The night fell silent. Smoke drifted from the wrecked SUVs.

A crowd began gathering at a safe distance, whispering amongst themselves.

Someone shouted, "Call an ambulance!"

Another person raised a phone to record the scene. Alexander didn't spare them a glance, his attention remained fixed on the man staggering out of the crashed SUV. The attacker had barely taken two steps before trying to flee, Alexander's eyes hardened.

"Stay here." His voice was calm, firm, it wasn't a request.

Before Ava could respond, he strode across the road. The attacker looked up just in time to see Alexander approaching, fear flashed across the man's face, he turned and ran. Alexander quickly gave chase.

Even after three months in a coma, his speed was astonishing. Within seconds, he closed the distance. The attacker swung a metal wrench, Alexander tilted his head just enough for it to whistle past his ear. The weapon crashed against a parked car.

Alexander caught the man's wrist, twisted, and a sharp crack echoed through the street, the wrench clattered to the ground. The attacker cried out in pain.

Alexander drove a hard punch into the man's stomach, the man collapsed to his knees, gasping for breath.

Alexander grabbed him by the collar. "Who sent you?"

The man remained silent.

Alexander's voice dropped another degree. "I asked you a question."

Still nothing.

The attacker's eyes suddenly widened, not because of Alexander, but because of something behind him.

Alexander sensed it immediately and turned, a black motorcycle sped through the intersection. The passenger fired a small dart, it struck the attacker in the neck.

By the time Alexander reached him again, the man's body had gone limp, his pulse disappeared beneath Alexander's fingertips.

Ava arrived beside him, her face pale. "Is he..."

Alexander slowly stood. "Dead."

The police sirens echoed in the distance, Alexander looked once at the lifeless man, then towards the disappearing motorcycle, his jaw clenched. "Someone wanted to make sure he never spoke."

...........

An hour later, the police had sealed off the street. Detectives photographed the vehicles while forensic officers collected evidence.

Alexander stood beside the lead investigator. "I want a copy of every report."

The detective nodded respectfully. "Of course, Mr. Kingston."

"No." Alexander's tone remained steady. "I want the original reports."

The detective understood immediately. "I'll personally deliver them."

Across the road, Ava quietly watched. She had forgotten how commanding Alexander could be. He wasn't raising his voice, he wasn't threatening anyone, he simply expected results... And people gave them.

Daniel approached with a dark overcoat. "Sir."

Alexander slipped it over his shoulders without taking his eyes off Ava. "Has her hotel been secured?"

"Yes." Daniel replied.

"And the CCTV?" Alexander asked.

"Our team is already obtaining copies." Daniel said.

"Good." Alexander nodded.

Daniel hesitated. "The board meeting tomorrow..."

"Cancel it."

"Sir?"

Alexander finally looked at him. "My wife was nearly murdered." "The board can wait."

Ava's breath caught, he had said it again... my wife, not ex-wife, not Mrs. Hart... my wife.

............

The police eventually allowed Ava to leave. She turned towards the taxi rank, Alexander stepped into her path.

"You aren't going anywhere alone." His voice remained composed.

"I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself." Ava said.

"I've noticed." A faint smile touched his lips. "It doesn't change the fact that someone just tried to kill you."

"I don't need your protection."

"You needed it five minutes ago." His words weren't mocking, just factual.

Ava opened her mouth, then closed it. She hated admitting he was right.

Alexander softened his tone. "Come home with me."

Those four words hit harder than she expected. Home... There was no home anymore.

She looked away. "I don't belong there."

"You belong wherever you're safe."

She laughed quietly. "The last time I was at Kingston Manor, your mother had security escort me to the front gate."

Alexander's expression darkened. "I know."

"No..." She shook her head. "You don't. If you remembered that day..." her voice cracked. "...you'd know why I can never go back."

Alexander held her gaze. "I may not remember." He took one slow step closer. "But I believe you."

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The city noises faded into the background.

Ava searched his eyes, there was no pity, no hint of manipulation, she only saw sincerity, and it made her heart ache.

"I can't." She whispered the words more to herself than to him. "If I let myself trust you again..." She stopped. Alexander waited patiently. She finally forced a small smile. "...I don't think I'd survive losing you twice."

Something tightened painfully inside Alexander's chest, he didn't understand it, but hearing those words felt like someone had reached into him and squeezed his heart.

He drew a slow breath. "Then don't trust me."

Ava blinked. "What?"

"Trust my actions." His voice was low. "Judge me by what I do from this moment forward, not by what I can't remember, not by what others tell you... by what I choose to do."

For the first time since the accident, Ava saw the man she had fallen in love with, not in his memories, but in his character.

Just then, Daniel hurried towards them. His usually composed face had turned grave. "Sir..."

Alexander looked at him. "What is it?"

Daniel lowered his voice. "We searched the attacker."

"And?"

"He was carrying a photograph."

Alexander frowned. "Of who?"

Daniel handed it over. Alexander looked down, the photograph showed Ava standing outside Kingston Manor, it had been taken when she was kicked out of the house.

On the back, someone had written three words in red ink:

Recover the key.

Alexander slowly lifted his eyes to Ava. "What key?"