Chapter 57

Ava paused, her steps faltering as she turned back to face him. " Huh? " Her brows furrowed, her expression mirroring her confusion, caught off guard by the unexpected question.

" Why? " Bryan repeated softly, his eyes searching hers, pleading for answers that lay buried beneath the surface.

Ava struggled to find the right words, her mind racing to decipher his cryptic query. " I... I'm not sure what you mean, " she replied, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

Bryan's gaze bore into hers, his eyes revealing a raw vulnerability that contrasted with his usual composure. " Why did you... leave? " he questioned, his voice barely above a whisper, the pain of her sudden departure palpable in his tone.

" Why did you leave without a word, Ava? " He asked again and a painful look crossed over his features. He made no attempt to mask it.

Ava's heart clenched at the rawness in his voice, the weight of his question resonating within her. " I needed... some space, " she finally admitted, her voice