Tangled in secrets (read with music)

Chapter 10: False Accusations

The tension between Lucas and Ava had been palpable since their last meeting, a heavy cloud that neither could shake. Ava had withdrawn after strange events kept piling up—anonymous texts, doors left ajar, and unsettling items mysteriously appearing in her apartment. Her world was crumbling, and she wasn't sure who to trust. She hadn't heard from Lucas in days. That silence gnawed at her.

Sitting by her apartment window, Ava stared out at the city, the weight of suspicion now suffocating her every breath. Her phone buzzed—an email this time. With trembling fingers, she opened it. A wave of nausea hit her as she read the subject: We're coming for you.

Her vision blurred with panic. It was as if the walls were closing in, a constant, invisible presence around her. She couldn't shake the feeling of being watched, that somewhere in the shadows, someone was pulling the strings. Her heart raced faster with every second, a horrible thought worming its way into her mind. Was she truly losing her grip on reality, or was someone meticulously framing her?

Then, out of nowhere, a knock on the door. Ava's pulse quickened, anxiety flooding her senses. The last thing she wanted was visitors. She hesitated, peeking through the peephole, only to see the familiar figure of Lucas standing outside.

Her breath caught in her throat. She hadn't expected to see him so soon after everything between them.

She opened the door slowly, meeting his gaze, which flickered with something she couldn't read—concern, guilt, maybe even doubt. His presence was comforting, yet in that moment, it also felt like a betrayal. The silence stretched between them before he finally spoke.

"I need to talk to you," Lucas said, his voice steady, but there was a tension lurking beneath it.

Ava swallowed hard. She stepped aside, allowing him to enter. The air between them crackled with unresolved feelings, a mix of passion and mistrust. The room felt smaller, as if it couldn't contain the weight of their shared secrets.

"I got a call," Lucas said, turning to face her. "They found something... in your apartment."

Ava's brows knitted together, confusion spreading across her face. "What are you talking about?"

"One of the victim's belongings," he continued, his tone darkening. "It was found here—planted, more like."

She took a step back, shaking her head in disbelief. "That's impossible. There's no way—someone's setting me up!"

"I know." His voice softened, but the lines of his face remained tight with worry. "But the evidence... it's not looking good for you, Ava."

Her chest tightened, panic rising in her throat. "Lucas, you have to believe me. I didn't do this."

"I do," he said, stepping closer to her. "But this is bigger than we thought. I need to know everything—every detail about your life, your ex, your friends—anything that could explain this."

Ava's eyes searched his face, desperation clashing with her growing mistrust. "You're the only one I have left, and I'm not even sure if I can trust you."

A flicker of pain crossed Lucas's face. "I'm trying to help you, Ava. But it's dangerous. If anyone finds out that I'm doing this, I'm finished."

She felt the weight of his words—both a warning and a plea. "So, what now? Am I just supposed to wait until they arrest me?"

His gaze hardened. "Not if I can help it. I'll work behind the scenes, try to delay the arrest, find out who's doing this."

The air thickened between them, heavy with the gravity of the situation, yet beneath it all, there was the undeniable pull of attraction. They both knew how wrong it was, but the danger only seemed to heighten the intensity of their connection. It was like being caught in a storm, knowing they should pull away but too consumed by the force of it.