William's grip tightened around Ava's wrist.
"Listen to me carefully."
His calm voice carried an urgency that made Ava's heart race.
"No matter what happens, do not let anyone take that envelope."
The two men in dark suits quickened their pace. Neither spoke nor looked away from William.
Ava instinctively clutched the large brown envelope against her chest.
"Who are they?" she whispered.
"I don't know their names."
William's eyes remained fixed on the approaching men.
"But I know who sent them."
Before Ava could ask another question, William gently pushed her towards the emergency stairwell.
"Go."
"I'm not leaving you."
"You must."
"They're after you, not me."
William gave a faint smile.
"My dear, if they see you with me, they'll soon be after you too."
The footsteps drew closer. William reached into his coat and produced a business card.
"If we get separated, call this number."
Ava looked down. The card simply read:
William Carter
Private Trustee
There was no company name or address, only a phone number.
"Now go."
Reluctantly, Ava opened the stairwell door. Before stepping inside, she glanced back. The two men had stopped several feet from William.
One of them spoke politely.
"Mr. Carter."
William nodded.
"Gentlemen."
"Our employer would like a word."
"I'm afraid he'll have to remain disappointed."
The second man smiled without warmth.
"You've become rather difficult to find."
William chuckled.
"I've lived long enough to appreciate solitude."
The first man took another step forward.
"We're not here to harm you."
"No?"
William's eyes drifted towards the bulge beneath the man's jacket.
"Then why bring a gun?"
Silence.
William smiled again.
"I thought as much."
Taking advantage of the distraction, Ava quietly descended the stairs.
Her pulse thundered in her ears. She wanted to stay, she wanted answers, but William's expression had made one thing painfully clear: this wasn't a misunderstanding.
Someone truly wanted something from him.
And now...
That something might be in the envelope she carried.
........
Twenty minutes later, Ava sat alone inside a small café several streets away.
She ordered nothing. Her eyes never left the envelope resting on the table.
It was thick, but heavier than it looked.
Across the front, written in elegant black ink, were six simple words.
For Ava. Open only when necessary.
Her fingers hovered over the seal. William had been very clear.
"Don't open it."
She withdrew her hand.
If he had trusted her enough to protect it, she would honour that trust... For now.
Her phone vibrated, it was an unknown number. She hesitated before answering.
"Hello?"
"Mrs. Kingston?"
It was William. Relief flooded her chest.
"Mr. Carter! Are you alright?"
"For the moment."
She closed her eyes.
"Thank goodness."
"I don't have much time."
His breathing sounded uneven.
"Listen carefully."
"I'm listening."
"Leave the city today."
"I already planned to."
"Good."
"And don't tell anyone where you're going."
"What about you?"
"I have a few matters to settle."
"You sound injured."
"It's nothing that can't wait."
She wasn't convinced.
"Mr. Carter..."
"If anyone asks about me..."
He paused.
"...tell them you've never met me."
The line crackled.
Before Ava could reply, he added one final sentence.
"They'll come looking for that envelope."
The call ended.
......
At Kingston Manor, Alexander stood on the balcony outside his bedroom. The morning breeze carried the scent of fresh rain.
He hadn't slept a wink. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw Ava standing alone beneath the storm.
He rubbed his temples. A strange ache settled deep inside him, almost like grief.
Yet grief for what?
Was it because of a marriage he couldn't remember?
Or because of a woman whose face should have meant nothing?
A knock interrupted his thoughts.
"Come in."
Evelyn entered.
"You look exhausted."
"I couldn't sleep." He replied.
"You're recovering from a serious accident."
"No." Alexander looked towards the gardens. "It's something else."
Evelyn's expression tightened.
"You're thinking about her again."
"I keep feeling..." He struggled to explain it. "...that I've made a terrible mistake."
His mother walked over and rested a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"Memory plays cruel tricks." She smiled gently. "In time, you'll realise divorcing her was the right decision."
Alexander wanted to believe her, but the unease in his heart only grew stronger.
......
Late that afternoon, Ava arrived at the railway station. She purchased a one-way ticket, no destination mattered anymore, only distance was necessary.
As she waited on the crowded platform, she reached into her handbag to check that William's envelope was still there.
Her fingers found only empty fabric. She froze...
She searched again, then again. The envelope... Was gone!
Somewhere in the crowd, a man wearing a black cap smiled faintly as he slipped the sealed envelope into a leather briefcase.
Without looking back, he disappeared onto the departing train.