Chapter 53: CHAPTER 53: A Bittersweet Ache

　　My smile faltered completely, my heart hammering a frantic tattoo against my ribs. Ava had probably been on a helicopter with Alexander and he remembered. I needed to distract him now.

　　"Maybe you're right," I stammered, the words tasting like ashes in my mouth. "Maybe it is a bit… claustrophobic in here. Small space, you know?"

　　He studied me for a long moment, his eyes searching mine. My breath hitched in my throat, his gaze feeling like a physical weight pressing down on me. "Are you sure you're alright, Ava?" he asked finally, his voice gentle.

　　"I, uh…" I stammered, desperately searching for a way out. "Actually," I blurted out, surprising even myself, "how about you…distract me?"

　　A flicker of surprise crossed his features before he settled back in his seat. "Distract you?"

　　"Yeah," I said, forcing a shaky smile. "Tell me a story. Something to take my mind off… this." I gestured vaguely at the enclosed space of the helicopter.