Ava woke up slowly, the quiet sound of waves brushing against the shore pulling her gently from sleep. For a moment, she didn’t open her eyes. She just listened—soft wind, rustling trees, and somewhere in the distance, birds calling out to each other. The bed was warm. The air smelled like salt and sun.

And then she turned her head and smiled.

Damien was lying beside her, still asleep. His arm was wrapped loosely around her waist, his chest rising and falling in a slow, steady rhythm. His face was so calm, so peaceful, she almost didn’t want to move.

They were finally alone.

No meetings. No reporters. No phone...