The final night of Lucas’s visit fell on a quiet, snowy evening. Most of the extended family had already left, and their parents had gone to bed early, exhausted from the week of festivities. The house was silent except for the soft hum of the heater. Tomorrow morning, Lucas would drive to the airport and fly back to Seattle. This was their last chance.
Ava waited in her room, heart heavy. She had changed into a soft silk slip, the same one she’d worn years ago when they first shared a kiss. When Lucas slipped through her door just after midnight, they didn’t speak at first. He simply pulled her into his arms and held her.
“I don’t want this to end,” he whispered against her hair.
“Me neither,” Ava replied, voice cracking. “But we both know it can’t last. We’re step-siblings. Mom and Da
