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Liam doesn't look away. "She's been sending photos. Messages. Messing with both of us, throwing our families into the mix. And?—"

Ryan turns to me, eyes dark with accusation. "And you didn't tell us?"

Guilt churns in my stomach, but I lift my chin. "I was handling it."

Ryan laughs, but there's no humor in it. "Handling it? Ava, you were lying to us."

I dig my nails into my palms. "To protect you."

"That's not your decision to make."

"Don't." Liam sighs. "I told her. It was all my idea. I told her to enter a fake relationship with me until we found out who was at the bottom of all this."

Ryan hisses. "You're not…" He looks between the both of us before scowling heavily at me. "What the hell, Ava?"

My throat tightens, but before I can respond, Nate—who has been eerily silent this entire time—finally steps forward.

"That's enough."

Nate looks between me and Liam. "We can fight about who should have told who later. Not the time or place."

Ryan glowers but falls silent.

Vanessa, of course, looks positively delighted by the dysfunction unfolding in front of her. She takes a slow sip of her drink, watching us like we're the most entertaining thing she's seen all week.

"Ah, the great Bennett family," she muses, setting her glass down with a soft clink. "Such a beautiful display of loyalty, trust, and—oh, what's the word?" She tilts her head. "Oh, right. Betrayal."

Ryan turns on her so fast, the chair next to him scrapes loudly against the polished marble floor. "I swear to?—"

"Ryan." Liam's voice is clipped.

Ryan stops, breathing hard, but he doesn't take a step closer.

Vanessa, undeterred, smiles sweetly. "Touchy, aren't we?"

Nate exhales like he's already over it. "Ignore her," he mutters. "She wants a reaction."

"Smart one, this one," Vanessa says lightly, flicking her gaze to Nate with vague amusement. "Always a pleasure to see someone in this family with a functioning brain."

Nate doesn't take the bait. He just watches her, calm, unreadable.

Vanessa sighs and stretches, rolling her shoulders. "Well, as much as I love family reunions, I have places to be." She pushes her chair back, standing gracefully, smoothing down her dress.

Liam moves immediately. "Sit down."

She arches a brow, unimpressed. "Or what, darling?"

His jaw tightens. "Or I make sure you never set foot in this town again."

She hums, tilting her head as if considering. "Oh, Liam." She exhales dramatically, like this is all such a hassle. "I told you, didn't I?"

She reaches into her clutch and pulls out a napkin—neatly folded, crisp. She places it on the table between us, her manicured fingers smoothing over the fabric.

"You should've stayed out of this, Carter." Her voice is light, almost playful. Then she lifts her gaze, her smirk as sharp as a knife. "Now it's going to cost you."

Liam's hand twitches, like he's seconds from snapping.

Vanessa's smile deepens. "Until next time, darlings."