"
"I'm Selene King. I'm always serious."
Ava smiled and sat.
In the Meeting
A senior exec tried to interrupt Ava's suggestion about restructuring a failing campaign.
Selene cut him off cold. "Let her finish."
Ava met her eyes—and in them, saw fire and protection.
Selene was no longer hiding her. No longer shelving her away like a secret. She was letting her speak. Letting her shine.
That Night – Text Message from Selene
> "Wear something black. Formal. I'll pick you up at 7. Gala time."
Ava stared at the message.
This wasn't just a night out.
This was Selene announcing her to the world.
Gala Night Prep – Ava's Apartment
Ava stood in front of the mirror in a floor-length, sleek black dress. Backless. Minimalist. Jaw-dropping.
As she adjusted her earrings, a knock came at the door.
She opened it—
Selene stood there in a black velvet tuxedo with a silk shawl lapel.
God-tier. Dangerous. All hers.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Selene exhaled slowly. "You're going to get me arrested for public indecency."
Ava smirked. "You're the one with the tie. Loosen up."
Selene leaned in, whispering against her lips, "After the gala."
The conference room was buzzing with muted conversations and clinking glasses. The New York skyline glimmered through the floor-to-ceiling windows as Selene stood at the head of the long mahogany table, poised and pristine in a tailored navy-blue power suit. Her sharp gaze moved across the room—but subtly lingered the moment Ava walked in.
Ava.
Wearing a high-waisted pencil skirt and a silk blouse the color of cream, she looked like every fantasy Selene had tried to forget over the past few weeks. Her confidence hadn't wavered, but there was a softness in her eyes—one Selene hadn't seen in a long time.
Their eyes locked for a second too long.
Selene cleared her throat, turning back to her laptop. "Let's begin."
As the meeting progressed, Ava's voice joined the room at all the right moments, making Selene's control slip slightly each time she spoke. Her laugh during a product pitch, the flick of her pen against the notepad, the occasional glance up—it was maddening.
When the final numbers were discussed, and the partnership agreement between the two companies sealed, the room erupted in polite applause. But Selene didn't move. Her gaze was pinned to Ava.
"Stay," Selene said lowly, just before everyone began to leave.
Ava blinked, surprised but didn't argue. One by one, the room cleared until it was just the two of them, the city behind them, and the silence stretching thin.
"You handled yourself well today," Selene said, finally turning toward her.
Ava crossed her arms, shifting her weight. "Thanks. I didn't think you'd actually speak to me."
"I've been busy." Selene walked around the table, her tone clipped, her posture rigid. "And you—well, you've made it clear you wanted space."
"I wanted clarity. But it seems we both just wanted to hurt each other."
Selene stopped a few feet away. Her breath hitched, and for the first time in weeks, the walls she'd built so carefully cracked a little.
"I missed you," Ava said quietly, her voice trembling.
Selene didn't answer right away. Instead, she looked out the window. "You broke my rules."
"You broke me first."
That did it.
Selene turned slowly, her eyes flashing with something raw, something unspoken. "You think this is easy for me? Ignoring you, pretending I don't feel you even when you walk into a room? I've been a damn fool, Ava."
Ava stepped forward. "So stop being one."
Selene hesitated for just a second—then reached for her.
In an instant, the space between them evaporated. Selene gripped Ava's face and kissed her like she was trying to make up for every second they'd wasted apart. Ava clung to her blazer, responding with the same desperation and need.
Selene broke the kiss, her forehead resting against Ava's. "Tonight. My place. No rules. No work. Just you."
Ava nodded, breathless. "I'll be there."
The boardroom buzzed with tense murmurs and the shuffling of files. Executives shifted in their seats, eyes darting between the presentation slides and the woman standing confidently at the head of the table. Selene was a vision of control—clad in a sharp, tailored navy suit, her jet-black hair pinned into a neat twist. Her presence silenced even the boldest of voices in the room.
And across from her, seated among the marketing team, was Ava.
Her heart was a storm in her chest. It had been weeks since Selene last touched her. Weeks since the woman who had once claimed her body like a battlefield had even looked her in the eye. That distance, that cruel silence, had left Ava breathless—starving for attention, aching for power she could no longer grasp.
Now here they were, in a sterile glass room filled with polished professionals, pretending they were nothing but CEO and assistant.
