The door to the bar was just within reach when Ava’s phone rang, jolting her from her scattered thoughts. Her hand hesitated on the door handle as she stepped aside, glancing at the screen—Holly.

A sharp pang of guilt hit her… ‘I haven’t spoken to her all day. She’s in a new country, alone, and I’ve been so caught up in this mess... What kind of sister am I?’ she thought to herself.

Without a second thought, she hurriedly picked up, already apologizing before Holly could speak.

“I’m so sorry for not calling, Hols—”

But something was off. Holly didn’t greet her with her usual excited scream. Instead, there was...