Ava waited.
The phone was silent.
Too silent.
"Damien."
She could hear his breathing.
She could hear the hesitation.
And somehow...
That scared her more than the answer itself.
"Who is it?"
Finally, Damien spoke.
And the name left his mouth like a confession.
"Your father."
Ava froze.
The room stopped.
Everything stopped.
"No."
Her voice was barely a whisper.
"Damien, no."
"I didn't want to believe it either."
"That’s impossible."
Behind her, Daniel looked away.
And that reaction told her everything.
Ava turned slowly.
"You knew."
Daniel didn't answer.
"You knew."
His