Nathan's POV
Nathan was getting irritated—with himself.
For three days now, his focus had been torn. Ava Queen — the quiet girl with the soft voice and sad smile — was haunting the edges of his mind like smoke. But she wasn't in the file. She wasn't the target.
Monica Queen was.
He pulled the surveillance notes back up on his tablet, watching from across the street as Monica exited her political science class. Always punctual. Always composed. The file said she was studying international law. Fitting for someone whose family operated in shadows.
He followed her down the block and into her usual café — a minimalist spot that catered to upper-class students and young professionals. She ordered her matcha with almond milk, like she did every week.
Nathan had just pulled out his phone to snap another photo when someone called out:
> "Monica!"
His hand froze mid-air.
It was Ava. Dressed in a pale blue sweater and jeans, no sketchbook this time, hair tied up in a soft bun. She approached Monica with hesitant steps.
Nathan melted into the crowd, phone still in hand but forgotten.
> "Hey," Ava said quietly.
> "We shouldn't be talking here," Monica responded without looking directly at her. "You know that."
> "Off campus, Monica," Ava murmured. "It's just coffee. Not a press conference."
Monica sighed and finally turned toward her. Nathan caught the look — a flicker of warmth in her otherwise cold expression.
> "You've been avoiding me," Ava said, her tone small but firm.
> "I'm protecting you," Monica replied. "That's what this is."
> "I don't need protecting. I just—" Ava paused, looking down. "I miss you."
Monica didn't speak for a beat. Her jaw flexed.
> "We can talk later," she said, a whisper only Ava could hear. "You know where."
She brushed past her and walked away.
Ava stood still for a moment, shoulders tight, then exhaled and turned to head back down the sidewalk — never noticing Nathan's eyes tracking every step.
He opened his phone again, pulling up Avery Queen's old high school photo — braces, frizzy hair, no confidence.
Then back to Ava.
> There's no way they're not the same person...
But the file had said Avery left the country after graduation. There were no digital breadcrumbs. No social links. No ties to Monica. Only a few rumors.
So why had he just witnessed the most sisterly moment he'd ever seen?
> "She's either playing dumb," Nathan muttered, "or someone erased her on purpose."
Either way, it was time to start looking into both Queens. No more distractions.
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