But Selene's eyes—when they finally met Ava's—burned with unspoken hunger.
"Miss Hayes," Selene said, addressing her with that icy professionalism, "would you mind walking us through the updated engagement metrics from the Q2 campaign?"
Ava stood quickly. Her voice was steady, but her spine tingled under Selene's gaze. "Of course, Ms. Blackwood. Based on our current metrics, our digital reach has increased by 32% year over year, with our engagement climbing by 18% month-to-month after the luxury campaign launched."
Selene nodded slowly, but the corner of her mouth twitched—just the slightest curve of a smirk.
"You've been working hard. I've noticed."
That one comment sent electricity through Ava's veins.
After the meeting, the boardroom cleared, executives filtering out with polite nods and murmured goodbyes. Ava remained, collecting her laptop, avoiding Selene's eyes—but her pulse betrayed her.
"Ava," Selene said softly, her voice no longer sharp but laced with something... darker.
Ava looked up.
Selene had crossed the room. She stood now only a breath away, too close for professionalism, too distant for intimacy.
"You've done well," Selene murmured, her voice like velvet. "I've been watching."
"You've ignored me."
Selene's eyes narrowed. "That was discipline. Control."
Ava's mouth parted slightly, confused. "Control?"
"I wanted you to focus. To see if you would crack or evolve. And you didn't crack, Ava. You grew." Selene's fingers brushed Ava's wrist. "I've missed this fire in your eyes."
Ava shivered.
"Have dinner with me tonight. No contracts. No rules. Just... come."
Ava swallowed hard. "Is this a trap?"
Selene chuckled—a low, dangerous sound. "Everything with me is a trap. But you always enjoy it, don't you?"
Ava didn't answer.
She didn't have to.
That night, Ava arrived at the penthouse in a backless wine-red dress. She didn't wear lingerie. She knew better by now.
Selene opened the door and stared at her, long and slow, drinking her in.
"You came."
"You asked."
"I command," Selene whispered, stepping aside. "And you obey."
Ava stepped inside.
Dinner was quiet at first. Selene served a rich lamb dish with roasted figs and honey-glazed carrots—elegant, expensive, seductive. Her fingers brushed Ava's when pouring the wine. She said nothing when Ava bit her lip.
"Do you remember," Selene murmured, "the night I first touched you in this apartment?"
Ava nodded.
"You begged."
"I did."
"You liked the pain."
"I liked you."
Selene's breath hitched, just a little.
She stood slowly, walked around the table, and leaned down beside Ava's ear.
"I still won't touch you."
Ava's lips parted.
"I want you begging again," Selene whispered. "I want you to forget what it feels like to have me inside you. I want you starving—because only then will you understand what it means to be mine."
Ava's thighs pressed together.
Selene kissed her cheek and walked away.
Leaving her breathless. Wet. Desperate.
The silence after Selene left the room was unbearable. Ava sat frozen, a slow burn igniting between her thighs. Her wine remained untouched, her plate forgotten. All she could hear was the soft click of Selene's heels echoing down the hallway.
She wanted to chase her.
She wanted to scream.
She wanted to beg.
Instead, she stood—legs trembling—and walked to the massive glass windows overlooking the city. Lights twinkled like stars below, but none could outshine the chaos in her chest. The woman she loved… the woman she craved… had just reignited her obsession with a single whisper.
"You will beg again."
Ava bit her lip hard. The ache between her legs was unbearable now.
Minutes passed. Then an hour. Selene didn't return.
Not to the kitchen. Not to the living room.
Ava paced. She sat. She stood again. She poured more wine and drank it too fast. She was unraveling.
Finally, she snapped.
She stormed down the hall, heels loud on the marble floors. When she reached the master bedroom, the door was slightly ajar.
Selene was seated at her desk by the window, reviewing reports—calm, poised, completely ignoring her.
"I can't do this," Ava whispered.
Selene didn't look up. "Yes, you can. And you will."
"I came here for you."
"You came for the version of me that makes you wet with a word."
"That's not fair."
"Life isn't fair, Ava. Pleasure isn't fair. Dominance certainly isn't."
Selene stood slowly, turning. The room felt colder now. Her power pulsed in waves.
She walked toward Ava—slow, calculated.
"You want me to touch you?" she asked.
