Avela’s POV
I stared at him, the words sinking in slow and heavy, like stones dropping into still water. For a second, the garage went completely quiet except for the distant hum of traffic far above us.
A bitter laugh escaped me before I could stop it…a short, sharp scoff that echoed off the walls.
“I see,” I said, folding my arms tighter across my chest. “That’s what this is really about, isn’t it? You’re worried I’ll run my mouth. Expose your big secret. You don’t trust me to keep quiet.”
His face twisted, frustration flashing in his tired eyes. “For God’s sake, Avela, can you stop saying that?” His voice rose just a little, rough with exhaustion and something deeper. “Can you stop making me sound like the villain here? I’m only doing this because of you.”
I shook my head, anger