Ava swallowed. "Yes."
"Then earn it."
Her hand slid into Ava's hair—not pulling, just enough to remind her of what she was being denied. Their faces were only inches apart.
"You will work," Selene said. "You will obey. You will give me nothing but your excellence, your patience, your mind. And when I'm satisfied…" she leaned closer, her lips brushing Ava's cheek, "you will scream so loud I'll forget every meeting I've ever had."
Ava gasped.
"But not tonight," Selene whispered. "Tonight, I want you soaked and untouched."
She released Ava and stepped back.
"Sleep in the guest room."
Ava blinked, stunned. "You're not serious."
Selene smirked. "Oh, I am. And I suggest you start preparing that pitch deck I requested. I'll expect it in the morning. Neatly organized. No mistakes."
With that, Selene returned to her desk.
Ava turned and walked away—staggered, aroused, and completely undone.
She would beg.
She would break.
But not tonight.
The next day passed like a slow bleed.
Ava did everything Selene asked. Her pitch deck? Immaculate. She'd double-checked every slide, reread every note, ensured that her performance in the boardroom would be bulletproof. And it was.
Selene had barely glanced at her all day—at least not in public. But Ava had caught the way her boss's eyes lingered on her lips once during a coffee break. Or the way her fingers drummed a little faster when Ava crossed her legs during the strategy meeting.
By six, the building was emptying. Ava began gathering her things.
Then Selene appeared.
In her coat. Designer heels. Smoky eyes.
"Dinner," she said, without inflection. "With me."
Ava blinked. "Now?"
Selene cocked her head. "Yes, now. I trust you have something decent in that closet of yours. You have fifteen minutes. I'll pick you up downstairs."
Ava's heart thundered.
This was… different.
Thirty minutes later, they sat in the corner booth of a dimly lit rooftop restaurant. Expensive. Exclusive. Breathtaking.
Ava wore black silk and nerves.
Selene wore power.
For a long moment, they said nothing. Wine was poured. Appetizers were delivered. The city sparkled around them like a silent audience.
Then Selene finally spoke.
"I was cruel."
Ava's eyes widened slightly. "What?"
Selene inhaled. "What I said. How I treated you. That wasn't dominance. It was punishment. And you didn't deserve that."
Ava blinked, struggling to find words.
"I don't apologize often," Selene said. "But I owe you one."
Ava's voice was a whisper. "Why did you do it?"
Selene looked away, her jaw tightening. "Because you made me feel something. And that terrified me. I wanted to control it—control you—before I lost myself."
She turned back. Her eyes were softer now.
"But that's not fair to you."
Ava was quiet for a beat. "So what now?"
Selene reached across the table, her fingers brushing Ava's.
"Now… I take you out like someone who cares. Like someone who knows she's not invincible. And if you let me, I'll try again. No games. No silence. No denying what this is."
Ava stared at their hands. "And what is this?"
Selene's lips curved into something faintly resembling a smile. "Dangerous. Addictive. Possibly the biggest mistake of my career."
She paused. Then added, "But worth every second."
Ava laughed—soft, breathy, unexpected.
They talked. About everything. Work. Family. Regrets. Dreams.
For once, Selene wasn't hiding behind dominance. She was peeling herself open, layer by layer, and letting Ava see the raw truth underneath.
By dessert, Ava wasn't sure if her heart or her body wanted Selene more.
As they left the restaurant and stood under the glittering night sky, Selene pulled her close.
"I'm not fucking you tonight," she said quietly, tucking a strand of hair behind Ava's ear. "Not until you ask me. And mean it."
Ava nodded slowly. "And if I never do?"
Selene kissed her forehead.
"Then I'll wait."
Selene's breath was warm against Ava's forehead, her voice a whisper wrapped in restraint. She didn't move to kiss her, didn't reach for her waist, didn't pull her into anything deeper.
She just stood there.
Still.
Composed.
Like the storm inside her had calmed—just enough—to make space for Ava to choose.
Ava's throat tightened. All her instincts screamed to reach for Selene, to wrap herself around the woman who had once left her cold, only now standing in front of her like she'd never meant to hurt her at all.
But Selene… waiting?
That was new.
Unsettling.
Powerful in a different way.
And somehow, it made Ava want her more.
"I'll wait," Selene repeated, softer this time. "For your timing. Not mine."
Ava swallowed. "You mean that?"
"I do." Her eyes searched Ava's. "Because if this is going to work—whatever this is—it has to start with respect. Real respect. And that means giving you space."
Ava nodded. "Okay."
"Okay?"
"Okay… I'm not ready." Ava's voice didn't shake. "But I want to be."
Selene smiled. And that rare, devastating curve of her lips almost undid Ava right there.
"I'll call the car," Selene said gently. "I'll drop you home."
"You're not coming up?"
Selene shook her head. "No."
That restraint burned deeper than any touch. Ava's lips parted, but she held herself back.
And that was the difference.
Selene was letting her.
Twenty minutes later, the sleek black car stopped in front of Ava's building.
Selene opened the door for her.
Ava stepped out, then turned to look back.
Selene leaned against the door frame, one hand in her coat pocket, the other resting casually by her side.
"Goodnight, Ava."
Ava smiled faintly. "Goodnight."
She turned. Walked into the building. Felt her heart aching at the quiet.
And somehow, it didn't feel like a punishment this time.
It felt like choice.
Hers.
The word echoed in Ava's mind as the elevator doors slid shut, swallowing her whole in a quiet, humming box of steel and reflection.
Hers.
She didn't know if Selene meant it the way it sounded—possessive, grounding, reverent—or if it was just a whisper of everything they hadn't said. But Ava felt it in her chest. In her bones. In the throb between her thighs that never truly settled when Selene was around.
She dropped her purse on the counter, kicked off her heels, and leaned against the kitchen island, her pulse still unsteady. The apartment felt too quiet. Too still. It was missing something—or maybe someone.
But Selene had respected her boundary.
That was new.
That was dangerous.
Because it made Ava want to close the distance herself.
She didn't sleep much that night. Every toss and turn brought back flashes of Selene's voice, her scent, her restraint. And by morning, Ava was exhausted—but steady. Clearer than she'd been in weeks.
The next evening, Selene's message came through at exactly 6:00 PM.
> Selene: There's a private dinner tomorrow. Just you and me. No business. No press. No tension.
7:30. I'll send a car.
Ava stared at the screen for a moment, her lips parting slightly.
No pressure.
No demands.
Just… an invitation.
The following night, at 7:30 sharp, the car pulled up.
And Selene wasn't in it.
Instead, her driver handed Ava a single, delicate envelope.
Inside was a note written in Selene's handwriting—bold, slanted, confident.
> "Tonight is about you. Wear whatever makes you feel powerful.
I'll be waiting."
–S.
Ava swallowed hard and went back inside.
She dressed slowly, thoughtfully—choosing a fitted satin dress in a color Selene had once whispered made her look like temptation incarnate. She pinned her curls back, added a hint of gloss, and stared herself down in the mirror.
"I'm not his. I'm not hers," she whispered. "I'm mine."
But God, it didn't stop her from wanting Selene all over again.
The restaurant was quiet. Private. The kind reserved for heads of state or movie stars.
Selene stood when she entered.
No smirk.
No tension.
Just… admiration.
"You came," she said.
"I said I would."
Selene pulled out her chair, waited for her to sit before taking her own.
"I wanted to say something," she said after the waiter poured the wine and left them alone. "And I didn't want it to be in an office. Or a boardroom. Or behind a locked door."
Ava met her gaze. "I'm listening."
Selene exhaled. "I was wrong."
A pause.
"I didn't understand you—not really. I wanted to control everything because I was afraid of losing it. And I treated you like something I could manage. But you're not manageable, Ava. You're extraordinary. And I was so busy protecting my world, I didn't realize how much I needed you in it."
Ava's throat went dry.
"Selene…"
"I'm not asking you for anything tonight. No decisions. No expectations. I just wanted you to hear me say it. You deserved better. From the start."
Ava stared at her for a long moment.
Then she reached across the table and took her hand.
Warm. Strong. No games.
"I didn't need perfect," Ava whispered. "I just needed honest."
Selene's jaw flexed—emotion tightening her features just enough to crack the usual calm. "Then that's what I'll give you."
A beat passed between them. Heavy. Alive.
"Starting now," Selene added, "I'm rebuilding. Not just us. Myself."
"Then let's start slow," Ava said softly.
And for once—Selene agreed.